Sage left Gran to carry out an impromptu honeybee memorial service and strode back toward the house to make her phone call to Flynn in private.
What would she say? She had no idea. Except, she finally wanted to hear his explanation surrounding what happened last night. Had he really changed his mind and accepted the promotion? Was he leaving her again?
At the possibility, her heart ached so acutely she stopped in her tracks, waiting for the pain to pass. That’s when she noticed the tall, lithe man walking up the dirt driveway. He wore a vintage golf ensemble from the 1920s, complete with long argyle socks and jaunty cap. Which was odd, considering Blessings Bay didn’t have a single golf course.
“Mr. Mackensie?” she greeted him in surprise. Although she’d only ever seen the man from a distance, his unusual wardrobe choices made him easy to recognize.
“Sage, hello!” He waved, smiling brightly. Up close, he looked younger than she’d expected. Early- to midseventies, maybe. Deep grooves and leathery skin from plenty of time in the sun etched his well-defined features, but even so, she would almost describe him as handsome.
His presence evoked a wave of sadness and regret, filling her thoughts with Mira and all her missed opportunities. What was he doing here? Was it rude to ask?
Her mother must’ve heard his car come up the drive because she emerged through the front door with her most welcoming smile. “Edwin, hi. What a nice surprise.”
Edwin? Had they met before?
Her mother smoothed the bodice of her flowy peasant dress, looking a little flushed as she asked, “What brings you by?”
“While it’s always lovely to see you, Dawn, today, I’m here to speak with your daughter.”
Dawn? Always lovely to see you? Sage couldn’t wrap her head around their unexpected familiarity. “You two know each other?”
“We met at an art show last month,” her mother explained, smiling at Edwin.
“Your mother tossed her empty hors d’oeuvre plate in a sculpture I’d just purchased for three thousand dollars.” Edwin’s soft-gray eyes flickered with amusement.
Her mother’s blush deepened. “I thought it was a trash can.” She covered her mouth and giggled—actually giggled! What was going on?
“I see,” Sage said slowly, although she didn’t see. Not at all. Did her mother have a thing for the affluent oddball? Was the feeling mutual?
Her mom and Edwin continued to grin at each other as if sharing a private joke. Sage cleared her throat. “What did you want to speak to me about?”
“It’s about Mira. The boat, not my late wife,” he clarified, glancing at Dawn.
She smiled. “I’ll go whip up some tea. Please, join me when you’re done.” She gestured between them, and asked, “Hot or iced?” looking only at Edwin.
“Hot, please.” He watched her disappear through the front door before turning his attention to Sage. “I’ve come to give you this.” He handed her a manila envelope.
“What is it?”
“The title to your new sailboat, of course.”
“My sailboat?” Her pulse stuttered, coming to a full stop. “But it should be Flynn’s boat. Technically, he found the diary.”
Edwin shrugged and bent to sniff a tall stalk of lavender bordering the driveway, as if that concluded the matter.
Sage held out the envelope without opening it. “I can’t accept this. It wouldn’t be fair.” Her arm shook as if the slip of paper inside weighed fifty pounds. What if she didn’t correct Edwin’s mistake? What if she accepted ownership of Mira? She could finally open her bookstore.
Her conscience yanked her thoughts to Kevin’s bucket list.
Flynn had dedicated a decade of his life to completing the tasks. In light of the promotion, owning Mira was the last item to check off. Could she really take that away from him when the boat rightfully belonged to him?
Edwin straightened and studied her for a moment, his head tilted to one side. After what felt like forever, he flashed a strange, self-satisfied smile. “Well, I think my work here is done. I wonder if your mother could use some help with that tea.” He moved toward the front porch.
Exasperated, Sage cried, “Wait! Did you hear what I said? The boat belongs to Flynn, not me.”
One foot on the bottom step, he said, “That’s funny. He said it belongs to you.”
“But—but he’s the one who found the diary.” Why did she have to keep repeating herself? Wasn’t Edwin listening? Giving up ownership of Mira was hard enough without having to beg the man to take the title back.
“Maybe you should open the envelope.” Edwin took the rest of the steps two at a time, almost as if to prove to himself he could still do it.
Sage stared after him, completely off-kilter by the entire exchange. “Wait,” she shouted again, not willing to let him walk away that easily. “Why did you do it?”
“Do what, my dear?”
“The competition. The champagne and caviar. All of it.” She may have lost her dream, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t owed a few answers.
“Oh, that’s quite simple to explain.”
I doubt it, Sage thought. She doubted anything the man did was simple.
“My Mira was a bit of a matchmaker, you see. Lost love…. That plight was her favorite.” His rugged features softened at the mention of his late wife. “She loved a challenge, too. You and Flynn, you two were next on her list.”
“Her list?” Sage blanched. Surely there wasn’t an actual list.
“She always said you two were the sweetest couple. Plus, Flynn shared her love of sailing, which made her even more invested in your love story. When I saw you both wanted her sailboat, it felt like a sign. I knew Mira would’ve wanted me to get you two back together.”
Upon finally hearing the truth behind the unorthodox endeavor, Sage wasn’t sure how to feel. Annoyed? Flattered? Manipulated? Grateful? There was something sweet about Edwin’s tribute to his late wife. He obviously loved her dearly. But just because he had the means and opportunity didn’t make it right to play with other people’s lives. At least he meant well, no matter how misguided his attempt.
Although, in this case, his scheme wasn’t even successful.
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out the way you’d hoped,” she offered, deciding to put the whole ordeal behind her.
His eyes dancing, he wrapped one hand around the doorknob. “And who says it didn’t?” Without another word, he slipped inside.
Sage stood at the edge of the garden, utterly baffled. What a bewildering man.
When she finally gathered her wits, she opened the manila envelope. A handwritten letter rested on top of the title.
The instant she saw the familiar penmanship, her pulse fluttered in her throat like a thousand tiny wings, making it difficult to concentrate.
Sage,
I’m so sorry about last night. I don’t blame you for ignoring my calls and texts, but I need you to know the truth.
My mom acted alone, against my knowledge. I turned down the promotion. I’m not going anywhere.
I want to stay in Blessings Bay—with you.
If you’ll have me.
But even if I ruined any hope of being together, there’s something I need to make right.
Mira is yours. The town needs your bookstore. It needs you and your passionate belief in the power of stories.
I’d like to show you something.
If you’re willing, meet me at the marina—on our dock—at noon.
I’ll be waiting.
Love,
Flynn
By the time she’d read the last word, tears had muddled her vision.
He wanted her to meet him in the very spot where he’d broken her heart.
An hour ago, she wouldn’t have even considered going back there.
But now? Nothing could keep her away.