Leaning into him, she briefly rested her head on his shoulder. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
Together, they headed toward the house.
“Wait a minute, I forgot what I came out here for. The bottle.” He jogged the several paces to the truck, grabbed the bag, and rejoined Anna.
His entire family gathered in the living room. Kelly sat in the corner with tear-streaked cheeks. Jack couldn’t find it in him to feel sorry for her. Eventually he would—she was his sister and he loved her—but not yet. The only person not present was Reagan, who he assumed had been sent to the playroom his parents had made for her.
“I have news I would like to share with everybody. Actually, two things, but first the obvious. Anna and I are a couple.” He gave a pointed stare Kelly’s way. “Since this morning. She has been helping me with research and we developed feelings for each other. Yes, it’s very new, and she only came today because we didn’t want to hide this from our families.”
Anna clenched his hand. “This family is important to me. I never meant to cause any problems.”
“You did nothing of the sort.” Jack’s dad crossed the room and hugged her. “This news makes me very happy and it’s reason to celebrate.”
Knowing his dad cared enough to walk over and embrace Anna despite his extreme pain softened Jack’s heart toward the situation. Kelly would come around, and until she did, the rest of his family would carry them through.
“What is this research project?” Haley, Owen’s wife asked.
Jack finally found a smile. “Remember that Saturday morning after the rain finally stopped? I went running on the beach and found a message in a bottle. When I got home, I opened the bottle and read the letter, which was dated from the nineteenth century. I wanted to know if it was authentic, and if it was possible to find out about who wrote the letter, so I called Anna since she’s a history buff.”
“Do you still have it?” Mom asked.
“That’s wild.” Owen scooted forward on his seat. “Have you found out any information.”
He held up the bag. “It’s in here, and we’re working on the information. That’s why we weren’t in church this morning.”
Anna chimed in. “Late Friday night into Saturday morning, I couldn’t sleep and dived into more research. I found a possible clue that took us to Weston Island yesterday.”
“The only problem was, while we were at the museum poring over old records, there was a major wreck on the bridge that closed it until further notice, and the wind shut down the ferries.” He glanced at Anna and laughed nervously. “We had no choice but to stay overnight. In separate rooms,” he added, should anyone question Anna’s honor.
“Can we see the letter?” Dad asked.
“If everyone could gather around so everyone can see but only one person touch.” He reached into the bag and carefully withdrew the bottle, which he passed around, and then the letter.
His mom had the honor of reading it out loud.
Dearest Edwin,
My heart is no longer my own, as you shall soon discover. As I sat in church yesterday morn and listened to Reverend Mathers, I could not focus attention for the pain I was experiencing. Guilt and shame threatened to bleed my soul of any portion, but I could not, would not, give up. Yet, even as I sit here and write this by the light of a full moon, I wonder what course I should take. Shall I have the courage to leave you this note?I can only pray that for once, I will do what is right in the eyes of my God.
Please know that my love for you was as real as the air I breathe. I shall never forget you, not even if I could live a thousand lives.
Forever in your gratitude,
D
The words struck Jack as strongly as they had the first time he’d read them. Perhaps more so since he’d discovered his feelings for Anna, and he already couldn’t imagine being separated from her.
“That is heartbreaking,” Mom murmured. “I wonder what happened.”
A loud sobbing came from the corner. All heads turned to Kelly. Tommy sat beside her, trying to comfort her.
“I’m so sorry,” she cried. “I’m a terrible person.”
Tommy handed her a tissue. “No, you’re not sweetheart.”
“Yes, I am.” Standing up, she wiped her eyes and walked to Jack and Anna. “I was horribly rude and out of line to both of you when I love both of you so much. I should be thrilled two of my favorite people have found happiness with each other. Please forgive me.”
Jack swallowed. He wanted to but anger gripped him.
