Seaside Heartbeats: A Sweet Romance (The Seaside Hunters Book 2) (5 page)

Everyone else laughed, and Brayden joined in, not caring what it was about. No more guilt, and no more regrets.

The plates emptied, but no one got up. Usually, Brayden would get up and get back home as soon as dinner was over. He kept his butt planted in the chair and joined in on the conversation. He noticed his parents seemed happier.

Had he managed to be just as absent the last year since moving back as he'd been in Dallas? It was really time for change.

Brayden cleared his throat. "I've started looking at buildings for the urgent care clinic."

"You have?" His mother beamed. "Have you found anything?"

"Not yet. It's hard to imagine turning any of these buildings into a medical center. I just don't have enough creativity for it. Though I'm considering construction. I think the old hardware store has potential."

"You would turn that into a hospital?" his dad asked, looking disappointed.

Brayden squirmed. "It's one possibility. There are others. Why?"

His dad looked thoughtful. "When I was a boy, your grandpa and I would go into the Anderson's hardware store every week. Every time I pass it, I remember those days."

"Well, there's always the old elementary school or the theater. There are other buildings I haven't even considered yet."

"You know what, Son?" His dad looked Brayden square in the eyes. "Now that I think about it, I'd rather have you rebuild the hardware store than someone else."

Brayden smiled. "And you know what, Dad? If I do decide on the hardware store, I'll let you take anything you want from it so you can always have a piece of it. Perhaps a memento to hang on a wall in the shop or maybe out in your shed."

"Or the garage."

"Heck, Dad," Cruz said, "You could probably take a piece for each place."

"I like the way you boys think."

Cruz winked at Brayden.

They all discussed the potential of turning the hardware store into an urgent care clinic for a while. Then Tiffany turned to Brayden. "Do you have any investors or partners? You said it would take more than you had in savings, right?"

Brayden nodded. "I've been able to add to my savings a little, but not nearly enough. I'm working on a few doctors at the hospital. There are a few forward-thinkers that I think would really do great at leading this up with me."

Six

Lana kissed Nolan's forehead followed by Ryder's, and then left the bedroom, closing the door quietly so as not to wake either of them. She gave Cora an exasperated expression. "I don't know how you do that every night."

"They sure hate going to sleep." Cora laughed. "But once they do, they're sound sleepers. Thank God for that. Want to hit the beach? I heard there's a concert tonight."

"Isn't there one every night?" Lana asked.

"Seems like it. What do you say?"

Lana turned to her parents who lounged on the couch watching a comedy. "Mind if we take off? Cora promises the boys will stay asleep."

Laughing, Cora shoved Lana. "Thanks."

"How are you feeling?" Their father asked, staring at Lana.

"Great. My heart hasn't given me a bit of trouble, even chasing after those two crazy kids."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Dad, come on. We're just going to walk around the beach. It's not like we're going to party and get drunk. That's not our scene."

"Anymore." Cora elbowed Lana.

"You're not helping," Lana said. "Dad, really, I'm fine. I even have the doctor's personal line, remember? He's here in town if needed."

"Just go," their mom said. "Cora, you keep an eye on her."

Lana rolled her eyes. "I'm not two."

"You're still my baby."

"What about Ryder and Nolan?" Lana asked.

"My grand-babies. You're mine."

Cora grasped Lana's arm. "I promise to be a reliable babysitter."

"Wonderful," muttered Lana.

"Hey," said their dad, looking at Lana. "In the morning, I want you to look at the plans. I made some changes to the first floor I want your opinion on."

"I thought this was a vacation, Dad."

"It is, but if we can start the fall off with ideas, we'll be ahead of the game—and our clients will be that much happier."

"All right, I'll look at them and tell you what I think, but I'm not doing anything more. Not until we're back at the office."

"I suppose I'll have to accept that." He turned back to the movie.

Lana turned to Cora. "Let's get going before anyone changes their minds." She hated feeling like a kid, and she couldn't wait to get away from the house for a while. In fact, looking for a house of her own back home sounded even better. She needed to make that a priority. Maybe when she and Cora got back from their outing, Lana could get online and see what was available in their area.

They hurried out of the house. "Do you really feel okay?"

"Oh, not you, too." Lana gave her sister her most exasperated look. "Really? I just went to the ER. It's not like I was in the hospital for weeks, hanging on for dear life. You guys are the most overprotective group I've ever met."

"Good. We should be. We're your family. Now where to?"

"I thought you wanted to go to the concert."

Cora looked toward the busy beach. "That's just what I told them. I want to explore the areas that no one else does. This place has to have some hidden gems. Don't you think?"

Lana thought of Brayden, her pulse picking up. "I know it does. Let's see what the locals are keeping from us."

"That's my girl." Cora gave her a devious look.

"Why do I feel like we're teenagers again?"

"Because we're being adventurous and having fun—we're ditching our parents, and you told Dad you won't do your homework." Cora picked up her speed.

Lana caught up, and they made their way through the streets until the roads grew emptier. The buildings weren't as well-kept as the ones back in the touristy areas.

"This is what I'm talking about," Cora said. "This is the real Kittle Falls. It has charm."

"I guess. If that's what you want to call it."

Down an alleyway, dishes clattered followed by laughter and chatter.

"See? This is where people actually live. When they're not busy with everyone else, the locals come here and…? What do you suppose they're hiding?"

Lana looked down the street. "Smaller restaurants. But I'm not hungry."

"Bet they have some decent bars. Want to find one?"

"I'm not supposed to drink."

"No coffee, and now alcohol?" Cora frowned. "Heart conditions suck."

"Yeah, and that's why." Lana rolled her eyes. They continued down the street, looking in the windows of various storefronts. Mostly quaint little shops. Nothing like whatever treasure Cora sounded so eager to find. "What exactly are we looking for?"

"Nothing in particular. It's just a hunt. We'll probably find something—just one little thing that none of the other tourists know about. I mean, really. If we're going to be here, we may as well have fun. You're here all summer, right?"

"That's the plan. I just want to forget about life and school for a few months. But dad won't leave me alone with those plans. He's going to have that whole mansion designed long before we leave."

"All the more reason to explore. After we leave, you'll need to know where to go to get away."

Lana frowned. "How long are you guys staying?"

"Not as long as Mom and Dad want, but we don't have a date set. Marcus needs to get back for his coaching and teaching at least a couple weeks before school starts."

"What about you?"

"I've left my best people in charge, but I don't want to stay away too long. Each time I've talked to them, they say everything is great, but I hate to be away. It's my business, I should be there at least for part of the summer."

"I get it." Even though Lana didn't have a business, she'd been so focused and driven, working to get her architecture degree that she'd gotten it before most everyone who started with her in the studies. Some of them still had a couple more years to go.

Lana smelled something sweet, and Cora looked at her. "Want to find out what that is? You can eat sugar, can't you?"

"As far as I know."

"Then let's find out what that wonderful smell is."

Lana's mouth watered. "Suddenly, I'm in the spirit for an adventure."

Cora sniffed. "Where do you think it's coming from?"

"It can't be too far. Ahead a little?"

Lana nodded, and they went ahead until they reached an intersection. "Which way?"

"Down the right." Cora sniffed again. "Definitely."

They turned down the road, giggling and chatting like they were little again. Lana couldn't help having fun, and she remembered all kinds of adventures her sister had taken her on when they grew up. Lana had really missed them, but hadn't realized it until that moment.

"There." Cora pointed to a bakery.

Lana laughed. "That would have to be it."

Cora grabbed her hand and pulled her inside. A large lady with a big smile welcomed them. "I just baked fresh pies. Would you girls like some slices? Just two dollars."

Lana's mouth watered all the more. "What flavor?"

"The fresh ones are cherry, apple, marionberry, and rhubarb."

"How do I choose?" Lana asked.

"We'll get one of each, and share," Cora said, digging into her purse. She pulled out a ten, and put it on the counter.

The lady cut four large slices and then heaped whipped cream, too. Lana grabbed the tray and found a table.

"What about your change?" asked the lady.

"Keep it," Cora said, sitting down. "How are we going to eat all of this?"

"I won't have a problem," Lana said, picking up a fork. "Which one to try first?"

"Rhubarb for me," Cora said, taking as much as would fit on the fork. Pink dripped onto the plate.

Lana took some of the marionberry. It melted in her mouth. She moaned. "I've never tasted anything so good."

"What did I tell you?" Cora asked, digging into the cherry pie. "The locals keep the best stuff hidden."

They ate all four slices, going back and forth between racing each other and savoring the bites. Lana wiped her mouth and then leaned back, stuffed. "I think I stretched my stomach."

"Just wait til you have kids," Cora said, her mouth full of pie. She put her hand in front of it. "Sorry."

Lana grinned. "Like I've never seen you talk with your mouth full of food. You used to torture me by showing me your food, remember?"

Cora laughed, nearly choking. "I almost forgot about that. Half the fun was seeing how long it would take for you to shriek and tattle. But now I have two boys, so I've been paid back in full—with interest."

"Good." Lana rubbed her stomach. "Up for more adventure?"

"Definitely. We have to walk off those calories. I don't even want to think about how many we just ate."

They got up and called out a thanks as they left the bakery. Lara felt like she'd doubled in weight.

"Why do I feel like I'm going to regret this in the morning?" Cora asked.

"I think we're going to have to jog every day to make up for it."

"Especially since I'm coming back here every day."

"Are you bringing the boys?" asked Lana.

Cora looked thoughtful. "Maybe on the last day. It'll be our secret until then." She held up a pinky.

Lana looped her pinky through Cora's. "Our secret."

They wandered through the mostly empty streets, occasionally coming across groups of people.

Lana looked up at the darkening sky. "It's really peaceful over here."

"Yeah, now that we can't hear the concert and other beach activity. What other treasures do you think we'll find?"

"I sure hope nothing that involves food."

"Preach it."

They passed a noisy bar and then a dance hall playing eighties music. Cora looked over, and saw everyone inside was dressed for the music. "Too bad we didn't bring leg-warmers."

"Yeah," Cora said. "I left my banana clips at home."

"You probably remember the eighties, right?" Lana shoved her sister.

"Barely. But I don't wanna hear it. You were alive in them, too."

"Yeah, but I was still in diapers when the nineties began."

"What's that about diapers?" came a male voice from behind.

Lana turned around. Brayden stood there, smiling. Lana's face burned with embarrassment.

"Brayden, this is my sister, Cora," Lana said. "Cora, Brayden."

They shook hands. "And how do you two know each other?" Cora asked.

Lana wanted to crawl into a hole. "He's my doctor."

"Very nice to meet you, Brayden. I've never been on a first-name basis with any of my doctors." Cora turned to Lana and mouthed, "He's hot."