The Inn at Summer Island

by Rachel Magee

  I would list all the things I love about you, but there are so many reasons, they would fill an entire book. One day, I hope to get to tell you each and every one of them. You deserve to know how special you are and how richly you have blessed all the lives you’ve come into contact with. But what I want you to know now is what I should have said before.

  I am completely, one hundred percent in love with you.

  I want there to be an us. More than anything, I want to navigate through life with you. But even if that can’t be, it doesn’t change the way I feel about you. Now and for always, my heart belongs to you.

  Forever,

  Braxton

  Tears slid down Millie’s cheeks as she read the beautiful words written on the page. Braxton Channing loved her, and he’d written it down in her very own love letter for her to hold on to for the rest of eternity.

  Yet, unlike the love letters in her aunt’s office, she didn’t just want to hold on to this piece of paper. She wanted to hold on to the relationship behind it.

  “I hear there’s cause for a celebration.” Tessa’s bouncy voice caught Millie off guard. She’d been so consumed with the letter she hadn’t even heard her pull up.

  Millie turned to face Tessa, fully aware she looked like a hot mess. Not only was she still wearing pajamas that should’ve never seen the light of day, there was a high likelihood she now had black mascara streaks running down both cheeks and her nose was probably the same color as Rudolph’s.

  The sight certainly caught Tessa off guard. Instantly, her cheerful smile morphed into a look of concern. “Oh, honey, what’s wrong?” She jogged up the last few steps to join Millie on the porch.

  Millie swiped at her eyes. A few of them were sad tears left over from the pain and heartache that had gotten her to this point. But for the most part, right now, she was happy. Really, really happy. A smile spread across her face to prove it. “Braxton loves me.”

  Tessa grinned. “Yeah, he does.”

  Millie sniffed and used the sleeve of her sweatshirt to wipe whatever was remaining of her mascara off her cheeks. In her heart of hearts, Millie had known all along, too, yet her own fear of being hurt again caused her to doubt it. But in her new life, the one where she called the shots, nothing controlled her. Not even fear.

  Excitement fueled by an overwhelming love bubbled up inside her until she couldn’t contain it anymore.

  “I gotta go!” She threw her arms around her friend and squeezed before she shot down the steps. She needed to get to Braxton and she needed to do that now.

  Tessa adjusted the straps on the canvas grocery bag hanging from her shoulder. “Okay. I’ll just be here. Celebrating by myself.”

  Millie held up her hand in a sort of apologetic wave as she headed for the side of the house.

  She broke into a run when she reached the backyard. It was times like these when she wished her property wasn’t so large. All she was trying to do was get next door, but by the time she got to the washed-out boardwalk, she was huffing and puffing harder than the big bad wolf. Maybe it was time to add some cardio to her daily workout routine. Or, you know, adopt a workout routine.

  She paused at the top of the sand dune, resting her hands on her knees, to catch her breath. The sun was setting and the sky was full of breathtaking pinks and purples.

  Still breathing hard, she walked down the other side, admiring the daily phenomenon. And that’s when she saw him. Braxton was at the edge of the water between their two houses, watching the sunset.

  The light from the setting sun cast a golden glow that highlighted his profile, making him look like a vision out of a dream. He really was attractive. But he was also so much more than that. Kind, generous, funny, a devoted father. She couldn’t wait to get to spend forever with him.

  Slowing her pace, she walked out across the sand to meet him.

  “You know, they say there’s a green flash the instant the sun dips below the horizon.”

  By the way he jumped, she’d caught him off guard. But it only took a fraction of a second for the surprise to melt into the charming grin she knew so well.

  “That’s what they tell me.” He left his spot at the water’s edge and strolled over to meet her. He left slightly more distance between them than usual, but it didn’t stop the magnetic pull drawing her to him.

  “Where’s the little one?”

  He held up the monitor. “Already in bed. Lena’s there, so I thought I’d take a walk.” He took a tiny step closer to her. “But I got distracted by the view.”

  His gaze locked with hers and the air around them electrified.

  She wanted to kiss him, but there were things that needed to be said first. “I got your letter.” She held the paper up between them.

  “I meant what I said, Millie. I’m so sorry. Of course I believe in your dreams. I just might need some help on the fear-management side so I don’t jump into problem-solving mode and run over everyone else.”

  Millie grinned at him. “I’m pretty sure that’s why they invented the buddy system. Everything is better with a buddy.”

  “True statement.” There was a flirtatious twinkle in his eyes that pulsed through her.

  “And while I’m never going let you talk me out of my dreams, you do have some pretty good advice when it comes to staying safe. I promise to do a better job of listening next time.”

  Braxton cocked an eyebrow. “Next time?”

  “I mean I’m assuming there will be a next time. Forever seems like a long time to go without an argument.”

  A look of pure joy that started in his eyes took over his whole face. “Forever, huh?”

  She took another small step toward him and put her hand on his cheek, gazing up at his ocean-blue eyes. “I mean, forever is a pretty good start. We’ll see where it goes from there.”

  “I love you, Millie Leclair.”

  “I love you too.”

  Millie stood on her toes and pressed her lips against his. He kissed her back, long and deep and gentle. It washed over her like a soft, rolling wave, filling every part of her with a fiery warmth. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her close, and she melted into him. The world faded away, and she allowed herself to get lost in the moment. Lost in him.

  Although her eyes were closed, she could imagine the beautiful green flash tonight when the sun slipped below the horizon. A brilliant, soul-changing one.

  Music drifted into the night from the direction of Millie’s house, and the faint sounds of laughter filled the air.

  Braxton, still holding Millie in his arms, pulled back and smiled. It was an expression that mirrored how relaxed and free Millie felt. Then he quirked one brow and looked over her shoulder toward her backyard. “Are you having a party?”

  Millie turned to look. From where they were standing, the trees blocked her view of the patio, but she recognized the voices. Those were her friends, hanging out on her patio, waiting to help celebrate her success. Yep, her new life was turning out to be pretty okay.

  “Oh, yeah. Want to come? We’re celebrating a bit of good news I got today. I’m not sure if you heard, but the HOA cleared the way for Seascape’s grand reopening.” She shrugged, trying to make it look like no big deal.

  Braxton chuckled. “I don’t know how you did it. You will never cease to impress me.”

  “Speaking of being impressed, how did you finally figure out that Stan was behind the letters? And that he was doing it all for a kickback from a construction company?”

  Braxton shrugged. “I didn’t put it together until I called the Callahans to see who had told them about the open house. I couldn’t figure out why Stan would even care, but then I remembered that he has been trying to get the HOA to buy the older houses that go on the market for years. His reason was that many of the houses were being extensively redone, and the HOA could smooth out the process. It
didn’t all connect until the Callahans told me who they were planning on using as a builder. It happened to be the same one Stan wanted to use for the HOA and whose owner is one of Stan’s poker buddies.”

  “I can’t believe you had time to pull all the evidence together.”

  Braxton grinned. “The evidence I had was circumstantial at best, but I handed everything over to our lawyer and their private investigator will figure out the rest. Plus, his reaction was incriminating enough, don’t you think?”

  Millie giggled, remembering Stan’s response to the paper Braxton had given him. Then she jerked her head in the direction of her house. “Well, now that we’ve solved that mystery, shall we celebrate?”

  “I’d love to. But we have to keep this party contained. You have a big day tomorrow.”

  Millie stared at him, her eyes narrowing a bit. “Oh, do I? What exactly is on my agenda?”

  “Coastal Life magazine is doing a feature article on a new up-and-coming luxury boutique inn and its dynamic owner. The reporter and photographer will be here around ten.”

  Millie’s jaw dropped open. “Coastal Life magazine? Is coming here? To do an article about Seascape?”

  Braxton nodded. “And a full photoshoot. I hope you’re not mad. I know I said I wouldn’t make any more decisions without you, but I was already working on this. I can call them tomorrow and cancel it if you’d rather not—”

  “Are you kidding? Do you know what kind of exposure being in something like Coastal Life will bring Seascape?” Images of Seascape on the glossy magazine pages flipped through her mind. Tons of people would be admiring beauty shots of her beloved property. It was almost too much to take in. “This is amazing. How did you get them to agree to come?”

  Braxton took a step back from her and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I offered their sister magazine, Links and Parkland, an exclusive interview about rejoining the PGA tour.”

  If the news of getting a feature article in one of the most popular beach magazines shocked her, this news left her flabbergasted. “What? You’re playing golf again? When? Where? How?”

  Braxton chuckled. “Let’s start with the when. I started talking with my agent about it earlier this week and we’ll make the official announcement just before the magazine comes out. My first tournament won’t be until February, so I have some time to dust off the old clubs.”

  Millie had never seen Braxton play golf, not in person at least, but she could tell just from the way he lit up when he was talking about it how much he loved it. “What made you change your mind?”

  “You, actually.” He tucked a strand of her hair that had broken free from her ponytail behind her ear. “You reminded me how to be brave. And how to not let any obstacle—even if that obstacle is me—stand in the way of something I love.”

  Millie’s heart was so full she thought it might burst. What had started out as one of the worst days of her life was rapidly becoming one of her favorites. “How about tall ladders? Have I inspired you to conquer that?”

  Braxton chuckled. “I’m still working on that one.”

  Millie breathed in, trying to memorize every detail about this moment. Being here on the beach, talking about the future with the man she loved.

  A noise came from the baby monitor in Braxton’s hand and she leaned closer to him to see the image of Alice stirring in her crib. Her heart swelled even more.

  “Looks like someone is a little restless tonight. She’s having a harder time getting to sleep than normal,” Braxton said.

  “I don’t blame her. Today’s been full of excitement.” She watched the little girl she’d come to adore. “Why don’t we check on her before we head to the party? Together.”

  Braxton’s grin widened. “I’d like that.” He gently kissed her forehead before he took her hand and they headed in the direction of his house. “I guess everything worked out in the end, after all.”

  “End?” She stared into his loving eyes. “This is only the beginning. And I can’t wait to see how great our story is going to be.”

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  Acknowledgments

  As always, there are a ton of people who helped make this book possible, and I owe each of you a huge debt of gratitude.

  First of all, a huge thanks to my fabulous husband and amazing kids. Your love, encouragement, and willingness to eat more than your fair share of frozen pizza when I’m on deadline is a gift. I’m lucky to call you mine. None of this would be possible without you.

  To Liz, Amy, and the entire team at Entangled, thank you for your wisdom and expertise. I’m so grateful to get to work alongside you!

  And last but certainly not least, a huge thank you to my readers. I’m honored you’d choose to escape in one of my books. I hope you enjoyed Millie and Braxton’s story and walk away feeling hopeful and encouraged. And, if you’re inspired to grab a hammer and tackle a home DIY project—all the better!

  Xoxo,

  Rachel

  About the Author

  Award winning author Rachel Magee writes sweet contemporary romance with fun characters, witty dialogue, and plenty of happily-ever-afters. Her stories are usually set in sunny locations where she doesn’t mind spending lots of time ‘researching’. When she’s not out scouting the setting of her next book, you can find her at home in The Woodlands, Texas with her wonderful husband, their two adventurous kids, and a couple of spirited pets. Find out more about what Rachel’s up to at RachelMageeBooks.com.

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