Eleanor sat in Jonah’s living room, staring at the ceiling fan as it made lazy circles above her head. Winston was curled at her feet, occasionally twitching in his sleep. The window was slightly open, allowing the breeze to carry in the sounds of hammering and distant voices as people worked to rebuild their homes.
“More tea?” Jonah asked, holding up the pot.
“No, thank you. I’ve had enough.” She glanced at the clock on the mantel. Cliff had left hours ago, after saying something about helping Mrs. Henderson with her damaged fence. His newfound helpfulness bewildered her.
Jonah settled into the armchair across from her. “You know, I saw Cliff at the library helping board up those broken windows, and a few days ago, he was helping Jake unload some more supplies for the hardware store.”
Her fingers found their way to the arm of the sofa, tapping rhythmically. “Yes, well, I suspect he has ulterior motives. Get everyone to like him so they’ll support that high-rise he wants to build.”
“Maybe.” Jonah shrugged. “Or maybe he’s just helping because help is needed.”
“Cliff doesn’t do things without getting something in return. That’s not how he operates.”
“People can change, Ellie.”
She shot him a look. “At his age? Unlikely.”
“You changed.” Jonah smiled mischievously. “You weren’t always the warm, cuddly woman you are today.”
Despite herself, her lips twitched upward. “Careful there, sir.”
He was still grinning as he reached for his cup. “I’m just saying, people can surprise you. Even your son.”
She sighed. The last few weeks had left her feeling adrift. Her home damaged, her town in disarray, and now her son acting completely out of character. Nothing made sense anymore.
“Anyway, it seems like he’s helping half the town,” she admitted reluctantly. “Darlene mentioned he brought over generators from the mainland to the senior center when their power went out.”
“He’s been busy,” Jonah agreed.
“But why? Why now? He hasn’t cared about this town in years. He left suddenly years ago and barely came back to visit. And when he did return, it was to build some enormous eyesore that would ruin everything that makes Magnolia Key special.”
“Maybe the hurricane changed his perspective.”
“A hurricane doesn’t change who someone is at their core.” But even as she said the words, doubt crept in. She’d seen the look on Cliff’s face when they’d returned to find her house damaged. Real concern, not the polished sympathy he usually displayed.
“I just don’t understand him,” she admitted.
“Have you tried asking him why he’s helping?”
“No.” She folded her arms across her chest.
Jonah chuckled. “You two are so alike sometimes.”
“We are nothing alike,” she protested.
“Stubborn. Proud. Unwilling to admit when you might be wrong.” He counted off on his fingers. “Should I continue?”
“You’ve said more than enough.”
He smiled, unaffected by her warning tone. “You know what I think? I think he’s trying to make amends in his own way.”
“By fixing roofs and clearing debris? That doesn’t erase years of absence. Or his plans to destroy the character of this town.”
“Maybe not. But it’s something.” He paused. “You know, yesterday I overheard him talking to the mayor about establishing a fund for residents who didn’t have adequate insurance.”
That caught her by surprise. “A fund? With whose money?”
“His, apparently. And maybe a fundraiser.”
