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“Hey, Mom,” I say into the phone, surprised that she actually called me first this time. Maybe she took our last conversation to heart and plans to call me more, rather than guilt-tripping me into calling her first.
“Hello, honey. I’m afraid I have bad news.”
I clutch the phone and frown as I stare out the window at the ocean.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay? Are you in the hospital?”
“No, no, nothing like that. I’m perfectly fine.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. Since I got the horrible call informing me that my father was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, I’m always worried that I’ll get the same call about my mom.
“I just went over to your condo to check on things, and there’s an issue. It seems someone broke into the parking garage and vandalized some cars. Yours was one of them, Lexi. I’m so sorry, honey.”
“What did they do?”
“They broke out your window and ransacked the inside a bit.”
“There was nothing for them to take. I don’t leave anything in my car.”
“I know.”
“Do you need me to come home now?”
“No, honey. I’m taking care of it. The glass guy is coming soon to replace the window.”
“How’s the condo?”
“Oh, it’s just fine. I flushed all of the toilets and ran the water in the shower for a few minutes, just to make sure the pipes get a little workout. I also turned on the heat because it’s been cold here, so I set it to sixty-five.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’m sorry for all the trouble.”
“Oh, don’t even worry about it. I wouldn’t have told you if it was something small, but breaking out a window is kind of a big deal.”
“Absolutely. I’m glad you let me know. Just have the guy call me and I’ll pay with my credit card over the phone.”
“I’ll take care of it. We can settle up when you get back, and I took photos so you can file a claim with your insurance if you like,” Mom says, her voice stern and leaving no room for argument. “How’s the project going, anyway?”
“It’s going well. We’re wrapping things up here in the next few days. I should be home early next week.”
“Well, it’ll be nice to see you. Just send me your flight information when you have it, and I’ll make sure I’m at the airport to pick you up. Oh, the glass man just pulled in. I’d better go. Love you, Lex.”
She hangs up, and I’m left staring out the window. Shawn had to run to the pub to help Keegan with something. I see why he wants to be on the island as much as possible. He and his siblings are tight, and they help each other out whenever there’s a need.
It’s a relationship I almost envy.
And Mom’s phone call just reminded me that it’s time for me to finish up this job so I can go home, too. I can’t expect my mother to continue taking care of my stuff there. I have responsibilities and a life that needs me in Minnesota.
I have a job.
A family.
A home.
I sigh as a whale surfaces out in the surf and sprays water into the air. A month ago, that would have almost scared me, even though I know there’s no way the whale can hurt me.
But now, it’s just beautiful, and something I’ve grown used to seeing, especially in the morning as I drink my coffee.
I’m going to miss Washington more than I would have anticipated. This island has been a balm to my soul, and it’s taught me so much. I feel as if I found myself here. And for a woman in her mid-thirties, that may sound silly.
But it’s true.
And I owe it to this island and the O’Callaghans.
Especially Shawn.
I bite my lip as I think back on everything that Shawn and I have shared. He’s an incredible man, both in and out of the bedroom. I admire his talent as a writer. And as a lover, he’s the most thoughtful person I’ve ever been with.
My body sings at just the thought of him.
And that’s something I’ll have to get over. Because this was never meant to be a long-term relationship. We’re coworkers with benefits. We’re friends.
And that’s all we’ll ever be.
“Keegan’s a pain in my ass, but I’m home,” he calls out as he comes through the front door.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, still facing the windows.
“Yeah, he’s just not as strong as he thinks he is and needed help with some heavy lifting.”
He walks up behind me, wraps his arms around my waist, and presses his lips to my neck.
“Everything okay here?”
“Someone vandalized my car at home.”
“What?” He turns me to face him. “My God, what happened?”
I tell him about the call from my mom. “Everything’s fine. It was just unexpected.”
