The Inn at Eagle Point Read Online Free PDF Page A

little
heavy on the sax, it seemed to her.

She smiled, thinking of the debates she'd once had with her father about the
appropriate mix of music for the early concerts. If it had been up to Mick and
Gram, every week would have featured Irish singers and dancers.

"Mommy, I hear music," Carrie murmured sleepily. "Are we going
to a party?"

"Nope, but we're almost home," Abby told her. "Five minutes and
we'll be there."

She turned away from downtown and took the shore road to the very end where it
began a winding climb up a gentle hill. At the top she made a left into the
long driveway that ended in back of a classic beachfront home with a wraparound
porch, lots of glass to take in the spectacular bay views and lights shining
from every window. Two figures, one spry, the other a bit more stooped, emerged
from the shadows on the porch as she pulled to a stop.

"Gram!" Caitlyn shouted, already struggling to free herself from the
car seat.

"And Aunt Jessie!" Carrie boomed, trying to get the door on her side
open. Abby released the child safety locks and Carrie sprang free, racing
across the lawn to fling herself at her favorite aunt.

Jess stumbled back, then caught her niece up in a massive hug, even as Caitlyn
reached up to her great-grandmother for a more demure embrace, as if she knew
instinctively to take more care with the older woman.

Abby took in the scene with a smile. Why hadn't she done this more often? Was
she truly so busy? Or had she been making excuses because of her mixed feelings
about home and the way she'd forced herself to walk away without looking back?
Until now she hadn't realized how much she missed being right here, with the
sea breeze rustling through the trees, the sound of waves lapping against the
shore and the promise of a whole pile of Maryland crabs and cold wine waiting
on the porch, along with whatever Gram had baked that day.

Her grandmother caught her eye and gave her a knowing smile. "It's good to
be home, is it not?"

"It's better than I expected," Abby admitted. "How are you,
Gram? You look good." She certainly didn't look her age, which was
somewhere near eighty by Abby's calculations, though her grandmother wouldn't
admit to it. Whenever any one of them had tried to pin her down, even for the
sake of genealogical research, the date of her birth shifted to suit her.

"I'm better with the three of you here for a bit," Gram said.
"Shall we feed the girls first, then have our own meal when it's
quieter?"

"That sounds perfect," Abby said.

"Why don't I take them inside and show them their room, then? I've put
them in Connor's since he has the twin beds in there. I can't get your brother
to take away a single one of his sports trophies and ribbons, though. It looks
as it did when he was still sleeping there himself."

Abby grinned. "Cluttered and messy, then," she said. "They'll love
it."

After the three of them had gone inside, she turned to her sister and gave her
a fierce hug. "Now then, are you ready to tell me why I'm here?"

Jess gave her a wry look. "Always eager to cut to the chase, aren't you?
Can't you even take five minutes to relax?"

"Not if you expect me to solve this problem, whatever it is, in a few
days."

"I think it can wait a little longer. I don't want to get into it until
after Gram's gone to bed. I don't want her worrying."

Abby frowned. "It's that serious?"

"I told you life or death, in a manner of speaking," Jess said
impatiently. "Come on. I need a glass of wine—maybe two—before we get into
all this."

Judging from her sister's mood, Abby had a feeling she might need a few glasses
of wine herself.
    *
* *
    Jess wasn't entirely sure how she'd made such a mess of
things. All she knew for certain was that she dreaded admitting any of it to
her confident, successful big sister. Still, when her plans had gone south and
she'd realized just how deep a hole she'd dug for herself, calling Abby—the
family's certified financial whiz—had seemed like the only sensible