A cheer went up while Jo Ellen and Maggie gingerly boarded the boat, still clinging to each other, both crying, sharing one seat, squished together.
Finally, after thirty years, all was right with their world.
The sun shimmered off the Gulf like someone had scattered diamonds across the water. But if they had, even jewels wouldn’t be as valuable or beautiful as the feather-light ashes and rose petals that had dusted the air and water. As they’d spilled, each person had shared something wonderful about Arthur Wylie, bringing tears, laughter, and, in Maggie’s case, shockwaves.
Only Roman had stayed quiet, pensive even, as he listened to the tributes about his late biological grandfather.
No one noticed, of course, not with Maggie’s unbelievable story. Well, notunbelievableto Tessa. She knew Artie was a hero, the best of the best.
And the fact that her father put his life on the line to protect all of theirs only made her love him more.
No one wanted to go home, so they’d anchored the boat in the middle of the Gulf, and Seamus pulled out the fishing gear while the teenagers wasted no time doing cannonballs into the water.
A lazy breeze stirred the salty air, just enough to cool sun-warmed skin but not strong enough to rock the boat. Eliproduced a cooler of drinks and found snorkels for anyone feeling adventurous—that would be Emma and Matt, naturally.
Tessa sat way in the back, her legs curled beneath her, a sweating gin and tonic in her hand. The watered-down drink did nothing to ease the knot in her stomach as each minute ticked by.
She’d never have a better time to share the truth about Roman with the people she loved most.
He was fishing with Seamus on the port side the same way he did everything—with style, athleticism, and an easy sense of humor. He’d tossed Tessa plenty of looks in the past hour, a hint of a question in his eyes.
Yes, obviously, now wasthetime.
But could she do it?
Vivien was lounging on the bow, a little contemplative since her “breakup” with Peter but she seemed content.
Eli was up there, too, with Kate, watching Emma and Matt in the water. Jo Ellen and Maggie sat at the helm and passenger seat, holding hands, talking and reminiscing and no doubt diving into the past when they’d been so loved but hadn’t even known how much.
Tessa let her gaze drift out to the last of the rose petals floating far in the distance now. Oh, if only her father were still here.
He’d tell the story. He’d give his perspective and paint Tessa as strong and noble, doing the right thing, and then he’d welcome Roman into the family with some silly joke about his name and a bear hug.
Help me, Dad. Help me do this right.
“Hey.”
She looked up at the sound of Kate’s voice, not even aware she’d come to join Tessa. “Hey, yourself.”
“You okay? I sense a shift in the Force, as dear old Dad would say.”
She smiled, taking her sister’s hand and knowing this news would hurt her. She should have told Kate years ago, but…
“I thought you felt so good,” Kate said, searching her face. “You seemed happy when we…” She gestured toward the water, where a bird swooped over the rose petals. “Said goodbye.”
“I was, I am. Maggie’s news is so validating, isn’t it?”
“Stunning and amazing,” Kate agreed. “And now…Eli and I can…” She let her voice fade, replaced by a smile.
“You’re definitely spending the summer here?” Tessa asked, not for the first time. It still felt too good to be true. “Even with Emma and Matt going back?”
“I am,” she promised. “The lab’s closed for a few months and Emma wants that job at the Yacht Club. Matt’ll come down and visit, but he has his friends at home. There’s no one his age at the house and Jeffrey wants to take him on a few long weekends just the two of them. It’s actually perfect for me to stay. And now that the past is cleared up and our families are healed…”
She looked toward Eli, who was laughing at something Matt had pulled up from the water.
“You’re full-speed ahead with Eli Lawson,” Tessa said.
“For the summer,” she replied. “After that? Who knows. We just want to see where it goes.”
