Sunset on Moonlight Beach - Sheila Roberts Page 0,11
a great fit for her. He’d raised kids and he was always able to empathize with whatever she was going through with Sabrina. He was fun and he made her laugh.
Then there was Seth, who could set her hormones sizzling. He had a depth to him that called to her, and whenever problems arose he’d always been there for her in his quiet, unobtrusive way. But he had a past, and he wasn’t going to ever let the scars completely heal so he could move on. She knew he wanted her, wanted to be with her, but he wouldn’t let himself.
Brody had no such reservations. He’d made it plain he wanted her ever since she’d moved to Moonlight Harbor. His kids liked her and she liked them. Sabrina had always liked Seth but she’d also come to accept Brody’s presence in their life. So, really, there were no obstacles to them getting together.
Still, she hesitated. She had one divorce to her credit already. She didn’t want to make a mistake the second time around. She cared for Brody. A lot. But did she care enough for them both to be content and happy together for the rest of their lives? If only she could get clarity.
Maybe she never would.
Now, there was a cheery thought.
Her cell phone summoned her. Mom. How was it her mother always seemed to know to call just when she needed to talk?
“Mom, am I glad to hear from you.”
“What’s wrong?” Mel asked, sounding concerned.
“Don’t worry. Nobody’s died or anything. But we have had some drama. Sabrina’s boyfriend broke up with her.”
“Oh, our poor girl,” Mel said, instantly sympathetic. “I must say, though, I’m surprised they lasted as long as they did.”
“Same here,” Jenna said. “Still, it hurts. He was actually seeing another girl.”
“Well, then, he certainly wasn’t a keeper.”
Just like Damien. His betrayal had felt like a fatal wound at the time. And even though the wound had healed, it still stung occasionally.
“Needless to say, it’s been a traumatic afternoon.” Jenna sighed. “I sure wish you lived down here.”
Not that she couldn’t talk to her mother on the phone when she had a problem. But Mel was a calming presence, and with juggling work, motherhood, managing the motel and keeping Aunt Edie, the hazard behind the wheel, from sneaking off with her car, Jenna sometimes felt overwhelmed and in need of calm.
“Actually, that’s what I called to talk to you about. Our layoffs finally happened and I’m thinking of selling the house and moving to the beach.”
“Oh, Mom, that would be awesome!” Her mother right there with her. She’d been pushing for it long enough.
“I assume your friend Brody could help me find a house.”
“No need to find a house. You can stay here with us.”
“No, you’re crowded enough as it is.”
She did have a point. “Well, then, stay with us until you find a place. I don’t mind sharing my room. We’ll put in twin beds.”
“I am not going to do that to you.” Mom sounded horrified at the thought.
“It would be great to have you living with us.”
“We’ll see,” her mother said, not committing to anything.
“It’s time you moved here. And once Celeste and Henry get a place we’ll all be together.” Her whole family at Moonlight Harbor, it would be perfect.
“I guess I’ll give Caroline’s daughter a call and see about putting the house up for sale then.”
“She’ll jump at the chance.”
“I must admit, it’s going to be hard to leave,” Mel said. “So many memories.”
Yes, there were. Jenna remembered all those slumber parties in the house, she and her girlfriends stretched out across the living room floor in their sleeping bags, talking about boys, eating chips and her mother’s home-baked peanut butter cookies, getting crumbs everywhere. The Bluebirds had held their meetings there and then the Camp Fire Girls.
She and Celeste and the neighbor kids had played softball out in the street and freeze tag on the front lawn. She still remembered being in charge of welcoming the neighbors every year when her mother hosted her annual Christmas open house. That red velveteen dress with the lace trim, how she’d loved it.
How she’d loved growing up where she had with the mother she had. Yes, the place was a treasure trove of memories. But...
“You take your memories wherever you go, and we’ll make new ones here.”
“Yes, we will,” Mel said. “There comes a time when you have to move on, and for me it looks like that time is now.”