“No.” Roman shook his head. “I wanted to tell my parents first, and I have. But I am going to stick around until training starts, so we can start fresh with the truth out.”
As everyone reacted with welcomes and hugs, Maggie fanned herself with a paper napkin.
“Well, it seems it’s been quite a day of revelations and revealed history,” she said. “And I can feel my Southern skin frying in this sun. Maybe we should go back and regroup. Which is old lady speak for take a nap.”
The joke broke the tension and everyone began chatting again, getting up to start the process of packing.
As Tessa walked toward the captain’s chair, she felt her mother’s gaze on her.
“You’ve been pretty quiet through all this,” Tessa whispered to her.
“Because I’m not surprised.”
Tessa drew back. “You knew?”
“Your father told me,” she said.
Tessa gasped. “He promised he’d keep the secret until the day he died.”
“He did—well, the day before. He knew he was dying and told me I had to find your son, and I had no idea how to do that. Honestly, I was going to ask Maggie for help but then Roman walked into the Summer House, and I knew exactly who he was.”
Tessa swayed at the straightforward announcement, stunned by this newest revelation. “And you didn’t say anything, Mom?”
“I trusted it all to work out, and it did.” She reached for Tessa and folded her into her arms. “I’m just sorry I wasn’t the mother you felt you could tell anything to all those years ago.”
Tessa hugged her back. “Maybe you weren’t then, but you are now.” As she inched away, she searched her mother’s face. “Please don’t leave now that this is all over, Mom. I want you to really get to know him. And I want to spend more time with you.”
“Leave? Mags and I have decided to move into that apartment above the garage for the summer. We have so much to catch up on. We want to start with bringing the Cavallaris up to speed and maybe renewing that friendship.”
“Oh! I love that idea!” She hugged her again. “And I’m sorry for not telling you.”
Jo Ellen’s expression softened. “Honey, don’t be sorry. You brought a beautiful soul into this world. And look at him.”
She turned to study Roman, who was already Matt’s best friend. While talking to his new cousin, Roman looked past him and caught Tessa’s eye.
“Well done,” he mouthed and added a thumbs-up.
Kate joined them, her expression softer now.
“I’m happy you found him,” she said, reaching to hug Tessa. “And Dad would be, too.”
The words were like a balm, lifting Tessa’s heart. “I don’t know why I thought this would be hard,” she admitted, draping one arm around Kate and the other around Vivien when she came closer. “We’re the original three who came of age right here on this water.”
“Seven summers of walkin’ on sunshine,” Vivien said.
The three of them looked at each other and leaned back, hands up, all thinking the same thing.
“Oh, man,” Eli murmured, watching it all. “Here we go.”
“You got that right!” Tessa lifted her phone and tapped her playlist. Instantly, the boat’s speakers fired up with the opening notes of their summer anthem.
They shrieked the lyrics ofWalkin’ on Sunshineall the way home and for the first time in many, many years, Tessa felt absolutely…whole.
She was finally complete and the future looked brighter than ever.
They madetheir way to the Summer House in high spirits, broken into a few small groups, some arm in arm, some holding hands, with Jo Ellen and Maggie bringing up the rear.
Tessa led the group, lighthearted and optimistic, arms linked with Lacey and Roman. As they strolled up the driveway, she slowed her step, certain she’d seen a movement in the shadows up one level near the front door.
