“I actually can’t.”
She looked in the window. “I heard about your tree.”
“Yeah. It was a sight to behold.”
“Good thing that Harlen boy was there. I do love his mother.” She smiled and turned her attention back to me. “Will your parents be coming back out? They were here for Thanksgiving, weren’t they?”
“They’re actually on a cruise.”
“Well, you and Holly should come on over tomorrow. My grandson, Freddy, will be there.”
My heart warmed thinking about how wonderful this town was. Everyone in it always wanting to find a home for everyone.
“That’s such a sweet offer, but I’m actually going to Hound Island.”
“With the Harlen boys?” A twinkle in her eyes led me to believe she might have fallen for them too.
“Hildie invited me. Well, maybe Chance invited me. I’m not exactly sure whose idea it was.”
“Chance is the same boy who put out your fire.” She nodded slowly as the pieces to the puzzle slowly started to fit together. I didn’t bother to correct her as a smile slipped across her expression. “And Holly?”
“She’s spending the holiday with Nick.”
“Nick?” Her eyes widened, and I hid a chuckle.
Even Mrs. Coleville knew about Nick’s reputation. “Well, as long as my two favorite tea makers are taken care of for the holidays, that’s all that matters.”
“Thank you for thinking of us.” I saw Chance and his brother pull up to the curb. “Looks like my ride is here.”
Chance climbed out of the car and gave a quick wave to Mrs. Coleville.
“Tell Hildie hi for me,” she called to him and he gave a quick nod.
“Will do,” he said, coming over to where I was still standing with my suitcase.
“Take good care of her,” Mrs. Coleville warned.
“I plan on it.” Chance smiled.
I hadn’t actually seen Chance since the night I passed out at Jake and Jewels’. He flew back to Hound Island, and I did my best to put the embarrassment of drinking too much behind me. Chance never brought it up. We traded a few friendly and very innocent messages over the last several days.
“Merry Christmas.” She sat Coco back on the sidewalk and continued on toward the groomer.
Chance slipped his arm around my waist, took my suitcase from me, and led me to the car.
I ignored what his touch did to me and carried on.
“Right on time,” he said, opening the door for me. “There’s a storm coming in later that we want to beat.”
“Sounds like a mighty fine plan to me.” I pushed the overwhelming amount of fear away and buckled my seatbelt as Jake greeted me.
“Your sister is on the way to the house with Nick so she can say goodbye.”
I chuckled. She’d already said goodbye several times today. She disliked the idea of the helicopter as much as I did.
Chance climbed in the car and we were off.
Even though Fireweed Island was fairly small, Jake’s home sat about fifteen to twenty minutes outside of downtown. I glanced out the window and noticed the churning clouds above and hoped we really would beat the storm.
“What if the weather turns ugly?” I asked.
“Then we take the ferry,” Jake said, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.
“Okay.” I tapped my toe on the floor and pushed my lips into a straight line, willing myself to stay quiet. I didn’t need to look like the worrywart I was, but I just couldn’t help myself. “What if the bad weather happens when we are in the air?”
“We avoid it,” Jake said calmly.
“Okay.”
Chance reached around his seat and squeezed my knee. “Jake’s an expert. He’ll take good care of us.”
I nodded and stayed quiet, watching the greenery zip by as Jake turned down the private, windy road that would eventually lead to his equally long driveway. We were getting closer, and I was getting nearer to one of the scariest things ever. Not only wasn’t I a fan of the water, I wasn’t thrilled with the sky either. I liked looking at it, but I didn’t have an overwhelming pull to travel in it, on it, or through it.
By the time Jake pulled down his driveway, I was a trembling mess of nerves.
Jake parked in front of his home, and I spotted the helicopter in the middle of the vacant field. My sister was nowhere to be seen, but Jewels came out of the front door wrapped in a red wool shawl over a tight pair of jeans.
Jake and Chance climbed out of the car, while I sat staring at the headrest in front of me. What if I couldn’t actually get in the helicopter? Not only would I look like a complete weeny, I’d also lose my chance to pull as much info from Chance’s world as possible. There wouldn’t be another reason like this one where we would spend this much time together.
He opened the door and poked his head in.
“You okay?” he asked. “We can always take the ferry.”
The kindness in his eyes gave me the boost of courage I needed to commit to the helicopter ride.
“No. This is a good way to end the year.” I nodded and unbuckled.
Jake had already removed my suitcase from the back as Chance helped me out of the car.
“You ready?” Jewels hollered from the porch.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready.”
“That’s how I was too. I promise” She grabbed a suitcase and I watched Jake take mine to the helicopter.
“I packed light so I didn’t go over the weight limit,” I told Chance and he chuckled.
“Good to be thinking about that.” He nodded. “Not something most would be thinking about though.”
“I’d be really pissed if we were sprinkled over the Pacific because I packed one too many sweaters.”
“So would I.” He laughed, looping his hand over mine.
I glanced up at the nearly white sky. Between the frigid temperatures and the hovering clouds, it was only a matter of time before the first flake fell.
“I love my sister, but I’d rather get set up in the helicopter and wave to her from there. I don’t want to hold up the show. I think it’s going to start snowing any second.”
“Your wish is my command.”
“So as a guy, when a woman is freaked out or scared about trying something new, does that turn you off?”
“What’s the alternative?” he asked, puzzled. “Why would I want a girl who isn’t genuine or authentic? To me, phoniness is a big turn off. Besides, I don’t think you could stop your teeth from chattering even if you tried.”
“They’re not chattering,” I said, hearing them tap together. “Well, they’re only doing that because it’s near freezing.”
“I’m sure that’s it.” He winked.
We walked through the pasture, and my pulse spiked the closer we got to the chopper. I was not one of those people who wanted to be remembered by doing something adventurous on the way out.
But that was just me.
“You’ve gotten awfully quiet,” Chance said softly as Jake put my suitcase in the helicopter.
“I was just thinking how odd it is that death becomes okay when it happens while a person is doing what they love.”
Chance stopped walking and turned to face me.
“If you’re having those kind of morbid thoughts just off this heli ride, I really think it would be best if we floated our way to Hound Island.”
I laughed.
“I don’t think I’m going down in the chopper or I wouldn’t get on. It’s just how my mind works.” The wind was picking up and I pushed my fear aside. “My family lost my uncle when he was cliff diving. I remember being at his funeral and hearing about how at least he died doing what he loved to do, and all I could do was look at my cousins. I knew my uncle would’ve much preferred to be alive raising his children than crashing against sharp rocks.”
Chance squeezed my arm. “I know exactly what you mean.”
“After someone slams into a tree skiing or
drowns while scuba diving there is this constant theme of, “at least they’d left this world doing what they loved”, but I’d rather take a pass on jumping out of an airplane and gain a few more decades of life.”
“True, but there’s something to be said for taking a chance now and then.” He smiled and took in a deep breath. “Life can’t be planned completely.”
“I suppose you’re right.” I nodded and glanced at the helicopter. “Had I stuck to my plan, I wouldn’t be here enjoying your company.”
“You’re enjoying my company?”
“For the most part.”
He laughed and helped me into the helicopter, fastening the belts and handing me the headset.
“It gets kind of loud.”
I nodded and saw Jake jog over to Jewels to help her with the two suitcases she managed to haul halfway through the field.
“You doing okay?” he asked, tugging on the strap.
“Doing wonderful.” I glanced around the metal dome. “Speaking of parachutes, does this have any?”
“Afraid not.”
A car caught my attention, and I saw my sister and Nick coming down the driveway.
Jake put the last of the suitcases in the helicopter and peeked his head into the cabin.
“Do you want me to bring your sister over?” he asked.
“No. I want to get moving. I swear the temp is dropping as we speak.”
Chance laughed and shook his head as he fastened his belt.
I watched Jewels and Jake make their way to my sister and Nick. It looked like they were having a lighthearted conversation that was going a little too long for my taste. We had places to be.
Chance slipped his hand over mine.
“You sure you’re doing okay?” His eyes fell to my knee, and I realized I’d been bobbing it up and down since I got inside the helicopter.
“I’m sure once we get in the air, I’ll be just fine.”
“We hope.”
I saw Jake pull Jewels into him as they turned around and made their way back to the helicopter.
My sister began waving frantically, and I did the same as my heart filled up with such love for her. She deserved happiness and Nick gave that to her. I felt my eyes fill with dampness. I quickly looked out the window, hoping the tears would go right back to where they came from.
This was one of the oddest Christmas Eves I’d ever experienced. My sister was spending it with the man of her dreams, and my parents were off cruising the world while I agreed to spend the holiday away from home with a man I barely knew.
“Are you ready?” Jake asked, crawling into his seat.
I watched Jewels climb right into the helicopter, strap in, grab a headset and pull up a blanket, all with such grace. Meanwhile, I was back here shaking in my boots, holding back tears, and ignoring the extremely attractive man sitting next to me. At least Jewels had enough sense to jump on a Harlen man. I apparently was too chicken.
“Is that a trick question?” I chuckled, and Chance reached for my hand, holding it firmly in his.
Jake quickly flipped some switches, and I heard the blades above roar to life. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. I was going to be okay.
“At least if something happens to me, it will be doing something I love,” I said to Chance with my eyes still closed.
“That’s the spirit.” Chance’s voice suddenly appeared in my headphones, and I nearly jumped out of the chopper from the surprise. “Just make sure you open your eyes once we get close to Hound Island. Seeing the Christmas lights from this vantage point is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.”
I felt the sensation of movement and forced my eyes open. Sure enough, we began our vertical climb.
“Here it goes.” Jewels voice came over my headset.
As the helicopter lifted, so did my spirits. I was going to be okay. I nervously glanced at Chance, who was watching me carefully, and I nodded in his direction, seeing all of the sparkling lights in the distance.
“Is that town?” I asked, pointing out Chance’s window.
“It sure is.”
“My little island is so beautiful,” I whispered as Jake flew us along the coastline. “It’s like all the twinkling lights are guiding our way.”
I’d spoken too soon. Before I knew it, we were flying over the indigo expanse of water, but instead of sheer panic, I was oddly relaxed. The sun had mostly set, and the world around me was still and calm.
“How are you doing so far?” Jewels asked.
“Amazingly well,” I confessed. “I just can’t believe how beautiful the world is from up here.”
“Well, we do happen to live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country,” Jake said.
Watching him pilot us to our next destination was actually fascinating.
“We really do.” Chance sucked in a breath and glanced out the window. “It’s going to be hard to leave the islands.”
“Still going through with it?” Jewels asked.
“Possibly.” Chance’s gaze flashed to mine. “There’s a lot at play right now.”
I felt a flittering of possibility rattle around in my stomach, and I pushed it right down. He wasn’t necessarily implying anything about me. I held in a sigh and glanced at Jewels and Jake. This would have been the perfect time to ask if there was a hidden message or was I the queen of hearing things I wanted.
Or maybe it was best to keep that question under wraps.
Ever since the incident, I wondered if I’d spent years hearing and seeing a narrative that never existed. Maybe there had been red flags the entire time Mark and I dated, and I chose to ignore them.
“About five minutes from the tip of Hound,” Jake informed us. “You’ll be seeing some beautiful light shows, but I swear you’ll see mom’s lavender farm lights a mile or more out.”
“Really?” I asked.
“Hildie spares no expense when it comes to lighting up her end of the island.” Jewels chuckled and patted Jake’s shoulder.
Thousands of brilliant lights speckled the island’s tip as we flew over the rocky and treed terrain.
“It’s like a fairy tale,” I said softly, seeing even more lights come into view.
“Hound Island is pretty magical during the holidays,” Chance said.
Between houses, sheds, barns, trees, and fences dotted in Christmas lights, the island looked like one giant homing beacon.
I looked over at Chance once our helicopter flew over a forested area free of electric glitter. He looked determined, but I wasn’t sure about what.
“If you love the islands so much, why are you thinking about moving to Oregon?” I asked, shifting slightly in my seat.
“I’m considering purchasing a restaurant in Portland.”
Silence met my lips, and just like that, my heart fell with the realization there really wasn’t a possibility of us. He had dreams he needed to explore. I was perfectly content.
For the most part.
“That sounds exciting,” I said, pushing down the disappointment lurking where it shouldn’t.
He nodded and pointed out the window. “We’re coming up on the farm.”
The dazzling array of lavender and white lights blazing in front of us was breathtaking.
“Whoa,” I whispered as Jake flew the chopper around the tip of the island.
With every turn, a new display of color flashed and twinkled down below. Every little building, path, shrub, bench, and who knew what else was covered in brilliant lights. The sight below was mesmerizing.
Jake chuckled. “Leave it to mom.”
“What did she do this time?” Chance asked.
“Look at the landing spot.” Jewels laughed.
I craned my neck and saw a large heart outlined with red and white lights.
“That’s usually a circle.” Chance rolled his eyes. “Ever the opportunist.”
“Hildie is quite the romantic.” Jewels continued to laugh as she waved at the tiny form of a person down
below, ushering in the helicopter.
I glanced at Chance and his eyes stayed on mine an instant too long before looking below, but I promised myself that I would stick to the plan no matter what.
Chapter Ten
Hildie ignored Jewels, Jake, and Chance, beelining toward me with open arms.
“I hope you enjoy our little farm.” She gave me an extra long hug and only Jake and Chance’s laughter broke us apart. “So glad you could make it.”
She gave one last squeeze.
“Fresh blood always wins,” Jake teased Hildie before pulling her in for a hug.
“Good to see you, mom,” he told her before stepping away for Jewels to dive in. “Merry Christmas.”
“It’s so good to have my family here.” She smiled coyly and glanced at Chance before spinning around with her arms fluttering in the air. “What did the lights look like from above? Could you see them?”
“They’re beautiful,” I told her. “It’s just breathtaking.”
“You really outdid yourself this year,” Jake told his mom.
“Chance hung them. I only pointed.” Her laughter was like music, and I instantly felt at home even without my sister and parents by my side. “What about that heart landing circle? Was it over the top?”
“Depends on who it was for,” Chance mumbled.
Hildie chuckled. “It was for anyone who’d listen to the message. I need some weddings. I need a daughter-in-law.”
I dropped my gaze and hid my smile.
“Do you mind if we move this into the house?” Jewels asked, blowing warm air into her gloved hands. I wasn’t sure if she was cold or trying to skip over the not so subtle suggestion that she ought to walk down the aisle sooner rather than later. “I think I’m about to freeze to death.”
“I was thinking the same thing.” Hildie agreed, looping her arm through mine. “Boys, you’ve got the luggage, don’t you?”
“We sure do,” Chance said, laughing. “Glad to see your sons are so appreciated.”
“Appreciated indeed,” Hildie called over her shoulder as she looped her free arm through Jewels’. Not only was I falling more for Hildie by the second, I knew my mom would absolutely love her too.
Chance at Love on Mystic Bay (Island County Series Book 6) Page 8
