“Ha. Good night, Peter Parker.”
Huh. Spending all that time with Ava had been fun. Too bad he was moving out of Chicago. He might have enjoyed getting to know her better. At least, he was moving as soon as he could. It was too late to win Paul Hawkeye’s internship, but if he played his cards right, he could still earn himself a spot in Anne Green’s kitchen in San Francisco. He could be on his way to restarting his failing career and finally settling down with a job he could be proud of.
A strange sensation, almost regret, filled him as he thought about moving to California, though. He’d started to feel almost at peace here on Jonathon Island. Like he’d come home.
Surely, if Dani had overcome the judgment of the islanders and made a home for herself after everything their mom and dad had done, he could too. Maybe his parents’ shame didn’t hang around. Was it possible, as his sister kept insisting, that the Sullivan family could come home to Jonathon Island? If so, maybe he could even come home to this kitchen, the place where his dream was born.
He turned out the lights and made his way to the hotel lobby. A group of young people stood around the front desk, chatting with Olive Kelley. He only recognized Emily Watson, the island’s EMT, and Isaac Kelley, the younger son of Martha Kelley. Isaac leaned his elbow against the tall desk, his mouth working on a wad of gum. He straightened up as Zach got closer.
“Did you turn off the oven back there?” Isaac pushed back the hoodie covering his forehead. “We wouldn’t want this hotel to be burned down a second time. Like father, like son. Am I right?”
A knife pierced his gut.
Emily swatted Isaac on the arm. “Not cool, Isaac. What did Zach ever do to you?” But she snickered with the rest of them.
“Aw, I was only joking. No harm meant.” Isaac snapped his gum.
Zach brushed past them without responding. What would he say, anyway? Isaac was right.
Dani was wrong. Their family would never fully live down the shame of the past. It was baked into the walls.
Chapter Nine
Aperfect Monday to write the perfect letter. Hopefully she wasn’t too late.
Ava walked across the brick-laid pathway of the grounds and up the three steps to the interior of the Grand’s iconic gazebo and took a seat on a bench. Delicate woodwork traced its way around the top of the octagonal structure. Take one early spring morning, one cup of coffee in hand, mix well, and pour into an inspiring setting, and you had a recipe for a piece of perfection.
Focus on what you know.Ava looked down at the stationery in front of her. This weekend had been so full of activity that she hadn’t had time to focus.
She bit the end of her pencil, adding another round of teeth marks to the ones already marring its surface. How was she supposed to start a letter that could change her life forever?
To whom it may concern:
Nope. She scratched the words out. Too impersonal.
Dear Homeowners:
Better.
A laugh just beyond the row of trees to her left caught her attention. She watched as an older couple strolled past, hand in hand.
Her chest squeezed. She’d always thought by now she’d be married. Maybe a few kids. Definitely a house. Something permanent.
Please help me make my dreams come true.No. No. No. Too desperate.
She double-tapped the pencil against her knee. Then tapped out the beat for “Yankee Doodle.” Her eyes traveled the length of the pillared column directly across from her. Up to the ceiling, where the gazebo bristled with golden hanging bulbs. They must add an air of romance when lit on a summer evening.
Another couple came walking past, this time much younger. She recognized Dani by her blonde hair and waved.
“Oh, hello,” Dani called. Then she tugged on the arm of the tall, dark-haired man next to her, and they made their way to the gazebo. “Ava, this is my husband, Liam. I can’t remember whether I properly introduced you yesterday, as we got distracted with all the others.”
“You did, although I don’t think I had the opportunity to say ‘Pleased to meet you.’” She stood and held out her hand to shake Liam’s.
“You too.”
“So, you’re the mastermind behind the renovations on the Grand Sullivan.” Ava jutted her chin to where the hotel loomed on the hill.
The side of his mouth turned up. “I’d say it was more of a joint effort with Dani.” Liam wrapped his arm around his wife and tucked her close. Dani beamed up at him. Ava could practically hear the air crackling between them.
