Pulling up to the Stardust Motel, the only one in town that happened to have a gorgeous view of the water and sky, he smiled. “Well, this is home. It's no palace, Olive. Not like the one we just left back in the city, but it will do for now.”
The well-worn clapboard of the one-level motel was faded, but still a lovely yellow. Ronan entered the front office area. “I’d like a room, please.”
“For how long?” Eyes that he’d never thought to see again met his.
“James, it’s good to see you!”
They clasped hands, Ronan stunned by how much he’d changed. “Apparently, you haven’t aged along with this town, but goodness, you’ve changed otherwise.”
“Ronan. I never thought to see the likes of you again.” He pulled out a tray of sandwiches. “Don’t say I gave you any. The wife is forever trying to fatten me up since I had that bypass surgery. I had to get rid of the luggage I could never lose as a kid, and she wants me to put it back on. Take the whole thing if you want. I’ll pretend I ate it. She’s driving me nuts. So much for supporting my good health. She thinks healthy eating means a piece of lettuce on the sandwich.”
“Wow, these are good. Thank you.”
“How long are you planning on staying? And what brought you back here?”
“My heart was aching for home, so it was time. I have a friend with me. Her name is Olive.”
“Oh, well, should I be dusting off the covers in the bridal suite for you? Do I finally hear wedding bells? Is that why you came home?”
Ronan laughed. “No, she’s my dog.”
“Oh. Well, in that case, I’ll have my wife bring over some meaty bones. What kind of dog?”
Ronan loved the look on people’s faces when he told them what kind of dog he had. “Bichon Frisé.”
“A what?”
“Never mind, James, it’s a small dog. My traveling companion doesn’t take up much room.”
Five
Jonah was up and heading out as Luna was blinking her eyes open. “Donnie is picking me up to go to the gym. I’ll be back, Mom.”
“You have school tomorrow. I have to enroll you, and we have some shopping to do. Be back here by 3 p.m. so we can have Nicky take us.”
“School supplies?”
“Yeah, we left everything behind, remember?”
"Can't I have Donnie or Shaun take me?”
“I guess.” Luna felt a twinge of disappointment when he left. “Why does he have to grow up so fast? Everything is changing between us.”
She consoled herself with a cup of coffee and more work cleaning things up, trying not to think about what she was going to do when Jonah went off to college in a few years.
“Hey, honey, I’m here to take you for a nail appointment. We need a bit of pampering.” Nicky stood outside the front door, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Do we have to do this today? I’d really appreciate your help cleaning this place up. You and Shaun said you would. Getting amanicure or being pampered is useless at this point. It will only get ruined.”
Nicky rolled her eyes. “Fine, I’ll help a bit, but then I want to grab some ice cream. I’ve been on this keto diet and it’s not working. I think I need a treat so I can be back at it on Monday.”
“Why, may I ask, do you feel the need to diet? You look gorgeous.” Luna handed her a long shirt to put over her nice clean outfit and some gloves to protect her skin.
Hours later, they were done. “Well, if we don’t look like maids that cleaned a haunted mansion, I don’t know what.” Luna smiled.
“I’m done. We're off to get pampered and have some food. I’m calling Emma and she can join us. Maybe Bonnie, too.”
Jonah walked through the door. “Hey, Mom.”
