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She swallowed past the lump that had lodged in her throat and tried for a smile. “Yeah,” she whispered. “The moment just snuck up on me sooner than I expected, I guess.”
She’d been prepared—she really had. Last night had been difficult. She and Viv had stayed up late, spending their last night together in their old bedroom. They’d opened the window and snuggled down in their own beds, talking quietly as the warm early summer breeze swept in, stirring the air. Kit had tried to keep the conversation going as long as possible, struggling to keep her eyes open and hold on to the sweet nostalgia she felt with Viv by her side, but eventually, despite her best efforts, sleep had claimed them both, and the alarm had woken them both early this morning to begin the final preparations for Viv’s departure.
“You said you’d come back no later than Christmas, right?”
Kit glanced over her shoulder just as Mackey edged his way into the middle of Viv and Royal’s embrace to claim his own hug.
“You said Christmas, huh, Viv?” Mackey repeated, his voice muffled, as he pressed his cheek to Viv’s neck. “You’re coming back no later than Christmas.”
“Yeah, bud.” Viv’s voice trembled, and she wrapped her arms tight around Mackey, her eyes meeting Kit’s over his head. “I promise that I’ll be back for Christmas, if not before. No matter what happens between now and then, I promise to stay at least a week when I arrive, okay? How does that sound?”
Mackey murmured his approval.
“That sounds wonderful,” Kit said, smiling at Viv.
Viv squeezed her eyes shut, tears glistening on her lashes in the late afternoon sun, gave Mackey one more hard squeeze, then gently extricated herself from his arms and kissed his cheek. “I have to go, kid. I’ll be late checking into the hotel, if I don’t.”
Royal cleared his throat. “Come on, Mackey. We’ve got some oysters to roast up. Nate and Cal are coming by soon, remember?”
Mackey’s expression lit up. “Oh, yeah. And can I have the first oyster this time?”
Royal slung an arm over Mackey’s shoulders and led him back up the dock. “Sure you can.”
Mackey peered up at Royal and grinned. “And can I roast my own oyster? You said I could. Last night you promised, remember?”
Royal smiled. “Yeah, I remember.”
Viv sighed as they ambled up the dock and into the backyard of Teague Cottage. “I’m glad to see he’s taking it better today.”
Kit’s mouth curved. “Which one? They were both having a hard time with your leaving for a while.”
It was true, and Kit still couldn’t figure out whether Royal or Mackey had struggled the most to hold back tears over breakfast this morning. But as the day had worn on, the excitement on Viv’s face as she spoke of her plans for the first few days in Highlands had perked them both up, and her happiness had seemed to set their minds—and hearts—at ease.
“Do you think they’ll be okay soon?” Viv asked, the first real hint of regret in her voice.
“They already are.” Kit walked over and squeezed her shoulders. “Dad and Mackey are happy for you—just as I am. And you’re gonna be late to your hotel room if we don’t get on that boat and hightail it down the creek.”
“Yep.” Beau hopped onto the boat, sat in the driver’s seat, and wiggled the boat keys. “And Royal doesn’t just hand his keys over to anyone.” He grinned and cranked the engine; his eyebrows lifted when it purred. “I feel important.”
Viv laughed. “You ought to. But you’d better watch how you drive this thing. You break it, and Dad’ll break you.” She boarded the boat. “And it won’t matter how much in love you are with his daughter—you’ll still suffer the consequences.”
Kit’s cheeks heated as she followed Viv onto the boat, but a thrill of pleasure spiraled through her as she met Beau’s warm gaze.
She’d been apprehensive at first when Viv had confided in her that she knew Beau had fallen in love with Kit, just as Kit had with him. What was even more surprising was that she’d openly encouraged him and Kit to pursue a relationship with each other. There had been no animosity or resentment in her tone—just sincerity.
And that one sacrifice had been enough to lift Kit’s hopes that one day, she and Viv might find their way back to one another again as best friends as well as sisters. No matter how long they had to be apart, as long as the separation led to Viv’s happiness and a chance at strengthening their relationship down the road, it’d be worth it.
“I’ll be careful,” Beau said, smiling, as he turned his attention back to the creek. “You’ll think it’s Royal himself at the helm.”
Beau carefully maneuvered the hybrid bay boat away from the dock and steered it along Hope Creek, picking up speed as they went. Nate and Cal stood at the end of the Suttons’ deepwater dock, waving as they passed.
“Bye, Viv!” Cal shouted. “Call me once in a while.”
Viv sprang up from her seat beside Kit and waved back. “I will,” she called back. “You take care of that baby crop for me. I expect to see a ton of deep cups the next time I swing through here.”
“We’ll do you one better,” Nate called. “I’ll challenge your dad to another roast-off to celebrate your return.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it!” Viv continued waving until the boat rounded a bend and tall cordgrass, lowering in the late afternoon breeze, blocked her view.
