The Inn at Summer Island

by Rachel Magee

  Millie stood next to George looking as though she might break into a happy dance.

  Braxton wanted to celebrate right along with her. She’d done it. Somehow, even with the odds stacked against her, she’d figured out a way.

  Although everyone at the table didn’t seem as excited as he was. There were murmurings as several people whispered with the person next to them.

  Finally, Jarrod Cross spoke up. “I appreciate your findings, however, that is an old adoption. I feel fairly confident that clause is not in our current deed restrictions.”

  George nodded, looking thoughtful. “You’re right. It’s not, which is very curious. This clause was added in the 1994 adoption to article twelve, which, as you all well know, is the article titled ‘Basic Rights and Protections for Residents.’ According to this article, items added to this section are for the purpose of protecting the rights of the residents and cannot be taken away.” He paused and removed his glasses, focusing on Jarrod.

  Braxton had never seen George in action before, but he now understood why he was considered the best lawyer on Summer Island.

  “This new clause shows up again in the adoption of 2004, as it should. However, it is curiously missing from the adoption of 2014, which just so happens to be the same adoption with the new clause that forbade hotels. I’m sure it was an oversight and not an intentional act to take away the rights of one of your residents.” He passed the two copies of the deed restrictions to Jarrod.

  Braxton hadn’t been living on Summer Island in 2014. It would be a few years later that he’d buy his house, and still a couple more before he joined the HOA board. He had no idea what had gone down then, but he was here now and he had the power to fix it.

  “Thank you, Mr. Rodriguez, for pointing out this unfortunate oversight. That certainly is a valid grievance.” He turned to Sophia. “Let’s add this item to new business so we can discuss how to fix it in more detail.”

  Sophia, who was now grinning from ear to ear, snagged the laptop and pulled it back in front of her, typing furiously.

  Braxton surveyed the table. “And actually, Millie is not the only one with additional information on this topic.” He pulled out a stack of papers from his bag and lightly tossed them onto the middle of the table. “It seems someone has been sending Ms. Leclair forged violation letters in a bid to delay the renovation efforts on her property. Not only were many of these violations not valid, and most of them not registered, they were sent using an unauthorized signature.”

  Most of the faces at the table wore looks of shock and confusion. But one face, the face he’d expected, looked nervous. “I did a little digging today and found that one of our board members was using these scare tactics for his own benefit.”

  Stan shook his head. “This is ridiculous. Now we’re on a witch hunt to prove who changed the bylaws?”

  Braxton fixed his gaze on him. “Not exactly. But to prove unethical behavior on the board? Absolutely.” He slid the final paper in his bag toward Stan. “And I happen to have proof that you have a deal with Tellinger Construction so that every lot you bring them in this neighborhood that they build out gives you a handsome little under-the-table payout.”

  He shifted his gaze to Millie, whose mouth was hanging open.

  Stan glanced at the paper before tucking it inside his portfolio. “You don’t have proof. What you have is a suspicion and a desire to pin your girlfriend’s misfortune on someone.”

  Braxton settled back in his chair, clasping his hands on the table in front of him. “Perhaps. But the evidence is pretty condemning and our lawyers are in the process of looking into it.”

  Stan glared at him with a look that could’ve burned straight through a stone. “I don’t need to sit here and listen to accusations being slung at me. If you have something to say to me, you can contact my lawyers.”

  He stood up with such force that his rolling chair shot backward and hit the wall. He stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

  As soon as the stunned silence started to turn to muffled murmurs, Sophia turned to him. “So now what?”

  “Since I’ve never dealt with anything like this, I’m not entirely sure of the procedure here.” Braxton shifted his focus to Jose. Since his parliamentarian had just stormed out of the room, he figured maybe the standards chairperson would be the best to ask. “Jose, help me out here. In light of this new information, it seems to me that if Millie Leclair is planning on offering six guest rooms in the original structure, then we have nothing to vote on. Is that correct?”

  Jose reached for the stack of letters Braxton had thrown on the table and pulled them toward him. “I will need to study the bylaws some more, but it appears so.” He flipped through the pages of violation letters. “And it would seem that we also need to issue Ms. Leclair a formal apology. Let’s add that to the new business as well.”

  Braxton tried to keep his face as professional as possible, but there was a small part of him that wanted to give the entire table the finger.

  Of course, he couldn’t point any fingers without pointing back at himself. He, too, had fallen victim to fear of the future. Instead of fighting for what he believed in, he also had caved, hurting Millie in the process.

  Braxton looked across the table at Millie. She met his gaze and love swept through him like a warm breeze. Falling for her was no longer a simple possibility of someday. He was all in, cannonballing into the deep end, fully in love with Millie Leclair.

  “Congratulations on the reopening of Seascape Inn. Summer Island is lucky to have you.”

  There was a hint of sadness in her eyes, one he had put there, and she offered him a pained smile. “Thanks.”

  There was so much more he wanted to say, so much more he needed to say, but now wasn’t the time. It would have to wait. He just hoped all the damage he’d done could be overturned.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Millie had done it! She fought the system and she won. It took all her self-control to not throw her arms in the air and cheer.

  “Since we also have a vested interest in the discussion during new business, we’d like to stay for the remainder of the meeting.” Despite the glorious news, George still looked as serious as he had when they first walked into the room.

  Millie didn’t want to stay for the whole meeting. She’d kind of hoped they could say what they needed to say then skip out of the room to celebrate their victory. But since she needed to see this thing through, she tried to contain her excitement.

  “Of course. Please, have a seat.” Braxton held out his arm to motion to the chairs at the back of the room.

  That was another reason she wasn’t thrilled about staying. She didn’t want to sit at that end of the table, directly across from Braxton, trying to avoid eye contact for the next however long this meeting was going to take.

  She sank into the chair against the wall to wait it out. For the next hour and a half she alternated between trying to contain her excitement about the big victory and curb the ache from what had happened with Braxton. It was an odd opposition of emotions, and by the time they’d come back around to discussing the process for fixing the deed restrictions and looking into Stan’s ethical violations, Millie was more than ready to get out of her own head.

  “Now that we have that all in place, I think that covers everything. If no one else has anything to add, our meeting is officially adjourned.” Braxton banged his gavel on the table.

  Millie sprang up from her chair. She needed to release some of this built-up energy before the anxiety ate her up.

  But before she had the chance to move, Jose had rounded the table and was standing in front of her. “Congratulations, Millie. For the record, I’m sorry your first couple of months in Oceanside Estates hasn’t been the most enjoyable. I hope there are no hard feelings.” He extended his hand.

  Millie shook it. “Of cou
rse not.” After all, life was too short to hold grudges. She had gotten what she wanted and now it was time to move forward. In the end, they were all on the same side. Their goal was to make their neighborhood, the place they all called home, the very best it could possibly be. “And just like my great-aunt, I’m also dedicated to fighting for what’s right to preserve our coastline and to make sure the town prospers. I’m proud to be part of Summer Island’s legacy.”

  “Your passion is evident. Have you ever thought of being on the HOA board? We could use someone with your determination on our side.”

  Millie grinned. “Maybe someday, but right now, I think I’ll have my hands full with the inn.”

  Jose nodded. “I certainly understand. But don’t think I’m going to stop asking.”

  He had barely stepped out of the way when Sophia bounded up, throwing her arms around Millie and almost knocking her over. “You did it! How on earth did you find that clause?”

  “Luck,” Millie said. And maybe a little help from her aunt. “I’ll tell you all about it later.”

  “You better.” She stepped back and examined Millie’s worn, oversize sweatshirt and pajama pants. “And what’s with the outfit?”

  Millie looked down at her flannel-clad legs. Everything had happened so fast after she found the old deed restriction that she hadn’t had time to change. “You don’t like my power suit?”

  Sophia laughed. “It definitely makes a statement. What do you say we get out of here and celebrate the reopening of Seascape Inn?”

  “That sounds like a plan.” After the roller coaster of a day, Millie could use some relaxing time with friends.

  Sophia nudged Millie’s side playfully. “How about dinner and champagne on the patio of my favorite new bed and breakfast?”

  It was official. For better or worse, Millie was the owner and operator of a seaside hotel. True, it’d been her goal since the reading of the will, but it was still a little surreal to know it was actually happening. Exhilarating, but surreal.

  “That sounds like the perfect place to celebrate,” Millie said.

  Sophia beamed. “Great! I’ll take care of everything. All you have to do is put on your party shoes.” She took a step back and examined Millie’s outfit, giving a shrug. “Or house shoes. You know, whatever.”

  Millie laughed. “Perfect.”

  “Tessa is going to be so excited! And stunned. I can’t wait to tell her about Stan.” She gave Millie a quick hug, then pulled a phone from her handbag. “We’ll see you at your place in about an hour.”

  Millie’s gaze flickered across the table to where Braxton was talking to George. A mixture of emotions ricocheted through her. Part of her wished she could avoid him. Going on with the exciting new parts of her life and pretending like there’d never been anything between her and Braxton seemed like the easier choice. She’d always planned on this gig being a solo act anyways.

  But he had figured out who’d sent the violation letters in an effort to save Seascape—she needed to know how he’d done that, by the way—and there was a chance that his intentions during their argument earlier, even if misguided, had come from a place of care and worry about her.

  There was also the whole matter of falling in love with him…

  She didn’t want to be played for a fool, but she also didn’t want to walk away only to get thirty years down the road and wonder what if. Their next conversation would not be easy, yet she couldn’t ignore it. So she drew in a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and started toward the other end of the table.

  It wasn’t a long table, but she kept getting stopped by board members offering their congratulations on reopening the inn or offering their apologies for the oversight. By the time she reached the head of the table, George was the only one standing there. She glanced around, but Braxton, along with all of his things, was nowhere to be seen. He’d left without even saying one word to her.

  A wave of disappointment threatened to crash over her. It seemed she had his answer. Maybe it was a good thing. They’d already said everything that needed to be said. It was over.

  George squeezed her shoulder. “Congratulations, Millie.”

  Millie forced a smile. “I couldn’t have done it without your help. Thanks for dropping everything and coming with me tonight.”

  “My pleasure. I love it when the good guy wins.” He grabbed his briefcase from the table next to him and held his hand out to the door. “Since I gave you a ride here, can I give you a ride home?”

  Millie considered the offer, then shook her head. “No, thanks. I think I’d like to walk tonight.” She could use the fresh air to help clear her head. After all, tonight was a night for celebrating.

  George nodded as if he understood her internal dilemma. “Have a lovely evening. We’ll talk soon.”

  Millie headed outside and down to the road for the mile walk home. It was a gorgeous summer evening. Sometimes, especially on nights like tonight, it was hard to believe she really lived here. But it was official now. For better or worse, this town was her home. She was going to carry on the Leclair legacy of hospitality right here on the beautiful South Carolina coast. It had been a long trek to get here, much longer than anticipated, but here she was all the same.

  She walked along the very same road she’d driven down on her first day on Summer Island. That day, she’d been wide-eyed and naively optimistic about the future. She had no idea how hard life was about to get, which was probably a good thing. There was a reason the future was a mystery. If Millie had known all the challenges waiting for her, there was a good chance fear and overthinking would’ve made her turn her car right around.

  But she hadn’t, and she was better because of it.

  She looked up, admiring the palm trees that lined the street. They were quite a bit lighter in the frond department since the day she first arrived, and all slightly tilted because of the hurricane’s relentless wind. But they were still just as beautiful as they’d always been, and she’d dare say quite a bit stronger because of what they’d been through.

  “We did it, didn’t we?” she said to the trees. “We withstood the storm. And look at us now.” She’d fought every battle over the past two months and now the victory was hers. She should be proud. All her hard work had paid off. Once again, her future gleamed before her. But, regardless of all the excitement and celebration, there still seemed to be something missing. A sort of hole in her otherwise full life.

  She tried not to look at Braxton’s house as she walked past it.

  A summer romance. That’s all it was. And now that summer was over, it was time to move on. She could chalk it up to a mistake or getting swept away by the excitement of her new adventure. Maybe if she kept saying it to herself, her heart would get on board.

  She turned onto her new faux cobblestone driveway and looked up at the house. Her house—no, her inn—and a thrill swept through her.

  “Welcome to Seascape Inn.” A smile spread across her face. It was good to be home.

  She picked up the pace as she walked down the driveway. She wanted to make sure the twinkle lights were on before her friends got here for their celebration on the patio. But as she mounted the steps to her front door, something caught her attention, and she paused.

  There, taped to the front door, was an envelope with her name written on the front.

  She pulled the envelope off, looking around to see if there was any sign of who had left it. Since no one seemed to be around, she gently opened it and pulled out the page inside, unfolding the thick linen paper.

  At the top was the bold BC in the design she recognized as Braxton’s logo from his golfing days. Below it, the page was filled with Braxton’s scratchy handwriting.

  Tears instantly filled her eyes and she looked up. He’d written her a letter on monogrammed stationery. For months, she’d read and reread the beautiful letters written t
o her aunt and wondered what it would feel like to be the receiver of one of them. What was it like to know you were loved so completely and have the written evidence to back it up every time a doubt arose?

  Only, she wasn’t sure what it was going to say. To be honest, she wasn’t sure what she wanted it to say. Yes, she was head over heels in love with Braxton Channing, but did he love her the same way? And if he did love her, was love enough to get them through this? Or was it better to walk away now before she got even more hurt?

  But ignoring it wasn’t going to make any of this any easier. Her aunt had ignored a letter once and look where it got her. Good or bad, she had to know what was on that page. So she blinked back her tears and started reading.

  My sweet, fearless, unstoppable Millie,

  I’m not too proud to admit when I am wrong. And today, my love, I was wrong. I tried to control the situation in a vain attempt to keep you from getting hurt. I didn’t ask your advice. I didn’t listen to what you needed. Letting fear and pride overtake my better judgment, I trudged full steam ahead, confident I could fix it. And in the process, I managed to make a huge mess that caused you additional pain and grief. For that, I am truly sorry.

  The truth is, I don’t need to protect you. You are the strongest, bravest, most determined person I have ever met. You are more than capable of moving mountains on your own, and it has been a privilege to walk beside you the past few months. Your confidence is inspiring and your joy changes lives.

  It has changed my life. My world is a better place because of you. For so long I had been trapped under a cloud, but then you showed up and shined your light into my darkness. You reminded me how to hope, something that I thought I had lost forever. Your cheerful smile and warm, positive spirit are like a breath of fresh air, and because of the time I’ve spent with you, I feel like I can finally breathe again. You accepted me for who I am, and that makes me want to be a better person.