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My father shrugged and pulled me in for a hug. “She passed a week ago, and the funeral was Monday. They said it was old age, and nothing was wrong with her.”
He let me go and my chest tightened. “Did Everleigh come into town?”
He nodded. “Of course. Your mom and I talked to her at the funeral. We told her you were working and that we’d let you know as soon as possible.” He squeezed my shoulders. “She understood.”
It’s been years since I’ve seen or talked to Everleigh, but a huge part of me wanted to be there for her, even if she didn’t need me. I had no doubt it was too late; she was probably already back in Boston.
I released a heavy sigh and looked down at my ripped jeans, stained T-shirt, and scuffed boots. “I’m going to run home and take a quick shower. Do you think it’d be okay if I went by and visited Everleigh’s parents?”
My father smiled warmly, and his grayish-blue eyes twinkled in the sun. I’ve always been told I looked just like him.
“Becky and Greg would love that. You might want to swing by and see Everleigh as well.”
My whole body tensed up like a coiled spring. “She’s still in Oak Island?”
His laughter boomed around us. “You’ve missed a lot, son. Rachel left the house to her. Everleigh’s staying in town while she decides what to do with Hide Away by the Sea.”
My brows creased together. “What do you mean? She’s not going to sell it, is she?”
That place had been so special to her growing up; I knew she wouldn’t want to part with it. But, then again, she probably wasn’t the same girl I knew all those years ago. Maybe she didn’t care anymore.
My father shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. Greg told me yesterday that Everleigh still hasn’t decided yet.”
A wave of anger surged through me at the thought of Everleigh selling. Selling the home her grandmother had left her should never have been a choice. Was life in Boston so much better than here? I was sure it had to be since she’d up and left me without ever looking back.
I felt my chest tighten as thoughts of Rachel came into my mind. Whenever I returned from a voyage, she’d leave a plate of my favorite dark chocolate brownies on the kitchen counter; she knew where the spare key was kept. I shook my head and huffed in frustration. I wasn’t going to let Everleigh give away her grandmother’s house and legacy just to anyone. If that was what she wanted to do and return to Boston, then fine, but I’d be damned if I watched somebody turn Hide Away by the Sea into an impersonal rental property. One way or another, I’d find a way to buy it myself.
“Uh-oh, I know that look.” My father pointed out. “What’s going through your mind?”
I met his gaze and sighed. “I’m about to do something crazy.” I slapped a hand on his arm and hurried up the dock toward the parking lot.
“Good luck,” my father shouted.
I was going to need it. For the first time in eleven years, I was about to see the one girl who had shattered me completely.
* * *
When I arrived home,I rushed inside and was about to head straight to my bedroom when something on the kitchen counter caught my eye. I froze and stared at the pan of wrapped brownies with a folded letter on top. How was that even possible?
Slowly, I closed the distance and reached for the note, my chest tightening when I saw Rachel’s handwriting.
Jensen,
Welcome home! I had to make your brownies a little early this time since I’ll be on vacation when you return. Hopefully, they’ll still be good. If not, I’ll make you more when Everleigh and I get home. Maybe it’ll give you both a chance to talk? Eleven years of silence is just about ridiculous. I’m just sad you and Everleigh both inherited my stubbornness. Through hell or high water, I’m going to get you two in the same room again.
Love always,
Rachel
Wiping the tears away with my sleeve, I sighed heavily. “You’re about to get your wish, Rachel,” I said, setting the note on the counter. “I’m not about to let your granddaughter sell your place. She’s not going to hide from me anymore.”
I hurried into my bedroom and tossed my bag on the bed. Once showered and dressed in clean jeans and a plaid flannel shirt, I ran back out to my Bronco. Rachel lived next door to my parents, and it was how she became a grandmother figure in my life. I was closer to her than I was to my own grandparents. Now I had none left . . . Rachel was the last.
Heart racing, I turned the key in the ignition and set on my way across town to Hide Away by the Sea. In ten minutes, I was about to see Everleigh for the first time in years. There was so much that needed to be said. But was it the right time? I exhaled and reached for my phone in the center console. There was a voice mail from Michelle saying that I needed to call her back. I pressed her number, and the line rang a couple of times before she picked up.
“Hey,” she answered. “I’m assuming you’re on land?”
“I am. I’m sorry I couldn’t call you back sooner. What’s up?”
