“Did you honestly hang up on me just when you got to the good part?”
Lucas couldn’t help but smile. Even after all these years, he still got a ridiculous amount of satisfaction from yanking his little sister’s chain. “Sorry, just wanted to get away from prying ears.”
Sophie laughed. It was a genuine, full-throated sound. “Might need to leave the island for that.”
She had a point, but there was no time for that.
“So…?” she prompted.
“I think I’m ready.” He knew he didn’t have to say more than that. Because even though they were four seemingly benign words, his sister knew they packed one hell of a punch.
“You know how I feel on the subject.” Not only had Sophie been a constant source of support after losing Jenny, but she had also been the first one to start telling him that it was time to move on. Scratch that, she was the first one he actually listened to. No one else knew him or his pain the way she did. So when Sophie told him six months ago that it was time, he’d considered it. Hadn’t done anything about it, but he’d heard her out and given it some thought, which was a hell of a lot more than he could say for anyone else. “It’s time, Lucas.” Her voice grew softer. “You know Jenny wouldn’t want you to live like a hermit your whole life.”
That he did know. They’d even talked about it. The day they signed their life insurance policies, Jenny had made him promise that if something ever happened to her, he would move on. He’d brushed it off at the time, telling her it was ridiculous even to talk about. They were young and healthy. Nothing was going to happen to either one of them. The insurance policies were just that, insurance. A safety net that in having it, would somehow ward off the chance of ever needing it. But that wasn’t the case, and in her own way, Jenny had prepared him for the transition he now faced.
Lucas paused in the middle of the sidewalk, and for a moment, he considered telling Sophie about the daffodils. If there was anyone in his life who would believe that Paige’s love of the simple flower was not merely a coincidence, but rather a sign, it was his sister. Except Lucas wasn’t entirely sure he believed it himself. Although even he had to admit that the blooms sprouting a few weeks ahead of schedule had thrown him a bit. Still, saying it out loud would no doubt sound absolutely ridiculous. Which was why in the end, he decided to play it safe.
“Look, I’m not saying it’s going to turn into something.” If he knew anything about his sister, it was that she would take that little sliver of hope and run with it. “We’re just going to—”
“Netflix and chill?”
“Aren’t you a bit old to use that expression?”
She laughed. “Aren’t you a bit old to know what it means?”
“Touché.”
“So, what are the plans?”
“Nothing special. We’re going to make dinner with Maddie, so if you wouldn’t mind coming to get her after…” An idea hit him. “Sorry, Soph, gotta run.”
“Again? I feel like I’m watching one of Aunt Betty’s soap operas. ‘Tune in tomorrow for the next episode of How the Island Turns.’”
“Hilarious,” he said, not thinking she was half as amusing as she thought she was. “Come by around seven. Later, Smalls.” A slow grin formed on his lips as he made a turn on the cobblestone street, and by the time he’d reached the door of Sweet Inspirations, it was a full-on smile.
The shop was even more crowded than usual, likely due to the fact that it was the first day folks could actually be out and about. Nearly all of the iron scroll tables were occupied by the town’s Gray-Haired Gang, as Lucas liked to call them. A pack of women who spent their days gardening and gossiping. Today it seemed their agenda involved drinking tea, playing cards, and chatting. Lots and lots of chatting. But it all came to an abrupt halt when the bell chimed on the front door.
A dozen gray heads turned as one to see who had arrived. When they saw who it was, a dozen jaws went slack. Lucas had no idea what their deal was. He was out and about in town nearly every day. Hell, he even got Maddie’s birthday cakes here each year. Yet for some reason, the group in the bakery looked as though they’d seen a ghost.
“Mr. Croft,” the owner said as she stood up from a seat at one of the tables. “How lovely to see you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Shaw.” Twelve sets of eyes followed him as Lucas made his way to the counter. “Sorry to interrupt.”
“Oh dear, never a bother.” She bustled around the tables to meet him at the cash register. “What can I get you?” she asked. But before Lucas could respond, she was making suggestions. “Do you need some Danishes, or maybe a few desserts for your guest?”
Looked like Sophie was right about the news spreading.
“Glad to hear you’re back in business,” a woman said from somewhere on the left.
“Let me know if you need a painter. My grandson is starting a business here in the spring,” said one in the back.
Lucas turned to the group and flashed them a patient smile. “Thank you for the support, ladies. But I’m just fine.” He’d said those words probably a thousand times over the last two years, but this time it was different. This time he actually meant them.
Chapter 15
Paige was alone in a house with a child. And four puppies.
How the hell did that happen?
A normal person would have taken a moment to process even half of the feelings she was having about the change in direction her vacation had taken, but Paige never claimed to be normal. So instead she stood in the kitchen listening for sounds of distress from either the bedroom upstairs or the living room. Didn’t they have monitors or something for this kind of thing? It was like she was one of those guards at Buckingham Palace. All she needed was a bearskin hat.
Then her phone vibrated in her pocket, and she jumped. Between the cell outage and the fact that she suspected Sammy had forwarded her calls as part of her work hiatus/exile, the device had been uncharacteristically quiet.
Speak of the devil, Paige thought as she looked at the screen.
“Hey there!” she said. She was actually surprised at how much she’d missed hearing his voice. At least the one that wasn’t chirping in her head like a snarky subconscious.
But when he spoke, Paige didn’t hear his normal voice, but rather one so deep it sounded like it came from his toes. “And on the fifth day of vacation, God said, ‘Let there be cellular service.’”
Paige laughed. “I seriously doubt God had anything to do with it.” More likely the crews working tirelessly to repair the towers on the mainland.