“How will we ever figure out why she had this?”
“Now this time, I’m not sure. Maybe she found it?”
“Maybe. But it seems like all the items have a deeper meaning than just something she found and liked, doesn’t it?”
“I guess so.”
“Maybe this is another one we won’t find out about, just like we don’t know who that little girl is in that photo ornament with Nana or who Fred and Lula are.” She had to admit she was getting a little discouraged that they weren’t doing very well with figuring out why Nana kept some of the items.
He looked over at her. “You okay?”
She attempted a smile. “I’m fine. It’s just been a really long day.”
He stood up. “I should go. Let you get some rest.”
She rose. “I’m probably lousy company now, anyway.”
He reached out and touched her cheek, running his finger across it lightly. “You are never lousy company.” He took her hand as they walked to the door.
He paused at the door, wrapped his arms around her, and held her close. “It’s going to be okay. You’ll see.”
As he slowly stroked her back, she could almost—almost—believe his words.
Almost.
He pulled back and gazed at her intently, his eyes searching hers. Her breath caught in her throat and her pulse quickened.
Was he going to kiss her?
The moment stretched between them, charged with unspoken possibility. But then his expression softened into a small, lopsided smile that made her heart skip a beat. Without aword, he turned and walked out the door, leaving her standing there with both disappointment and longing swirling inside of her.
As she watched him go, she wondered what might have happened if he had stayed just a moment longer.
Though maybe she’d read the situation wrong. Maybe he hadn’t wanted to kiss her.
But did shewanthim to kiss her?
Everything in her life was so up in the air right now. Just a day after she thought she’d had things figured out.
She turned and looked around the room. Even the Christmas decorations and pretty lights couldn’t hide the stack of packing boxes mocking her in the corner of the room.
Uneasiness settled on her shoulders. Should she go ahead and keep packing? Because if she lost the cottage, she’d have to have all this sorted out.
But she didn’t have the heart to attempt it tonight. She flicked off the lights and headed to bed, hoping to escape into a book.
CHAPTER 16
Evie woke up early the next morning, determined to at least sort through more of Nana’s things. They would need sorting out no matter if she stayed here or left the island. She’d barely slept, tossing and turning, as worrying about the cottage’s future haunted her dreams. She quickly got dressed and went to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. With cup in hand, she headed to the storage closet.
She stood back, taking in all the shelves spread out before her. She set the cup on a shelf and pulled out a small, sturdy stepladder. Placing it near the furthest shelving unit, she slowly climbed up the steps and reached up to the top shelf to grab a large box. Carefully balancing it on her hip, she climbed down the ladder.
The box was labeled: Important Papers. But it wasn’t her grandmother’s writing. Maybe her grandfather’s? She tucked the box under one arm, carried her coffee with the other hand, and headed to the kitchen so she’d have better light. She set the box on the table and pulled off the lid. Inside was a small metal box with a lock on it.
Now how would she figure out how to open it? She scowled at it, thinking. She tried the street address. No luck. Hergrandmother’s birthday. No luck. Then she paused and slowly tried her birthday. The box opened wide for her.
The documents inside were old and crinkled. She sifted through the papers, opening each one and glancing at it. Near the bottom of the stack was a yellowed, typewritten document. As she unfolded it, her heart sank. It was an exact copy of the document Mr. Barlowe had shown her, signed by her grandfather. A handwritten note tumbled out that simply said “loan from Bart Barlowe.”
She knew in her heart that this proved that the Barlowes’ claim was valid. She dropped onto the chair. Why hadn’t Nana told her? Did she even know?
