Home > The Path to Sunshine Cove (Cape Sanctuary #2)(8)

The Path to Sunshine Cove (Cape Sanctuary #2)(8)
Author: RaeAnne Thayne

   “Yes. Mission Hills, actually. Traffic was fine. I got an early start before it could get too bad.” She had actually left at 4 a.m. so she could avoid the heaviest traffic in LA County but had hit more around the Sacramento area.

   Towing the Airstream through rush hour crowds could sometimes be a pain.

   “I understand you had a run-in with my son. I’m so sorry about that.”

   “Apparently he didn’t know I was coming.”

   Eleanor winced. “I should have told him. I meant to, it’s just that... Well, he loved his father very much, though their relationship was complicated. I suppose I was afraid he would think I was trying to box away all of our memories of Jack.”

   That did nothing to change her impression of Nate Whitaker as a tough, albeit gorgeous, man. He had to be oblivious not to see his mother was clearly conflicted at taking this necessary but painful step.

   “I’m sure everything will be fine. I’ve explained to him what’s going on. He shouldn’t give you a hard time now.”

   “Good. I’m glad to hear that.”

   “That’s why I’m here, actually. Other than to meet you in person, which I’m so happy to do. I’m making lemon shrimp pasta and I’m here to ask if you might be interested in joining us for dinner. I thought it might be a good chance for you to meet my son under better circumstances, as well as his daughter, Sophie.”

   For a moment, she was tempted. She liked Eleanor already from their weeks of correspondence and wanted their working relationship to be a smooth, comfortable one. The social lubrication of food and likely wine would ease the conversation and might help her feel less awkward around Nate Whitaker when she saw him next.

   “What about your book group?” she asked. “I stopped to see my sister, Rachel, and she told me you are supposed to be meeting tonight.”

   “We are, but to be honest, I haven’t read the book. One of our, er, snootier members picked it and I couldn’t finish the stupid thing. I found it pedantic, moralistic and boring as beige wallpaper. Much like the person who picked it, if I can be catty for a moment.”

   Jess had to smile. “I don’t know anybody in town except you and Rachel, so you can be as catty as you want.”

   Eleanor’s laugh was low and infectious. “Rather than discuss a book I couldn’t finish that I can only recommend for drying flowers from your garden, I would rather have the chance to get to know you better. Your life sounds so fascinating, traveling the country and helping, ahem, seasoned citizens like me clear out their clutter.”

   She was only here for two weeks, Jess reminded herself. While Eleanor seemed like exactly the kind of woman Jess wanted to be when she grew up, she probably shouldn’t socialize with her more than absolutely necessary.

   What was the point in establishing a connection when Jess would only be a temporary presence here at Whitaker House?

   “Thank you for that kind invitation but I’ve had a long day of driving, leaving before dawn, and I’m pretty beat. We will have another long day tomorrow so I should probably turn in early.”

   Eleanor looked disappointed but hid it quickly. “I totally understand, though I’m still not going to book club. You can be darn sure of that.”

   She waved her hand. “You’ll have plenty of other chances to meet Sophie and hopefully get a better impression of Nate.”

   She didn’t need a better impression of Nate. Really. She should probably stay far away from any man who could annoy her and make her insides shiver at the same time.

   “I’m sure I will.”

   “I’ll try to persuade you to have dinner with us another night soon.”

   “Do you eat with Nate and Sophie every night?”

   “Oh no. Usually only once or twice a week with all three of us and maybe another time or two with Sophie and I alone when Nate is working late. It’s been lovely to have them so close, especially during those long months when Jack was so sick. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without them.”

   Her chin wobbled but Jess was impressed when she seemed to shove aside the emotion to offer up a firm smile instead. “We’ll make time for dinner another night when you haven’t had such a long day of driving.”

   “Thank you.”

   To Jess’s shock, Eleanor gave her another warm hug. “I really am so grateful you were able to find time in your schedule to help me. If you need anything in the night—snacks, towels, anything at all—don’t hesitate to come up to the house. I’ll text you the security code. I’ve become a light sleeper since my husband died and I’ll hear you, no doubt.”

   “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

   Eleanor’s warmth and friendliness went a long way toward ameliorating the uncertain welcome she had received in Cape Sanctuary thus far from Nate Whitaker and from Rachel. Maybe taking this job hadn’t been a mistake, after all.

   “So tomorrow, bright and early, I’ll come to the house and we can get started.”

   Eleanor gave her a rather guileless look. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather take the morning off to rest after your long drive?”

   The suggestion veiled in the form of a question wasn’t completely unexpected. Though Eleanor had hired her to help her clear out the house, she was clearly ambivalent about the process. Her reaction wasn’t unique among Jess’s clients. Change was hard, especially when it involved sorting through a lifetime of memories.

   Many older people preferred not to deal with it but to leave the process of sifting through their lives to their heirs after they passed.

   She gave Eleanor a reassuring smile. “Once I have a good night’s sleep, I will be fresh and energized for the day ahead. You should make sure you have plenty of rest, too. You’re going to love your house when we’re done.”

   “Right, then. First thing in the morning. Should we say eight?”

   “That works for me.”

   “I’ll see you then. Good night. Sweet dreams.”

   Eleanor headed back to the house. Jess watched her for a moment then walked up into the Airstream. She had left the windows open when she headed over to Rachel’s and the curtains fluttered in the breeze. She had turned down two dinner invitations but knew she still needed to eat. She decided on another sandwich, this one toasted French bread topped with burrata and marinated cherry tomatoes. She ate it out on her folding turquoise bistro set under the awning of the Airstream to the low song of the ocean and the sound of birds in Eleanor’s lovely flower garden.

   It was messy and delicious, creamy, drippy perfection.

   While she ate, she worried again about Rachel. Her sister had seemed worn-out, as if she were barely holding together the frayed edges of her life. Was it because of Silas’s recent autism diagnosis? Rachel had seemed so matter-of-fact about it a few months earlier when she had messaged Jess to tell her. Jess had immediately called, not wanting to have this important conversation over text.

Hot Books
» House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1)
» A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
» From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1)
» A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime
» Deviant King (Royal Elite #1)
» Den of Vipers
» House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City #2)
» The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air #
» Sweet Temptation
» The Sweetest Oblivion (Made #1)
» Chasing Cassandra (The Ravenels #6)
» Wreck & Ruin
» Steel Princess (Royal Elite #2)
» Twisted Hate (Twisted #3)
» The Play (Briar U Book 3)