Author's Notes:

'A Summer Without End' is my entry for the Summer Lovin Story Contest 2017.

It's a dream for many to retire to a beach house to be near the ocean. The scent of salt water, the sight of sea birds fishing just offshore or dashing after the waves, and the sound of the surf. Each can be very calming. Combined? Bliss! It can be a magic place that conjures up warm and happy memories.

We should all be so lucky.

All characters engaging in sexual relationships or activities are 18 years old or older.

********

Chapter 1

Reid Haven was looking forward to getting to the beach house. It had been a long grueling trip to get here as he'd travelled from New Orleans to the west coast by bus. More accurate would be to say bus after bus after bus. He'd been told to catch a flight or a train but he was trying to be frugal for his new life plan.

He'd inherited the house from his parents who'd passed away this past winter within days of each other. They'd been in a constant care facility during the last few months of their lives. Even at the end, they refused to be apart.

With the house came a lump sum inheritance which allowed him to retire at the early age of 34, if he managed the money carefully, lived modestly, and stayed in the beach house.

He'd said his goodbyes to his coworkers after finishing his last contract at the software house in New Orleans and here he was.

The taxi ride from the last bus station was a long one as his place was the last house near the northern end of the beach. His parents had purchased three lots and built their vacation getaway on the middle one to ensure privacy. As the taxi got closer, he could see the thick grove of trees had grown tall on the lots.

They finally reached the lane leading in towards the house. He noted the roadway hadn't been maintained very well.

"S'okay if I drop you off here, buddy? My tires will be no good in that," the driver asked, pointing to the lane.

"Sure," Reid sighed.

He paid, grabbed his bags, and watched the taxi pull away. Upon closer examination he saw the lane was deeply rutted from trucks and what might have been some heavy equipment. The damage didn't look new, however. Scowling he lifted his bags and walked up the lane. He noticed a few old, low stumps where the trees had been cut to most likely widen the road for whatever left the road a mess.

Rounding the last bend he saw his parent's- no, it was his new home now. He was surprised to see it had been significantly updated since he'd last seen it.

The original building had been a wide, single level structure built on sturdy stilts for some protection against high water events with a staircase up to a small deck by the front door. In later years his dad had built a ramp for his mom who was confined to a wheelchair. Now, there was a wide wrap around deck also supported by stilts and a new metal roof. Due to the new deck, the steps and ramp had been replaced too. As he got closer he saw the windows were covered by roll up hurricane shutters. He stopped to shake his head. He had no idea his parents had done all this. It must have cost a fortune!

He was grateful for the changes however as it no longer matched the house of his memories. He could think of it as 'his'.

Then he noticed the neighboring house to his left. He had a neighbor? When did that happen? Damn!

The new house was roughly similar to his but it had a second level and its deck wasn't anywhere near as extensive as his, likely due to its proximity to the protected dunes.

Like the ones on his house, the shutters were down and locked so both homes were currently uninhabited.

Reid walked the remaining distance to his house and pulled his suitcase up the ramp.

Standing before the new door he pulled out the keys he'd received and let himself inside. He wrinkled his nose as the house smelled stale. Time to open some windows!

---

It had taken Reid a little more than two weeks to clean the house. He stored or threw away anything that had uncomfortable memories clinging to it. Then he properly stocked it with fresh cleaning supplies and food. Now it sparkled like a diamond. Well, maybe it gleamed like one of the shiny shells he saw on the beach during his morning runs.

First to go were all the family photos. Taken on 'happier' days, Reid ached to see how tall and skinny he looked next to his parents, neither of whom being over 5' 9". He was 6' tall by his eleventh birthday and finally stopped growing by his sixteenth. Skin and bones in his earlier years. He couldn't fill out fast enough for his frantic vertical growth. It was shortly after his sixteenth when he started to lose the walking skeleton look.

Though it pained him to do so, he examined the pictures closer and noticed his parents rarely held or even touched him in them. That and his physical differences just emphasized how separate he was from them. Like he wasn't even their child. While it was now too late to ask them, he wondered if there was merit to that thought. It would have explained so much. Depressed, the pictures and frames went into storage. He couldn't quite bring himself to throw them out.

During that time he had an auto shop in town send out a mechanic to take a look at the old soft top Jeep Wrangler. It was covered with a tarp and parked under the house. Surprisingly, the man was able to get it running with new plugs, an oil change, and putting gas in the tank. The mechanic drove the Jeep into town and returned the next day with the vehicle purring as good as new. He'd even replaced all the padding on the roll bars as the original padding had rotted away. Reid registered the plates online and picked up the new registration papers the following week.

He was no longer alone on the beach as he'd been just two weeks ago. The 'good' weather was starting to kick in and the summer vacationers were beginning to arrive to open their homes. Very few homes were lived in year round as he intended to do.

Reid had been away for so long he didn't know any of his neighbors. He wasn't very good at introducing himself to strangers. He'd always been socially awkward. He did manage to nod to a few faces that became familiar as he passed them on the beach day after day but that was the extent of his interactions.

Of his closest neighbors, he saw no sign. He went through the paperwork from the lawyer's office and there was no reference to the land being sold off. He called the law firm that dealt with his parent's estate and confirmed the property still belonged to... him, now. However, there were no keys to the new house anywhere in his house nor were they on the keychain he received. He saw a plaque screwed into the wall by the front door. It read 'The Sparrows'. He wasn't sure if that was a family name or if the owners just liked the tiny, noisy birds. The plaque on his house simply read 'Haven' and he liked that sentiment.

Reid's days began to settle into a routine and a very comfortable one at that. He exercised. He relaxed over breakfast. Then he read and, or, wrote depending on his mood. He was working on a book of his own and took great satisfaction in the act of writing. He had no idea if he was any good but it was a satisfying activity to do. Far more than programming had ever been.

Life was quickly becoming... close to perfect. Someone to share it with was the only missing ingredient.

---

It was three weeks into his stay when he'd discovered his father's secret stash of whisky. Not only had he discovered it, in a sudden rage he drank quite a bit of it. This morning he wanted to crawl under a rock and die. It seemed he wasn't as capable a drinker as Hemingway and his writing was probably light years from ever being as good. He decided he could live with both of those things if only he could be spared from the torture of the high pitched noises currently drilling into his brain.

For a fleeting second he pictured in his mind several boisterous little sparrows chirping energetically at each other. He forced his eyes to open and saw he was looking up at the ceiling of the living room. He groaned and sat up.

"EEEEEEEK!"

Three sharp squeals of fright drilled into his brain and he groaned again. He closed his eyes and staggered to his feet. Once he managed to get his eyes working once more he peered around the room to see where that sound had come from. He stopped when he faced the big glass doors to the deck overlooking the ocean. There, on the other side of the glass, were three lovely young women, identical in shape, size, and pretty features. All 5' 8", with svelte curves in their cut off shorts and mid-drift baring halter tops. All with short, brown and unruly pixie cut hair. His hazy brain said triplets. Their expressions weren't identical however as they stared back at him. The one on the left was in wide eyed shock with her mouth hanging open. Her shock didn't prevent her from taking a picture with her cell phone. The middle one was smiling happily. The one on the right was holding her hands before her face but was peeking at him through her fingers.

Something about the last one's pose told Reid to look down at himself. That's when he realized he was completely... oh god, completely naked. He was also sporting some serious morning wood though it was well past morning judging by the sun. He spun to turn his back on them, lost his balance, and fell sideways over the back of the sofa to hit the floor beyond with a heavy thump.

More squeals drilled into his head.

He rested on the floor behind the couch hoping his brain would just explode and end his life right now.

"Are you ok in there?" The voice was clearer now and he tilted his head upwards to see the three young women standing by the second set of patio doors looking in at him. He heard the click as another photo was taken. Behind the sofa was no protection at all as the furniture was in the middle of the large room, separating the living room from the dining room. The one with the phone was still shocked but less so, the second's smile had become a grin, and the shy one was now looking at him curiously.

Reid reached up and pulled the blanket off the back of the sofa to cover himself. Once it was wrapped around his waist sufficiently he struggled to his feet and turned to face his unexpected guests.

"What are you doing on my deck?" he asked blearily.

"What are you doing in the Haven's vacation home? Are you a squatter? I'm seconds away from calling the police!" the shocked one said, finally finding her voice and gesturing to her cell. He knew it was an empty threat. There was no cell coverage in this neighborhood.

"I'm Reid Haven. Who are you?" he asked.

"You're Reid?" the shocked one squeaked and his brain promised him a slow painful death.

"Please, my head is going to explode. Quieter voices," he begged.

"Girls! What are you doing here?" a voice called out as another woman, maybe his age, marched into view on the deck. She shared many of the lovely features of the triplets but had an air of serenity and authority about her. She had to be their mother. Reid was enchanted by her beauty. She turned her face to look in the patio door and gasped.

Reid had had enough. He moved forward to close the blinds but stepped on the blanket and yanked it from his fingers. They all got a good look at him before he quickly bent forward to grab the blanket. The room went off its axis and he slammed to the floor head first. Stars exploded and Reid's consciousness followed them into the dark abyss. The last thing he heard was the click of a camera.

---

Soft, warm hands gently placed a cool compress on his throbbing forehead. He moaned slightly and heard muffled squeaks and someone shushing. His eyes opened slowly and he was looking up into the mother's face.

"I understand from my daughters that you introduced yourself as Reid, George and Melinda's son," she said softly.

He nodded faintly.

"While you were out I looked into your wallet to confirm that," she admitted and he nodded slightly again. "Where are your parents?" she asked.

He gave her a look and her expression froze as she saw the truth in his eyes. "They passed away last winter," he said quietly.

"Oh!" she said and he saw her lower lip was trembling. His eyes went to her daughters and their smiles faded with his news.

Then he looked down and realized he was in his bed with only a thin top sheet over his naked body and four women were watching him. How did he get here? Then a more important question surfaced.

"How- how did you get into my house?" he asked.

"George gave me a set of keys a few years back," the mother said after sucking in a deep breath.

So, they knew his parents and had known them for a while. "It seems you have me at a disadvantage." The girl's sadness eased a little and smiles began returning to their faces. "Who are you?" he asked, glancing to the daughters.

The woman smiled faintly as she must have realized how bizarre this all was. "I'm Evelyn Sparrow. These are my daughters Emily, Erin, and Elizabeth."

Now he had names for the shocked one, the bold one, and the shy one in that order.

She turned to give them a stern look. "Go finish unpacking."

"Awww!" they whined in unison but she shooed them away. With a final cheeky wave at Reid, they left the room. He heard the front door close.

"I'm very sorry to hear about your parents. We saw them just last summer. Your mother wasn't well, she seemed to slip away a little more each year, but your father seemed ok if a little tired," Evelyn said.

"I was contacted by the lawyer in December who told me mom passed and a few days later dad did as well," he said quietly as his head throbbed.

He felt a soft hand take his. "You hadn't spoken to them?"

He looked into the woman's compassionate gaze and fought back the tears that threatened to spill forth. Instead he cleared his throat. "No. He... refused." He looked away and blinked the tears from his eyes. "Uh, I'd like to get dressed if you don't mind."

She nodded and stood up. "I'll be in the kitchen." She left the room and closed the door behind herself.

He threw back the sheet and eased himself out of bed. His head wasn't very happy about his new orientation, or his moving at all, but he wanted clothes. He needed to do laundry, he realized seeing what was left. He pulled on a pair of board shorts and an old t-shirt. Good enough. He made his way out to the kitchen where he saw Evelyn sitting and saw the place was looking a little messy. He began putting stuff into the dishwasher and had to give up as his head hurt too much.

"Sorry about the mess," he said awkwardly.

"Don't worry about it. You visiting by yourself?" she asked with a twinkle in her eye.

It was a saucy question. He stopped and examined her. She couldn't have been much older than he was. Maybe 36? Her daughters looked to be 18 so she would have had to have had them when she was 18 herself. She was in very good shape as she was wearing some kind of tight athletic wear and sneakers. Like her daughters she had dark brown hair but hers was longer, reaching the base of her slim neck. Pretty, god they were pretty, dark brown eyes, maybe a little larger than he expected. A very nice mouth with lips that seemed to hold a natural smile.

"Did I say something wrong?" she asked as he'd been silent for so long.

He sunk into the chair next to hers to let his thumping head rest, as his face flushed with embarrassment. "No, sorry. Yes, I'm all alone. I mean, I'm here alone. Uh, I'm not just visiting, I'm living- I'm going to be living here. Shit." He stumbled and stammered through his response feeling like an ass.

He felt her hand settle on his. "It's ok. There's no need to be nervous. I won't bite," she said with a grin, showing her pearly whites as if contradicting her words.

He cracked a weak smile and she cocked her head to look at him. "I'm sorry to say your dad didn't say much about you and your mother, well, she'd stopped talking by the time we met them."

He nodded as he hadn't expected more from the man. His curiosity overrode his discomfort with talking to the pretty woman. "When exactly did you meet my parents? How did you convince them to let you build a house on our property? Why are both houses connected to the same water, power, and telephone services?" He was dazed by the number of questions he had.

She smiled at him and nodded sadly. "I'm sure you have a lot more questions. I'm not allowed to answer some of them, yet. We'll find out in a few months what happens next. Sorry I can't explain it better now. Here is what I can tell you. We met your parents thirteen years ago. A representative of the government, a friend of your father's actually, made the introductions and arranged with your parents to let us build a house on the property while remaining outside of any government registration or commercial services. No footprint."

"My husband was a very talented craftsman and did most of the work in building our home. Five years ago, there was a severe storm and the homes were damaged. He repaired them, storm proofed them." She smiled as she looked out the window at the home across the wide yard. Her daughters could be seen carrying suitcases from the van into the home. Evelyn turned her attention back to him.

"We... moved around a lot but always came back here in the summers. Your parents were excellent neighbors. Your father watched over the girls when they were much younger," she added and saw his jaw tighten. "I'm sorry. We saw pictures of you but he never told me why you decided to leave."

Reid's breath gusted out of his lungs as his chest suddenly tightened in reaction. He looked at her in outrage then closed his eyes and took some deep breaths. She didn't know.

When he'd calmed enough he opened his eyes once more and saw she was watching him, waiting. He nodded to himself. He could do this.

"When you met my mom she was confined to a wheel chair and had lost the ability to speak. I did that." She gasped and her hand tightened on his. "When I was 17 I was invited to a party and there was booze. It was the first and only party I'd ever been invited to. Everyone was drinking so... I drank too. By the time I wanted to leave I realized I couldn't drive. I called mom to tell her I'd sleep in the car and drive back in the morning. She said she wanted me home because we were picking up dad at the airport the following day. She said she'd come pick me up." He fell silent for a moment. "Her car was hit by a drunk driver. Left her with brain damage. She gradually got worse. Dad blamed me. Wouldn't say it to my face but he stopped looking at me. Then he stopped talking to me. I no longer existed for him. I suppose I never really did. He only had enough love in him for one and Mom was his world. I... had to leave. Mom was a reminder and dad wanted me gone. The day I turned 18 I joined the army. Fastest ticket to someplace else. I served for six years. Learned programming. When I left, I took one contract coding job after another. Any project. I made decent money. Not a fortune but my expenses were minimal. I live alone." He finally ran out of steam and sagged.

"Oh my god, you aren't to blame for what happened to your mother!" Evelyn gasped.

He pulled his hand away from hers. "It doesn't matter anymore, does it? They're both gone. It can never be repaired. Now, the home has no more painful reminders. I'd like to thank your husband for the wonderful changes he made to the house. It no longer even looks like the old beach house my family spent so many happy summers in."

He turned his eyed to hers and saw sadness in them. Then he realized he hadn't seen her husband. She wasn't wearing a wedding band. She'd said her husband 'was' a very talented craftsman.

Shit.

"When did he die?" he said in a tight voice.

She seemed to have come to terms with it but it made her expression melancholy. "Two years ago. There was... an accident while he was working with the government. I'm told it was instant."

"I'm so sorry-" he began but she raised a hand.

"Please don't. I don't want to hear that anymore," she said quietly.

He just nodded and she sat back.

She looked around. "So you'll live here year round? What about work?"

"I don't have to work if I live inexpensively. If I want to, I can take up coding on a freelance basis. Work from here."

She blinked at him. "How will you meet people?"

He looked away and was silent for a bit. "I go for a run on the beach every morning. I see people."

"That isn't meeting people. You have to stop and talk to them!"

He glanced at her and away. "I'm not good at that. Never have been."

"You're doing fine with me," she said with a brighter smile.

He was surprised to discover he was. He glanced at her and nodded. "Yes, but... I don't know why."

She grinned. "We did leap past some of the more personal stages of a relationship."

He looked at her in confusion. "What?"

"We've seen you hungover and we've seen you naked. For that matter, we had to carry you into your bedroom and get you onto the bed. You are not a light man."

He put his face in his hands, groaned, and slumped back in his chair. At the sound of a quiet chuckle he peeked at her through his fingers.

"You don't seem to be carrying fat anywhere on your body," she said with a grin and bounced her pretty eyebrows at him playfully.

He wasn't sure if her enjoyment was better than her being upset. He felt... weird.

"I- I've always been skinny," he said quietly.

Her eyes widened as she saw he was being serious. "Reid, you're not skinny. You're tall and slim but you have... excellent definition."

He blinked at her so she continued. "I'm not a small woman. I stand 5' 9" and ever since I had the girls I've carried an extra twenty five pounds. You, you're..."

"A 6' 4" beanpole."

She stared at him as she considered the seven inch height difference between them. "Tall, but you're no beanpole. Your muscles have grown in nicely. I remember the pictures of you around this house. You were definitely a tall, skinny kid. You're not skinny now. How much do you weigh?"

He shook his head as he hadn't been weighed since he was in the army. He was smaller than he'd been then but they'd worked his muscles hard. "Probably 200 pounds now."

"That's not skinny," she repeated gently.

He looked into her eyes and nodded. He felt like he should complement her in return. He opened his mouth then closed it. He had so much to say and was terrified to say anything. She looked at him curiously with those gorgeous eyes of hers and he felt something move inside his chest.

"You're so beautiful," he suddenly blurted then wished he'd never opened his mouth as her eyes widened in surprise and her cheeks became very red.

"Sorry-"

"No! It was nice to hear. Thank you. Listen, I have a lot of unpacking to do and you should take some pain killers and get some rest. Drink water to help with the dehydration. I'll let myself out."

He dropped his eyes to the table surface and nodded in embarrassment. He'd made her uncomfortable around him. Brilliant.

He was surprised to feel her touch his hair and he looked up to see her gentle smile. "It was very nice to finally meet you, Reid."

"It was nice to meet you, Evelyn," he managed.

She turned and headed outside. He watched her walk back to join her daughters and how they rushed over to circle her excitedly. He couldn't hear what they were saying of course but he could imagine. He rubbed his face with his hands.

He dragged himself out of his chair and headed for the washroom to get the painkillers.

Beautiful and smart.

Chapter 2

Reid was a little shaky about meeting his new neighbors again after the spectacularly poor first impression he'd made the day before.

He was feeling a lot better when he woke this morning compared to the previous day. After a run on the beach and doing his exercises he'd spent the rest of the morning tidying the house. Not out of the expectation of having company. No, it was about taking control back over his life. His lapse with the whiskey showed him he still had issues to deal with. Taking control of his environment had to be a good place to start.

He shaved off the scraggly beard he'd been neglecting as well. Again, not for anyone else. Just to take control back. He liked the clean shaven look so... he did it for himself.

He'd been pleased to discover the deck had a gas barbecue but he needed to fill the tank and pick up food to cook on it. That meant a trip into town.

It was almost noon when he loaded the empty tank into the back of the Jeep.

"Going to town?"

He turned to see the triplets watching him with hopeful expressions.

"Uh, yes."

"Can we come along?" one asked. He still couldn't tell them apart.

"What about- did you ask your mother?" he asked awkwardly.

They smiled at each other and one stepped forward. Erin. He recognized the cheeky grin.

"You do know we're not children. We're 18. Capable of making decisions on our own."

He nodded and looked back towards their house. "Would your mom want to join us?"

"She's unpacking." Quiet voice. Elizabeth.

He sighed. "I won't be in town for very long. Just picking up propane and food for the barbecue."

"Ah! You're having a barbecue tonight? Can we join you? We'll pick up food too!" Erin gasped.

He blinked at her bold self-invite but found himself nodding.

"Can we put the Jeep's top down?" Erin asked and he nodded again.

He remembered watching his dad releasing all the fasteners and taking the side and back windows off. It took him a few minutes but he got the roof folded and strapped down in the back.

"Do the doors come off?" Erin asked excitedly. Off they came.

Once the Jeep was ready the ladies quickly scrambled to climb into the Jeep as they giggled excitedly. He insisted they belt themselves in and climbed behind the wheel to get them underway.

The deeply rutted lane made the Jeep tilt this way and that, making the ladies grin and laugh. Once they were out on the main road he was able to drive at a normal speed. The triplets all had shorter hair so they didn't mind the wind whipping it around like crazy. They grinned at him and he concentrated on the road.

He heard the click of a camera and saw Erin had taken a picture of him. He smiled at her and she took another before slipping the cell phone into her pocket.

First stop was the gas station where he replaced the tank for a newer, full one. Then they went to the grocery store. Elizabeth got a cart for him then they rushed away only to return with items. They told him they were keeping track of the cost of the stuff they put in the cart.

He went to the butcher's counter to get steaks. For tonight, he picked up cubed sirloin as he planned to make shish-kebab skewers. Next he went to the produce department for peppers, zucchini, and onions. He also picked up ingredients for a light, fresh salad and a variety of dressings. Then he was done.

The three ladies were done as well and he noted each of them was carrying a six pack of craft beer in bottles. They looked at him hopefully.

"You want me to buy beer for you?" he asked cautiously, pitching his voice for them alone.

"Mom lets us drink when we're with her!" Erin insisted.

He turned his eyes to Elizabeth and she nodded.

Pushing his misgivings aside he nodded briefly and their grins widened.

"We'll show your mother what we've brought back with us when we get back," he insisted.

They nodded enthusiastically and he felt a little better about it.

Emily spoke with her sister and then turned to him. "Our items come to around $140 but you're picking up the extra cost for the meat so we'll put in an extra $60 to cover our share."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Very," Emily said with a nod.

He agreed and she handed him $200. He raised his eyebrows as he hadn't expected them to have the money with them. He put the bills into his wallet and pushed the cart up to the cashier. The beer went onto the belt as they moved to help bag the groceries. He paid and they pushed the cart out to the Jeep to load themselves and the groceries inside. There wasn't a lot of storage in the small vehicle so lighter grocery bags went onto laps, except for his.

He got them headed back home and the girls chatted happily the entire way. They were pretty excited. There was supposed to be a beach party in front of one of the neighbor's places down the beach in a couple of days when the family arrived. They'd spent summers with the other families and apparently there would be young men at the party. Much giggling ensued.

Reid carefully navigated the lane and pulled right up to the steps in front of their home. At the sound of the Jeep the front door opened and Evelyn came out.

"Where did you go? You were supposed to help me unpack!" she growled.

"Reid was going into town!" Emily chirped.

"He's having a barbecue tonight! We're invited!" Elizabeth offered.

"We had to pick up some items as well at the grocers!" Erin finished off.

"Beer," Reid said holding Evelyn's eye to let her know he needed her confirmation.

"You three put Reid on the spot in the store when you asked him to buy you beer didn't you!" she said with a scowl.

The three young ladies looked ashamed and looked at each other.

"They said you were ok with them drinking with you. I told them we'd show you what they got." Reid said to ease the tension.

"We're sorry for taking advantage of your good nature," Elizabeth said and Reid saw Evelyn smile as her daughter caught on. Emily and Erin quickly apologized as well.

"It's ok, this time. Please check with your mom first next time. Ok?" he asked and they all smiled when he confirmed there would be a next time.

"Let's get these groceries inside!" Emily said lifting a bag out of the back and pushed it into Reid's hands. The invitation to go inside with it was implied.

He glanced at Evelyn and she just smiled. He took another bag and climbed the stairs. She guided him inside and towards the kitchen. He was immediately impressed with how open and inviting their home was! The comfortable furnishings, the layout, the view, it all came together to create a welcoming atmosphere. He noticed an abundance of framed photos of the happy family scattered around the room and his heart lurched in his chest with longing. They all looked so comfortable with each other. Hugging, holding hands, leaning on each other, touching. Their deep love for each other was abundantly clear. This was a family that got it right.

He saw a few with a man in the picture and noticed he was just a little shorter than Evelyn, stocky, and had pepper colored hair and dark eyebrows. He had a nice smile and it was obvious that she and the girls loved him very much. Reid envied the man. At least he'd experienced love.

He put the groceries down and took another look at the living space. That's what he was picking up. Something that was missing from his own place. The impression of love filling the space. It was the family portraits. His place seemed cold and barren in comparison.

"Is something wrong? You seem sad." Evelyn said as she touched his arm.

He looked at her and gave her a smile as he tried to shake off the mood. "No. You have a truly beautiful home!"

The girls arrived with more bags and he stood aside as they passed with grins on their faces.

Evelyn removed her hand from his arm and frowned at their giggles. "Are there any more bags?"

"A few. The rest are Reid's." Elizabeth said.

"I should go put them away. I have some preparation to do for the barbecue as well," Reid said, moving back to the door.

"What are we having?" Evelyn asked.

"Shish-kebab," he replied.

"Mmm! Sounds lovely! Are you marinating the meat?" she asked as they climbed back down to his Jeep.

He looked at her in concern. "Marinating?"

She grinned at him. "Why don't you let me take care of that and I'll bring it when we come over. What time should that be?" Her daughters joined them at the Jeep to get the beer and the remaining bags. The mother scowled at how much beer they had. The girls looked guilty once more.

"6:30?" he asked as he dug in the bags to pull out the cubed sirloin.

He froze when he lifted a large box of condoms from the bag. His eyes went to the triplets. "Uh, does this belong to you?"

Erin gave him a coy smile and glanced towards her mother. "No, those are for you."

The daughter rushed up the stairs giggling madly as their mother's cheeks flushed red once more.

"Incorrigible! How did I end up with such naughty girls!" Evelyn exclaimed as she looked back to Reid apologetically.

He smiled nervously and shook his head. "They seem like really good girls, if a little bold." He decided a redirect might be a good idea. "Apparently, the neighbors down the way will be having a beach party in a couple of days. Boys will be in attendance. Perhaps they should take these after all."

Evelyn was shaking her head. "If they have such intentions they'll already have purchased a box of their own. They're smart enough to be careful," she assured him.

Not knowing what else to do he dropped the box back into the grocery bag. He found the meat in the next bag and handed it to her. "6:30?"

She gave him a smile and nodded. "We'll be there."

He climbed back in the Jeep.

"I like your car! It's very... you!" she said impulsively.

He gave her a puzzled look.

Evelyn had a silly grin on her face. She suddenly reached up and ran her fingers appreciatively along his freshly shaved strong jaw line. "Rugged and manly."

It was his turn blush as he saw her eyes twinkling happily. "Like mother, like daughter?"

A wide smile flashed across her face and he was treated to another lovely display of her white teeth. She spun and rushed up the stairs. His eyes were trapped, watching her body ascending. She looked back and caught his awestruck expression. She waved and rushed inside.

His mind was spinning. Skinny beanpole Reid was 'rugged and manly'? He'd certainly never pictured himself that way.

In a daze he put the Jeep in reverse and parked it under his home once more. He carried the groceries inside and went back outside to put the tarp over the now open Jeep. Next, he installed the fresh tank on the barbecue then went back inside to the kitchen.

He had food to prepare.

Chapter 3

Music was playing and three beauties were dancing on the wide deck painted by the orange glow of the evening sunlight. Reid was standing at the kitchen counter with Evelyn preparing the skewers as the barbecue preheated.

She'd brought a lovely bottle of wine with two wine glasses, the girls had their beer, and they'd all toasted their new friendship. While the girls danced, he and Evelyn worked together in the kitchen as the warm breeze passed through his home from the open windows.

He allowed the moment to soak into his mind as it felt like domestic bliss. Something he never expected to experience in his life.

He felt eyes on him and glanced over to see Evelyn was watching him with a little smile.

"You look... content," she said.

He nodded. "This feels... good. Right. Wonderful..." He shook his head as every word that came to mind felt inadequate to describe the feeling.

"It does feel all that," she agreed.

He heard another click and saw Erin had taken a picture of them from the kitchen window as they were smiling at each other. He shook his head with a grin.

They carried the food outside and Reid placed the skewers on the grill and turned the heat down a little. He sipped his wine as he watched Evelyn join her daughters on the 'dance floor'. He smiled at their happiness but kept his eye on their dinner, diligently turning the kebabs before they scorched on any side.

When they were ready he placed them on the serving tray Evelyn had prepared and carried it to the table. Cheers erupted and they all took their seats.

They alternated talking about his life, like his time in the army, and their lives, like their home in Perth, Australia. That's when the girls, and their mother, sprung their Aussie accents on Reid and he laughed out loud in delight. Evelyn and her daughters were Australian citizens and the girls had gone to school there. They all had the accent. As the girls wanted to be actors in the states, Evelyn had enrolled them in acting classes and paid for sessions for herself and them with a dialect coach who taught them all how to speak as Americans from different regions would. They picked up the skills quickly. While in the States they stuck to the American dialect as it was excellent training.

"I think you three will be brilliant in any role you get," Reid said, feeling the wine relax him. He wasn't nervous talking with them. They were really great people!

They enjoyed the food, the soft music blending with the sound of the surf, the warm breeze, and watched the orange globe of the sun setting in the ocean. It was a perfect summer night.

Evelyn went inside and turned on the patio lights. A string of suspended lights twinkled merrily along the railing and under the eaves. It was magic!

His delight must have shown as he saw grins on the girl's faces.

"You've never turned these lights on before?" Emily asked.

He shook his head. "I've haven't sat on the patio at night since I got here."

Evelyn rejoined them and saw the looks of incredulity on her daughter's faces. "What did I miss?"

"He hasn't enjoyed this amazing deck at night!" Erin gasped.

The mother turned to look at him as she sat. "What have you been doing instead of watching all these amazing sunsets?"

He thought about that then recalled the many quiet evenings he'd had. "Writing."

Eyes lit up. "What are you writing?" Erin asked excitedly.

Reid was suddenly aware of four sets of eyes looking at him expectantly. He squirmed under their intense gazes. "A book."

"Read it to us!" Elizabeth blurted loudly and the others turned their eyes on her. She shrank back but Emily looked back to Reid.

"Will you?"

He blinked at her. "Read my book to you? Out loud?"

They giggled at that. Evelyn smiled at her daughters and addressed Reid. "Yes, we'd love to hear some of your story telling. What kind of book is it? A detective story? A story about your time in the army?"

"It's a romance novel."

Four sets of eyes locked on him once more.

"Now we have to hear some," Erin said.

"It- it's the first book I've ever tried to write. I have no idea if it's any good. It's probably terrible!" he insisted.

Evelyn smiled. "So noted. We're prepared now. We'd still like to hear you read it."

Looking at their intent gaze, Reid tossed back the last mouthful of wine and swallowed. He needed the courage. "Ok, but it's not finished." More eager nods.

As he went inside to get his tablet the ladies rushed inside to take bathroom breaks.

They decided to sit in the living room to hear the story so everyone helped clear the table while Reid cleaned and closed the barbecue. He shut off the patio lights on his way in. They really were lovely.

Evelyn poured them more wine as the girls got another beer.

Once everyone was seated he loaded up his story on his tablet and looked at his audience, snuggled together on the big couch. He was in the big chair facing them.

"Last chance-"

"Read Reid!" Elizabeth blurted and giggles erupted.

He couldn't keep the smile from his face. "Ok. Here goes."

The story had come from a place deep inside him. A place of intense longing and loneliness and hinted at his hopes for the future, for something better. He wove these emotions into his story and he felt them again as he read the words aloud. He glanced up from time to time to see if he'd lost his audience but they kept their eyes on him and were leaning forward slightly in interest, so he continued.

After what felt like a very long time, he was surprised when he actually reached the last page he'd written. He sat back, placing the tablet on the table next to him.

"That's it? That's all of it?" Erin exclaimed.

He nodded with a concerned expression.

Erin leapt from the couch and raced off in the direction of the bathroom. They heard the door slam.

Reid looked at the others in dismay. "Was it that bad?"

"NO!" burst from the others then they were all talking at once.

He held up his hands to get them to stop.

Erin marched back into the room and walked right up to his chair. She looked down at him with tears in her eyes and he didn't know how to respond. Suddenly, she sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck as she cried on his shoulder. He looked at Evelyn in shock. Elizabeth and Emily jumped to their feet and leapt to join their sister in hugging him but it was too much for the chair and over it went.

Wincing from the blow to the back of his head, he became aware of the girls untangling themselves from his lap and Evelyn pulling them to their feet.

"Are you ok, Reid?" she asked once she had her third daughter up and standing behind her.

"Just a little bump on the back to match the one on my forehead," he sighed. She helped him stand then grabbed him in a tight hug and her daughters did as well.

"Does this mean you liked it or is this a pity hug, because I'll accept either."

Evelyn pushed back and looked up into his eyes. "It's a beautiful story! Very moving."

The others let go of him as well but only moved back a little. He was still surrounded by the beauties.

"When are you going to finish it? I need to know what happens to Grant? Does he find true love with Melody? NO! Don't tell me! I need to read the rest!" Erin exclaimed excitedly.

"So... it's good?" he asked.

"YES!" they all yelled. Then everyone began to laugh.

"For someone who writes so beautifully, you sure can be dense," Elizabeth complained.

He turned his attention to Erin. "Why did you run off when I finished?"

"I had to pee! I'd been holding it in for so long as I didn't want to interrupt the story!" she explained.

"You're a very good reader too!" Elizabeth said with a shy smile. Evelyn smiled and stroked her daughter's hair. "You always loved Jack reading to you as well," she said fondly to her daughter, then realized who she was comparing to Reid.

"Jack?" Reid asked.

"Our dad," Emily said with a gentle smile.

There was a moment of silence which Evelyn seemed desperate to fill. "Ok, we've had a wonderful time tonight! Thank you for the delicious dinner and the amazing story afterwards. I think it's time we headed home."

"It was wonderful having you all over," he responded as he looked into Evelyn's beautiful eyes.

He saw she needed to leave so he nodded and stepped back as they began to move. Elizabeth was the last to leave and stopped in front of him to look up into his eyes. "Dense."

She followed her sisters out and Reid locked up behind them.

He wondered at Elizabeth's comment. Was she really expecting him to make a move on her mother? In front of them?

He shook his head. Maybe it was the beer talking.

On his way back to the living room he spotted something on the fridge door and froze. He walked closer and was stunned to see several photos of himself with the girls. There he was driving the Jeep. Then there were three shots of him shopping for groceries, one with each of the ladies. They must have taken turns taking the photos. He looked happy in each of the pictures and their gesture meant so much. He felt his emotions surge as he grinned at the happy memories.

He went back to pick up his tablet and linked it to his wireless keyboard. He felt energized by their enjoyment of the story. And their present!

He had a few more chapters in him tonight!

Chapter 4

Reid was returning from his run on the beach and he was dripping with sweat. He thought his fatigue might be due to recuperating from his drunken binge but he'd been ok the day before.

While it never really got too hot due to the constant breeze over the frigid water, today felt like the temps might reach an all time high as the sun was doing its best to compensate for water and wind. There also wasn't a cloud in the sky.

As he crossed the beach to return to his house he pulled his shirt up and over his head. He found a dry spot and used it to wipe the sweat from his face.

Climbing up the stairs he spotted Evelyn walking back to her place from his.

"Good morning!" he called out and she changed directions to meet him on the small grassy area.

"Good morning!" she returned as she eyed his sweaty muscles. She seemed to have some difficulty looking back up to his face. "I came over to ask if you had any plans today."

"No, my schedule is wide open," he said with a smile.

She nodded as her eyes went back to his chest, his stomach, then quickly back up to his eyes. "We're going to have a picnic on the beach. We wanted to invite you. Maybe throw a football around. The girls also wanted to know if they could work on their tans on your deck afterwards. It's much wider than ours and it's sheltered from the wind. They've actually been using it for that for years."

He nodded. "Sure. That sounds like fun. What can I bring to the picnic?"

She shook her head then her smile turned into a grin as she reached out to run her finger down his chest to his stomach. "Bring this," she said then immediately spun and dashed away.

"When?" he called out and she stumbled to a stop at the base of her steps and looked back at him in embarrassment.

"Noon!" She ran up her steps and rushed inside.

He slowly walked back to his place, unconsciously running his fingers over the same place her finger had touched. He was beginning to get the idea that she might like him.

Inside he showered and slipped on his swim trunks. He had no intention of going in the frigid water, but he'd get a better tan wearing the smaller trunks. Due to the heat, he decided a long sleeveless t-shirt would be best and pulled one on.

He mixed up a large batch of lemonade in case his guests needed something cold and refreshing when they were catching the rays on his deck.

This done, he saw he had lots of time so he pulled out his tablet and wireless keyboard and continued where he left off the night before. He'd made considerable progress before he forced himself to go to bed.

A knocking on his door drew his attention back to the here and now from the depths of his story. He was getting to a very intense section and was grateful for the break as his emotions were becoming a little raw. He saved and shut down before answering the door.

Erin- no, Emily was standing at his door with a frown which quickly became a look of concern as she saw his eyes were a little glassy.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Hmmm? Oh, this? It's nothing. I was just writing," he said in embarrassment.

Her expression was instantly delighted. "How much further did you get?"

He grabbed his beach bag and locked up behind himself as he answered. "Between last night and this morning, I wrote maybe another eight chapters. It's just flowing now!"

She grabbed his arm as she squealed happily and walked down the stairs with him. She pulled him along out to the beach where the others were setting up. As they got closer, Emily released his arm and rushed ahead.

"He wrote eight more chapters!" she called out and excited squeals returned. "He was writing when I went to get him!" she added.

Evelyn was giving him a happy smile as her eyes admired his long, lean body. "Glad you could join us."

"There is nowhere in the world that could possibly hold more interest for me than right here, right now, with you," he said quoting something his lead protagonist just said in is story but lending it the weight of true conviction. He truly was where he wanted to be.

The triplets watched Reid with wide eyes and huge smiles. Then they looked to their mother who was also looking at Reid in shock, her blush making her cheeks almost glow. The girls looked back to Reid and saw he was beginning to realize he may have said too much too soon.

"It's something I wrote... in my story. Too much?"

Evelyn's mouth closed and she looked conflicted. "It's not nice to be a tease-"

"I wouldn't!" he blurted. "I meant them- the words. I didn't intend to upset you!" he struggled to fix the damage he'd done.

Elizabeth slipped up next to her mother and gave her a hug from behind. "You didn't upset her. You just surprised her with the lovely sentiment."

It looked like Evelyn was going to protest but instead she turned her eyes to him and nodded. A shock went through his body and he smiled gently. "I meant the words."

Evelyn's lips picked up his smile. "Thank you."

"Anyone hungry?" Erin said cheerfully and got a swat from Elizabeth. "Hey!" she swatted her sister in return before all three started in.

Evelyn separated them and got them seated on the blanket. Reid sat next to the mother and she handed him a sandwich. He smiled and gave her thanks. Soon they were all eating and chatting as comfortably as they had the night before at dinner.

"So your writing is going well?" Evelyn asked.

He nodded as he swallowed. "Yes, it actually feels easier now that I've read some to you and gotten your feedback on it. Hopefully, it hasn't diminished in quality with the increase in ease of writing," he said nervously.

"You'll just have to read the new chapters to us so we can let you know!" Elizabeth gushed and got smiles from the others. Reid smiled and nodded.

"I also want to thank you for the photos! They're wonderful!" he said. They smiled to him then exchanged looks of congratulations on the success of their gift.

They finished up lunch and Elizabeth had the cell today and took photos of them laughing and posing with silly grins.

They threw the football around then decided they would head back to do some sunbathing on his deck.

They collected the blanket and picnic basket and headed back up to the house. The ladies went out to the deck and pinned the blanket to the railing to give themselves additional privacy while they soaked up some sun. They put their towels out and pulled the lotion from their beach bag.

Reid went inside to get a serving tray, glasses, and the large pitcher of lemonade. When he returned he almost dropped the entire thing. The ladies had removed their wraps to expose their sexy bikinis. Then the triplets had gone one step further to remove their tops. They were all sitting up looking at him expectantly. Evelyn still had her top on but was holding the ties of hers, as if undecided. She held his eyes nervously as he stood holding the tray of drinks. Ice tinkled against glass. All eyes were on him.

His senses returned and he walked over to carefully place the tray on the small table before them.

"Would you mind if we went topless, Reid? It's what we do in Perth." Evelyn asked nervously.

He cleared his throat to loosen its tightness. "Not at all. Please make yourself comfortable. You just surprised me, is all. I'd heard Australia is pretty conservative. They have topless sunbathing in Perth?"

"Not many public beaches allow it but we can do it on the deck at our house," she answered as she tugged the strings free. Her beautiful breasts were suddenly free of their confines and he felt sparks shoot through his body. God, she was lovely! He caught her smile at his obvious look of awe. He pulled off his t-shirt and Evelyn's smile widened.

"It's only fair. We got to see all of you on our first day back," Erin said with a grin as she squirted lotion on her hand and rubbed in over her chest. The ladies weren't as large up top as their mother but they were all truly lovely.

"Lemonade?" he asked with a wobbly voice. They grinned and nodded so he made himself busy by pouring them each a tall glass as they all put on lotion. Evelyn accepted a glass as well. He popped back into the house to prepare a second jug after pouring his own glass.

Coming back out onto the deck he saw all four beauties resting back with the sun gleaming on their skin. He felt himself filling up all the extra space in his small swimsuit. He put his own towel down next to Evelyn's and laid back with his eyes closed after taking a deep drink of the cold lemonade.

"You didn't put any lotion on!" he heard from his left and the cool lotion plopped onto his chest. Before he could move his hands to rub it in smaller hands began to do it for him. His eyes opened and he saw Evelyn kneeling at his side, spreading the lotion over his chest. Her hands felt wonderful and he saw her breasts rocking back and forth as she worked the lotion into his skin. He was quickly discovering just how little room he had in his swimsuit. Her satisfied smile told him she'd noticed. She reached his neck and her fingers moved over his face, not missing anything.

When she stopped he tried to relax but heard the squirt of the bottle again. His stomach took a blast of lotion and he jumped at the coolness. Her hands spread the lotion over his hard abs and down his arms. Her hands moved back to his stomach and moved lower. A hand rubbed the lotion just under his waistband and he yelped quietly when her fingers bumped into something very sensitive.

"Oops! Sorry!" she chirped. Then her hands were on his upper thighs and worked their way down his legs.

His body vibrated like a piano string struck by a sledgehammer.

"All done," Evelyn said happily and his eyes opened to take in that smile.

Her words about being a tease came unbidden to his mind but he clamped down on that response. "Thank you."

"My pleasure," she responded and his eyes took in the stiffness of her nipples. He nodded and saw her smile widen.

She rested back and he did his best to relax, lying beside the four gorgeous... topless women. He was actually surprised when he felt a hand nudging him awake. "Time to turn over, sleepy head," she said fondly. He smiled blissfully at Evelyn and turned over onto his stomach.

He jumped again as lotion squirted onto his back. He glanced to the side to see Evelyn on her knees leaning over his back.

"You may return the favor," she said with a coy smile as she spread the lotion over his back.

He smiled and relaxed as her strong hands kneaded his back muscles as she worked the lotion in. They moved lower and lower until one dipped under his waistband once more, deeper this time, to stroke across the top of his ass cheeks. He jumped again and looked back at Evelyn. She was smiling innocently but avoided his eyes as she moved on to his legs.

When she finished he immediately pushed himself up to his knees and looked her in the eye. "My turn."

She had the good sense to look just a little timid as she'd teased him pretty unmercifully. The result was showing against the front of his swimsuit. Still, she eased herself down onto her breasts and seemed to relax.

Reid squirted the lotion into his palm and rubbed his hands together to warm it. Then he started at her neck and worked his way down her arms. He felt her muscles relaxing under his strong fingers. He went back to her shoulder blades and down her spine and she sighed. When he got to her sides he stroked the soft flesh bulging out from her front and she sucked in a breath. He moved his hands down her sides to her hips then surprised her by repeating the side strokes, once more caressing the sides of her breasts. She shivered under his hands and seemed to be waiting for a third stroke when he dug his thumbs into the knots of her lower back and eased them.

"Oooohhhhhh!" she moaned aloud and her girls looked over with envious expressions.

"You ok?" Reid asked as he gently ran his fingers down her back. He felt her tremble and twitch under his hands. He assumed that meant she was enjoying it. She hadn't said otherwise.

He loved touching her! Her skin felt so soft yet her muscles underneath were firm if knotted with tension.

"God, yes! Keep going!" she sighed and he smiled.

He added more lotion to his hands and felt for tight spots in her back and rubbed them out until her back felt like putty and she was moaning softly and constantly.

Mischievously, he ran his fingers under her waistband over the tops of her ass cheeks and her head came right up off the towel with a loud gasp. She looked back at him and he smiled. "Returning the favor." He saw her trying to keep the smile from her lips but she finally surrendered as she settled back down on her towel.

Suddenly recalling they weren't alone Reid looked over at the triplets and saw their delighted grins. He smiled at them and added more lotion to his hands as he started on Evelyn's legs. She jumped a little when he touched her thighs but settled down when he began the deep muscle massage.

"Oh Reid, you have magic hands!" she purred as he worked her calves. This caused her daughters to giggle excitedly. "Shush you!" she scolded them fondly.

Then he lifted her left foot and pressed his thumbs deeply up and down her foot.

"AAAHHHhhhhhhhh!" she cried and grabbed at her towel. He gently tugged on each toe, releasing its tension, and massaged the skin between each as she moaned and bit down on the towel to stifle her cries. He moved to the other foot and repeated the tender treatment as she got louder. When he gently set the foot down she made an oddly desperate sound and looked over her shoulder at him.

Not knowing what she wanted he gripped both feet tightly in his hands and began to pull them downwards, gradually increasing the strength of the pull as he massaged her arches deeply with his thumbs.

She bit down on the towel again and shook silently. He eased off on the pressure and when he released her feet she sighed happily.

"Magic hands!" she cooed and bit her lip as she watched him with dreamy eyes.

He blushed at her frank appraisal and moved back to his towel. Glancing over Evelyn's head he saw Erin wiggling a bottle of lotion while looking at him hopefully. Elizabeth snatched the lotion from her hand and pushed her sister down. She threw an apologetic look his way. He just smiled and sank down to lie on his towel. As he felt the sun soaking into his skin he looked across to Evelyn and saw she was watching him with a satisfied smile. He returned it then closed his eyes.

He heard one of the ladies get up and go inside and soon the sound of ice tinkling in the pitcher returned. There was the sound of pouring, ice falling into a glass with lemonade and the coolness of it touched his hand. He opened his eyes and saw Emily holding it for him.

"Thanks!" he said as he took the glass while trying not to stare at her lovely, young body. She smiled knowingly all the same as she moved to pour for her mother.

They enjoyed the afternoon until clouds arrived to spoil the party and the air began to get chilly once more. They slipped back into the bikini tops and pulled on their cover ups. He was relieved that he no longer had to work at averting his eyes.

"Would you like to go in town for dinner? Our treat!" Evelyn said with a hopeful smile.

"Sounds like fun but you don't have to treat me," he replied.

"Maybe not but we want to," Evelyn insisted with a determined smile.

He just nodded to that.

"We'll be back in ninety minutes to pick you up," she said and he nodded.

Evelyn and her daughters headed home and he went inside to have a shower and get changed. He tidied up and when he heard the horn honk he locked up and headed down the stairs to their van. He got to ride up front next to Evelyn.

He allowed himself a moment to admire how pretty they all looked and remembered he should tell them. "You all look very lovely."

Happy smiles appeared and he settled back in his chair.

The van had more difficulty navigating the ruts and he made a mental note to contact someone on Monday to fix the lane.

They drove into town and up to the restaurant Evelyn had made reservations. It wasn't a fancy place, but it was the nicest place the town had. Good food at a decent price.

They walked in and Reid saw Evelyn's and the girl's faces light up when they saw a group of people waiting for their table. He saw an older couple with greying hair, two couples who were roughly his age, and three young men who were giving the triplets wide delighted smiles.

Evelyn went straight up to the older couple and exchanged hugs and cheek presses. She turned and looked back at Reid who was holding himself back slightly. She reached out and drew him closer.

"Who's this young man?" the older man asked Evelyn with a happy smile.

"You don't recognize him? It's Reid Haven. George and Melinda's son!" she said with a happy grin.

Reid watched the smiles drop away to be replaced with looks of shock and surprise.

Evelyn turned to him. "This is Lawrence and Margaret Talbot. They live three houses south of you on the beach. They bought theirs shortly before your parent's bought yours."

Lawrence stepped closer. "We've been neighbors for so long but I'm having trouble remembering you. I was sorry to hear about your parents-"

"Oh my god! I see it now. Skinny Reid the Reed!" a beefy man in a loud patterned casual shirt blurted with a wide grin on his face. "He was so tall and skinny as a kid!"

The woman with big frizzy red hair spoke next. "I remember now too! Always running off and hiding when we came by to play! Damn! You got... big!"

"Hi Dane, Stephanie," Reid said quietly. He remembered the Talbot kids. Their 'coming to play' consisted of them teasing and bullying him as he wouldn't fight back. Running was his only recourse. He vowed he wasn't going to run any longer.

"Ay! What's with the googly eyes and drooling over the big guy!" the man next to Stephanie barked and she rolled her eyes.

"Jerry, relax, he's a childhood friend!" She looked at her husband's pot belly and soft body and frowned. "Come to think of it, get jealous and try harder to look like him!"

"Ay! That's mean!"

The pretty blonde in a classy cream blouse and pale green capris standing next to Dane's fashion disaster stepped forward with a smile and shook Reid's hand. "It's very nice to meet you, Reid. I'm Lana, Dane's wife. The two blond boys there are my sons, Marcus and Taylor." The young men in question turned to Reid when they heard their names and came forward to shake his hand. He had to admit they were good looking boys, obviously taking after their mother and not their fireplug of a father. Well behaved as well. Again, her doing and not his most likely.

"The other one's mine. Arthur! Come say hello to Reid the Reed."

"Reid Haven, Stephanie. It's Reid Haven. It's time to put away childish things."

Stephanie's eyes widened as she'd obviously heard the steel behind the words. "Right. Sorry!" she said in surprise.

Dane scowled at how his sister had been put in her place but Reid just turned a stern eye in his direction and the man folded.

Reid smiled to the young man with the wavy auburn hair approaching him. He shook his hand and got a smile. Arthur was a quiet one but with Stephanie as a mother that wasn't surprising. Reid noted he was a good looking kid too but he couldn't see Jerry at all in his looks... or Stephanie for that matter.

Introductions complete, Arthur hurried back to be with Erin who smiled at Reid. He nodded to her. He liked the boy.

The only one who he hadn't heard speak yet was Margaret Talbot, Lawrence's wife. She was holding back and giving him a critical look with a pinched expression. Then she spoke.

"Your father was all alone with your crippled mother. For years. Did everything on his own. Could have used the help of a big man such as yourself."

Reid stared at the woman. Feeling her cold careless words try to dig in.

"Margaret! Don't judge Reid without knowing the facts! George blamed him for the accident but in no way was it his fault! George shunned Reid. Drove him away," Evelyn exclaimed.

Reid stepped back from the group. His nerves were buzzing badly and he felt like he might do or say something stupid if he stayed. He took another step back.

"Running away again?" Dane asked with a cruel smile on his lips.

Reid was right against the surprised man, pinning him up against the wall of the restaurant's waiting area with just his chest, face to face, hands relaxed at his side. "Never again, Dane," he growled slowly in a cold voice as he looked deeply into the man's eyes. He felt him shaking.

"Reid! Let him go!" Evelyn exclaimed and he immediately stepped back. Dane dropped to his feet and sagged as he looked up in shock and fear.

Taking a deep breath to steel his nerves, Reid turned to Lawrence and Margaret. "Your children were never my friends. They were cruel, vicious, and took enjoyment from tormenting and torturing a very awkward and shy child. That said, my apologies for disturbing your evening. Please enjoy your meal."

He turned abruptly and walked out of the restaurant. His unspent adrenaline was beginning to give him the shakes.

"Reid! Wait!"

He stopped and looked back towards the entrance. Evelyn was rushing out to join him on the sidewalk. She pulled him into a hug and his arms automatically wrapped around her.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't know-" she began but he interrupted her and held her out so he could look into her eyes.

"How could you have known? I didn't tell anyone. Besides, they were right. I ran away. When they were evil little bullies, I ran. When my father didn't want me, I ran. But I'm done running. I'm staying right here."

She looked up into his eyes and he could tell she saw the pain he was still carrying after all these years.

"Mom?"

Evelyn turned to see her daughters standing in the doorway with worried looks on their faces.

"I want you to go back in there. Ease their minds. I'm fine. I'm going to grab a take-out sub and a cab home. Please enjoy your dinner with your daughters and the fine young men they're making googly eyes at," he insisted.

"But-"

"Please."

She looked like she was going to protest.

"Is everything ok?" Elizabeth called.

"Please," he said again.

"I'm coming to check on you when we get home!" she insisted and he smiled.

"Tomorrow morning, please. I'm going right to sleep when I get home. It was a wonderful day but I'm exhausted."

She gave him a questioning look but he waved and headed for the neighboring sub sandwich joint. He didn't want her to see how much he was shaking.

Chapter 5

Reid sat back and smiled. He'd finished the story. It wasn't going to win him a Pulitzer but he'd enjoyed writing it.

When he got home he was still shaking from reaction so he couldn't go to sleep. Instead he pulled out the tablet and keyboard and let his mind slip into the other world of his story.

When he finished typing the last words, he wiped at his eyes as tears ran freely from them. Partially because of the emotional upheaval the story caused in him. The rest was due to being exhausted. He'd typed all night. The sun was just beginning to lighten the sky.

He saved his story, made a backup locally and emailed a copy to his offsite storage account.

He felt a great sense of satisfaction at having accomplished his goal of completing his story.

He rested his eyes for a moment and jolted when he heard a loud knock on the door. The sun was higher in the sky now. He glanced at the clock and saw it was 9:30AM. Heaving himself to his feet he shambled over to the door and opened it when the knocking repeated.

Worried eyes looked up at him.

"Are you ok? You look terrible!" Evelyn gasped.

He snorted and gestured for her to follow him in. He walked back to his chair and sank into it, his eyes struggling to close.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I wrote all night long. I just got to sleep at... 4:30, 5AM?" he said quietly.

"You said you'd be asleep when we got home!" she complained.

He cracked his eye open and pushed himself to his feet. He walked to the sofa and tugged on her hand to join him. He sat and she sat next to him. "I was too jittery when I got home-"

"I knew it!" she gasped and he held up his hand to calm her.

"I wrote. It calmed me. I finished the story," he admitted with a smile.

She gave him a conflicted expression.

"I thought you might be a little happier for me," he pouted.

She snorted. "I am happy for you! I'm also worried about you after your blow out last night."

He took a deep breath. "I didn't hurt him. I'm proud of myself for showing that much restraint. He and his sister never showed any towards me."

Evelyn shook her head. "Dane was screaming about pressing charges but his parents and his wife shut his hysterics down. They also went after Stephanie for her part in tormenting you as a child. She was a much harder nut to crack as she refused to accept what she'd done was wrong. It was a night for confessions, apologies, and enlightenment."

He gave her a sad look. "I really spoiled everyone's evening."

"The truth is the truth and it's never too late to hear it. The Talbots were very grateful to hear what their children had done. Not happy but grateful none-the-less. Margaret is also a little distraught over how she treated you."

He nodded and his eyes closed again.

"Hey! Don't go to sleep yet!" Evelyn complained.

He aimed a bleary eye at her. "How about the kids? Did I ruin their night?"

She shook her head. "The young men had an eye opening lesson about their parent's but I think they already knew about these character flaws and just adapted to them. They really are nice kids." He was still pointing his sleepy eye at her so she continued. "The girls were very worried about you and my assurances fell on deaf ears. They wanted to come over with me this morning to confirm you were ok but I managed to get them to wait. Barely."

His eyes were closing again as he smiled about their sweet concern for him.

"Reid!"

"Hmmm?"

"Never mind. Go to sleep," she said softly.

He immediately stretched out on the couch, and the adjoining ottoman, resting his head on Evelyn's lap. He felt her running her fingers through his hair then he was gone.

---

Later she woke him up as she said he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. He grumbled that her logic was questionable. They ate sandwiches she made in his kitchen then they decided to go for a walk on the beach. It wasn't as warm today as it was yesterday so they dressed in layers.

Evelyn's daughters all rushed outside when they walked down to his yard. They all wanted hugs from him then the group set off down the beach.

They hadn't gotten far when they noticed someone waving at them. Reid realized they were standing before the Talbot's beach home. The young men ran over to speak with the young ladies and the six of them ran off to continue building a bonfire together for the evening's beach party. He sighed and Evelyn gave him her assurance that the Talbots were just looking for an opportunity to apologize.

Reid walked with Evelyn across the beach towards the people gathered on the huge deck of the Talbot's place. He saw everyone was there. As they got closer he saw Dane and Stephanie had sour looks on their faces. He glanced at Evelyn and she'd seen it too and was scowling in frustration. To Reid, it didn't seem like these two were genuinely sorry for anything.

Margaret stood up and met them as they climbed up onto the deck.

"Reid, I am so sorry for what I said to you out of my ignorance yesterday. I formed an opinion based entirely on my assumptions and I did you a terrible disservice. Can you forgive me?"

He saw the honesty of her emotions and that she truly was sorry for what she'd said so he nodded. Immediately, he could see the relief on her face and he gave her a smile. She came forward and he hugged her. Lawrence was smiling at him and he gave him one in return.

If anything, this display of honesty just made the sour expressions on Margaret's kids worsen.

Reid released Margaret and she walked over to her husband. It was Lawrence's turn to speak.

"On behalf of my wife and me, we'd like to apologize for raising two children who thought it was morally acceptable to torment a child who was suffering from feelings of awkwardness and severe shyness. That is our failing. The fact that to this day they don't see what they did was a weakness of character is a disappointment we will take to our graves. Rest assured. Steps will be taken so they, at the very least, will know their actions had consequences."

"What?" Dane suddenly sat up and took notice of what was being said.

"Was that supposed to be a threat?" Stephanie said belligerently.

The parents just sighed and shook their heads. They turned their faces to Lana who was staring at her husband with her own look of disgust. "Our apologies to you as well."

The group looked to Jerry but he was snoring like a bandsaw. No apologies needed there.

Lawrence turned back to Reid. "You are welcome to join our party tonight. We're going to have food, music, dancing, and a bonfire if the kids can build it properly."

Lana stepped forward with a hopeful expression. "Please say you'll come!"

Reid looked to Evelyn and she nodded to him showing she wanted him to as well. He glanced at Dane and Stephanie who were avoiding his eyes. He sighed then turned back to Lawrence. "Ok. That would be nice. Thank you."

"We're going to finish our walk on the beach. We'll see you later, ok?" Evelyn said, leading Reid back to the sand. They made their way back to the water's edge and headed south once more.

"I hope it doesn't become too uncomfortable for everyone, my being at the party. Dane and Stephanie aren't going to be happy," Reid said quietly.

"Maybe it's their turn to have their feelings neglected," Evelyn said fiercely and he looked at her in surprise. She glanced over at him then put her arm through his. "Sorry. My instinctive need to protect is flaring."

"Appreciated," he said with a smile, enjoying the feeling of her touching him, her fingers resting on his arm.

They walked along in silence, each enjoying the other's company. He was surprised by how far they'd gone before they headed back.

She looked up at him nervously and he caught it. "What?" he asked.

"There are going to be two other families at the party tonight. I forgot to ask if their kids treated you poorly as well."

He shook his head. "Only the Talbot kids got a chance to torment me. From that point, I just hid and kept to myself. I'd see the other kids playing together out on the beach so I'd go inland and play in the forest or hide in the dunes and watch."

She looked up at him with sadness in her eyes.

"Hey, it happened a long time ago. Please don't be sad now!" he begged.

"It's just so unfair!" she said.

He nodded and put his arm around her shoulders to hug her to his side. Her arm went around his back to hug him too.

"Yes, it was but I'm grown up now. I should be able to take care of myself. Don't get me wrong though. I really appreciate your support," he said.

It was too uncomfortable to walk while hugging due to their height difference so they returned to just walking arm in arm. Neither seemed to want to lose the physical contact.

By the time they got back, the neighbors had begun gathering.

Evelyn introduced him to the owners of the other beach properties and their families, who were the other children Reid had watched playing on the beach. Each expressed their dismay at having not known his situation. Each confessed to hearing the Talbot kids tell them to avoid him at all costs. When Evelyn explained what happened and they heard Dane and Stephanie refused to apologize, the party became very uncomfortable for the pair.

The guilty siblings finally had enough of feeling like pariahs so they said their good nights and headed inside.

The mood drastically improved from that point and Reid truly began to feel at ease with his neighbors for the first time.

They ate delicious barbecue ribs and chicken cooked by Lawrence and Margaret and danced under the stars on the patio. While not very comfortable dancing, Reid did what he could to make Evelyn happy. She absolutely glowed.

There were some excited whoops from the beach and they saw the bonfire had been lit. People began migrating from the deck to take seats in a wide circle around the fire.

Reid saw they were going to be short seats so he turned to Evelyn.

"Could you wait here just a moment?"

She nodded curiously at him. He nodded and rushed away, heading back to his house. He let himself inside and opened the patio door. He manhandled the old love seat outside then locked up his house once more.

Hoisting the bulky furniture above his head he carefully climbed down the stairs, down the path to the beach and across the beach to the bonfire.

He heard cheers as he approached.

"Now that's enjoying a bonfire in comfort!" Lawrence called out and the cheers increased.

Arms aching from the heavy load above his head Reid smiled at Evelyn who was clapping delightedly. He eased it down and dropped it on the sand.

Lana was standing next to Evelyn. "Marcus! Taylor! Help Reid get the love seat into position."

The two young men ran over with grins on their faces which quickly faded as they tried to lift the surprisingly heavy piece of furniture. Grunting, they finally managed to get it off the sand and moved next to the other chairs. They looked at Reid with new respect as they headed back to Emily and Elizabeth.

Reid plunked himself down on it and found he was too close to the fire so he lifted the couch and moved it back a foot. He sat down and it still felt like he was too close.

Evelyn grabbed a blanket from the back of the love seat and draped it over his legs to shield him from the heat. Then she curled up on the love seat next to him.

Reid smiled at the beauty sitting next to him as she took his hand in hers.

On the chair to his right Lana reached over to touch his hand to get his attention. He jumped a little and she grinned.

"Sorry! Didn't mean to startle you! I just wanted to ask you what you do, work wise."

He gave her an embarrassed smile. "I used to be a programmer. Now I... maybe I'll be a writer."

Evelyn squeezed his hand and he saw she was beaming a broad smile at him.

"A writer? What kind of books?" Lana asked curiously.

"Well, I've only completed one so far-"

"You finished it?" Elizabeth gasped from the far side of Lana.

"He did!" Evelyn said with a big smile.

Elizabeth pouted. "You haven't read it yet have you?"

Evelyn shook her head. "I'm waiting for Reid to have an opportunity to read it to us."

Lana was looking between the two women with burning curiosity in her eyes. "What did you write?!?" she blurted.

Reid was surprised by her excitement. "It's a romance."

Lana's eyes went wide and she looked to Elizabeth. "Is it good?"

The young woman bit her lip and her eyes went dreamy. "Oh yes! So good!"

Lana's head whipped around to aim back at Reid. "I want to read it too!"

Several of the others listening in added their voices requesting access as well.

Reid chuckled in surprise and smiled at Evelyn. "Maybe you should be my agent."

She popped up onto her knees beside him and rested her palms on his chest as she looked him in the eyes. "I would love to be your agent!"

"Done!" he said with a grin.

Suddenly Evelyn's lips were on his and his hands landed gently on her back. He'd never felt anything better in his life than this kiss. Her mouth was so soft and tender and he couldn't get enough. His hand went up into her hair as the kiss slowed and became more sensual. When the tip of her tongue traced his lower lip he moaned.

"Geezus! They're already in contract negotiations!" Lana quipped.

The group laughed, bringing Reid back to the here and now. He pulled back from Evelyn's mouth and saw she was still looking hungrily at his mouth.

The triplets were giggling madly and that seemed to break the spell for Evelyn as she suddenly looked towards her daughters with a guilty smile.

"It's about time!" Elizabeth growled.

Evelyn burst into a smile at her daughters and snuggled in against Reid's side.

He was in heaven. She'd kissed him. His first kiss! He wanted more but he understood this wasn't a good place for it. He looked around and saw smiling faces as his neighbors watched them. He settled with lifting his arm around her and pulling her closer.

"Seriously though, I want to read your story," Lana insisted with a challenging smile.

"Talk to my agent," he replied.

The group laughed and Reid settled back into the worn cushions feeling the soft warmth of Evelyn resting against his side. He wanted more and he was pretty clear now that she did too.

They held hands and listened to the conversation around them for another two hours until neither of them could wait any longer.

"Well, that's it for me! Pretty tired," Evelyn suddenly said and lurched to her feet.

Reid stretched out his arms and yawned. He stood up next to her. "Me too. Goodnight everyone!"

They began to walk away when Lawrence called out. "Wait! You forgot your couch!"

With a look of frustration Reid walked back and, with a mighty grunt, lifted the couch and placed it on top of the bonfire.

He danced back from the flames as the non-retardant fabric quickly caught and the bonfire burst into renewed life. The kids roared and screamed in delight and the adults did as well to be honest. No one realized in this blazing distraction that two of their members had slipped away and were running up the beach in the darkness. There was a brief squeak of laughter then silence.

Reid had Evelyn over his shoulder as he ran up the path to his house and climbed the stairs. She had her hand over her mouth to stifle her shrieks of laughter. He set her on her feet by his door and let them inside.

He reached for the light switch but she stopped his hand. He looked at her curiously. The room was only lit with the moonlight and a few small LED nightlights scattered here and there to protect toes during nocturnal walks.

"Let's leave our sandy clothes here," she suggested.

They smiled at each other and began stripping. It wasn't long before they were down to their underwear. Reid smiled and pushed his down. "You've already seen everything," he said with a grin.

Evelyn gave him a sexy smile and slid her panties down. She reached out and took his hand but he pulled her close and kissed her. It was her turn to moan as he enveloped her in his arms and she felt his hard body pressing against her. She gently pushed him back and smiled at him. She led him down the hall to his bedroom but paused in the doorway.

"Where did you put the items the girls bought you?" she asked quietly.

He looked at her blankly then the image of the condom box flashed into his mind. "Oh! In the drawer next to the bed."

She smiled in relief. "Good!" She pulled him into the bedroom and gently guided him onto the bed. "Lie back."

Reid was suddenly nervous. "I have to tell you something," he blurted.

She smiled. "This is your first time?"

His mouth dropped open. "You could tell that easily?"

"It's your innocence. It's really sweet! You're in for a treat tonight," she said with a grin.

His eyes widened. "It gets better?"

She burst into giggles and stretched out over his body. He moaned quietly as the skin to skin sensation was like nothing he'd felt before. It felt so good! She kissed him and he returned it, taking cues from her as to what she liked and what she didn't. He could tell she really, really liked his hands on her ass and he did too. He was pinned between their bodies and it felt really tingly and good!

She pulled back from their kiss to catch her breath and pressed her forehead against his. "Oh god! It's been a while for me. I- I'm pretty charged up. I think we both won't last long the first time."

His eyebrows went up. He liked the promise in her phrase, 'the first time', so he gently rocked her side to side on top of him.

"Ahhh! Wait! Wait! You're going to set me off!" she hissed as his heat was pressing against hers in very sensitive ways.

She reached into the drawer and pulled out the box. She smiled when she saw the package contained thirty.

She pulled one out and rolled off of his body. "Time to put some protection on," she said with a sexy grin. He just nodded. She tore open the wrapper and rolled it on him.

"That's snug!" he moaned.

"It will help you last," she said with a grin. He saw the challenge in her eyes so he rolled her over onto her back and kissed her as he ground his body against her. He felt her trembling under him.

When he pulled back from the kiss she was gasping for breath and her eyes were half lidded with lust.

He got a mischievous look in his eye and began kissing his way down her body. He enjoyed her breast very much and the gasps he drew from her when he teased them with his lips and tongue. When he moved further down she began to seriously writhe under him then shrieked when he stroked her down there with his tongue. After just a short time attending to that area, she clawed at him to move back up her body. Then she guided him inside her.

Reid wasn't prepared for how good that was going to feel and felt more than a little light headed from the pleasure. Evelyn seemed to enjoy it as well. She clung so tightly to his body and shook. He could feel her clamping down on him internally in pulses and that felt amazing too. He began to move and her motions just became more and more frantic.

His pleasure began to intensify and soon he couldn't think straight. His muscles went into overdrive and he drove himself into her faster and faster.

Evelyn's jaw was open and she was making high pitched squeaks as her muscles quaked.

"Oh! Evelyn! Something- It's happening!" he cried out then waves of pleasure crashed over his senses. Her heels dug into his ass to pull him tighter.

They floated through their bliss until they began to come down from the heavens. He rolled off and she snuggled into his side.

When they caught their breath she looked up at him happily. "It looks like we were both in for a treat."

He smiled and felt a great joy sinking deeply into his body. He'd never felt so good in his life. She was tracing the individual muscles of his stomach with a fingertip. Her simple touch gave him such a feeling of peace.

After a while, he looked down at her and saw a frown wrinkle between her pretty eyebrows. He rubbed it with his thumb and she smiled, making it go away.

"What are you thinking about so hard?" he asked gently.

"When you first told me of your plan to live here all year, I was worried about you being here all alone. Now, I can't bear the thought!" she said quietly as she clung to him.

"Aren't the girls going to try their hand at acting? In Hollywood? Do you need to go back to Australia?" he asked cautiously.

She sighed. "It's a condition Jack set up with our contact in the government. For the protection of myself and the girls we have to go home to Australia. But Jack died two years ago and we've been waiting for a reassessment. They may cancel the plan as the threat is technically over."

Something clicked into place for Reid. "Wait, wait. Jack Sparrow? Like the character?" he suddenly blurted.

She smiled fondly. "It's not his real name but it's the one they gave him. My maiden name is Sparrow. My name and my daughter's names weren't changed. Jack's marriage to me and our children all happened in Australia before his... involvement with the government. We were unknown to the... danger, so we really weren't at risk but Jack wouldn't take any chances and made sure we only visited in the summer.

"Witness protection! He was in witness protection!" Reid exclaimed softly. She nodded.

"We have dual citizenship through Jack but he wasn't allowed to leave. The threat against him was credible so I agreed to limit the exposure for our daughters. We only saw him in the summers during those years. I can't go through that again."

Reid knew he didn't want to lose Evelyn. Even in the brief time he'd known her she'd shown him more compassion and genuine affection than he'd ever experienced with anyone in his life. He'd developed strong feelings for her. All through those lonely years he watched people around him find each other to become couples and he'd longed for it to happen to him. But it never did and he feared it never would. It had taken his ridiculous meeting with this extraordinarily compassionate woman for the spark to form and grow. With their relationship just entering the physical stage he couldn't accept the idea of not being with her.

"What's the weather like in Perth?" he asked.

Her eyes widened as she realized what he was saying he'd be willing to do. "Warmer than here and the seasons are reversed," she replied with the beginnings of one of her brightest smiles.

"So, if we alternated... we could enjoy a summer without end?" he asked.

The brilliance of her smile told him everything he needed to know.