CHAPTER ELEVEN

The next day Summer was just about to begin her next session with Greg.

Buzz-buzz.

She tried not to carry her phone into her classes, but being shorthanded had her working double-duty. She was about to send the call to voicemail when she noticed the name of the caller. It was her mother.

She talked to her mother each evening to check in and see how they were doing. It wasn’t like her mother to call during work hours. Her mother understood how busy Summer’s days were now that she owned her own business. Worry pulsed through her veins. Something was definitely wrong. She could sense it.

She glanced at Greg and noticed him stretching. His form was getting so much better. As he straightened, she said, “I really need to answer this.”

He nodded in understanding. “I could use a drink.”

As he walked out of the room to get some water, Summer pressed the phone to her ear. “Hey, Mom. What’s going on?”

“Summer.” In the background, a siren wailed, drowning out her mother’s voice.

Adrenaline roared through her veins. This was so much worse than she’d imagined. “Mom?” She raised her voice. “Mom, can you hear me?”

For a few moments, it was hard to hear anything but the siren.

They’d been warned her father could have another heart attack if he didn’t change his ways. Her father had started walking every day. Summer had gotten him a fitness watch so he could track his steps.

Her mother had started cooking a healthier menu with lots of fruits and vegetables. And they’d moved to the mainland to be closer to the hospital should there be an emergency. Was all of it not enough?

Eventually, the wail of the siren faded. By now Summer’s heart was pounding as tears stung the back of her eyes. Her mind was busy rushing through all of the worst-case scenarios.

“Mom?”

There was sniffling at the other end. “Summer, they’ve taken your father to the hospital. It’s his heart. I have to go. I have to… I have to get my purse and…”

Her heart broke, hearing her mother sounding so in shock. “Mom, you can’t drive. Call Aunt Vickie. She’ll drive you.”

“But I don’t want to bother her.”

“It’s not a bother. I’ll do it. And, Mom?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can. I love you.”

“Love you too.” Then the phone went dead.

As she pulled up Aunt Vickie’s number on her phone, she noticed Greg standing not too far away with a worried look on his face. After her aunt’s phone started to ring, she held up a finger to Greg so he’d wait.

The phone rang once, twice, and then three times. Summer started to worry that her aunt wouldn’t answer, but then someone picked up.

“Hello.” It was her aunt’s voice.

Summer cut to the chase and told her aunt the crux of the story. There was no time to waste if she was going to keep her mother from driving in her stunned condition.

“Okay. I’m on my way.” Her aunt hung up.

Summer was left standing there feeling utterly helpless. She’d never felt the distance from her parents more than she did in that moment. All she wanted to do was get to them as quickly as possible.

She stood there for a second in a bit of a shocked stupor as her mind made sense of what had just happened. She so desperately wanted this to be some sort of horrible nightmare, and soon she’d waked up.

Greg touched her forearm, jarring her back to reality. “Summer, are you all right?”

“Uh… I don’t know. I have to get to Portland right away.” And then she forced herself to say the most dreaded words. “My dad… He had another heart attack.”

And then the tears that she’d been holding inside came rushing forth. She attempted to blink them away, but they refused to be dismissed. They splashed onto her cheeks.

Greg stepped forward and immediately reached out to her. In that moment, it felt so natural to step into his outstretched arms and seek comfort in his embrace.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when Greg said ever so softly. “He’s going to be okay.”

She immediately pulled back. “You don’t know that. No one knows that. I have to go.” Her gaze darted around the room as she tried to figure out what she should do first.

Her brain was fuzzy, and her thoughts were scattered. What was wrong with her? She was usually so organized and efficient.

She’d fit perfectly in his arms.

It was as though they were made for each other.

Greg, startled by the direction of his thoughts, shoved away the image. First, because he wasn’t falling for her again. Not a chance. And second, because this most definitely wasn’t the time for those sorts of thoughts.

He stared at her, taking in the worry reflected in her eyes. She always looked so calm and in control—even when she was drawing him into a plot to give her friend her happily-ever-after. It was something that he’d always admired about her.

“I have to go.” Summer reached for her phone. She glanced at the time on it. “I’m never going to make it to the ferry in time. I can’t just sit here and wait for the next ferry in a couple of hours. I have to get to Portland right away.”

“Why don’t you take your boat? It’ll be faster than waiting for public transportation.”

“I can’t.” She slipped on her sandals, rushed out of the room, and headed down the steps.

He stayed hot on her trail. He had always liked her parents. Years ago, her father had helped him fix the motor on his boat. In fact, he’d help him rebuild it. Without her father’s help, his boat would still be lifeless. Boat mechanics were not cheap. And Summer’s father was one of the best until he retired.

He followed her. “Why can’t you take your boat?”

She paused and turned at her doorway. “I can’t because I sold it in order to open this place.”

“Oh. I didn’t know.” He supposed that because he’d told so many people he didn’t want to hear about Summer that they’d finally took him seriously. “What are you going to do?”

She rushed to her desk, picked up the phone, and let her assistant know she would be leaving and didn’t know when she’d be returning. He leaned against the door jamb and waited for her to finish her conversation.

When she hung up the phone, grabbed her purse and stood, her gaze strayed to him. She blinked as though surprised to find him still standing there. “Did you need something?”

“I was just wondering if you had any idea how you’re getting to Portland.”

She sighed. “I don’t know. I guess I can check at the marina and see if I can hitch a ride to the mainland. Otherwise I have to wait around for the ferry.”

“Or I could give you a ride in my boat.” The words were out of his mouth before he realized what he was saying.

“Let’s go,” she said in a rush.

She headed out the door, and he was right behind her. This was not a good idea. Why had he made the offer?

As soon as the question came to him, he mentally admonished himself. Now was not the time to worry about himself. For all they knew, her father could be fighting for his life…or worse.

It was a boat ride to Maine. A few hours out on the ocean. Nothing more. Once he got her there, he’d be free to sail home. And nothing would have changed between them. He was just doing what any other compassionate person would do.