Page 73 of The Beachside Rental

She walked him through the plan, step by step.He’d had some comments here and there.She noted them to work into her plan later.

At the end of her presentation, her brother turned to her and said, “You know that I walked in here ready to turn you down.”

At that moment, she felt totally deflated.But at least she had an answer.Her future wasn’t on Bluestar Island.It was time to move to the mainland.The decision weighed heavily on her.It wouldn’t be easy to leave the place that she’d called home her entire life.And then there was the part about moving away from her family.As much as they could get on her nerves, she loved them.

“Jenna, did you hear me?”Neil’s voice drew her from her thoughts.

“What?”

“I said that I was impressed with your presentation.You made some valid points.And as long as you’re willing to make a few adjustments here and there, I think we can make this work.”

“Wait.What?”She couldn’t believe what he’d just said.“You like the plan?”

He smiled and nodded.“Dad would be proud of you.I better watch out, or you’ll be taking over my job next.”

She smiled.“Not yet,” she teased.“I have the front of the store to remodel.When do you want to get started?”

“It’ll have to be done after hours.The front of the store will be a mess for a while.How long do you think it’ll take you to order the new stuff?”

“At least a few weeks.”

“Okay.We’ll start remodeling next month.”Then he held out his hand to her.“Thank you for not giving up.I think I was just worried about changing things now that Dad’s gone.But you’re right.The business has to keep changing to meet the shoppers’ needs.”

After her shift was over, Jenna walked to the break room.She wanted to be excited about her brother approving her proposal for the front of the market, but she was still heartbroken about Simon.

She missed him.She knew she shouldn’t, but her heart didn’t care about logic.She wanted to be able to share this great news with him, but she couldn’t.

When she entered the break room, two of her siblings rushed up to her.

“What did he say?”Myra asked.

All Jenna had to do was smile.

“He agreed?”When Jenna nodded, Myra let out a delighted squeal.“Aw...Jenna, that’s great.”Myra hugged her.

Caleb clapped her on the back.“Good job.”

“Thanks.”She smiled proudly.“Caleb, what are you doing here?”

He arched a brow.“Why wouldn’t I be here?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be out fishing?”

“I just got back.We don’t set sail again for a few weeks.”

Caleb had been working on someone else’s boat for years.He was saving up to buy his own boat.Every time he went to sea, their mother was a nervous wreck.She hated it, but Caleb loved the sea too much to give it up.

“Well, don’t make yourself a stranger,” Jenna said.

“I know,” Myra said.“Let’s go throw some darts at High Tide Pub.”

“I don’t have any plans,” Caleb said.“Count me in.”

“Go ahead without me.”Jenna moved to her locker.“I’m going to head home.”

“You’re anxious to go see Simon, aren’t you?”Myra grinned at her.

“No.Definitely not.”Now what had she gone and added that last part for?Her sister was going to pounce on it.