Well, that didn’t work.
She let out a sigh. “We’re still in disagreement on the whole Lawrence and Vera thing. I asked him not to print anything about it. He said he couldn’t promise me that.”
“You know he’s only doing what he thinks is right as a researcher. For his professional reputation. As much as I hope the story about Vera and the prince remains buried, I do understand where Brent is coming from.”
“I guess I can see his side,” she admitted reluctantly. “But Miss Eleanor will be very upset if all this comes out.”
Gran nodded. “She will. But gossip always dies down eventually. And she can’t undo the past. Vera made choices. And there are always consequences of our choices.”
Consequences of our choices.
Like when she’d pushed Brent away. Told him they should just be friends. And now? They were even less than friends.
A consequence of her choice.
Brent navigated his car onto the long stretch of highway known as Alligator Alley. The early morning sun cast a warm light over the flat landscape, illuminating the vast expanse of the Everglades that surrounded him on either side of the road, an endless sea of sawgrass marshes and cypress swamps. He turned on the radio, letting the music fill the car as his thoughts drifted to the purpose of his trip—hopefully uncovering more information about his uncle, Jonah Burton.
As he drove, anticipation and uncertainty churned through him. The obituary he’d found for his grandmother contradicted what he’d been told about his uncle’s fate. This discrepancy had sparked a burning curiosity within him, a need to uncover the truth about his family’s past.
The miles ticked by, and Brent found himself wondering what he might discover in Port Everglades. Was the Jonah Burton who had worked at the port truly his uncle? If so, why had everyone on Magnolia Key thought he died in the hurricane? The questions swirled in his mind, each one fueling his desire to find answers.
He passed an alligator basking on the banks of the canals that ran alongside the highway. Then in a few miles, he passed another. It appeared the roadway was appropriately named.
The sun began to rise higher in the sky as he continued his drive, the endless stretches of swampland giving way to signs of civilization as he neared the coast.
As the skyline of Fort Lauderdale came into view, his pulse quickened. He reminded himself that this might be a wild goose chase. He might find out nothing. But still, he had hope. He exited the highway and made his way toward the port area.
As he pulled into a parking lot near the port, he took a deep breath to steady himself. He sat in the car for a moment, gathering his thoughts and mentally preparing for whatever he might discover.
A large cruise ship rose up in the distance as a steady line of cars crept toward the parking garage. He crossed over and spoke to a security person, explaining his mission. The man gave him directions to the nearby administration building and suggested he ask his questions there.
At the administration building, he entered the lobby and crossed over to the desk where yet another security person worked.
“Good morning. I have kind of a strange request. I’m looking for my… my uncle.”
“His name?” The man sat with his hands poised over a computer.
“Well, I’m not sure he even worked here. Or if the Jonah Burton I saw referenced as working here at one time is the same Jonah Burton I’m looking for.”
The man typed into his computer. “We have a Jonah Burton working here now.”
Shock skittered through him. Could it be this easy? “You do? Now?”
“Shall I call him? He’d have to come down here to meet with you.”
“Ah, yes. Could you do that?”
“Sure. Just take a seat over there.” The man motioned to a bank of chairs across the lobby.
He walked over and sat down. Then got back up and paced a few times before going to stand by the windows looking out over a vast yard with boats hoisted up on platforms and being worked on. He turned at the sound of footsteps approaching.
He stared at the man coming closer, his pulse thudding as he noticed a striking resemblance to his mother. The same warm brown eyes, the same slight tilt of the head as he walked. The man was older, with gray streaks in his hair and lines etched around his eyes, but there was no mistaking the family resemblance.
The man stopped a few feet away, studying him with a creased brow. Brent could see the confusion and curiosity in his expression, mirroring his own emotions.
Taking in a long, slow breath, he asked, “Are you Jonah Burton?”
The man nodded slowly. “I am. Do I know you?”
