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“Sorry, I’m not used to air travel.” It was the only excuse I was going to allow to leak out. No one, except maybe Amber eventually, needed to know my heart was broken. “Thanks for sending your friend to come and pick me up. Sorry it was such a delay.”
“Eric was more than happy to help. I’m just glad you’re safe, and you’re home.”
I’m home?
Like a big sister, or with a motherly kind of affection, she wiped away my tears and looked over my shoulder. “Your bags are just coming off the plane. Let’s grab them and get you unpacked.”
I followed Amber as she walked over to the luggage being loaded onto a flat deck dolly.
“Which are yours?”
There were only five bags being unloaded. My two, and one each for the other three passengers who flew with us.
“The pink one and the backpack.”
The baggage handler laughed. “Ah, the one that feels like it’s loaded with rocks.”
“Mitch, be nice.” Amber stopped and introduced us. “This is my dear friend, Iris Charbonneau, a new transplant from Ontario. Iris, this is my best friend’s husband, Mitch. You’ll meet Cedar inside.”
“Welcome to Cheshire Bay.” Mitch extended his hand, which I reciprocated.
The pilot walked over and joined us, leading me to believe I was surrounded by a connected group of besties.
I reached for my luggage after exchanging pleasantries.
“No, please. Let me take them.” Mitch grabbed the cart. “I’ll meet you out front, after I take these to their rightful owners. Go say hi to Cedar before she has a heart attack.”
We turned, and there in the bank of windows was a beautiful blonde, who dashed through the door and sprang over to us. “Oh my god, you must be Iris.”
Before I had a chance to put some distance between us, she embraced me in a deep hug.
“I’m so glad you’re here. Amber has told us so much about you. Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. I just know you’re just going to love it here.” She unlatched from me and guided us to the door while spewing more highlights about Cheshire Bay than a visitor’s guide.
In the span of a few minutes, I’d already been more warmly welcomed than I had my entire existence back in Toronto. Maybe there was something to this ocean air and island lifestyle.
Cedar and Eric followed us outside to the parking lot.
“Bonfire tonight.” Eric stated in my direction as he loaded one of my bags into the back of Amber’s jeep. “If you’re feeling up to it, we’d love to have you join us.”
I looked at Amber. Not even on the ground for twenty minutes and my social calendar already had possibilities, what was this place?
She smiled so warmly it put me at ease. “It’s completely your call. We all know you’ve had a rough time getting here, and you want to unpack and settle in. But the company is great, the food is plentiful, and drinks are never ending.”
Damn. My kryptonite. She almost had me.
“Can I think about it?” I didn’t want to say no, right off the bat, especially when Amber and Eric had gone to so much trouble to get me here, but I did want a moment to catch my breath.
Eric clapped me on the shoulder. “No worries. My wife will be there, as will her sister and fiancé. Just a small intimate grouping of nine.”
“Actually, it’ll only be eight if she comes.” Amber piped. “Antonio has been delayed. Should be here tomorrow.” She raised her crossed fingers in the air. Her face lit up with her fiancé’s name, and I hoped she’d share the details on how they met and all that jazz.
“It’s a beautiful night.” Cedar wrapped an arm around Mitch. “Hope you can come and meet the rest of the gang. They’re all excited to meet you.”
Stunned wouldn’t even be the right word as I flipped my gaze over to Amber.
“Sorry.” She shrugged with an impish grin. “I’m excited to have you here. You sounded like you need a fresh start, and this place is perfect. Ask Lily and Mona tonight. Both were big city girls, and now, they can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
I stared at the four people, talking to me as if they’d know me all their lives. “Is the whole town like this?”
