Page 53 of The Beachside Rental

That was all she had to say.The orders started flying at her.She recorded them on her phone.And with a promise to be back soon, she jumped into her cart and was gone.

“Well, that was simple enough,” Simon said.“Do you think the rest of this cleanup will go as smoothly?”

Mia nodded.“With everyone pulling together, it’ll get done.And with the power crews already on the island, we might have power by tonight.”

“That soon?”He’d lived through some devastating storms where power hadn’t been restored for days.

She nodded.“It helps when you live on a small island.”

“Hey, you two,” Neil said, “back to work.”

“Yes, boss.”Jenna sent her brother a teasing grin.

It had been a while since Simon had done so much physical labor—not since he owned his own house.It felt good to be outside and breathe in the sea breeze while the sun warmed his skin.

Jenna had created another pile of debris that needed to be hauled to the road.The one thing the Adams siblings hadn’t brought with them was a wheelbarrow so that meant carrying everything.

Not wanting to make more than one trip to the road, Simon grabbed up all of the broken branches and twigs that he could hold.With the leaves, it made it so he could barely see where he was going.

“Hey, Simon,” Caleb called out.“Can you give me a hand?”

“Sure.Just let me drop this stuff off at the road.”He picked up his pace.

He liked working with Jenna’s family.They could give each other a hard time, but in the end, they were always there for each other.She was lucky to have such a great family.

Simon had just rounded the side of the house.He headed for the front walk to add to the growing debris pile next to the road.Jenna called out his name from behind him at the same time that Gus ran toward him.

Simon kept walking as he turned his head to see what Jenna wanted.And then his leg struck Gus’s rope.Time slowed down.One moment he was in forward motion.The next moment, he was rushing face first toward the ground.

Worst of all, his arms were full.There was no way he could catch himself.And then time seemed to catch up to itself as he hit the edge of the sidewalk.

The fall knocked the air from his lungs.And his head—it hurt.A lot.

He heard a bunch of voices and footsteps, but he didn’t move.He was still trying to catch his breath.

And then there was dog breath in his face.Gus licked the side of his face, as though to say he was sorry.

With effort, Simon dragged a breath into his lungs.That was better.Now he had to sit up, which seemed like a bigger challenge than it should be, since pain was radiating from all different parts of his body.

“Simon, are you okay?”Concern rang out in Jenna’s voice.

He wanted to assure her that he was fine, but he wasn’t sure.And his mind was still rattled from the fall, so his mind and mouth had a momentary disconnect.

When he sat up, his head momentarily spun.His stomach lurched.And it felt as though there was something wet on his face.

Jenna gasped as she stared at him.“Neil!Caleb!”

Now what had she gone and called for her brothers for?He didn’t need them to see what a klutz he’d made of himself.

When she dropped to her knees next to him, Simon could see the concern in her big brown eyes.He didn’t want her to worry about him.He’d only tripped.

But before he could say a word, Gus decided to get in on the action.When the dog attempted to get up in his face, Jenna pushed Gus back.

“No, Gus.”Just then Jenna’s brothers ran up to them.“Caleb, can you get the dog back?And Neil, I need you to get some paper towels from my place.They’re on the counter in the kitchen.”

Neither brother argued with her, which was odd.Simon had witnessed how much her brothers liked to give her a hard time, especially when she bossed them around.Something was wrong.

His gaze zeroed in on her.“Jenna, what’s the matter?”