Erin's body ached for relief, but she was unable to stop because she needed to push it to its limit. Also, the exertion kept her mind away from thoughts of her job, her relationship problems, the extent to which she felt like a failure, or her father. She had seen him on her first day in Oak Harbor, all friendly with her mother and Julia. It was as if the things he’d done more than a year ago had become irrelevant. They pretended as if he had not deceived them, violated their trust, and thwarted their plans for the future. She tried to understand where Cora and Jules were coming from in the whole scheme of forgiving Joel and wanting baby Becca to get to have him in her life— she really did, but for Erin, it was difficult to even look at him without filling with rage, let alone to forgive him for the hell he had put them through.
And just like that, the tranquility of her run was ruined by thoughts of her father. She decelerated and came to a complete stop just as she emerged from the dense woods. While stooping down and supporting her weight with her hands on her legs, she tried to breathe as much air as her lungs could as she struggled to catch her breath.
After a few minutes, her breathing started to even out before returning to normal. As she straightened up, she was treated to the breathtaking ocean view blending into the blue sky on the horizon. A wide stretch of beach bounded the water from east to west, and driftwood lay strewn across its shoreline.
Erin made her way toward the beach, the soles of her sneakers making a crunching sound in the sand. She stopped short from where the water crashed over the sand, sending the tiny granules rolling back each time to follow the retreating tide. Her hands came up and crossed her chest as she stared at the ocean. She longed for a life as uncomplicated as the placid currents that followed the sun and moon wherever they charted their course.
Erin dropped her hands to her sides and let out a long sigh before turning and making her way along the coastline that led to the main section of the park and the exit. Her strides became more purposeful as she stepped through the iron gates, and soon she was jogging on her way home.
After returning to the property, she checked in at the inn to see if her mom was there. Climbing the three broad steps that led to the small porch, she opened the heavy Oak double doors and stepped into the foyer. The lower lobby's elegance never failed to wow her. A crystal chandelier hung over the magnificent stairs of the large space, giving the impression of a grand ballroom as the clear glass prisms cascaded down from its peak. Beyond the staircases, she could see the plush couches, throws, and a chaise that formed the sitting room for guests. A man and a woman sat across from each other, laughing as they conversed.
“Erin. How are you?”
Erin turned her head in the direction of the friendly voice to see Marg rising to her feet and stepping around the mahogany desk before approaching her with a warm smile. “Hi, Marg,” she greeted back, plastering a smile on her lips. “I’m great, thanks. How are you?”
Marg halted first, a grin still playing across her lips. She said, "I'm okay," and then leaned in so she could whisper, "I'm bored too," to Erin. “It's been such a boring day that I've fallen asleep several times, only to wake up with the uneasy feeling of being watched.” Her gaze shifted to the sitting area.
Erin chuckled at the older woman’s antics. “The boredom is making you imagine things.”
Marg sighed. “If only I had chosen to do the store run, it would have been Lena sitting here counting sheep and arranging the staples every five minutes.”
“Lena?” Erin’s brows furrowed in question.
“The new receptionist,” Marg answered. “She started last week.”
“What happened to the other receptionist?” Erin asked.
“She got another job, one with more benefits.”
“Oh,” Erin expressed, nodding in understanding.
Marg mimicked the action, a smile on her lips. “So, what brings you here?”
“I came to see Mom. Is she in her office?” Erin asked, looking toward the closed door just behind the reception area.
“Your mother isn’t here. She’s at the house with Jules,” Marg informed her, looking over her shoulder to where Erin was looking before turning to face her.
“I thought for sure she’d be here. I’m gonna go.” Erin grinned and turned to leave.
“Are you okay, Erin?”
Marg’s question stopped Erin in her tracks as her defenses rose. “I am,” she reassured her.
Erin tensed at Marg's delayed response, which was made worse by the way Marg's brown eyes seemed to peer into her as if they could see through all the barriers between them to her soul.“Alright,” she eventually said.
“I’ll see you.” Erin turned, walked through the doors, and made her way to the main house. Her nostrils twitched at the scent of bacon, and her stomach grumbled the minute she stepped through the front door. She walked in the direction of the kitchen and found her mother before the stove, flipping pancakes. Dark liquid trickled into the coffee pot as the percolator silently hummed.
Sensing her presence almost immediately, Cora looked over her shoulder and simpered brightly at her daughter. “Hi, sweetie. You hungry?”
“With a spread like this, how could I not be?” Erin smiled back and gestured to the platters of bacon, sausages, eggs, and fruit on the kitchen island. Sliding onto one of the high stools, she reached over and grabbed a few grapes, and popped them into her mouth. “So, what’s the occasion,” she asked, licking the juice from the sides of her fingers.
“What do you mean?” Cora asked, turning with a stack of pancakes that she slid onto the island.
“I mean, why did you make so much food? Aunt Jo’s at the restaurant and Aunt Drea is with Rory, so there’s no need for this much,” Erin reasoned. “Is Jamie coming over?”
“Jamie’s not coming over. He’s out of town.” Cora opened the refrigerator and removed the syrup. She slid it onto the counter while avoiding her daughter’s gaze.
“Then who is this all for?” Erin asked, eyes squinted in suspicion.
