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“Cora, it’s fine. Can we just drop it for now?” she pleaded.
She didn’t want to talk about her love life or the lack thereof. How could she explain to anyone that she was afraid to take a risk on loving someone and getting her heart broken when everyone saw her as a fearless person who took all the chances in life? All these years, and she was still tainted by what happened to her.
“Besides, I’m more interested in your friendship with that fine specimen of a man,” she remarked, turning the tables on her sister. “How is Jamie, by the way?”
A rosy tint crept into Cora’s cheeks at the mention of the handsome contractor that had been steadily wooing her since she sorted through her divorce from her cheating husband.
“Jamie is fine.”
Andrea smirked at her sister’s coquettish behavior. She could tell that her sister really liked Jamie, even though she was aware that she also had reservations about getting into a relationship with him after what happened with her ex.
“We’re…we’re just friends, Drea. We’re spending the time to get to know each other better. He’s been understanding, and I really appreciate him for that.”
This brought a genuine smile of happiness to Andrea’s lips. She was happy that her sister was able to find someone that would treat her with respect, and from what she was told, it was definitely her opinion that Jamie already worshipped the ground her sister walked on, even if they were just friends as her sister kept stressing.
“Last week, I went with him to visit the grave of his late wife. He brought her favorite flowers, and he cleaned her headstone. Then he introduced me as someone special.”
Andrea could see the twinkle in her sister’s blue-gray eyes become brighter the more she spoke about Jamie. “What happened to his wife?” she asked out of curiosity.
“She had leukemia. When they detected it, it was too aggressive to be treated effectively, and she died within a year of being diagnosed,” Cora explained.
“Oh my God. I can’t even imagine going through something like that. Poor Jamie.” Andrea truly felt sad for the gentleman she’d seen only two times in person.
“They all took it hard, especially his daughter. His wife was a strong woman, though. He said she wasn’t afraid to die, but she was worried that he would stop living his life, and she didn’t want that for him. He promised her he would continue living.”
The two sat in comfortable silence once more, finishing off the remains of their now lukewarm coffee and looking out across the property.
Cora was the first to break the silence once more. “So, you didn’t tell me how your event went.”
“It was great. All my worry and anxiety paid off in the end,” she explained.
“That’s good. I’m happy for you, Drea. No one deserves to be as successful as you do,” her sister congratulated.
Andrea looked over and gave her a grateful smile.
“I was thinking about going down to the dock. Care to join me?” Cora was now standing over her with an expectant look.
“Yes, I would. I haven’t seen that dock in ages.” Andrea rose from the swing as she spoke.
“It hasn’t changed that much, but there are a few surprises,” Cora stated.
After rinsing out their mugs and replacing them in the cupboard, the two girls made their way to the back porch.
Andrea followed closely behind Cora, enjoying the scenic view. The paved pathway led them alongside the rose garden that, even from the outside, looked like a haven. She made a mental note to visit it soon.
When they cleared the thick forest of trees, they were finally blessed by the beautiful evergreen mountain range covered in a coat of snow at the top of its peak. It rose regally from the blue-green waters as the sun cast the perfect amount of light on the water’s surface, causing the range to cast its own shadow on the waters. There were a few sailboats and fishing vessels gliding along the surface of the water.
Cora headed toward the dock, and that’s when Andrea recognized the work being done there. From what she could see, a second platform was being added to the dock.
“Dad commissioned Jamie to make the dock a double-decker so that the boat can be moored under the bottom,” Cora explained as her sister followed her.
When they finally made it atop the lower deck of the dock, Andrea was greeted by the shiny new boat underneath. It had the wordsSilver Bulletwritten stylishly across the side.
“Dad had Jamie restore and rename it.”
Andrea looked over at Cora in disbelief. “You’re telling me this is the old boat?” she asked, taking a step closer.
Cora nodded in agreement.
Andrea ran her hand over the varnish of the boat, tracing the letters. She knew the significance of the name. It confirmed to her that their father truly had been making preparations to make amends with them. She felt a tear run down her cheek at the sentimental value this one gesture held.
Andrea turned to her sister then. “What do you need help with, Cora? Tell me. I’ll do anything. If it’s to prepare the meals, take Mom to her appointments, or clean the inn, I’ll do it,” she said with so much emotion. In this instance, she wanted to do as much as she could to honor the memory of her father and for the rebuilding of her family.
“Let’s take it one step at a time.” Cora gave her hand a grateful squeeze. “I’m just happy you’re here.”
Andrea’s phone rang, interrupting what she was about to say. She pulled her phone from her back jean pocket and held the phone to her ear. “Hello?”
“Hello, this is Mr. Gourdie from the garage. I just wanted you to know you can pick up your Jeep. it’s finished.”
