The Summer of Good Intentions

The Summer of Good Intentions by Wendy Francis Read Free Book Online Page A

Book: The Summer of Good Intentions by Wendy Francis Read Free Book Online
Authors: Wendy Francis
stranger’s gratitude as he began his search for treasure, eyes wide open.

Maggie
    â€œHello?” Jess’s voice rang through the hallway. “Anybody home?”
    Maggie was in the kitchen fixing sandwiches for lunch while the kids played Monopoly, biding their time till their cousins arrived. Even though Maggie had begged them to hold off swimming until after lunch, both Lexie and Sophie were already in their swimsuits. Putting the dock in the first day of summer was a tradition, as was the kids’ sticking their toes in the water at the same time.
    Luke and the twins beat her to the door. “Aunt Jessie!” the girls yelled while Luke tackled his cousin in a bear hug.
    â€œHiya, Sis.” Maggie embraced her twin. “Girls, give your poor aunt a break,” she warned as each tugged on Jess’s arms. Maggie bent down to kiss her niece and nephew. “I swear you guys have gotten bigger since the last time I saw you. When was it? Two weeks ago?”
    â€œSomething like that,” Jess said. “Same goes for you three.” She hugged the girls and Luke. “But not you, of course.” She turned to Maggie. “You look exactly the same.”
    â€œThank goodness,” Maggie said, and they shared a laugh.
    A minute later, Tim came up the front steps, bags hanging off his shoulders and a large cooler in his hands.
    â€œWhere’s Mac when I need him?” he joked. “Hi, everyone. You got the place all set up for us?” He leaned in to peck Maggie on the cheek.
    â€œMac went for a quick run. He should be back any minute.” Maggie held the door open for her brother-in-law. “Here, come on in. Girls, help the kids with their bags upstairs. You, too, Luke.”
    â€œThen can we go swimming?” Lexie pleaded. Maggie eyed Jess to gauge whether she was ready to let the kids go in the water so soon, but Jess just shrugged.
    â€œAfter you eat lunch, I don’t see why not.”
    â€œYay!” The kids bounded up the stairs with their backpacks and suitcases. Maggie pointed Tim toward the kitchen and helped her sister with the bags.
    â€œCome on,” she said, as she showed Jess upstairs. “There are fresh sheets on all the beds. The towels are washed and in the linen closet, so help yourselves. The water has been a little touch and go, but I think the pump is working now. Let me know if you guys have any problems with it, okay?”
    When they reached the guest room, Jess smiled.
    â€œWhat’s so funny?” Maggie demanded.
    â€œI love how you play house here, as if we’re the boarders coming to stay at your bed-and-breakfast. You know we’ve been here a few times ourselves, right?”
    Maggie felt her cheeks color. Here she was prattling on about things her sister already knew. “I’m sorry. I just want to make sure everyone feels at home.”
    â€œAnd we do,” said Jess. “Thank you. The place looks great.” Maggie watched as her sister scanned the guest room. A vase of pink roses that she’d clipped from the backyard this morning rested on a small side table. On top of the bed lay a crisp white comforter, capped with oversize pillows. On either side of it were built-in bookcases, filled with titles like Gift from the Sea and A Field Guide to the Atlantic Seashore. Maggie flopped down on the comforter and watched as her sister transferred clothes from her suitcase.
    â€œOoh, that’s pretty,” she said when Jess went to hang up a light blue sundress with delicate white daisies twirling across it. “When can I borrow it?”
    â€œDon’t even,” Jess teased. Fortunately, Maggie reflected, Jess’s sense of style had evolved for the better over the years. When they were growing up, she’d always wanted to borrow Maggie’s clothes. Not because she liked them more, but simply because Jess never took the time to shop for herself. She was too busy saving the

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