Summer at Oyster Bay: A gorgeous feel good summer romance by Jenny Hale

moment.”
    She wondered how he could possibly make the inn bigger—it was already so vast. Would expanding it more really improve things as much as he thought?
    Charlie sat back in his chair, one elbow leaning on the fence railing beside him. He looked comfortable. He took another sip of his beer and peered down at the insignia on the glass. “Is this a local ale?”
    “Yes. It’s one of my favorites. I like Merroir because they have something as casual as this on the drink menu, but they also serve world-famous wines.”
    “Tell me what you like to eat,” he said, looking down at his menu.
    “Well, it’s a tasting room. Meals are unfussy; it makes it very easy to entertain for a group. You can order a few things and everyone can try them. It’s all made on the grill outside.” She leaned on the table and touched his menu to point out her favorites. “I like the roasted red pepper soup, the sea scallops, or the crabcake.
    Charlie leaned in to read a description and she got a whiff of his spicy scent. “It all sounds delicious.” He looked up at her and smiled, creases forming at the edges of his blue eyes, unexpectedly making her feel warmth in her cheeks. Was she blushing? “Thank you for bringing me here. I think it might be just the atmosphere I need when I try again to convince the commission. I’m just thankful they’re agreeing to meet me informally.”
    “Wait a minute.” It had slipped her mind until that moment. “There’s a man named Rocky McFadden on that committee.”
    “Yes. Do you know him?”
    “He used to build boats with my grandfather. My gram still lets him put his crab pots in the water out back of her house when he has his big Fourth of July parties. I’ve known him all my life.”
    “Well, then you’re the perfect person to help me understand him.”

Five
    “ P ark here ,” Emily said as they pulled into the parking lot of the marina. It was much bigger than Locklies and quite a distance away from Merroir. After they’d eaten, Emily decided there was something she wanted Charlie to see. He parallel parked and cut off the engine.
    “I’ve actually been here already,” he said. “I wanted to check it out before my photo shoot tomorrow for a local magazine. Apparently, they want to do it here.”
    “Swanky,” she said with a grin.
    He shrugged her comment off.
    She’d never known anyone who found doing a magazine shoot commonplace, but by looking at Charlie’s face, it didn’t seem to be out of the ordinary to him.
    As they walked along the edge of the property leading to the long piers that housed lines of beautiful boats, he said, “I’m aware that the community is known for fishing. What else can you tell me about the area?” It was clear by his face that he thought he knew what she was going to show him. Yes, Clearwater was known for fishing, and yes, he’d already seen the marina.
    “I don’t plan to tell you,” she said, excitement rising as she thought about where she wanted to take him. “I plan to show you.” She stopped walking along the enormous dock and peered down at the modest but still elegant speedboat in front of them. “This is our family boat. Rachel takes care of it, and we call it hers, but we all have keys.” She stepped across the gap between the dock and the boat and hopped in. Clearly surprised, Charlie did the same.
    “Take a seat,” she said with a grin. As Charlie sat down, Emily started the boat. She kicked off her shoes to get comfortable and nodded for Charlie to do the same. Hesitantly, he complied. With the motor pattering in low gear, she maneuvered the boat out of the marina toward open water. At first, it took her a moment to get used to steering again—it had been a while, but once she settled in, it came back to her easily, and she could feel her shoulders relax.
    Emily relished this time of year, when daylight wouldn’t completely disappear until well into the night. With the sun making it’s gradual descent,