“What did he want?” David asked.
“Money,” Charmaine said simply. “I don’t want to talk about it, but he’s gone now, and I thought you should know.”
“Thanks for telling us,” Evie said.
Charmaine nodded then walked away. She turned back at the last moment to study them all. “I’m sorry. You’ve all been so kind to me, welcomed me into your hearts and lives, and this is how you’ve been repaid.”
Then she was gone. The door swung shut behind her. Evie stared at the place where she’d been moments earlier. She’d had no idea Charmaine was still blaming herself for the fire. It was most likely an accident, but if it’d been caused by her brother, that wasn’t something she should blame herself over. She ran after Charmaine, through the door and along the street.
“Chaz! Wait!” She reached her and embraced her, then stepped back to look her in the eye. “Please don’t let this thing come between our friendship.”
Bea caught up to them, puffing lightly.
“I don’t know what to do,” Charmaine said, pressing her hands to her hips.
“Your brother is abusive and manipulative and he’s responsible for his own choices.” Evie shook her head. “My sister did some cruel things to me and the other people in her life, and for a long time, I blamed myself for what happened. Why didn’t I see it sooner? How could I let her take the man I loved and ruin the life I’d planned for myself? Why wasn’t I stronger, more forceful? I should’ve communicated better, or seen it coming. But in the end, I realised that she’d done those things, not me. I wasn’t to blame. And you’re not responsible for your brother either.”
Charmaine’s eyes were full of sadness. “I’m sorry about your sister. I didn’t realise.”
“It was a long time ago, and we’ve made amends.”
Bea looped her arm through Evie’s, then Charmaine’s. “We’re all sisters now, not by blood but by choice. We’re on your side.”
Charmaine’s eyes filled with tears.
“Come back and have coffee with us. We’ve got a lot to talk about,” Evie said.
Charmaine gave a quick nod. “Okay.”
Nineteen
Charmaine decided notto leave Coral Island. She’d created a life for herself there and she wasn’t going to let her brother scare her away from it. Even if she went somewhere else, he’d track her down and find her. She’d have to change her name and disappear if she was to be rid of him entirely. And besides, she’d set up a system she hoped would keep him away. If he came to see her without her permission, she’d cut off the funds that he desperately needed. It probably wouldn’t work forever, but she hoped it would for now. At least until the police caught up with him.
She lifted the box from the back of Bradford’s truck and carried it into the beach cottage. Then she stood with both hands on her hips, out of breath, to survey the work they’d done.
It was a blessing that Bea had left most of the furniture and appliances in the cottage, since Charmaine didn’t have any of her own. She only had a few boxes of things and her push bike, so moving had been a breeze.
“That’s everything,” Bradford said, setting her bike against the outside wall of the house and stepping through the kitchen door behind her.
“Thanks for your help,” Charmaine replied. “I’m going to love it here. I can just tell.”
“I think you will too.” He linked his arms around her waist, and she spun in his embrace to stand on tiptoe and kiss his lips.
He held her tight against him, his lips moving in motion with hers.
“You two should get a room,” Finn said, wiping her boots on the mat. “Oh, wait. You have a whole cottage. Never mind.”
Charmaine took a step back and out of Bradford’s arms, her face flushed with heat. “Hi, Auntie Finn. I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Clearly.” Finn winked. “I got you a housewarming gift.”
She handed Charmaine a blender. “It’s not much, but I thought you might like to make a smoothie for breakfast occasionally.”
“Thanks. You didn’t have to do that.”
Finn waved a hand. “It’s what aunties do, and I have a lot of catching up to cover. The kids want you to come over for dinner tonight — unless you’d rather stay here. We can make it another night.” She eyed Bradford with a grin.
“That would be perfect. I haven’t been to the shops yet, and I don’t have anything to eat here.” Charmaine could tell she was going to enjoy having a family again.
