Sunshine Beach Read Free

Point. Where the mother she’d only just forgiven for abandoning her had crumpled at her feet and died of a brain aneurysm. Avery looked down into the swirl of creamed coffee, blinking away tears as she tried to dislodge the image. Her hand shook as she raised the cup to her lips.
    â€œIf the day ever comes that I’d rather sit at home like an old fart than visit one of our construction sites, I’ll let you know,” Jeff snapped.
    Chase nodded to his father but made no comment. Pulling a crumpled bakery bag from the back of a cabinet, he carried it to the table. “I managed to save you exactly one glazed donut,” he said as he placed the bag in front of Avery. “Next time you’re going to have to hide them better.”
    She extracted the donut from the bag and pinched off a bite knowing as she began to chew the sugary confection that if Deirdre were there, she’d be lobbying for Avery to trade the donut for a fat-free yogurt.
    â€œHave you guys got your lunches packed?” Chase asked. He was running full throttle while she was still trying to get up to speed.
    Mouths full, both boys grunted in the affirmative.
    â€œIs there anything I’m supposed to sign, deliver, or do that I don’t already know about?” Chase, who had a lot of years as a single father under his belt, prodded.
    They shook their heads.
    â€œAre you sure?”
    There were two identical eye rolls. The chewing didn’t stop.
    â€œWhat do you have going on today?” Chase asked Avery.
    â€œHmmm?” She downed the last of her coffee, managed another bite of the donut, and blinked up at him. “I’m going to finish those sketches for the O’Reilly addition. And I had some ideas for the spec home on Davis Island.” She enjoyed being a part of the company their fathers had built. Being busy helped, but it hadn’t eliminated the aching sense of loss she still felt for the mother she’d lived so much of her life without. Nor did it erase her worry over whether
Do Over
could be salvaged. And if they did salvage the show? What would it be without Deirdre, who’d put her personal stamp on every property they’d touched?
    â€œDo you have time to help me pick up the boys’ Explorer from the repair shop later?”
    â€œUm, sure.” She took another sip of coffee, willing the caffeine into her bloodstream, and her thoughts back to the present. “I’m wide open today. Tomorrow I’m going to Bella Flora—Maddie and Nikki should be there in time for dinner. I thought I’d stay there at least through the weekend. We’ve got to figure out our next moves.” She swallowed. Deirdre’s absence would be even more palpable when they were all under one roof again. Especially Bella Flora’s.
    â€œAre you okay?” Chase asked quietly as he took her empty cup and carried it to the coffeepot to refill it.
    â€œYes,” she said automatically. “Thanks. I . . .” Her voice trailed off as she accepted the coffee, cupping the warm mug between both hands.
    She was once again blinking back tears as the boys put their empty bowls in the sink. Chase took his father’s plate, added it to the stack, and reached to open the dishwasher.
    Avery waved him away. “Go ahead. You’ll be late. I can load the dishwasher.”
    â€œThanks,” he said, pecking her on the cheek. “I’ll text you when the Explorer is ready.”
    At her nod he shooed the boys out the door, then hovered at his father’s side as Jeff maneuvered the walker through the kitchen. A few minutes later the garage door rumbled shut.
    She was sorry to see them go. Sorrier still when the quiet that she would have once treasured, descended. Alone was not good. Alone in the silence was even worse.
    â€œGet over yourself,” she muttered as she stood and carried her coffee cup to the sink. As she loaded the dishwasher and tidied the