“Is she being careful?”
“She says she is.” April chuckled. “She’s enlisted Sailor to look out for her.”
“Like a chaperone?” Ella looked surprised. “That seems odd.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Oh, nothing. Just a thought. How is Maileah doing?”
April put the articles to one side. “I’m a little worried about her. She’s trying hard to get her life back on track but finding work she likes on Crown Island is difficult. She is putting pressure on herself to do everything at once. Relocating, finding work, dating. I’m afraid she might make hasty decisions to feel like she’s ticking the boxes and moving forward.”
Ella smoothed a hand along April’s shoulder. “Maileah has always been determined. She’ll find her way.”
“I’m afraid that determination could backfire on her. She told me she doesn’t care if she rushes into a relationship and makes a mistake, as long as she starts the family she wants.”
“That could have serious consequences,” Ella said, looking worried. “A marriage is more than that.”
April picked up another donated box of historical artifacts. Gesturing to it, she said, “Like this, her strategy could be a Pandora’s box, unleashing more problems than she ever dreamed of. Who knows what’s on the inside of many marriages? I should know.”
Her mother reached into the box for an old Crown Island postcard. “If Maileah takes a step back, I think she’ll realize the potential for catastrophe.”
“Like what happened to me with Calvin.” April’s heart clenched at the memory. “That didn’t stop me. If I’m honest with myself now, I did force myself to fit into that relationship.”
Her mother shook her head.
April went on, “Calvin was like a spectacular-looking party shoe that didn’t fit, but I bought it anyway. Those shoes might look fabulous to others, but you can hardly walk in them. Keep it up, and you’ll need medical help.”
Ella smiled and hugged her. “That’s an interesting analogy. When you’re young and in a relationship that’s lacking, how are you to know if you’ve never experienced the magnificence of true love?”
April rested in her mother’s embrace. “You warned me, though. I made that mistake on my own. When I think of the years I wasted…”
“They aren’t wasted if you learn from them,” Ella said pointedly. “Look at how much your life has improved and how happy you are. That’s priceless, my dear. You cherish Ryan because you survived your marriage. Share your experience with Maileah.”
“If she’ll listen to my warning,” April said.
“She knows her father.”
“It’s complicated. They’re not speaking, but someday I’d like for them to put their differences aside.”
Ella shook her head. “I imagine that won’t be easy. It might never happen, and Maileah must protect herself.”
“That’s true,” April said slowly. “My relationship with her is better now. It was strained in the past because of Calvin. I don’t want to do anything to damage the progress we’ve made.”
“Mind if I talk with her?”
“I’d like that,” April said. Perhaps her mother could offer a different perspective.
That evening,April walked barefoot with Ryan at the water’s edge. They’d left their sandals higher on the sand. They were just across the street from Beach View Lane. Few other people were at the beach at this time of night.
After working on their separate pursuits during the day, these evening strolls were their time to catch up and be together. At times, their activities overlapped, but with the renovation of the Majestic Hotel underway, Ryan was busier than ever.
When Ryan extended his hand, April slid hers into his. His grip was warm and firm as they continued walking. She felt at ease with him by her side, in harmony with the man in her life.
“I had an idea today I thought you might be interested in,” she began, telling him about the summer festival.
“That might be a good draw to Crown Island,” he said, looking at her with admiration. His eyes flickered in the moonlight. “I can bring my team in on a discussion for a date later this summer.”
Noticing the tightness in his voice, she asked, “How are the guest room renovations going?”
