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Jeremiah took the cash without a word and walked away. He had barely spoken to Luke since breakfast, and even then, it was only to ask him to pass the salt. He returned after a short while, giving the cash back to Luke. “The vending machine is broken.”
“Maybe we’ll have better luck at the next rest stop.” He placed a hand on his son’s shoulder, but Jeremiah pulled away.
“Are we going?” he asked. “It’s so hot out here.”
Luke nodded. “You’d better get used to the Georgia heat. I think it’ll be cooler on the coast, though. At least, let’s hope it will.” He climbed back into the driver’s seat, eager to hit the road.
The car ride dragged on in silence, broken only by the monotonous hum of the engine and the country songs on the radio. Luke tried to start a conversation but was met with brief and disinterested responses.
Luke understood it would take time for Jeremiah to come around. He promised himself he would be there for him from now on, transitioning from his full-time job and only working part-time remotely so he could focus on repairing their relationship. No more business trips or late nights at the office. Luke was all in for his son, and nothing would stop him from being the father Jeremiah needed.
As they approached the next exit, Luke turned to Jeremiah. “Hungry? We can stop and get something. Or we could wait until we get to the house.”
Jeremiah shrugged and continued staring at the window.
“So, is that a yes?”
“No, I’m gonna take a nap.”
“Alright then.”
Almost two hours later, Luke leaned over and shook Jeremiah awake. He slowed down as they passed a sign:
Welcome to Hadley Cove. Population: 1,883.
Yawning, Jeremiah remarked, “Eighteen eighty-three? There were more people than that at my school.”
Luke let out a chuckle. “Things are going to be quite different here than they were in Chicago, but in a good way.”
Turning onto Main Street, they passed by a couple of small shops and businesses, including First Coastal Bank, the Hadley Cove post office, and Phil’s Diner.
“Look. It’s a palm tree.” Luke pointed to one next to Gary’s Garage. “Did you see it, Jer?”
“Yeah, I saw it. This place is lame. And people are looking at us.”
Sure enough, Luke noticed a few people walking down the street in front of Lindsey’s Beauty Shop gawking at their jet-black Range Rover.
As they turned down Ocean Drive, they passed All Creatures Animal Hospital and Second Chance Rescue. Luke wondered for a moment if Jeremiah would be interested in adopting an animal; they had never had one in Chicago, since Kate had been allergic to dogs.
“There’s sand on the road,” Jeremiah said.
“The beach is right over there, so that makes sense. Want to stop and check out the water?”
“No. I just wanna get my stuff unpacked.”
“Well, we’re almost there.”
As they drove down the street, the scene outside their car window transformed into a picturesque vision of Southern charm. The bungalow-style houses lining the street were adorned with intricate details, their porches extending into the front yard. Luke pictured himself sitting on one of those porches, sipping iced tea and taking in the slow pace of life in Hadley Cove.
Trees on the sidewalk had Spanish moss draping from their branches, giving the street an otherworldly feel. The white picket fences separating the front yards from the sidewalk, along with the well-manicured lawns, completed the idyllic scene.
Some of the houses looked older than others, but that only added to their allure. It was as if the town had been frozen in time, preserving its history and old-fashioned way of life.
A few minutes later, Luke turned onto a shady, tree-lined street. The houses were more spacious here, with verdant foliage that lent a touch of privacy and seclusion. As they approached their new home, Luke pulled up next to the moving truck in the driveway.
“We’re here. Fourteen twenty-two Muscadine Drive.” Luke stepped out and gazed up at the large, two-story cape cod. It was exactly as he remembered it from the pictures on Zillow and the virtual walkthrough with the realtor. The dark-brown color of the house and its forest-green shutters blended in with the surrounding trees.
As Luke walked up the driveway, the sound of someone clearing their throat caught his attention. Turning around, he saw an older woman across the street, watering her plants. Almost immediately, she began looking for a place to set down her hose. Luke, understanding her intentions, smiled and waved in acknowledgment. She took his gesture as an invitation to cross the street, making a beeline straight for him.
