“He knows,” Doc said.
Tuesday ran down the slippery sand-and-shell driveway and launched into her husband’s arms. “He’s gone, Lee. He’s gone.”
“I know, baby, but I’m here now. I’m here.”
TUESDAY
MAY 1987
She’d heard it said, “You can’t fight city hall.” Well, you can’t rush them either. Which was exactly what she told Matt when he called for the umpteenth time.
“Nothing yet, Matty. I’ve lived in Sea Blue Beach for eighty-seven years, and no one has ever rushed the council.”
The petition-gathering window had closed two weeks ago. The supervisor of elections had the lists and was verifying that every signature belonged to a Sea Blue Beach registered voter. After Matt’s stint on Letterman and his second appearance on Rollo on the Radio, they’d collected almost four hundred names. Fifty more than needed.
Well done, Sea Blue Beach. Tuesday suspected Immanuel’s hand in it as well.
“I’m calling Harry,” Matt said. “They don’t need two weeks to verify the signatures, Granny.”
“Let this matter play out. City hall can’t defeat the Starlight. I’m declaring it now. She’s built on the rock.” Her voice rose with a preacher vibe. “Let the waves roll. Either Immanuel’s got this or he doesn’t.”
“Granny, Immanuel is a painted man on a Starlight mural.”
“He’s God with us, and whether you like it or not, He’s all we got, Matt. We’ve seen what man can do, now let’s see what God can do. How’s the movie business?”
“Great. We’re rehearsing the rom-com. Filming starts in June. Last night Cosmo told me I landed the role of Luke Orman in a spy-thriller calledCloak of Darkness. It’s not big money up front, but if the film does what they expect, it’ll be my biggest role and paycheck ever.”
“Money doesn’t buy happiness, Matty. In fact, in my life, money—or the quest for it—only brought pain.”
Simon entered with a pair of brownies that had seen better days and added them to the donation box. Recently, a man in Pensacola had contacted her about restoring old skates. He fixed them up with outdoor wheels and donated them to city kids.
In moments like these, it seemed the Starlight would go on forever and ever. It must. Surely the prince and Immanuel worked something out all those years ago.
“Granny, did you hear me?”
“Sorry, Simon came in the office. What did you say?”
“Have you heard from Harlow? I thought she’d keep in touch with you, but—”
“Why would she, Matty? She’s off living her life, just like you. As all kids should. Pretty soon things will get back to normal around here, and all this talk of destroying the Starlight will be put to bed and we’ll chug along like always.”
“I miss her, Granny,” Matt said.
“Then go after her.”
“She made her feelings known. Called it a day. I hurt her like I did Booker. She forgave me, but...” Matt’s hesitation told her he wasn’t convinced. “I think she’ll go back to Cole. Why not? Handsome. Rich. The Beauty and the Billionaire.”
“Poppycock, Matt. Harlow may have a wounded wing, but that billionaire isn’t the one to mend it. With all his money and privilege, he lacks one thing.”
“What? A royal title?”
“Wits. He don’t have your wits. And I’ll tell you something else, you see Harlow in a way no one else does. I’ve seen the way you two interact. Peas in a pod.”
“I don’t think so, Granny. Besides, you’re biased. Judging by Harlow’s reaction to Xander’s visit, she still has feelings for him.”
“You never knew your Grandpa Lee, but even with all of his shenanigans, we were connected in a way words couldn’t explain. Iguess you’d say soulmates these days. That’s what you and Harlow are, Matty. Soulmates.” Truth timely spoken felt like gold to her. Honestly, people should try it.
He laughed. “Granny, you old romantic.”
