Page 133 of Key West Homecoming

Chicago crossed her mind without the familiar pull of obligation. Decisions were still waiting for her there, and she would have to make them soon. For once, she didn’t feel compelled to make them. There was time to rest with this new knowledge.

She read four pages of Gloria’s notebook before realizing she had been smiling through most of them. She knew why.

It felt like a life she wanted.

CHAPTER 22

Leah was on the bungalow porch with her coffee and half a crossword when Will’s truck came down the lane much too fast.

“Tess,” she called through the screen. “Will’s here.”

“Will who?”

“How many Wills do we know?”

Tess came out with a dish towel over her shoulder and no shoes on. Ernest was asleep on the porch rail. The rooster opened one eye as Will came up the path.

He stopped at the bottom step with his hands empty. Leah noticed that first because Will rarely showed up anywhere without carrying something.

“I need to talk to you both.”

Tess looked at him. “That sounds serious.”

“It’s important.”

Ernest made a low sound from the rail, as if he expected to be included.

“Go on,” Leah said.

“I’ve been to Captiva.”

Tess took the dish towel off her shoulder. “You’ve been where?”

“I drove up Thursday morning and came back yesterday. I told Kaitlyn it was for the documentary.”

Leah set down her coffee.

“You lied to her?”

“I did, and I hated it. I think she knows something’s wrong.”

“Why did you go to Captiva?”

Will looked from Leah to Tess. “I went to see Gretchen.”

For a second neither woman spoke.

“Is our sister all right?” Leah asked.

“She’s fine. Nothing happened.”

Ernest climbed down from the rail and crossed the porch toward Will.

“Then why did you need to see her?”

Will took a breath. “I asked for her blessing. I want to marry Kaitlyn.”

Tess covered her mouth with the dish towel.