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But as she looked at Miles, their fingers interlocked, she felt new optimism. If this unexpected twist of fate had taught her anything, it was that sometimes, even when life took you on an unplanned detour, it could lead to the most beautiful destinations.
Ariel smiled at Miles, thinking that maybe, just maybe, everything else in her life would turn out okay, too.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
“Mom, are you sure you know how to fix this?" Katie asked, perched on a stool at the far end of the counter, her long legs swinging idly. She had been watching Ariel struggle with the disposal for the past twenty minutes, her expression a mixture of curiosity and concern.
The late afternoon sun nearly blinded Ariel as she stood, squinting, over the sink, her brow furrowed as she peered into the depths of the broken garbage disposal. Her hands were covered in grease and bits of food debris, which only added to her growing frustration. She had returned from her accidental marriage ceremony to find Darcy occupied outside, busily cleaning out the gutters, and she had jumped into the kitchen to start dinner prep—only to find that the kitchen disposal was broken.
If only Miles hadn’t gone off to work after their “wedding.” But they had both rushed back to their respective responsibilities.
"I've fixed these before," Ariel replied sharply, trying to keep her annoyance in check. "It's just...nothing is working.”
She thought of all the countless preparations still needed for the upcoming wedding, including finalizing the menu and all the setup that would need to happen—soon. The last thing she needed was a malfunctioning piece of equipment in the heart of her beloved B&B.
Ariel grabbed a wrench and began to fiddle under the sink, hoping to loosen whatever had jammed the disposal. As she worked, she could feel sweat beginning to bead on her forehead, her frustration mounting.
"Maybe we should just call someone to fix it," Katie suggested gently, picking up on her mother's agitation.
"Sweetie, I appreciate your concern, but we don't need to spend money on something I can fix myself," Ariel said through gritted teeth, her hands working furiously. She refused to let this minor setback ruin her plans. But Katie’s suggestion did bring to mind Steve, the plumber who had so kindly rescued them from the bathroom leak. His card was clipped to the fridge.
"Okay," Katie conceded, rolling her eyes. Ariel was almost impressed—that was the first eye roll all morning.
Ariel stood from under the sink and flipped the wall switch, sending up a silent prayer that her tinkering had worked. The grinding sound of the broken garbage disposal filled the kitchen, and the unpleasant smell of damp and rotting food seemed to cling to every surface.
Katie made a gagging noise and retreated to the dining room table. Ariel’s eyes watered at the smell.
"Ugh, this is driving me insane," Ariel muttered under her breath.
"Mom?" Katie asked hesitantly, watching Ariel's strained expression.
“Yes?” Ariel's brow furrowed as she tightened her grip on the wrench, the muscles in her arm straining with the effort. She could feel the weight of Katie's gaze on her, as though she was holding back saying something.
"Katie," Ariel said finally, her voice heavy with reluctance, "is this going to be another conversation about California? We can’t keep rehashing this. I worry about you being so far away from home, and I don't want anything to happen to you."
"Mom," Katie countered, frustration etched into her features. "I'm seventeen. I’ll be almost eighteen by then. I can take care of myself."
Ariel set the wrench down and turned to face her daughter, her eyes filled with a mix of tenderness and concern. "Of course you can," she agreed softly. "But as your mother, it's my job to worry about you. And, honestly, the distance just adds to my concerns."
"Mom, I need this chance to grow and explore my talents," Katie argued passionately, her eyes shining with determination. "You always say that life is about taking risks and finding our passions. Why can't I do that too? You were fine with me looking at art colleges out of state! And you didn’t stay in Maine for school, either."
Ariel sighed, knowing that Katie had a point. However, she knew that there was more at stake than just the summer program. She needed to find a way to convey her fears without crushing her daughter's spirit—or letting on that she knew about Ethan. Ariel's heart pounded as she stared into her daughter's eyes, the weight of her secret threatening to crush her.
"Katie," Ariel began slowly, choosing her words carefully, "when I was your age, I left Endless Harbor to study in Paris. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, but it also came with its fair share of challenges and heartache. I just want to make sure you're ready for all that comes with being so far from home."
"Mom, I am ready," Katie insisted, her voice firm but pleading. "I can handle whatever comes my way. Please, just trust me."
Ariel looked into her daughter's eyes, searching for the reassurance she so desperately needed. She knew that Katie was growing up, but it was hard to let go of her little girl.
"Katie, I do trust you," Ariel whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "It's not about that. It's just.."
She inhaled deeply, her breath catching in her throat. They would just continue to go round and round until the real reason for the trip was out in the open.
"Katie, there's something I need to tell you," Ariel began hesitantly. Behind her, the garbage disposal gave an unprovoked, hissing whine noise. The sound was an eerie complement to the tension that hung in the air.
"What?" Katie asked, her brow furrowing with concern.
Ariel glanced away, unable to maintain eye contact with her daughter. "I... I read your chats about the summer program. I know you want to go to California to see this Ethan boy."
