Chapter Three

 

Jesse’s floorplan was identical to my childhood beach home, as were all thirteen houses on this final stretch of road, however his spare room was more lavish than some hotel rooms I’d stayed in. There was a gorgeous four-poster bed against the outside wall, a beautiful antique dresser, and a large wardrobe. The only thing throwing off the relaxing vibe of the space was a playpen, folded and tucked off to the side.

“Everything is empty, so please make yourself at home.” Jesse leaned against the doorframe. “Unfortunately, it’s a shared bathroom, but give me a few minutes to tidy it up, and it’ll be fit for a lady.”

Before he left with a wink and a spring in his step, I cleared my throat. “Thank you. For putting me up and all.”

“Nah, don’t worry about it.” He eyed the crib in the corner. “It’s for when my sister visits. My niece is only a few months old, and boy-oh-boy, can she howl.”

Something I’d love to experience. After seven years of trying to have a baby, it looked more and more like my reality was a childless future. Rather than dump that on Jesse, I focused on the suitcases at his feet. “Is she coming for Christmas?”

“Not this year. My brother-in-law got a great job offer in Texas, so they are already down there house hunting.”

“Wow. At least it’s warm there.”

He shrugged, but his expression remained impassive. “It is what it is.” He backed away from the door. “I’ll let you settle in.”

“Lily wants me to come over for a drink. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you joined us?” It was rude of me to invite him without asking, but my sister loved entertaining, and I was sure another person wouldn’t bother her in the least. Especially not a neighbour they hung out with previously.

“After the day I’ve had, that would be nice. Let me go clean the bathroom first.”

“Sure, thanks.”

My gaze lingered on him a little longer than it should’ve as he walked away, but it was impossible to tear my eyes away. Once he removed his ball cap and jean jacket, there was no denying the strong body stretching out the white cotton tee, and a firm ass moving perfectly under his jeans. A full head of sandy blond hair sat squished down and in dire need of a solid fluffing, but yet, it gave him an unexpected charm. He was completely different than my husband.

My soon to be ex-husband.

 

With a nip in the air, Jesse wore his jean jacket, and I huddled into my thick wool coat. I’d forgotten just how much cooler Cheshire Bay was in winter, and how different the ocean air was here than back home in Vancouver. Here it had a fresh crisp scent, the kind to relax your soul and not have you hold your breath.

We dashed past the darkened windows of the Martin residence, the elderly couple who rented out the home to a variety of guests – all family from their children through the generations to their great-grandchildren. Jesse laughed and stated how hard it was to keep them all straight, because there was always someone there. Except over the holidays, apparently.

We walked up the short sidewalk to Eric’s and knocked on the door. Prior to catching up with him when they’d visit me in Vancouver, it had been years since I’d talked with Eric and his brother, Landon, and both had grown from my memory’s recollection of awkward and gangly, into strong and handsome men. At least Eric had. I hadn’t yet run into Landon, although I expected to see him before the wedding.

I stood on the landing and knocked again, while Jesse hung back a step below.

Lily opened the door with a giant smile on her face. “Come on in, guys.”

I wasn’t two steps in when she embraced me. It still caught me off guard as there’d been so many years when she had avoided me, but regardless, I hugged my little sister back until she broke away.

“Come in, come in.”

The short strip of hallway led into a decent sized open floorplan of a living room and kitchen. It was also the mirror image to our beach house – well, Lily’s now – and it flipped me around. Still, it was homey and inviting in muted shades of greens and taupes, high bar stools, and couches soft and comfortable for sleeping on.

Eric came down the stairs, coming up behind us. “Hey, guys. What can I get you to drink?”

“Something Christmasy,” Jesse answered before I had a chance to think.

Eric rubbed his chin and walked into the kitchen while Lily led me over to the couch.

“I’m really thrilled you came. Bummer you had to come alone.”

I swallowed. “Yeah. Charlie went to Debbie and Doug’s.” His parents.

They were probably celebrating quite merrily, especially since I wasn’t there. Debbie always hated me, and I could never figure out why, but I assumed it was because I couldn’t give her only son a child.

“Over Christmas?”

“That was the plan.”

My sister’s face fell.

“But I wasn’t going to miss your wedding, right? He’s with his family. I’m with mine.” It had been a tough choice too. I had limited options – stay home alone, or drive across the island to a place I really didn’t want to see again.

“You’re married?” Jesse asked from the kitchen, holding up a glass with a creamy liquid inside as Eric added an amber mixture to it.

I didn’t want to spill the beans about my failed marriage, not two days before Lily’s big day, so I did what any respectable person would do. I lied. “Yep.”

And guzzled down the sweet drink Eric handed to me.

“What happened to your ring?” Lily stared at my naked hand.

Long gone was the natural indent that had occurred from years of wear; my finger filled out as it relished the idea of being free. It took longer for my heart and mind to reach the same agreement.

“It’s getting resized.” As it sat in the back of my jewelry box.

A smile stretched across her face and she rubbed my arm. “I thought you looked thinner.”

It’s amazing what getting rid of emotional and physical baggage could do for a person. “Thanks. I am feeling much healthier these days.”

She nudged my shoulder and shot a knowing look at my tummy. “Great. Henry needs a little cousin to play with.”

My heartstrings vibrated with an ache, and I squeezed my empty glass between my hands trying to diffuse the pain. For a heartbeat, I chanced a glance over to Jesse, who was in deep conversation with Eric over tire repair.

“They’re the best on this side of the island.” Eric walked over and held his hand above my glass. “Can I get you another, Mona?”

“Sure? Why not? I’m not driving.” I needed to drown my sorrows but thankfully I was an upbeat drunk most of the time. A little more alcohol in me and my cares would blow away like dandelion seeds on the breeze.

Eric mixed another drink as Jesse sat in a chair beside me. “So, tomorrow, take your car to Lenny’s. I’ll leave you the address. He’ll get you a proper tire so you’re not driving back home on the dummy, and he’ll do it at a good price too.”

Eric sat beside his wife-to-be. “It may take him a day or two to order it in being the holidays and all.”

Lily laughed. “If it’s one thing I’ve learned since moving here, it’s how everything runs on island time. This ain’t no major city.”

“Will it be ready by time I need to get back home?”

The plan was to only be here a couple days beyond the big day, and even that was more than I was comfortable with.

“Maybe.” Lily giggled.

“Maybe?” I looked between Jesse, Eric, and my sister.

“Let’s just say, it’ll be a race to see what gets fixed first – your tire or the furnace.” She shrugged without a care in the world. At least some things hadn’t changed.

I settled back into my chair. “How do you people live this way?”

There was enough of a smile in my words for them to know I was partially kidding. Back home, I’d have a new tire in an hour and a furnace repairperson would already be working on solving the issues there. It’s no wonder I never embraced such a laid-back lifestyle. I’d for sure go crazy!

But I was only a guest this visit, and I pitched forward a bit to change the topic. “So, tell me about your wedding plans. What can I do?”