We regret to inform you that Flight 2891 from Charlottetown to Halifax, has been delayed due to mechanical issues. Your new departure time is 11:09 a.m. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
“Motherfuckers!” Marigold shouted. Alarmed, Humphrey careened back to the room and leaped onto the bed, ready to defend Marigold against whatever had threatened her.
“What’s wrong?” Hugo called, appearing back in the doorway.
“My flight’s delayed until eleven.” Saying the words aloud was enough to fill her body with cold dread. “I’m screwed. There’s no way I’m going to make my connecting flight to Portland.”
“Oh, shit.” Hugo began to pace around the room. “Okay, don’t panic… Let’s see… can’t you charter a plane? Isn’t that an option for super-rich people?”
Marigold climbed out of bed, too distracted to care that she was only wearing a tank top and underwear. “I can try.” She logged back into Bill’s NetJets account and held her breath as she entered her desired itinerary. “No,” she said, on the verge of tears. “There aren’t any jets available within a thousand miles.”
“Okay, don’t panic.” Hugo pulled out his phone, fingers flying over the screen. “My friend James has a plane. It’s a small one, but I think it can get you to Halifax in time to make your connecting flight to Portland.”
“Really?” Marigold said, brightening. “Do you really think James would do that? I’ll pay for everything—fuel, a hotel if he wants to stay over in Halifax, whatever.”
“Should be fine. I’ll explain the situation. Just give me a second.” Hugo pressed a few buttons on his phone, brought it to his ear, and stepped out of the guest room. “Hey,” Marigold heard him say quietly. “I’m sorry for calling this early, but I have a friend in a right pickle.” The rest of the conversation was inaudible; he must’ve gone into another room.
Marigold texted Natalie with an update on her travel plans.It’s gonna be tight, but I’ll make it back. Wish me luck.Then she brushed her teeth, slipped into her jeans, and went to find Hugo, who was pulling on his boots by the front door.
“All set. We’re gonna meet at the airfield.”
“Really?” Marigold squealed. “Oh my god, amazing. You’re the best! Yourfriendis the best.”
“You’re staying here, Humph,” Hugo said. He scratched the dog’s head while his tail thumped eagerly.
“Guess I need to say goodbye, then.” Marigold bent down to give Humphrey a pat. “I’ll miss you, buddy,” she said, laughing as he licked her cheek. When she went to put on her shoes, Humphrey began to whine, clearly aware that they were about to leave without him. “I’ll see you soon, okay?” she said, hoping his doggy heart couldn’t tell it was a lie.
The island looked even more beautiful than it had yesterday. The road to the airfield curved along the ocean, which sparkled in the early morning light. As they left the small town behind, the clapboard houses and fishing shacks gave way to patches of woods that opened up into fields of wildflowers.
Neither of them spoke. Perhaps it was the earliness of the hour. But it wasn’t an easy silence, the air in the truck heavy with everything they were too afraid to say.
“Why did you never tell Jonathan you were married?” Hugo said finally.
“I don’t know… I guess I was embarrassed.”
“Ah, right.” Marigold saw Hugh’s jaw tighten.
“Not byyou,” she clarified quickly. “But who marries a stranger they met on the beach? After knowing them for two weeks? It’d just confirm all his fears about me—that I was too impulsive and unpredictable for him to take seriously. But now I realize how ridiculous that was. I feel like shit lying to him, and even worse about making Natalie lie for me.” Marigold sighed. “I need to tell him before the wedding. He deserves to know the truth.”
“Yeah, I think so.”
Marigold took a deep breath. “What’s your guess, then? How would you react if you were in his shoes?”
“I’m not sure. What kind of shoes do pediatric oncologists wear?”
“Hugo, come on! I’m being serious.”
“I’m treating this seriously! I’m trying to get into character.” Hugo shook his shoulders like an actor preparing for a warm-up exercise. “Okay, so I’m Jonathan, celebrated throughout the world for curing sick kids. Especially the cute ones. People burst into tears every time I enter a room as they thank me for my service. I’m not actually that good-looking, but my saintlike aura enhances my features.”
“Are you done yet?”
“Sorry,” Hugo said with a smile. Then his expression grew serious. “I’m Jonathan, and I feel like the luckiest man in the universe because I’m about to marry the most beautiful, funny, charming woman I’ve ever met. Then right before the ceremony, she admits that she kept this huge secret from me. And I…” His brow furrowed, and he pressed his lips together as if trying to sort through a jumble of tangled, uncomfortable thoughts. “And I’m hurt that she didn’t trust me. And pissed that she waited so long to tell me. But I can see the pain in her face, and I know she’s truly sorry. And I know I’ll do whatever it takes to make her feel safe and happy again. Does that help?” Hugo waited a beat and then turned to look at her. “Mare?”
“Sorry,” Marigold said, voice breaking as she blinked furiously. “Yeah, that’s helpful.” She brushed her eyes with the back of her hand. “Thank you, Hugo. For… everything.”
He nodded, not taking his eyes away from the road.
A few minutes later, they pulled into the private airfield. Hugo drove straight onto the runway and pulled up next to the smallest plane Marigold had ever seen. It looked like somethingthat’d belong in a museum, not waiting to carry human beings thousands of feet into the air. “So… your friend’s a pilot?” Marigold asked. In her excitement and relief, she’d forgotten to ask who exactly would be flying her to Halifax—a professional aviator or a weekend hobbyist.
