“Yours.”
She reached into the box and grabbed the first item her hand found. She took it out and unwrapped it. “Look, it’s another ornament. A photo frame.” She looked carefully at the image. “It’s two little girls. And I’m pretty sure this one is Nana.” She pointed to one of the girls in the picture.
Randy peered at it. “They look to be about five or so, don’t they?”
“I guess so. I wonder who the other girl is?”
“I don’t know. I kind of remember seeing it on her tree though. She never said anything about it.” He frowned, staring hard at the photo.
“I don’t know how we’ll figure this one out.”
“Might be another unanswerable like Fred and Lula of the music box.”
“But I want to figure them all out.” She shook her head. “I guess I’m greedy. Or selfish. I should be happy we’ve discovered why she kept so many of the pieces.”
“It has been interesting to find out more about Miss G, but I guess we’ll have to be content with what we’ve found out so far.”
“I hope we have better luck tomorrow.” She chased away the sense of defeat of not knowing who the other girl was in the photo.
Randy stood. “Well, I’ve got to go. I’ve got a bunch of work to catch up on today that needs to be finished.”
“I won’t keep you then.” She rose and walked him to the door.
After he left, she stood alone in the cottage at loose ends. She could pack up more of Nana’s things. But now that she wasn’t going to sell it, there seemed to be no hurry.
Wait? What? Had she decided? Was she really staying? Her lips broke into a wide smile. Yes. The decision was made. She was staying. And just like Tally said, she’d find a way to make it work.
Late that afternoon, as the sun dipped lower in the sky, Evie found herself drawn to Lighthouse Point. It was Nana’s favorite place on the island.
As she approached the towering structure, memories flooded back of picnics on sunny days, stargazing on clear nights, and countless conversations that had shaped her life. How many times had she come here with Nana? Too many to count. Her heart and mind filled with the joy and warmth of those memories.
She stood on the beach beneath the lighthouse as her gaze swept across the horizon, where the sky met the sea in a hazyline. The rhythmic sound of waves against the shore matched the beating of her heart.
“Nana, I’m going to stay here on the island. I want to stay here.”
As a gentle breeze caressed her face, she could almost sense Nana’s presence. With a surge of certainty, she knew that Nana would have approved of her decision.
As she shifted her weight, something caught her eye. She bent down and plucked a perfectly formed white cat’s paw shell from the sand. Turning it over in her hand, she marveled at its delicate ridges and smooth interior. The shell felt cool against her skin as she closed her fingers around it.
“Make it possible for me to stay. To find a job. To live here on Belle Island. Make it all work out if it’s meant to be,” she said softly as the breeze carried her words, filled with hope, out over the sea.
Taking a deep breath, she drew back her arm and sent the shell soaring through the air. It arced gracefully before disappearing beneath the shimmering surface of the water with a soft splash, carrying her wishes out to sea.
CHAPTER 14
Evie hummed to herself as she moved about the kitchen, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. The morning sunlight streamed through the windows and spilled across the familiar space. She breathed in deeply, a simple moment that reminded her so much of lazy mornings with Nana. And soon, this would be hers. As Tally had said, she’d find a way if she really wanted it.
As she reached for a mug, a sharp knock at the door made her pause and a smile tugged at her lips. Randy, no doubt, coming by with his usual morning treat and to open another item from the Christmas box.
She hurried to the door, her bare feet padding softly across the worn wooden floor. She smoothed her hair quickly, then reached for the doorknob, ready to greet Randy with a warm smile.
But as the door swung open, her smile faltered. Instead of Randy’s friendly face, she found herself face-to-face with a stern-looking man in a crisp suit. His expression was impassive, almost cold, and he clutched a sleek leather briefcase in one hand.
“Good morning,” the man said, his voice as stiff as his posture. “Are you Genevieve Chancey?”
Her breath caught. “Ah no, that’s my grandmother.”
“I need to see her.” It was more a command than a request.
