Out beyond the boat, another plume of mist rose from the surface, lingering in the cold air.
After a minute or two, the captain’s voice returned. “Those were likely humpbacks passing through. We had good luck today.”
The crew member began to pull the hydrophone back up, water streaming from the cable as it emerged. The moment thedevice broke the surface, the sound faded, thinning into static before disappearing altogether. Our engine rumbled back to life, filling the space again, and the spell broke. Everyone started talking and moving around, all of us caught in the magic of it all.
“They have a music of their own,” Hunter said. “But it sounds as lonesome as a sad country song.”
I leaned against him, taking in the moment, his bulk warm next to me. “This was a good idea,” I said softly.
“Agreed,” Hunter said.
Tyler came to stand with us. “That was the most awesome thing I’ve ever seen.”
“It was pretty cool,” Hunter said. “I didn’t know if we’d actually see one. Or hear one.”
“I wish we knew what they were saying,” Tyler said.
Hunter leaned his back against the railing. “We don’t need to know exactly what they’re saying to one another to know it’s a language of love.”
“You think?” Tyler turned back to the sea, squinting into the light.
“Has to be,” Hunter said. “This was amazing, right?”
“The best,” Tyler said. “Thanks for taking us, Mom.”
“My pleasure,” I said, stumbling a little as the boat turned around to head back to shore. Hunter reached out to steady me. Tyler watched us, taking in every detail.
“I’ll never forget this as long as I live,” Tyler said.
“Me either,” Hunter said.
“I’m with you,” I said.
We were quiet on the way back to the harbor. There wasn’t a need to say anything the whales hadn’t already said.
9
HUNTER
After I dropped Seraphina and Tyler off at their house, I headed back to Wes and Margaret’s. I’d gotten a text from Ivy just as we got off the boat saying she’d landed in San Francisco and was renting a car to head to Willet Cove, with estimated arrival time of four in the afternoon.
I showered and put on a fresh shirt and pair of jeans, then tidied my cottage. I’d been up late the night before because another song had come to me. At a quarter past four, I heard a car pulling into the driveway. I hurried out the door to greet my oldest and dearest friend.
She pulled up in a luxury SUV rental, bursting from the driver’s side like a coiled spring, wearing a sundress, brown cowgirl boots with a matching hat, her blonde hair cascading around her shoulders. She’d always been gorgeous, but, since the label had hired a stylist to perfect her image, she was absolutely stunning. It was no wonder people couldn’t get enough of her.
She let out a wallop when she saw me crossing the yard, and took off running, flinging herself into my arms. We hugged tightly for a second, before she disentangled herself from me,stepping back and yanking off her hat to take a good look at my face. “Well, you look no worse for wear.”
“You sure about that?”
“It’s good to see you,” Ivy said. “I’ve been missing you like crazy.”
“Same,” I said.
“You okay, though? For real?” Ivy asked.
“I’m doing okay, yeah. Lots to tell you.”
“Yeah, I’ve got some things to tell you too.”
