The Truest Thing (Hart's Boardwalk 4)

“Well, I gave some things away last night.”

I laughed. “Were you very drunk?”

“Nah. I knew what I was doing, which is even worse. But when your teen crush gives you sexy eyes, it’s hard to say to no to that. Even when you should.”

“Why would you say no? Jeff King is a wonderful man, Ivy. You could do a lot worse.”

“First, he just wanted sex. When men are really into you, they don’t do one-night stands

.”

I flinched, thinking about Jack.

“And second, I don’t know if I’m staying in Hartwell. Oh wait, someone is knocking at my door. It’s probably Mom here to give me the third degree—oh shit!”

Hearing the shock in her voice, I asked, “Ivy, are you okay?”

“Uh … Jeff is here. And he … Okay, he looks mad.”

I grinned. “Did you, by any chance, run away while he was sleeping?” As soon as the words left my mouth, I winced. Jack had left me sleeping seven or so weeks ago.

“Maybe. Why is he here? Oh shit, he saw me. I have to open the door.”

“Good luck!”

“You don’t have to sound so cheerful,” she huffed. “I’ll call you later.”

The line went dead.

Ivy had done what she’d hoped to do. She successfully distracted me from my own problems.

My phone beeped.

Bailey this time.

Are you okay?

I texted back that I was fine.

At the airport. When I get home, we’ll talk. Just know we’re here for you. Me and Vaughn.

I thought of Vaughn punching Jack at his own wedding in my defense. As much as I hated seeing Jack hurt, it was nice that Vaughn felt a brotherly protectiveness toward me.

Thank you. Don’t worry about me. Enjoy your honeymoon! We’ll talk when you’re home.

The extraordinary weight of worries on my shoulders lightened a little as I moved out onto the porch to sit on my swing. The beach was busy with families and couples enjoying the summer morning. The waves lapped gently at shore. The gulls cried above.

I eased back on the porch swing and took a deep breath.

No matter what happened, I had a family here now. I had people who cared.

And I was no longer afraid to let them care and to care about them in return.

I trusted them.

Even if I couldn’t trust Jack, I found comfort and joy because Hartwell really was a place I could call home.

Driving to Millton the next morning, I spoke to my car. “Call Ivy.”