“It’s the life of a lawyer trying to make partner in a firm.” She paused for a moment, her stomach suddenly sour. “But now, describing my life out loud to you, it all sounds so miserable and pathetic.”
“It may have been miserable, but not pathetic. Impressive would be a better word.”
She took a sip of wine and released a deep breath. “Well, you know, now I really think it was all a blessing in disguise that those assholes took away all my cases and handed them to Evan. If they hadn’t, I don’t know that I would have even come down here to manage Aunt Dottie’s estate much less stayed for anything longer than a day or two. I would never have slowed down.”
The corner of Jack’s mouth lifted and he walked over to her. “The more I think about it, the more I believe that Dottie definitely had a plan...for both of us.” He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her mouth.
“How much longer until dinner is ready?” Charli asked, her hands running up and down his ribs.
“About fifteen minutes. The veggies are ready, so we’re only waiting on the fish.” Jack eased back and grinned. “How about we go upstairs and enjoy the sunset from the balcony? We could read some of Amelia’s diary if you’d like.”
Charli’s heart dropped. “I started the fifth diary this morning, Jack. It’s nothing but heartbreak now and not exactly conducive to a romantic evening.”
Jack tilted his head and pressed his lips together. “I know. But we won’t figure out this mystery if wedon’t get through those diaries. Plus, I think you need to call the Royal Conch Society in. I learned a long time ago not to underestimate those ladies. If there’s a missing piece to this puzzle, they’ll help us find it.”
Charli’s brows rose. “You think the ladies will know something we don’t?”
He shrugged. “They’ve been on this island longer than most people, and Dottie willed all the documents pertaining to Paradise West to the society. I’d be willing to bet that there’s something there that can help us.”
Charli hummed. “You know, it’s been a while since we had them all together. They probably feel neglected at this point. Maybe we should plan another society get-together soon.”
Jack flashed her a wicked grin. “Good idea. But let’s go easy on the sangria this time, okay?”
15
Key West, Florida
November 25, 1870
Mother just informed me that I am to be shipped up to Jacksonville to stay with her sister until after the child is born, which the midwife believes will be in March. I dread the journey as my stomach still has not recovered, and seasickness can only make it worse. I am told that the trip should take less than a week. Mother and Father are both still unable to look at me and the shame is overwhelming. If not for Gordon, I don’t know what I would do. Even Elizabeth is quite cross with me, but I believe that is because she has been unable to conceive thus far in her marriage. I miss Ian so much every day that my heart constantly aches. I do not know how I can continueon without him.
Charli closed the diary and set it on the bedside table. She closed her eyes for a moment and released a long deep breath, then looked to her side where Jack slumbered so easily.
She smiled at his peaceful expression, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. He was the easiest-going and most thoughtful man she had ever met, yet at the same time he could switch to alpha protector mode at the drop of a hat—a real dichotomy. His normal relaxed attitude had such a calming effect on her, and his dominant side made her hot in ways she hadn’t realized were possible. She suddenly wondered if that was the difference.
She looked to her other side and her eyes landed on the last diary. She had nearly finished it and the heartbreak and fallout from Ian’s death continued to snowball. It was unfathomable what Amelia went through, not only losing her true love but also being ostracized by her own family. Her face scrunched.
God...sent hundreds of miles away to have a baby in secret because your entire family would be disgraced in society by your actions...and for simply getting pregnant!
The thought was horrifying, but Charli knew it was an acceptable practice back then. Sometimes it was even worse with the young women being turned out onto the streets. But according to one entry inAmelia’s diary, her father had still considered her a valuable commodity and planned to marry her off as soon as she returned to the island. Just what they planned to do with the child, Charli had no idea, and she was almost afraid to find out what happened to Amelia and Ian’s baby. Had her parents been heartless enough to give away their only grandchild? Orphanages were not warm and happy places in the late nineteenth century.
She thought of the photo hanging in Aunt Dottie’s bedroom of Amelia in a wedding dress. It was all starting to make sense now, and if Charli wasn’t mistaken, Jack was wrong about the timeline. That photo wasn’t taken just after Amelia had learned about Ian—it would have been after she had returned from Jacksonville, possibly without her child. Amelia’s father must have moved quickly to marry her off.
Charli cringed at the thought. It must have been horrible.
Unable to sleep, Charli got out of bed and walked through the open doors onto the balcony. She turned her face to the sky and took a deep breath of the cool night air. The moon was nearly full and the wind whistled through the palm leaves and rustled her hair. There was an energy—a restlessness—in the airtonight, as if she weren’t the only one with a churning gut.
She sat in her favorite chair in the corner and rocked slowly, closing her eyes, and letting the fresh air and quiet wash over her.
When she opened her eyes moments later, they were drawn to a faint light in the Widow’s Walk across the street. Chills shot through her body as she sat up abruptly and squeezed her eyes shut. She had to be seeing things. When she looked again, the light still shone but even brighter as if someone had brought it outside.
Charli’s breath froze in her chest. This had to be Amelia’s light—it was real! It couldn’t be...could it? She squinted her eyes.
Either that or I’m having a nervous breakdown and hallucinating...
But there was no denying it. The light was still there, shining bright at two o’clock in the morning in an empty house, and Charli knew for a fact that the staircase and entrance to the Widow’s Walk had been barricaded. Gus had personally escorted her up to the third floor staircase to proudly show her his handiwork—he’d made absolutely certain she wouldn’t be getting into the Widow’s Walk until he removed the barrier. So it couldn’t be one of the workers or some neighborhood kids playing a prank.
Goosebumps popped out all over her body at the realization that this was Amelia shining her light for Ian, still waiting for his return.
