“My phone’s been charging all afternoon, and I’ve been so busy I haven’t thought twice about it. But I’m so happy to see you. What brings you home?”
“Just thought I’d get away for the weekend. You know.”
Mom pulled back and palmed Jenna’s cheek, her eyes softening. “Oh, honey. Of course. You’ve had such a rough time of it, haven’t you? You need your home and your mama. I’ll take good care of you this weekend. Some home cooking and TLC is just what the doctor ordered.”
“You just got home yourself. You must be tired from all that traveling.”
“I’m always ready to take care of my baby girl. And your timing couldn’t be better. There’s someone I want you to—”
“Dee, honey, I can’t seem to figure out your washer.” At the sight of them, the older man came to a dead stop on the porch. His headful of gray hair was tousled, but somehow neither that nor his weatheredskin detracted from his appearance. A pair of khaki shorts hung almost to his knees and a navy tee showed off a lean torso. Jenna put him around sixty.
“Gordon, come meet my daughter. She’s staying for the weekend.”
He offered Jenna a friendly smile as he took the porch steps, his blue eyes twinkling. “Well, how wonderful. I’m pleased to meet you, Jenna. I’ve heard so much about you.”
That made one of them. She offered a smile as they shook hands. “Hi there.”
“I have so much to tell you,” Mom said. “But let’s get out of the heat. I can only offer water since we haven’t made it to the grocery store yet.”
We?
Jenna’s mind whirled as Mom ushered her into the house. Sure didn’t sound as if the man was only here for a night.
“Let me take your bag.” Before Jenna could protest, Gordon took the bag and headed straight up the stairs like a man already familiar with the layout. And quite at home.
Mom got Jenna a water bottle from the pantry, then she and Jenna sat at the kitchen table. “You must be wondering what in the world’s going on. Gordon and I met day one of the cruise as the girls and I were checking in. They asked for my passport, and I couldn’t find the silly thing! I checked my purse, my pockets. I was getting pretty frantic, wondering if I’d lost it along the way or in that big warehouse they herded us through. Then this fine-looking gentleman appeared with my passport in hand. Turns out he found it on the ground and recognized my picture. He brought it right over and saved the day!”
Jenna manufactured a smile. “Well, isn’t that something.”
“It was meant to be. He hung out with us the rest of the cruise—can you believe he came by himself? Shore excursions, beach bumming, mealtimes... we had the best fun! Pam and Ellen just adore him.”
“Wow, Mom. You didn’t say anything in your messages.”
“It was too much to write with the little bit of internet we had. Besides, I figured I’d just tell you when we got home.”
We.
Jenna wanted to say more. A lot more. She had plenty of questions. But the sound of footsteps on the stairs held her tongue.
Chapter 5
Jenna consulted the grocery list as she pushed the buggy through the produce section of Island Foods.Bananas?Her mom hated bananas. She stopped by the fruit stand and picked up a bunch.
Five bananas. Would Gordon be staying long enough to eat a whole bunch of bananas? The niggle of discomfort told her she already knew the answer. But she pushed the thought from her head and wheeled on. She had to get Mom alone tonight and ask some questions.
Jenna worked quickly through the produce and meat sections, moving on to the interior of the store, where she picked up bread, pasta, and cereal. She was looking for the oatmeal her mom preferred when she heard a familiar voice.
“Jenna Greene, is that you, honey?” Her former boss beamed as she headed Jenna’s way.
“Miss Molly! It’s so good to see you.” They exchanged a hug. The woman was Jenna’s height and she still had the same wiry strength she’d always possessed. She wore the same black glasses, but her oval face had collected a few new wrinkles, and her short hair was now fully gray.
“Are you back home now?”
Islanders always assumed that when she visited. It sometimesfrustrated her because she’d been so determined to make something of herself. But it hit a little differently this time since her plans seemed to have gone up in smoke. “Just for the weekend, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, pooh. I’ve missed you. Why did you have to go away and educate yourself?”
Jenna chuckled. Miss Molly ran the island’s premier kayak touring company. Jenna had been a guide every summer since she turned sixteen and until she left for Georgetown University. “Not all of us can build a business with nothing more than four kayaks and sweat equity.”
