“You know, other than this dingy house, I think it’s cool. I like what I see of the town. I did a bit of research online while I was waiting for you to get up. Enchanted Cove really is remarkable. And this house, why didn’t you tell me the downstairs was part boat charter business? I found a really cool boat there.”
“I told you, Jonah, you just weren’t listening. I told you on the flight here. You know I never planned on coming back here. It still feels like I’m dreaming, even now.”
Jonah amused himself by looking out the windows and studying books he found while Luna tried to clear her sleepy eyes.
“Well, we're here now, and I think it’s kinda cool. We just need to get rid of this dingy, ugly furniture.”
“Okay, I’ll get right on that and use your college money for it. How does that sound?”
Jonah’s chin dropped open. “No. I don’t think so. Okay, so maybe we only get rid of a few things and live with the rest.”
“Exactly.”
Jonah frowned. “I thought that last book you wrote was a bestseller?”
“No, that was not the last one or the one before it, but the one before that. I haven’t been hitting the mark lately. Besides, I owe a ton in back taxes on this property. There just hasn’t been enough to go around for everyone in the last few years. If I don’t find a way around this, I won’t be any good to anyone.”
Jonah looked thoughtful, then his eyes lit up. “Why not start the charter business again? I could navigate, and you could be the boss.”
“Not a chance, son. I lost a sister to those waters. I won’t lose a son, too.”
“It was just a thought, or you could get another job?”
“That’s what I was thinking, actually. It will inspire me and make me some money used to repair this place. The boathouse won’t take much and that idea crossed my mind, but getting it up and running and bringing in revenue is another matter. But you're not going to be the captain of any boat.”
Jonah made a face before walking away. Luna’s heart hurt just a little, denying him an activity that was so close to her heart in more ways than one.If only you had a father.
She hated hearing that, even in her own head. She’d made the choice to never tell Ronan about his son. She was the responsible one. At the time, it felt like the best choice. Now, after sixteen years, not so much.
Before she finished her coffee and freshened up, a knock sounded at the door. Flinging the door open, Jonah came face to face with Shaun.
“Jonah, my man! Nice to finally meet you. That cranky old lady you call a mother has told me a lot about you over the years.”
Luna watched, mesmerized by her dear friend, and noticed at once that Phoebe’s ex-boyfriend had changed. Gone was the bright red hair, the signature of his Irish heritage, replaced with a dulled-down tone mingled with gray. His eyes, still the same sharp green, met hers as he shocked her son with a hug.
Smiling, Luna stepped forward, laughing. “I’ll give you an old lady, old man. There isn’t much difference in our ages, you know. I was expecting a posse of people. Where are your wifeand daughter? I would like to meet them in person, rather than continue to imagine their existence.”
Strong arms wrapped around her, and she was engulfed in a warm hug, too. “Good to see you, girl. I’ve missed you so much.” His eyes were soft and concerned when he pulled back, startling Luna. “It’s been a long journey for you, but you are stronger than I. I wish I’d had the courage to do what you’ve done all these years, all while being a single mom. Strength, we Irish appreciate that.”
“Aw, not all Irish, my friend. Only about three-quarters, the rest is English.”
“Don’t you start with me. Jonah, we've been going round and round about this for years. My mother was part English, but I don’t like to acknowledge that side. Anyway, the family is at the restaurant, which is open right now. I thought I’d drop by and take you over since you don’t have a car yet. That fluttering honeybee we call Nicky likes to sleep in.”
“Sure. I’d love to come look.” Luna put her arm around her son, feeling an amazing sense of kinship and connection she’d longed for for years.
“So, what do you think of the Willows, Jonah?” They were sitting in Shaun’s truck on the way to the restaurant to meet his wife and daughter. It was an old beat-up pickup truck with a perfectly clean and stylish interior.
“The what?”
“The Willows, your mother and aunt’s home. That’s its name. Luna, you didn’t tell him about the name?” His Irish brogue was still seeping through after so many years.
“Boo on you, Shaun, I forgot. Geez, I just got into town last night and collapsed. It took a while to relax. All the cobwebs and the musty odor made it hard to sleep.”
“That’ll teach you to stay away for so long.” Shaun studied Luna’s son in the mirror, a warm smile on his lips. “Your motherknew where the airport was, and she never thought to come back until now. I’d like to go in the ring and box a few rounds with her, but can’t do that.”
“Box?” Jonah was either completely confused or playing stupid.
Paying no mind, Luna waved her hands in the air like a seasoned boxer after he’d lost a fight. “Yes, boxing. Shaun has this insane hobby of boxing. He also owns the town gym, where he practically lives and boxes people every day.”
