Chapter Twenty-Five

I’d found the perfect place to rent. It had a view of the water—if you stood on your tiptoes in the kitchen and craned your neck about six inches to the left, right between the far kitchen cabinets—and it came mostly furnished. The best part was that it came with a storage shed, which was good since the actual home wasn’t huge by any means. But it had some cute updates and the timing worked out perfectly. I’d put the home on the market and received three offers—the most important one from Mason. His was, of course, the best one and I quickly accepted it, giving me thirty days closing and twenty-eight had already flown by.

Two more days and Forgotten Cove would be behind me. It wouldn’t be forgotten, but it would be firmly planted in my past. Over the last month, I’d learned a lot. I learned I didn’t need anything much from my Skaneateles apartment. I’d flown back last weekend to end my lease and pack whatever I thought I needed and donated the rest. I hadn’t realized what I mostly wanted was already at the Forgotten Cove home so I’d been hauling boxes to my new place over the last several weeks.

It was a weird sensation to be living on Fireweed Island and not live back at the house. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it was somewhat unsettling, but I’d rather not try to continue the upkeep by myself and I knew Mason really loved it.

So did I, which was why I wanted the home to go to someone who loved it as much as I did. Besides, it was mine for two more days.

I hadn’t talked to Mason since the day we called things off. All communication had been through our real estate agents. I knew there were some items he’d hoped to finish before he took possession and even though my agent advised against it, I let him keep working on the house. I think there was a part of me that hoped I’d run into him when I was collecting my things.

I never did.

So I did what any nosey person would do. I came up with a reason to call his mom. It was like she’d expected it and was perfectly willing to tell me what they’d all been up to since the barbeque, which was a trip to Paris. She sidestepped Mason and focused on the big news about Aaron and Brandy, and the revelation was quite surprising. It made me happy to know solid relationships did exist out there, when the time was right.

I hadn’t heard from my aunt since I sent the letter and a copy of a will and made that the reason for the call, which I passed on to Mason’s mother. We both ignored the fact that I had told her the same thing at the lake. By the time the phone call ended, I knew we all knew the relationship was over.

I poured myself a glass of lemonade and stood on my tiptoes to try to get a glimpse of the water, but it looked like the clouds were in the way. I eyed the time and got a little excited. Bethany was coming over in a few minutes. She’d be my first official guest since I’d decided to stay on the island. I pulled out the veggie tray and hummus and set it on the counter.

The doorbell rang and I quickly made my way to the door. Bethany hadn’t even waited for me to open it and swung it wide as she gave me a big hug.

“I’m so happy you finally came to your senses,” she squealed.

“Me too,” I agreed.

She shut the door behind us and followed me in.

“Did you take plenty of pictures of the old place?” she asked.

I nodded. “I took video too. Not that I think I’ll be sitting around watching it.”

“Nope. Don’t do that. It’ll make you sad. It’s just good to have. ”

I nodded and pushed the veggie tray toward her. I was sure she was starving. She grabbed a piece of celery and crunched loudly on it.

“I think I found someone,” she gushed.

“Well, if you gnaw on celery around him like that, you might as well kiss him goodbye.”

She threw the piece of celery at me and I ducked so it hit the wall.

“My word. How old are you?” I asked, picking up the piece of celery.

“Twenty-one,” she laughed.

“Yeah, like how many years ago?”

She rolled her eyes and began describing her latest infatuation as I dreamed about my mine, Mason Rhodes.

“Are you even listening?”

“Absolutely. You think he’s the one,” I said, nodding.

“So you were listening.”

I nodded obediently and took a bite off a carrot, wondering if I should swing by the other house tonight to grab my mom’s punch bowl. That was among the last of the kitchen items I’d packed.

Yep. Definitely need the punch bowl. It was decided. I’d be stopping by the house. I glanced at the clock and maybe going later would improve my odds.

“And the next thing I know I decided I needed a puppy,” Bethany said, laughing. “Can you believe it? I think I want a puppy.”

“No. I don’t believe it. You don’t even like caring for houseplants. What in the world makes you think you should get a puppy? That’s like adopting a child. They become part of your family, Bethany. I’m not saying you can’t handle it. In fact, I know you’d make a great fur baby mom, but are you sure?”

“See, I knew you weren’t listening. I only threw that in there to see if you’d bite.”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “Sorry. I’m a horrible friend.”

“Actually, you’re a really good friend so the fact that you’re over there daydreaming has me completely intrigued.”

“I was just thinking about this punch bowl I have to get from the house. It’s driving me nuts. I need it for tomorrow.”

“What’s going on tomorrow?”

“I want punch tomorrow.” I grinned.

Bethany laughed. “Yeah. There’s nothing like quenching your desire for punch. Makes the whole world stand still. So have you heard from him?”

I shook my head. “Not once. Every single thing has been through our agents. I really blew it.”

“In my humble opinion, you both blew it. You can’t take total blame.”

“I’m sure you’re right, but I can attest, I was pretty much at my wit’s end. It got to the point where I’d even confuse myself and that was just over picking up groceries.”

“So what changed?” Bethany asked, dabbing her carrot in the hummus.

“Letting go and listening.”

“Listening to what?” she questioned .

“Silence.”

She nodded. “I actually completely understand that.”

I smiled, giving her a hug and taking a step back as I mulled over how best to shorten up my date with her.

“Say the word and we’ll reconvene tomorrow or Sunday. A punch bowl is very important in life, especially when it holds the exact punch you want.”

I laughed. “Okay, now you lost me.”

Bethany swatted my arm and laughed. “Okay, give me a call tonight and tell me how it goes or I’ll just plan on showing up tomorrow around five. It’s so good to have you back, Tori.”

She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, and I walked out the door with her, grabbing my keys and purse on the way. Having friends that understood every eccentricity and complexity was nothing more than a miracle and suddenly my life had become full of miracles.

I turned onto the road and cranked up my radio as I sang my way to Forgotten Cove. It wasn’t until I pulled into the driveway that my heart stopped, and I saw Tanner sitting on my front porch, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.