Free Home to Seaview Key (A Seaview Key Novel) by Sherryl Woods

have.”
    “What happened to keeping some distance between the two of you?”
    “It didn’t seem practical,” Hannah said.
    Her grandmother regarded her with dismay. “Have you seen her? Is this fiasco a done deal?”
    “I went by yesterday to ask her to dinner, if that’s what you’re asking,” Hannah said. “She accepted. So has Seth.” She felt compelled to add, “Abby looks fantastic, by the way.”
    “Do you think I give two figs about how she looks?” Grandma Jenny grumbled. “What’s she up to? That’s what I want to know.”
    “She came back for a fresh start,” Hannah said, finding herself in the odd position of trying to defend Abby, when she had her own doubts about her motives running through her head. “You were supportive enough of Luke doing that. Me, too, as I recall. In fact, you were downright eager to get me to move back here.”
    “That was different,” her grandmother declared.
    “How so?”
    “I was being selfish. I wanted you close by and I knew Luke would keep you here and make you happy. Abby’s just going to stir up trouble.”
    “Not if I don’t let her,” Hannah insisted. “I honestly don’t believe Luke has anything to do with her coming back. I really don’t. And let’s not forget about Seth. You were the first to say there was something there. Luke seems to think so, too. I’m counting on that. A hot and heavy romance between those two is the answer for everyone.”
    Grandma Jenny sighed. “I’m a big believer in romance, but I still don’t like this.”
    Hannah leaned down and gave her a fierce hug. “Be glad that I’m making the best of the situation. Isn’t that what you wanted? Not a panic attack yet.”
    “Okay, then,” her grandmother said, looking relieved. “But I have half a mind to go to the council meeting next week and speak out against that whole Blue Heron Cove thing just to get Abby out of town. If she doesn’t get those permits, trust me, she’ll be gone soon enough.”
    “And that would be selfish and spiteful,” Hannah scolded. “The Seaview Key economy needs that development. You’ve said so yourself. There were plenty of people who were skeptical, but you were all for it when you first heard about it.”
    “I might have been wrong.”
    Hannah laughed. “When were you ever wrong?”
    Her grandmother gave her a triumphant look. “Never, and that’s something you might want to remember. I’m probably not wrong about Abby, either.”
    Hannah’s expression sobered. “I’m hoping that’s the exception that proves the rule. I want this to be okay,” she said softly. “For all of us. I’ve only had one other friend as close as Abby and I once were. Unfortunately, Susie’s in New York and phone calls aren’t nearly enough. I realized when she came for the wedding just how much I miss that closeness. It would be nice to have a best friend here again.”
    Though her grandmother continued to look skeptical, she nodded slowly. “Then I’ll hope it works out that way, but I’m going to keep my eyes wide open. You should, too.”
    “Will do,” Hannah promised.
    After she’d gone, Hannah spent an hour planning the menu for tonight’s dinner. She wanted everything to be perfect, especially now that she knew Abby had run a successful restaurant. While entertaining on Seaview Key was usually casual, she’d put together her share of fancy dinner parties in New York. Of course, then she’d had the food catered. This dinner was going to be all on her.
    After crossing off half a dozen options, none of which seemed appetizing or sophisticated enough, she put her head down and moaned. “What have I done?” she muttered. “This is going to be a disaster.”
    Luke walked in just in time to overhear her. He knelt down and put his arms around her. “I figured reality was going to set in sooner or later,” he said, stroking her back. “Grab your purse.”
    “Why?”
    “We’re going food shopping on the mainland. The way I hear