by Clay, Verna
Vicky felt her own eyes welling with tears.
Young Rose handed her great-grandmother a tissue before passing the tissue box to Vicky, who passed it to Gabby and Faith.
Elderly Rose resumed her story. "When I was twenty-one, I met a woman named Kathryn Beaufort at the library. She saw a book I was reading and commented on it, and since she was often at the library, as was I, we became friends. We were so close that I invited her to my wedding and often into my home. She was kind and lovely and even helped me after the birth of my son, who was Rose's grandfather. Sadly, he passed away two years ago and I have grieved his loss, for it doesn't seem right that a mother should outlive her son." She dabbed her eyes and sadly smiled at them.
Young Rose said, "Grammy, do you want to rest? We can come back later."
"No, dearest. I need to finish my tale and then hear what these ladies have to say." She returned her gaze to Vicky. "When I reached middle-age, my dear friend became ill with a lung condition and my husband and I brought her into our home to care for her. She only lived a few weeks, but I shall never forget our time together."
Tears flowed down Rose's cheeks. "Caring for her was the least we could do after her devotion to me and my family. Eventually, my dearest friend succumbed to death. But before she died, she said something I will never forget." Rose's lips trembled. "She told me, 'My life was heaven, and then it became hell, and finally heaven again. I thank Providence for giving you back to me. I'm your mother, Rose'." Rose paused to compose herself before continuing, "Of course I was shocked, but I knew her words were true as I reached into the depth of my memories and the sweet mother who had loved me so much. After that, we discussed what had happened, and I knew she had been right in not revealing herself until her death. It was her way of honoring the man and woman who had raised me and given me so much love."
Rose seemed to melt into the pillows as she finished her story by saying, "Kathryn died the next day without revealing her previous home."
The room was silent until Vicky asked, "Did she tell you about your father?"
Rose smiled slightly, "Only that I was conceived in love by a man that wasn't her husband. I did not press her for details. Knowing that they had loved each other was enough." She glanced from Gabby to Faith to Vicky. "Have you come with the rest of the story?"
"We have. But that story should only be told by your mother. We discovered her diary through amazing circumstances and it solves the mystery of two missing persons, years apart, which has been the topic of speculation in our town for decades. We've given the diary to your great-granddaughter."
Young Rose laid the diary on her great-grandmother's lap, and with shaking hands, the beautiful lady touched the leather pouch and stared at it for a long time. Then she said, "How I've longed to hear from my best friend and mother since her death. Thank you for bringing her back to me."
Vicky stood and leaned down to kiss the frail woman's cheek. "In delivering this diary to you, it is now with its rightful owner, and hearing your story has given closure to two mysteries." She smiled. "But the resolution will remain our secret." Her smile widened. "After all, speculations about what happened to you and your mother has energized our townspeople and tourists for years."
Elderly Rose dabbed her eyes, sighed, and said, "Thank you." She moved her gaze to her great-granddaughter. "Rose, my beloved, please read my mother's words to me."
30: Christmas Prom
Twirling in front of the mirror, Sunny couldn't believe she was wearing such a beautiful gown and attending the Night of Wonder Christmas Prom at Hope High School with Noah. Since her Halloween meltdown she and Noah had become close friends, and more. They often kissed, but when things started to get out of hand, he always backed off and became the perfect gentleman. And the fact that he did so, made Sunny love him even more.
There was a knock on her door and Gabby called, "Can I come in?"
Sunny rushed to the door and threw it open. She was anxious to hear Gabby's assessment of her appearance.
Gabby's eyes widened as she took in the pale green, frothy chiffon dress with silver jewels adorning the bodice, cap sleeves, and tight cummerbund waistband. "You look positively gorgeous! Turn around so I can see the back."
Sunny pivoted.
"Classic. Just classic," said Gabby. "It's low enough to be classically stylish."
Sunny released a sigh. "Thank you for helping me choose this dress. Between you, Faith and Sandy, with Sandy's knowledge of the best websites for prom dresses, I knew we'd find the perfect one." Suddenly caught up in a sentimental moment she said past the lump in her throat, "I never thought I'd attend a prom, much less one after I'd already graduated." She patted her hair, which Sandy had styled that afternoon into a softer look than her usual "spikiness," and asked, "Have I mussed my hair?"
"No. It's gorgeous." Gabby gave her little hug. "Honey, you look like a princess and you deserve this night. Enjoy it to the fullest." The doorbell rang. "I'll let Noah in. You come down when you're ready."
Ten minutes later, with her heart in her throat, Sunny descended the stairs from the third floor and entered the kitchen. Passing through the kitchen, she stepped into the dining room and heard voices coming from the library. Inhaling a deep breath, she walked to the open door and paused.
Noah, who had been conversing with Gabby, stopped speaking and gaped at her. Shyly, she met his gaze as he stepped forward. When he was in front of her, he bent and kissed her cheek. "You're beautiful, Sunny, and I'm the luckiest guy in the world."
His compliment touched her heart in such a way that she wanted to cry. Never, in her wildest dreams, had she suspected that stepping on broken glass would land her in a town she loved, with a job she loved, and most of all, with a boyfriend she loved.
Gabby said enthusiastically, "I've got my camera. Let's take some photos before you leave."
Several photos were snapped and then Noah escorted Sunny to his Mustang. During the drive she became even more nervous and tapped her fingers on her knees. Noah reached and clasped her hand, squeezing it.
Finally, the moment she had never thought to experience, happened. Holding Noah's arm, she entered Hope High School's cafeteria that had been decorated with red and green streamers, white penlights, a huge Happy Holidays banner, and a gigantic centrally located Christmas tree twinkling with white lights, silver garland, and ornaments that were the school's colors of green and blue. The room was a fairytale come to life. Christmas music blared through large speakers, and around the tree several couples were dancing to A Holly Jolly Christmas by Lady Antebellum.
Sunny placed her hand over her heart and tried to take it all in. Noah bent to whisper in her ear. "Do you like it?"
"I love it," she breathed.
Greeters welcomed them and ushered them to the photographer's corner, where all arrivals posed for pictures. The backdrop for their photo was a huge mural of a fireplace with garland cascading from the mantle and four red stockings bulging with gifts. Noah placed his arm around Sunny's waist and pulled her close to his side. He said something funny and when she laughed, the photographer snapped the picture. "Perfect!" said the short, chubby man Sunny had seen at Mama Pink's Diner a few times. He snapped two more pictures before releasing them. "You kids have a great time!"
Noah was obviously popular as he skirted the dance floor with Sunny and replied to several greetings. He stopped near the refreshment table. "Would you like something to drink?"
"No. I just want to stand here for a few minutes."
Noah squeezed her hand as she took everything in.
The music changed to Christmas Without You by OneRepublic and Noah said, "Would you like to dance?"
As nervous as Sunny was, she knew they couldn't stand by the wayside all night. "Yes, I would." On the dance floor she placed her arms around Noah's shoulders and he circled her waist. Moving slowly with the music, she laid her head against his shoulder and sighed. Her life was perfect.
When the song ended, some of Noa
h's friends came over and he introduced Sunny. They were all friendly, even the girls, and she heaved a sigh of relief. No one even stared at her different colored eyes. But then, maybe the room was too dark for them to notice.
As the evening progressed, so did Sunny's acceptance of the type of kids she'd always tried to avoid. She and Noah danced almost every dance and they clapped and cheered when two of his friends were named King and Queen. There were short speeches made by the King and Queen and then their court was announced. After that, the principal said a few words, encouraging the students to always remember the importance of giving and receiving, not only at Christmas, but as a way of life. She then announced that she had several awards to hand out. Lifting a paper she began calling out names. When Noah's name was mentioned for being voted "Most Helpful," Sunny wasn't the least surprised. He stepped forward to receive a small medallion Christmas ornament, thanked the crowd, and then lifted it toward Sunny. "For you, Sunny."
Sunny blinked back tears. Noah was everything she had ever dreamed of.
After the awards ceremony there was more dancing, but finally Sunny had to excuse herself to find the restroom. Noah pointed. "Over there, Sunshine."
Sunny entered the bathroom and a stall. She heard some giggling girls enter and then one of them said, "Her name is Sunny and I can't believe Noah brought her to the prom. I hear she's older than him and already graduated."
Another girl responded, "He'll probably forget about her after he leaves for college."
"Yeah, I hear she works at Hope B & B as a maid. And that's probably all she'll ever be—a maid. There was a reason he was voted Most Helpful. He thinks he has to help every loser that comes along."
The other girl agreed, "Yeah. And what's with her weird eyes?"
Something was said that Sunny couldn't understand and then they started talking about their makeup. A few minutes later they left the room.
For long moments Sunny tried to keep from hyperventilating. In all of her life, even during high school, she had never heard such spiteful words directed at her, and in a millisecond the joy she'd felt at finally finding a home, a boyfriend, a job, and friends, was extinguished. Her life was forever destined for heartbreak, and once again she closed her heart off.
Later, when Noah walked her to the door at the B & B, she knew he was confused by her behavior. For his sake, she had tried to act the same as before overhearing the spiteful words, and mostly pulled it off, but now she knew he was going to question her. Before he could ask what was wrong, she placed her arms around his neck and kissed him with a passion wrought from the depths of her sorrow. This was her goodbye kiss. She was going to leave Somewhere because Noah deserved more than a loser like her.
Noah returned her kiss and deepened it. His hands roamed her bare back and then held her tightly against him. His mouth moved possessively over hers. She wanted to pull away, but couldn't.
"I want you so much, Sunny," he rasped.
She kissed him one last time and gently pushed against his chest. Breathless, she said, "I have to go in."
Noah leaned his forehead against hers. "I know."
Before he could say more, she turned, quickly opened the door, and stepped inside. She shut the door and leaned against it, gulping back a sob.
31: Christmas Eve
It was two days before Christmas and Noah was airing his head out by walking on his grandfather's marina. Since the prom five days earlier, he knew that Sunny was avoiding him, but when he'd pressed her for the reason, she'd insisted she didn't know what he was talking about. He had an idea that something had happened at the prom, but when he'd flat out asked what it was, she'd maintained that he was being ridiculous.
He spotted Mathias Ahlberg unhitching his old trawler from its mooring and the beefy man waved and called, "Hi Noah! Beautiful day!"
Noah jogged over to the trawler. "It sure is. Where are you headed?"
Mathias smoothed a hand over his bald head. "Out for a day of fishing. I need some breathing space. My ex-wife called to say she's sending our teenage daughter my way because she's uncontrollable and rebellious. I'm supposed to pick her up at the Portland Airport on Christmas Day."
Unsure of the appropriate response, Noah said, "That's heavy."
"Yeah." Mathias finished unmooring. "You want to join me?"
Noah didn't even have to think about the offer. A day at sea would allow him some breathing space, too. "I'd love to."
On Christmas Eve morning Sunny woke with a heavy heart. As much as she'd wanted to leave Somewhere before Christmas, she couldn't bring herself to do so. Just once, she wanted to spend Christmas somewhere with a real family and pretend she was part of it. She also wanted to attend Faith and Baxter's wedding. So, her new plan was to give Gabby notice the day after New Year's.
She dressed and descended the old servant's stairs into the kitchen and immediately knew something was terribly wrong. Gabby's face was puffy from crying and Jennie and James expressions were stark. Jennie saw her and shook her head.
"What's wrong?" asked Sunny.
James said, "Gabby got some bad news this morning. Leo called to say that Noah and Mathias, another resident of Somewhere, are missing and he asked for prayer. Someone saw them leave the marina in Mathias' trawler yesterday afternoon, but they haven't returned."
Sunny gasped and covered her mouth with her fist.
Gabby finally spoke. "The coast guard and several local vessels are searching for them and–" Her cell phone rang and she grabbed it from her pocket. "Hello." She listened for a moment and then said goodbye. Tears clouded her eyes. "Debris identified as from the trawler has been discovered. There's no sign of the boat or the missing men."
Sunny gulped back a sob at the reality that she may never see Noah again.
The remainder of the day was a nightmare as more debris was discovered and hope for the men's rescue became less likely. By nightfall, with the house full of Gabby's closest friends, Sunny had to escape the sadness. She grabbed her coat and slipped out the kitchen door, running across the yard and then down the sidewalk. She didn't stop running even when she reached the B & B's private beach. She ran until she was on the public beach and still didn't stop. Finally, she could run no more and fell to her knees, sobbing. She gasped for air and prostrated across the sand. For a long time she cried and berated herself for the way she had treated Noah. He was the most wonderful man in the world and she loved him beyond comprehension.
Look up.
Sunny held back a sob.
Look up.
Was she hearing things? Was her mind playing a trick on her?
Look up. You don't have much time.
She lifted her head to stare into the dark night.
Look up.
She raised her gaze higher and saw something so magnificent in the sky that she jumped to her feet.
"What's that!" she called aloud, and became enraptured by swirling colors of pink, blue, violet, green, and white enveloping the northern sky. Something that Noah had said came to remembrance and she again spoke aloud, "Those are the Northern Lights."
Something else he'd said popped into her mind. The first person to see the lights each year and make a wish will have their wish come true.
Immediately, Sunny dropped to her knees, bowed her head, and cried out, "Please, please, let Noah and Mathias be found alive! That's my wish! Please! Please! Please!" Her words ended on a sob and she glanced up.
The lights were gone.
Gabby sat in a chair in the library and heard the buzz of soft conversation in the room. Her friends had joined her in the vigil for Noah and Mathias and she thanked the heavens for such wonderful people. And when she thought about Leo and what he must be going through, her chin wobbled. She'd been told that even now, at night, he was on a boat searching the vast ocean. It had been twenty-four hours since the men were reported missing, and the more time that elapsed, the less likely they would be found.
Her cell phone rang. The room became silent.
32: Christmas Day
Sunny sat in the waiting room of Somewhere's only hospital with Gabby, Leo, Baxter, Faith, Vicky, and other people she only knew by sight, and stared at the wall mounted television. A late night show was showcasing houses across the country decorated for Christmas, but the sound was too low for her to understand anything being said. It didn't matter; she couldn't make herself pay attention.
The only information about Noah and Mathias that had been gleaned was that they had been found holding onto a deflated rubber lifeboat and rescued by Michael Wainwright, the resort builder that everyone in town seemed to despise.
The waiting room door opened and a woman in doctor's garb entered. Everyone jumped to their feet to hear the report.
The doctor smiled. "Both men are doing fine. They're suffering from exposure, dehydration, and hypothermia, but I expect they'll fully recover in a few days. "
Sunny felt tears sting her eyes and glanced at Leo. He was tearing up, too.
"Can we see him, Dr. Hall?" asked Gabby.
The doctor replied, "Although I talked him into waiting to see visitors until tomorrow, he insisted on seeing one person." She glanced at Sunny. "Are you Sunny?"
"Y-yes."
"Noah said he won't rest until he sees you."
Sunny glanced around the group and was relieved that no one seemed upset by that.
"Follow me," said the doctor.
