by Sarah Turtle
Griffin lifted Brynn into his arms and waited on the dock while Willa transported her wheelchair over as well. Brynn had no choice but to go along with their secret plan but Willa could see that she was starting to get antsy when Griffin got back in the boat, so Willa waved him off after untying the rope that anchored it to the dock.
“How about a little explanation as to why we were dropped off behind the old stone house you were always obsessed with?”
“The answer is in a story that I’ll tell you on our way up to the house,” Willa explained, motioning towards the ramp at the end of the dock.
Willa knew that Brynn would have liked her to go first, but when she didn’t budge, Brynn finally gave in and headed toward the house. “We’re moving, so start talking,” she said over her shoulder.
“My obsession, as you call it, with this house, began with us dreaming about living here someday when we were kids.”
“I remember you wanted to read books up in that tower, and I wanted to climb up the outside of it.”
They reached the gigantic back deck of the house and Willa ran up the ramp that led to it. Brynn watched her, wide eyed, but followed her cautiously to the top. Willa watched carefully as Brynn examined the boards below her as she went up the ramp.
Willa sucked in a breath of the fresh sea breeze and spun in a circle, letting her hair flow out in a mess of curls around her face. “It’s absolutely gorgeous back here, isn’t it?” she asked with a delighted laugh.
Brynn smiled at Willa’s joyful display, but she kept a cautious eye out on her surroundings. “It’s nice, but it’s still summer. Don’t you think the owners might catch us out here?”
Willa made a show of pretending to sneak up to the sliding glass door before she slid it open and stepped in. “I thought you used to be the daring one,” Willa said, sticking her head back out the door, willing Brynn to follow her.
Brynn found Willa lounging in a room that overlooked the view of the ocean. Her feet were up on the coffee table and her arms were spread wide across the top of the couch cushions.
“I’m guessing there’s more to the story that you still haven’t finished?”
“My mother’s estranged parents, who owned this as a summer home, passed away a year apart from each other, and with my deceased mother as their only child, the house was left to my father and in turn to me. I found the deed in with Dad’s paperwork while I was cleaning up his estate.”
“Are you going to sell it?”
“I’d planned on that initially, but then I decided to hire a construction crew to come in and make some changes to the house.”
“What kind of changes?”
Willa got up and made her way through the house with Brynn close behind. “As you can see, all of the doorways have been enlarged so that they are wider.” She then moved past a bathroom and pointed in. “The showers have been renovated just like the large one in the office bathroom at the gym.” Willa walked up to a door at the base of the staircase. “I had an elevator installed which goes to the second floor.” Willa stopped explaining the remodeling details when they reached the kitchen.
Brynn approached the counters, where all of them were custom made to be low enough for her to reach them, as well as the sink and stovetop. She reached out and touched her fingertips to the knobs on the back of the stove. For a long time, she didn’t move, but a shaking motion in her shoulders made Willa go to her. She crouched down in front of Brynn and kissed every one of her knuckles until the tremors subsided.
“I talked to Griffin and he thinks that it would be best for his recovery if the two of you had a little space for a while.”
“So, you fixed up this house for me to be able to live here?”
“Yes, unless you don’t like it, and in that case, I could have it all put back and Griff could move in.”
“No, Willa, it’s perfect. I never imagined a place that was suited for all my needs could exist. I don’t know how to thank you enough for this.”
“Well, there is something…”
Brynn pushed back the hair that had fallen into Willa’s face. “Anything for you.”
“Well, I did sell a house this week, but it was my condo in New York.”
“Seriously? Does that mean you’re going to stay here?”
“Mm-hmm. I can work from anywhere, really, and what better place than Laurel Cove, right?” Willa bit at her lower lip. “That is, if you don’t mind a roommate?”
Brynn crinkled up her nose. “I’m not so sure about that.”
Willa sunk down further onto the tiled floor, trying to hide a sullen face. “Oh, it’s okay. I’m sure I could look into renting a room at the Sea Turtle Inn for a few nights until I find a new place…”
Brynn’s lips twisted up into her famous smirk. “Do you honestly believe that I would ever allow you to sleep anywhere on this island other than in my arms?”
“But you just said that you didn’t want a roommate.”
“I don’t. I’ve had Griff for a roommate for the past twenty years.” Brynn leaned her face down and put her lips to Willa’s ear. “It’s about time I have a lover.” She kissed her earlobe. “Or a girlfriend.” She kissed her cheek. “Or a wife.” She kissed her lips.
Willa closed her eyes and let the kiss linger on her lips. “It’s about time I have those things too.”
About the Author
Sarah Turtle spent the beginning portion of her childhood living in a small Maine island community, much like the setting in her debut novel, Laurel Cove. She moved around to other locations far from the East Coast, such as San Diego, but eventually came back to live in her home state of Maine. She just couldn’t imagine not being able to enjoy the rocky coastline of New England, or the cold winter blizzards that she loves more than anything.
When she’s not busy writing, Sarah loves going on bike rides, playing board games, video games, painting, and playing a variety of musical instruments. Faithfully by her side in all things, is her Jack Russell Terrier dog, Guinn.
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Other books by Sapphire Authors
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