Hearts at Seaside (Sweet with Heat: Seaside Summers #3)

A coy grin curved his lips. “Promises, not comments. I got your attention.”

She kissed his chin. “Petey, you had my attention the first time you cleaned the pool in that white tank top and black board shorts, with your John Lennon sunglasses.”

Pete laughed. “You remember my round sunglasses?”

“There are so many things about you that I’ll never forget. And the list just keeps getting longer and longer.”



AN HOUR LATER they were standing at the edge of the crowded Tabernacle in the Campground neighborhood of Oak Bluffs, where Illumination Night was taking place. The Tabernacle was surrounded by small cottages decorated elaborately with flowers and brightly colored paper lanterns hanging from their eaves and off the porch railings. The cottages were built very closely together, boasting vibrant colors, peaks adorned with gingerbread, and decks complete with fancy balusters. Children played on the lawns, light sticks glowing like sabers in the darkness, as people of all ages sang and moved to the melody beneath dozens of paper lanterns that hung from the rafters and on the railings of the Tabernacle.

Pete watched Jenna’s eyes widen as she took in the enormous wooden Tabernacle. A band played on a stage beneath the high ceiling, and the crowd began to sing “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.” She gasped an excited breath, and he was glad that he hadn’t ruined the surprise by telling her about it ahead of time. Her hand flew to her chest, and she opened her mouth to say something to Pete, who could do little more than beam at her delight. She didn’t say a word. Her eyes shifted back to the crowd, and a few minutes later she joined the crowd in singing, “Someone’s in the Kitchen with Dinah.”

Jenna wrapped her arms around Pete’s waist and gazed up at him. Joey wagged her tail at their feet. “What is all of this?”

“It’s called Illumination Night. It’s an annual event put on by the Camp Meeting Association. They don’t publicize it to try to keep crowds to a minimum.” He watched her as she turned slowly around, taking in the interesting architecture of the two-story cottages. “Back in the 1800s, when the Tabernacle was first built, Methodists gathered here and held their annual meetings. They camped back then, and over the years they replaced the campsites with these cottages.”

“Why are the roads so narrow?”

“Because they were made to fit horse-drawn buggies.”

The crowd sang “Yankee Doodle,” and then the din of the crowd quieted, calling Jenna’s attention back to the Tabernacle. The band silenced, and all eyes were drawn to the stage, where two men, one older and one about Pete’s age, lit a paper lantern. As if the lighting of the lantern controlled the electricity in the entire neighborhood, as soon as the lantern was lit, all of the lights in the neighborhood went off. A collective gasp rose from the crowd as the paper lanterns bloomed to life, illuminating the Tabernacle, cottages, and streets in bubbles of color and magic.

Jenna inhaled loudly, her eyes opened wide as she tugged on Pete’s shirt. “Petey, take a picture. Quick, before the lights go back on.”

He already had his cell phone in hand, clicked a picture, and captured Jenna’s excitement. He bent down so their cheeks were pressed together and snapped another picture; then he kissed her lips. Joey crawled up their legs and they crouched beside her, getting her in the shot. Jenna laughed and made faces as he snapped a few more; then her eyes grew serious and she pressed her small, soft hands to his cheeks.

“It’s not this place that’s magical, Pete. It’s you. It’s always been you.”





Chapter Fifteen





THEY TOOK THE last ferry back to Woods Hole, then drove back toward Wellfleet. Joey was sprawled across Jenna’s lap, and Jenna had a dreamy look in her eyes. Pete reached for her hand.

“Did you have fun today?”

She smiled and stroked Joey’s back. “I had the most amazing day. You know how sometimes you want to savor every second of something? Sear it into your brain so ten years from now you remember more than just what you did, but how it smelled, the sounds around you, and the way the air felt? That’s what I’m trying to do. Only instead of memorizing the heat of the sun, I keep feeling the brush of us whispering across my skin. I can’t describe it, and I know it sounds strange, but…” She lifted a shoulder, as if that explained it all.

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “It’s not strange. I feel it, too. We’re creating our own private history. Then years from now we’ll look back and remember how it felt.”

His cell phone vibrated, and Pete tensed. He reluctantly released Jenna’s hand and pulled the phone from his pocket. His father’s name flashed on the screen. Of all the stinkin’ nights.

“I’m sorry, Jenna. It’s my dad, and there’s a good chance it’s not going to be pretty.”

She set her hand on his thigh. “History is rarely all pretty. Why should ours be any different?”

They drove the rest of the way to Pete’s father’s house in silence. His father lived on a quiet street of Cape-style homes, most of which were dark, as it was closing on ten thirty.

“Is this where you grew up?” Jenna asked as Pete parked the truck in his father’s driveway.

“Yeah.” Pete stepped from the truck and came around to open Jenna’s door. Joey jumped out and ran up to the porch. Jenna turned to get out of the truck, and Pete stood blocking her way. He leaned forward and kissed her, despite the worry in his eyes. “Babe, you don’t have to come inside. I appreciate your support, but really. It’s okay if you stay here.”

Jenna touched his cheek. “I’m dealing with a mother who dresses like she’s twenty and acts about the same. There’s no difference, Pete. Your situation might be more dire, but part of being in a relationship is helping each other, and if that meant only when times were good, then we’d never grow together as a couple.”

He searched her eyes, as if he was debating if he should move out of her way and allow her to go inside. “It’s embarrassing for you to see him this way.”

“Then I’ll stay in another room. I just want you to know I’m there with you.”

Pete touched his forehead to hers. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’d gladly do it again and again.”

Jenna followed him and Joey inside. Pete led her into a dark living room and turned on a lamp, revealing a well-loved sofa, fireplace, and a room full of family photographs.

“Do you mind waiting in here?” Pete’s shoulders rode high, knotted with tension.