by Sophie Love
“Thank you,” she mouthed at them as she pressed Chantelle against her.
“Mommy,” Chantelle cried, clutching at Emily.
Emily held her close, hugging her hard. She led her to Daniel’s bedside.
“Daddy, you’re in so much trouble,” Chantelle scolded him.
Daniel let out a melancholic chuckle. “I know.”
“You promised you’d be careful on the boat,” she added.
“I know,” he repeated. “I’m sorry.”
Chantelle tutted and shook her head. “I think we’re going to have to ground you. Aren’t we, Mommy?”
“I think so,” Emily agreed.
Daniel nodded. “That’s for the best.”
Finally, Chantelle flung her arms around him. Emily saw Daniel sag with relief as his arms closed around his precious daughter. He was lucky to be alive, to have this chance at reconciliation. Unlike the rest of his thoughts and emotions, he didn’t need to say that aloud. Emily could see it in his eyes.
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
Emily hurried up the steps of the town hall. The wind outside was frigid, but once inside she found the place filled with people and humidity. It looked like every single person in Sunset Harbor had come for the meeting.
To her surprise, she noticed Amy amongst the crowds, and remembered the time her friend had crashed the town meeting held when she’d first arrived here, about whether she ought to be allowed to open her own inn. How times had changed.
She went up to her friend. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
Amy looked embarrassed. “I’m here for you. If Raven tears down that beautiful property and builds a swanky new inn it will damage your business. Not to mention the character of the town.”
Emily raised a skeptical eyebrow. “I can’t believe you care about the character of the town, Amy! How far you’ve come. Does that mean you’re planning on staying here indefinitely?”
Amy brushed the comment away. “I haven’t made any final decisions yet,” she said. “I’m just looking out for my best friend.”
Emily smirked and pressed her lips together. A hush fell over the room as Mayor Hansen took to the stage and walked up to the small podium. Emily found a strange rush of nostalgia as she remembered how it had felt to be on the other end of this process, to be the one being judged and evaluated. Now she was as much a part as Sunset Harbor as anyone else. Now she had the power to judge and evaluate others.
“We’re here to discuss the beachfront property,” Mayor Hansen said. “The old Ocean Breeze Inn, for those of you who’ve been here long enough to remember it as such.” He nodded to Rico in acknowledgment. “Or the mansion in disrepair for those of you who don’t. Now, Raven Kingsley is proposing to tear the place down and build a new inn on that space.” He gestured to Raven, who was sitting next to him, doing herself no favors dressed in a black fur coat and oversized shades. Mayor Hansen cleared his throat. “May I open this out to the floor?”
There was an instant hubbub.
“I oppose,” Birk from the gas station said, standing. “A new build would ruin the character of our town.”
“I agree,” Karen added. “What about the plans to open a museum for Trevor?”
“We’ve not been able to find the money for it,” Mayor Hansen explained. “The museum is definitely not going to happen. It’s either a case of leaving the property as it is, or tearing it down. It’s unsafe to merely remodel it.”
“What about Emily’s inn?” Vanessa added. “Can the town handle two places?”
All heads turned to Emily. She knew the entire room was against Raven. She hadn’t made many allies in Sunset Harbor. But after everything they’d been through, Emily couldn’t help but feel compassion toward her.
“I don’t mind a bit of competition,” Emily said.
She saw every expression on every face turn to bemusement.
“Emily,” Cynthia stage-whispered. “This one is in the bag. You just have to say no and it will be turned down.”
Emily just shrugged. She knew everyone disapproved. But she remembered being where Raven was. Disliked by everyone in town. Them all being suspicious of her motives. Thinking she was a New York City type just here for the money. She hadn’t gone as far to say she was out loud but that was everyone’s first impression of her. Raven had made things even worse for herself, talking about how Sunset Harbor was in fashion at the moment. She’d shown no support of the town, and no love for it or its people. But Emily knew there was more to it than Raven would let anyone else know.
“Raven, why don’t you explain to everyone what your plan is with the inn?” Emily called across the hall. “I think there may be some misconceptions about what you want to do.”
Raven removed her sunglasses. “You know my plan,” she said, shortly. “I’m tearing it down and building a new hotel. I want it modern, with space for conferences.”
The whole room collectively cringed.
“And your family?” Emily said. “What about them?”
A look passed Raven’s eyes. “We’ll be living onsite,” she mumbled.
This surprised everyone, Emily could tell by the increased volume of whispering.
“Now my divorce has come through,” Raven added, “I’d like to put some proper roots down.”
“So you wouldn’t just be making a quick buck and then moving on?” Emily asked.
Raven shook her head. “Not this time. I’m looking for a home.”
The hall erupted with conversation. Emily knew that Raven had played her cards close to her chest, and in reality she wasn’t particularly into the idea of the woman opening a rival business, but she also knew how the townsfolk’s minds worked. Raven deserved as much of a shot as she’d had. It was only fair.
Mayor Hansen hit his gavel on the podium for silence. “Emily, are you really saying you’re not in opposition?” he asked.
“I’d prefer the house to be restored rather than torn down,” Emily explained. “But like you said, that’s not an option anymore. It’s not safe. It can’t be salvaged. What’s the point of leaving it to languish?”
Mayor Hansen looked completely flummoxed. This clearly had not gone the way he was anticipating.
“I think we ought to adjourn this meeting for now,” he said. “With the new information about Mrs. Kingsley—”
“Ms. Kingsley,” Raven clarified.
“Sorry, Ms. Kingsley,” he corrected, “moving here as a resident.”
He banged the gavel again and the meeting was dismissed.
With a grumble, people began to stand and leave the hall. Emily was relieved the meeting had been postponed, even though she knew everyone was frustrated with her for not calling what they so obviously had wanted to hear.
“Oh, guys,” she called. Everyone stopped and looked over at her. “Before you go. Remember we’re having an open invitation Thanksgiving this year at the restaurant. Raven will be there so you can all ask her questions about her plans for the inn if you want.”
She caught Raven’s expression out of the corner of her eye. For the first time, there was a smile on her lips. Emily had known she’d be spending Thanksgiving alone now that her husband was out of the picture and the thought troubled her. No one should be alone on Thanksgiving.
The rest of the congregation looked a bit guilty at their ungrateful attitudes earlier. They turned their grumbling dissatisfaction into kind words of gratitude to Emily for hosting the event.
She smiled to herself as everyone left, wishing them well and saying she couldn’t wait to see them tomorrow at the meal. Her conscience was clear and that was what mattered to Emily. She’d done the right thing by her fellow human.
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
The restaurant had never looked so beautiful. Each table was covered in a hessian-blue tablecloth and had a floral bouquet filled with camellias and amaryllis. Beside each placemat was a sprig of red berries. There were candles everywhere, on the tables and all around the restaurant, m
aking it sparkle like it was filled with stars.
Amazing smells emanated from the kitchen. They were serving a special menu just for the night consisting of all the dishes they’d cooked in Greece for Roy on their early Thanksgiving meal.
Emily was filled with excited anticipation for the evening.
Just then, Owen arrived, his sheet music under one arm. He greeted Emily in his usual shy manner.
“I have some news,” he told her. “This will be my last concert. I’m leaving Sunset Harbor.”
“Oh!” Emily exclaimed. She’d miss Owen. He felt like part of the family he was here so often. “Where are you moving to?”
“Singapore,” he replied, and Emily suddenly remembered Serena’s artist scholarship. She must have decided to go for it after all. She turned to Owen and smiled. “I’m really happy for you,” she said.
Owen thanked her and then took his seat at the piano and began to play, ready for the guests to arrive.
Emily stood at the doors beside Harry, feeling a little wistful as the cold fall air rushed past her.
“Are you okay?” Harry asked.
Emily smiled and nodded. “Just thinking about how things always change,” she said. “The world keeps on turning. Life keeps on moving forward. Do you ever wish you could just pause things?”
Harry looked at her with contemplation. “Do you know what, I don’t think I do,” he said, finally. “I like the way life changes. Because even when you hit rough spots you know you’ll get out the other end. Even when things are tough it won’t be like that forever. I like knowing that everything can always change, that people can come into your life that you’d never expected and shake everything up.”
Emily could see in his eyes that he was thinking of Amy, of how he’d never predicted someone like her coming into his life. She smiled, comforted by his glass half full approach to difficulties. She decided to follow in his footsteps. Tonight, of all nights, she needed to remember all the good in her life, not think about the hardships.
The first of their guests arrived, and Emily and Harry greeted them warmly. Soon, more and more townsfolk came streaming in. This was the most elaborate event Emily had ever thrown, not to mention the most well attended.
She looked around the busy restaurant at all the friendly people. There was a table of school parents, including Raven and Yvonne, as well as Holly, who was making her first outing since the miscarriage. Tilly and her mom were in attendance, and even Mrs. Doyle had made an appearance with her equally sour-faced husband.
There was a table of Daniel’s friends and Emily laughed as she saw they had already popped open their champagne and were taking sips of it then pulling faces. The three of them were much more into their beer, and she remembered she’d have to stock up if they did indeed take up her offer to stay at the inn and work on the island until the renovation work was complete.
Roman had come too, and he sat at a table with Astrid, who was now employed as his fitness instructor, and George, who it looked to Emily like was now her new boyfriend.
Just then Emily saw Paul Knowlson, the guest who’d been staying in apartment four of Trevor’s house, coming down the stairs. He was carrying his cases and seemed to be heading out, going against the flow of people. She stopped him at the door.
“Are you checking out?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yes, my booking is over today.”
“You should stay for some food at least,” she told him.
Paul looked touched. “Thanks, maybe I will.” He put his case down at his feet. “You know, I should think about buying a B&B in Maine sometime. There’s something about this place.”
Emily smiled. “There certainly is. And I don’t mind a bit of competition.” She cast her eyes across the room to where Raven was chatting with Yvonne, looking more relaxed and happy than she had yet. “But you might have a run for your money with that one.” She pointed Raven out to Paul and chuckled. “She is one shrewd businesswoman.”
Paul looked intimidated by Raven immediately. “Yeah, I might wait a little while in that case. I’ve gone head to head with people like her before. I’m not sure I’m ready for a war.”
Emily laughed and showed Paul to a table, placing him in the spare seat beside Bryony.
When she turned back to head to the door, she realized with surprise that there were two people there who looked extremely out of place, more so than Raven in her head to toe black. The first person was Jayne, dressed in a power suit like she was heading to the office rather than a Thanksgiving meal. Beside her was Emily’s mom.
Emily was so stunned she lost her breath entirely. She wended her way through the tables and hurried to the main door.
“Mom, what are you doing here?” she gasped. “Did you drive up with Jayne?”
Patricia turned to her, her usually sour face a little softer.
“She let slip she was heading here,” Patricia said.
Emily caught Jayne mouthing sorry out the corner of her eye. But there was nothing to apologize for. Emily realized that her mother was very much welcome. She wanted her here for the first time in her life.
“Come on,” Emily said, taking her hand. “I’ll find a space for you at the family table.”
She led Patricia through the restaurant, clasping her hand like a little girl. When Daniel saw them approaching, his eyes widened. He leapt from his seat.
“Patricia,” he gasped. “You’re here.”
“Don’t look so stunned,” Patricia replied. “I’m not moving in or anything. It’s just dinner.”
“Of course,” he spluttered, pulling her chair for her.
“Thank you, dear,” she said as she sat.
Over the top of her head, Daniel gave Emily a look. She just shrugged, feeling as bewildered herself as he clearly was.
“Who are you?” Chantelle asked then, turning to the unfamiliar woman suddenly sitting beside her.
“I’m your grandmother,” Patricia said.
Chantelle paused, as if pondering the words for a moment. “Cool,” she said finally. “On which side?”
“Your mom’s.”
“So you used to be married to Papa Roy?”
Emily tensed then, worried her mom might be triggered by the mention of her ex-husband and make a scene. But to her surprise, she just smiled.
“Yes. A long time ago.”
“Are you sad that he’s dying?” Chantelle asked.
“Very sad,” Patricia replied.
“Me too,” Chantelle said, glumly. Then she suddenly gasped. “I forgot to look for the hidey hole!”
Patricia frowned with confusion as Chantelle hastily pushed her chair back.
“What’s the matter with her?” she asked Emily.
But Emily couldn’t stop from laughing. Chantelle certainly did know how to make a scene. She watched as the child ran out of the restaurant.
Patricia continued her bemused questioning. “Where is she going?”
“Just wait,” Emily told her.
A little while later, Chantelle hurried back into the restaurant. In her left hand she was holding a brick. In her right was a bag.
“What did Papa Roy leave you then?” Emily asked as she took her seat again.
“Seeds!” Chantelle cried. “To grow watermelons!”
Emily laughed. That was a very typical gift from her father. Something poignant, small, but packed with meaning. Watermelons like the ones they’d eaten in Greece. She wondered when during his visit he’d stashed them there, and whether he’d known at the time he did it that Chantelle would one day join him in Greece.
Just then, Emily heard the sound of someone tapping their glass to get attention. The room became quiet and everyone turned to see that it was Harry who was standing.
“I just wanted to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart,” he said. “Opening a restaurant was always a dream of mine. And now I’ve done it! I never imagined it would be this successful, and that’s all because of you guys and your suppo
rt, and Emily and Daniel for giving me this chance, and of course, my gorgeous Amy for always putting her faith in me and encouraging me to reach for the stars.”
He turned then, looking at Amy. Emily felt a sudden hitch in her chest, as she realized what was about to happen.
“Which is why,” Harry said, and his hand reached for his pocket.
Everyone gasped. Amy’s hands flew up to cover her mouth.
Harry produced a small box and got down onto one knee. “Which is why I’d like to ask you to marry me,” he said finally.
The whole room let out a roar of excitement. Tears blurred Emily’s vision. She felt Chantelle’s excited hand on hers, squeezing, as the girl bounced excitedly in her seat.
Through her misty vision, Emily just about made out the sight of Amy nodding. The room erupted with applause, a standing ovation. Emily stood and clapped, too, and watched with utter joy as Harry slid the ring onto Amy’s finger.
When she sat, Daniel reached for her across the table.
“I’ve made my mind up,” he said. “About the shop. I’m going to do it. I’m going to do what you suggested, make bespoke children’s furniture.”
“You are?” Emily gasped. “What changed your mind?”
“What Harry just said,” Daniel replied. “I didn’t realize you just wanted me to succeed and live my dreams. I thought you were pushing me for more money and I was so stressed with the workload at the time it seemed impossible. But I can see now you were only ever trying to support me.”
Emily smiled, glad, and filled with gratitude. “Now. Let’s eat!”
They all tucked into the myriad dishes, eating until they were stuffed. Once the main meal was over, they went to the inn for spiced rum cocktails and dessert.
Emily caught up with Amy and hugged her. “Congratulations. I guess that means you’re staying now.”
“I guess it does,” Amy replied. “You’ll be seeing me at more town meetings, sticking my nose in and ordering everyone around!”
