part0009

I pulled down the long, gravel drive and parked my car in front of the house. You’d never know from the main road that the home was sitting on a bluff overlooking the water. The land had become unkempt and overgrown through the years, and the home was in disrepair. The first time I drove down the drive when I’d arrived back in town, I was in shock. I had no idea my father had let it go to this degree. Bright pink patches of fireweed had popped up among blackberries and dandelions all along the property. It pained me to think about how much he’d hid from me over the last few years. It was completely unlike him to let things go, which told me his health had been far worse than he was willing to share with me .

I crawled out of the car and hauled my school bag and small grocery sack out of the backseat and slowly made my way to the front steps, taking in where the perennial flower beds once sat. I let out an unexpected sigh. It was an odd sense of melancholy that hit me as I stood and stared at the knee-high weeds that had taken over much of the yard. The picket fence leading along the cliff had several downed sections, the paint was worn off, and the climbing roses were left dangling in the breeze since there was nothing for them to cling to.

I put my weight on the first step, and my foot crunched right through the wood, scaring me half to death as I attempted to regain my balance and hold onto the groceries.

“Guess that’s another thing to add to the list,” I muttered to myself, as I pulled free from the busted step and continued to climb the remaining stairs very carefully.

I opened the rickety storm door, another item on the to-do list, and slid my key in the lock. There were moments like these when I wondered if I’d gotten myself into more than I could handle.

I heard a motorcycle slow along the main road as if it was turning into the drive, and I let the door swing back and close with a thud as I made my way to the kitchen to drop off my bags. My ankle began tickling, and I glanced down to see a slight amount of blood dribbling down my foot. I must have stabbed myself when I fell through the steps. I ripped a paper towel off the roll and dampened it before dabbing my ankle and wiping the blood away. I let out a deep breath and tried to shake off the overwhelming feelings of sadness that wanted to take over. I loved this place. I grew up here, but I suddenly felt as if the walls were crumbling down around my ears, and I was no longer certain if it was the home or my mental health I was talking about. I not only missed what this house used to represent, I missed the people who once lived here. I swallowed the lump in my throat and patted my ankle a couple more times when the roar of a motorcycle barreling down the drive disrupted my brooding thoughts.

Relief quickly spread as I looked out the large picture window and spotted Gabby parking her bike next to my car. She was one of the first people I’d met since I returned to Washington and I was quite grateful. She had a bakery on the next island over. There was something so very genuine about her, and she made the absolute best scones I’d ever had in my life—moist, chewy, and full of flavor.

I tossed the paper towel in the trash can under the sink and made my way to the door as she was taking off her helmet.

“Careful as you make your way up the stairs. Apparently rotten steps are something I need to add to the never-ending list of repairs,” I called out to her.

She smiled and waved as she hung her helmet on the bike and grabbed something out of a satchel. ”Not to worry. This place is worth it. I promise you. It’s absolutely amazing. Do you know how many people would kill for this property?” Gabby carefully maneuvered the stairs and gave me a quick hug and handed me a small, paper bag. “Cheese and chive scones.”

She walked into the house and the energy immediately shifted. It was like she was a walking ray of sunshine that chased all the clouds away.

“So have you heard from Mason?” she asked. Her eyes fell to my ankle and she gasped. “What happened to your ankle?”

I looked back down and laughed. “I thought I’d taken care of it.”

Gabby was right behind me as I ran to the kitchen to get more towels. I didn’t need “removal of bloodstains” added to my to-do list.

“It’s porch–one. Victoria–zippo. I know you see the potential here, but there are times like these where I see one giant hazard.” I applied pressure to my ankle with a wad of paper towels as Gabby opened the drawers.

“Where’s the first aid kit?” she asked. “One little prick in the foot. No. Big. Deal. Don’t let the porch get ya down, Tori.”

“It’s under the sink,” I responded, grateful for her enthusiasm. I was usually the enthusiastic one, until I came back here.

She bent over and reached underneath, grabbing a bright blue box that had a thick coat of dust and opened the top. Sorting through the ointments she grabbed a tiny packet and tore the foil open.

“It’s expired, but it’s probably better than nothing.” She grabbed a roll of tape and instructed me to remove the towels, which I did. She dabbed the ointment on and taped fresh paper towels around my ankle. I looked like a mummy in the making. “So back to my question. Have you heard from Mason?”

I nodded and eyed the bag of scones. “I did. I think he’ll be here sometime after five. He said he had other work on the island scheduled prior to this.”

“Well, I’m telling you, he’s the best there is. He owns the construction company with his father. They actually focus on high-end remodel and new construction jobs, but he does lots of favors for friends and the community.”

“I really appreciate it. I had no idea the house would need so much work before I could even list it with the agent.” I shook my head. “I thought maybe a few coats of paint here and there, or maybe a new faucet to spruce something up or carpet. I just had no idea…”

“Well, you’re in very capable hands,” she assured me. “Mason will make this place sparkle.”

“Would you like some wine or ice tea?” I asked, feeling the stress of the home ease out of my body.

“I’d love some tea.”

I pulled the pitcher of tea from out of the fridge and grabbed two glasses.

“It’s apricot green tea. Did you want sweetener?” I opened the freezer and grabbed the ice tray and sprinkled a few cubes into glasses for us.

“Nope. Plain works for me.”

“That’s how I like mine too.” I poured us each a glass, and we wandered to the family room overlooking the water. There was a deck outside the sliding glass door, but I was honestly afraid of trying my luck until a professional could check out the deck’s structure. If my foot pushed through the front steps, I didn’t want to see what could happen in the back. Instead, I opened up the glass to let the breeze in as Gabby found a seat on the well-worn, grey tweed couch. I sat next to her, placing my tea on the wicker coffee table and felt much calmer than earlier. My ankle throbbed, but I’d survive.

“So how was your first day of teaching summer school?”

“Pretty much like I expected... Kids didn’t want to be there and had absolutely no recollection of what they’d learned throughout the year so it should be an interesting summer. I’m hoping to get them outside so they don’t feel like they’re completely missing out, and since I’m their last class of the day, it should work out okay.”

“Even if they don’t show it, I’m sure the kids would appreciate being in the sunshine.” Gabby took a sip before continuing. “Have you thought of any places? Cooks Landing has an interesting maritime history and it’s great for sunning.” She winked .

“I’m sure the girls would be happy about that, but actually that would be a good place to start, and if Landy’s is still there, I could treat the class to ice cream to get them to loosen up.”

“I wish I could be in your class, and yes, it’s still there.”

I sat back on the couch and felt the breeze sweep in, carrying with it the smell of salty air. I examined the room and mentally checked off what needed to be done.

Remove popcorn ceilings.

Touch up chair railings.

“It’s not as bad as you think,” Gabby promised, catching my gaze. “Just take a deep breath and wait until the master arrives. Don’t put everything on your shoulders. I’m pretty handy with a paintbrush and so is Jason. We’d love to help in anyway we can.”

I’d only met Jason, her fiancé, in passing when he was dropping off a load of flour at her bakery. From what I gathered there had been some delivery crisis and she was out of flour. For a bakery that was death. Jason went to the supplier in Seattle and drove it onto the ferry and over to Gabby’s to save the day.

The moment I saw Jason arrive with the flour in hand, I knew Gabby was in love with Jason more than life itself, and what was even better was that I saw the same look in his eyes. It had to be something in the island air. I remember being in awe at how happy—genuinely happy—he was to help her out of the bind. In my last relationship, even asking my fiancé to drop off my cell phone on his way to work was cause for WWIII. So few people realized it was the little things in life that foretold how a couple would handle the big things.

“I try not recruit people who I’ve only known for a number of weeks into horrendous tasks and you, my new friend, qualify.” I smiled.

“First of all, it wouldn’t be horrendous. I actually enjoy DIY projects. But let’s not get into it now. I see the anxiety raising just by mentioning the infamous task list.” Gabby took another sip of tea and gazed out the window for a few seconds before bringing her attention back to me. “Do you mind if I ask you something personal?”

I shook my head and waited. I knew she would no matter my answer, and I was trying to be more open in my life, as hard as it might be.

“I noticed the faint tan line on your engagement finger…” It was more of a statement than a question.

I looked down at my hand and sure enough. Clear as day, I had a pale ring of skin circling my finger where the mammoth stone once sat. That sparkling gem was now sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic.

Unexpected tears threatened to make an appearance, but I swallowed them down.

I wouldn’t let myself be sad any longer. My father’s death showed me what true sorrow was and mourning a defunct relationship no longer qualified. Don’t get me wrong, when I first found out about my fiancé, my world shattered. Every part of my body hurt with the realization that the life I imagined living with the man I thought I knew and loved was forever over. It was gone, and I was left to pick up the pieces that no longer fit together.

But what saddened me more than the relationship ending was the way my fantasy of love died right along with it. Tanner Smoler basically ruined my happily ever after before I even got to have one.

And the worst part of all was that I had really low expectations to begin with. I knew Tanner was no Prince Charming, and I was okay with that because he made me feel good.

“I was engaged to a man my dad couldn’t stand and he hadn’t even met him.” I tried to smile, but my lips froze in a straight line. “It ended a few months ago. It’s definitely for the better. And I’m almost over the entire fiasco. Today after class, I even noticed someone. A very hot someone. I haven’t paid attention to men since I started dating Tanner so I’ll take it as a sign of progress. Anyway, there was some guy at school today who had a body that should be illegal and the most adorable grin just to cinch the deal. Plus, he came equipped with a completely corny joke that was meant to be a motivational speech… so baby steps, I suppose. Aren’t you happy you asked?”

Gabby’s gaze held an excitement that worried me as my words settled over her. Nodding, she was unable to hide her mischievous grin. “Corny jokes? Interesting.”

“What’s interesting?”

“Do you enjoy hiking?”

“Yeah. What does that have to do with anything?”

“Strolls on the beach? Jet skiing, paddle boarding, or canoeing? How about trips to a lake house?” Her eyes glinted with a playfulness that couldn’t be contained. This girl had found herself a mission—a project—and somehow it was me. I wanted to slink deep into the cushions and comfort myself with her scones in private. I had no intention of coming back to the island to get involved with someone I’d leave behind at the end of the summer.