An Invincible Summer (Wyndham Beach), Mariah Stewart [best classic novels TXT] 📗

move here,” Grace had said over breakfast at Beach Fries, the new beachside café Liddy had taken her to the morning after the settlement.

“Your mother’s family has very deep roots here, as you know. She grew up in that house and has a strong connection to it,” Liddy reminded her. “Just as you’ll always feel a pull toward the house you grew up in. Who’s to say that someday you might see that house for sale and want to buy it?”

“I get that part. It just seemed so sudden. I’m a little concerned that maybe she didn’t think it through all the way. Like it was just something that occurred to her, and she thought it sounded like a good idea.”

Liddy laughed. “You know your mother better than that. She doesn’t act on a whim when something important is at stake. I think she’s missed Wyndham Beach for a long time. I’m pretty sure she’s wanted to come back more often than she had over the years.”

“She could have. I don’t know what stopped her.”

“When you and your sister were still in school, and your grandmother was still alive, the trips back here made a lot of sense. You spent most of those summers here. Once you were in college and doing summers abroad, your parents were free to travel to other places. I don’t think you or Natalie have been here since your grandmother passed.”

Grace frowned, trying to remember. “We haven’t. At least, I haven’t. But you know, we always traveled as a family,” Grace reminded her. “The four of us took lots of trips together when we were kids.”

“Yes, but once you two were out of the house, your mom and dad no longer had to plan their trips around school vacations. They could go anywhere, anytime they wanted.”

“And they sure did. They went everywhere.” Grace smiled, remembering. She never knew when she’d get a call asking her to pop in at her parents’ home once or twice to bring in mail and water plants.

“It’s no secret your father preferred Europe to Wyndham Beach. Not that I blame him. We don’t have any grand museums or historic places to visit. We’re just a small beach town here on the Massachusetts coast.”

“Well, it’s a charming town. In that respect, I do understand why Mom wants to come back. The house itself has changed so much, though. I hardly recognized the place. The addition has seriously tripped up my memory. Nothing looks the same.” Grace took a bite of the excellent french toast.

“At least the previous owners had great taste and enough money to do the job right,” Liddy said. “I’d kill for a kitchen like the one they put in. Top-of-the-line everything. It would be an absolute joy to cook in that kitchen.”

The door at the front of the café opened and a tall, well-built blond man wearing jeans and a black long-sleeve T-shirt came in. His glance went from table to table, as if taking inventory. It stopped at the table where Grace sat with Liddy. A moment later, he walked toward them.

“Morning, Lydia,” he said.

Liddy turned and looked up at him. “Where’s your uniform, Chief?”

“I took the morning off.” He smiled at Liddy, then at Grace. “Hi.”

“Oh, Grace, this is our chief of police, Brett Crawford.” Liddy looked up at the chief, one eyebrow raised. “Grace is Maggie Flynn’s daughter.”

“I thought you looked familiar,” he said to Grace. “I saw you and your sister at your grandmother’s funeral.”

“Chief Crawford went to school with your mom and me,” Liddy told her.

“There’s a rumor going around that your mother bought the old Wakefield place, your grandmother’s house.” He leaned on the back of an empty chair that sat tucked under their table for four.

“Not a rumor,” Grace said. “She closed on the house yesterday. Well, I closed for her. She’s tying up some loose ends on the house she’s selling in Pennsylvania.”

“So she’ll be moving back, then.”

Close up, Grace could see silver woven through his blond hair, but even so, he was exceptionally good looking. “I’d guess within the next month or so.”

“I’ll be sure to stop by and see her after she gets settled. In the meantime, if you need anything, help at the house, whatever, you can call me at the police station.” He straightened up.

“I’m hoping I don’t need to call the police while I’m here, but thanks.”

“Don’t hesitate if you need to. Liddy, I’ll be seeing you.”

“You betcha.”

After he walked to the counter to put in a takeout order, Grace turned to Liddy. “He seems nice.”

“Yeah, he’s a nice guy. Good police chief. He cares a lot about the community.” Liddy looked as if she wanted to say something else but thought better of it.

“Well, at least I know who’ll show up if I ever have to call 911.” Grace finished the last few bites of her french toast. “That was delicious, Liddy. Thank you so much for recommending this place. I’ll definitely be back.”

“There are several really good restaurants in town. Wyndham Beach has changed over the past few years. New businesses opening up. Young families moving in. The new art center that Emma opened last year is doing very well. Stop over and see the exhibition of Jessie’s work before some of the paintings are moved to the gallery in Boston in a few weeks.”

“My mom told me the show is stunning and that several galleries in Boston have been vying to show her paintings. We always knew Jess had a lot of talent. I’m so glad people in other places are going to get to see her work. I will definitely go while I’m here.”

Thinking about Jessie’s suicide made Grace sick to her stomach. The girls had been the same age, and Jess had been Grace’s best summer friend for years until their lives took them in different directions. Once out of high school, Grace had studied abroad in the summers. She tried to recall the last time she and Jessie had