Chapter 29

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Isla

T he sand on the beach had absorbed the day’s heat, and even now, at dusk, puffs of warmth enveloped my bare feet with each step. Layla was sitting on a chair scrolling through her phone. Aria and Ella had decided to go for a dip in the rippling water, but I stayed on shore taking in the sights and sounds that I loved so much. This was the time of day, when the sun was just winking off for the day, when a soft onshore breeze flowed just right through the surrounding cliffs, producing the whispery sound that earned the cove its name. It could sound eerie or flirty or cheery depending on your own mood. Tonight, it just sounded like wind. My imagination, that “dreamer switch” Nonna used to tell me to turn on, was off. I hadn’t allowed myself one tear on the long, hot bus ride home, but the second I spotted Ella and Layla at the bus stop, the tears flowed for a good hour. Then I pulled myself together, and the three of us agreed not to talk about any of it until I was ready to retell the whole, sordid tale.

Aria brought home leftovers from the diner, so a feast of cold chicken, mashed potatoes and cherry pie waited for us at the cottage. Ella stood hip deep in the water and stared up at the trail leading back to the cottage. “Who’s that?”

I turned back and squealed with delight.

Layla turned to get a better look. “Ava!”

Ava was wearing a floppy hat and well-worn hiking boots. She waved eagerly, and the four of us ran across the sand to greet her. We jumped into one of our famous sister huddles and danced around in a mass of arms and legs and laughter.

We stayed that way until Aria finally broke free. “All right, Ava. Why are you home? Is there something wrong?” Aria was always the pragmatist.

“That’s what I should be asking you.” Ava’s emerald green eyes stood out from her tanned face. She looked too thin, and her luxurious black hair had seen better days, but she was a sight to see for all of us. We were never complete until all five of us were at the cove. Ava looked at me. “You’ve been crying. That explains it. I was standing in the middle of the rainforest admiring a clump of Stereum ostrea when I got this terrible feeling. A cold shiver raced down my back, and considering the sweltering temperatures, I knew something was wrong. By the time I climbed on a plane home, I knew one of you—Isla—needed me.” She hugged me. “I’m glad you’re all right, but I’ll want to hear about those puffy eyes and that sad expression behind the smile. But first … food. I’m starved.”

“Then you’re in luck because there’s plenty of food up at the house,” Aria said. “It’s so good to see you, Ava.” She hugged her again, and the rest of us piled on for another group hug.

“The fabulous five together again!” Layla shouted. We repeated the chant and then finally parted long enough to hike up the trail to the cottage.

Ava went in for a quick shower while the rest of us got dinner together. I mixed up a fresh salad and defrosted some cheddar biscuits I’d made before I left for the weekend.

“Aria, I know we haven’t talked about it,” I started.

“Yes, I desperately need you at the café. And you can work your schedule around your other jobs. I’ve got a special ‘in’ with the boss.” She winked.

“Thanks, Aria.”

Layla looked at the wobbly table. “We need some wildflowers for Nonna’s vase. I’ll run out and pick some.” She hurried out the door with the vase and a pair of scissors.

Ava’s long, wet hair looked inky black as she stepped out of the bathroom. “It’s so nice taking a shower without a bunch of long-legged creatures hanging from the walls and creeping up through the drain.”

Ella shuddered, her entire body trembling at the mention of long-legged creatures.

“Wow, it’ll be nice to eat food that doesn’t have—” Ava started, but Ella held up her hand.

“We get it. Lots of creatures. No details, please.”

Layla came plowing back inside with an empty vase. “He’s here,” she said after a deep breath. “He’s here!”

We all looked at each other.

“Santa?” Ella asked, and we all laughed.

“No, the prince, the rich dude, Isla’s fake wedding date,” she said in exasperation. “He just pulled up in his fancy, schmancy space mobile.”

I felt my stomach drop straight to my feet.

Ava looked around confused. “Boy, I really have been out of the loop.”

I smoothed my hair and pinched my cheeks. “How do I look?”

Ella was closest. She reached up and wiped some sand off my cheek.

“Better?” I asked, hopefully.

Ella shook her head. “Nope, as Nonna would say ‘you’re a right mess,’ but that’s okay.”

The knock on the door sent another shockwave through me. I looked around at my sisters and instantly regained my confidence. They were my strength. “The fabulous five,” I said.

“Fabulous five,” they said in unison.

“Well, we don’t want him to leave.” Layla raced to the door and pulled it open. I could see Luke in the doorway just past Ella’s head. My heart nearly popped out of my chest.

“Hello, is Isla here?”

I realized I already missed the deep, smooth sound of his voice.

My sisters parted and stepped back leaving me right there in the middle of the room. Luke looked massive in our small entryway. “Hi,” I said weakly.

“Hi,” he replied. He lifted his hand. “I brought your boot.”

I smiled. “You could have mailed it.”

“I was worried you might need it,” he said.

Ella grabbed my hand. “Come over here. You can put it on her foot to make sure you’ve got the right girl and the right boot.”

I raised a brow at Ella. She shrugged and smiled.

Luke stepped inside and walked through the labyrinth of sisters to the couch where Ella had sat me. She hovered over me, anxiously.

Luke kept his gaze down as he knelt in front of me. He pushed the boot onto my foot, but it wouldn’t slide past my toes. He looked up at me and smiled. “Your sister is right. Wrong girl.”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake”—Ella grabbed the boot and loosened the laces before handing it back to Luke.

My foot slipped inside the boot, and my sisters clapped and cheered.

I laughed. “Should we step outside? There’s a great sunset happening off the back stoop. Less of an audience, too.”

“I’d like that.” Luke offered me his hand, which I gladly took.

My first step toward the door was awkward. “Hang on.” I kicked off the boot he’d just returned and led him in bare feet to the back stoop. As if we’d conspired together, the sun spread a magnificent pinkish cloak over the horizon. It was a beautiful sunset.

Luke stared out at the cove. “Wow. You get to see this every day.”

“And it never gets old.”

We waited for the sun to take its last breath before disappearing below the horizon, leaving only an unearthly glow over the water.

Luke then took my hand as he turned to me. “As you’ve probably already guessed—I didn’t come here just to return the boot.”

“I had an inkling.”

“I tried to catch you at the bus station, but I was too late. Rachel was disappointed. She was waiting for one of those predictable yet highly anticipated happy endings at the bus station.”

“Actually, it’s usually at the airport, but I’m sorry I deprived her of that. Apparently, the bus was on time for a change, or at least that was what I heard the other passengers mumbling in shock. And about Rachel—” I peered up at him in question.

“The wedding was cancelled. Doomed from the start as far as I’m concerned. Mom was sobbing, and Rachel was relieved. Dad was—well—he was Dad. Anyhow, I think we have you to thank for saving Rachel from a mess of a marriage.”

“I’m glad it worked out. I had my suspicions about the man all weekend after a few odd run-ins, but I kept my mouth shut, deciding it was none of my business. And, if I’m being totally honest—there was some cowardice thrown in. Your mom scared me witless.”

Luke shook his head. “I think we’ve shifted the power structure in that house now. Rachel is planning to move out, someplace closer to me. Hazel might even join her.”

“That’s wonderful news.” I heard a noise from inside and turned. My sisters’ faces were glued to the back window.

Luke laughed.

“I’m surprised they didn’t take the time to zap a bag of popcorn for the show,” I said.

“Well, let’s make this worth it for them.” Luke took my other hand as well. We stared down at our clasped hands as he rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand. “After the scene at the dance—I know you acted out the whole thing, so that I wouldn’t look like a heel in front of friends and family, but I felt the whole thing through every inch of my body. All I could think was that losing you would be devastating. It was strange because I didn’t really have you to begin with, but thinking about losing you, Isla, well, it felt like the worst kind of heartbreak. I don’t want to pretend anymore. I want to make you laugh every day. I want to bring you cinnamon toast and tea when you’re feeling down. I want to pick up the phone in the middle of a workday just to say hello and let you know you’re the best thing that ever happened to me. I want you in my life, Isla. If you’ll have me,” he added hesitantly.

I took my hands from his grasp and his face and shoulders dropped with disappointment.

“I understand,” he said. “After this weekend, you want nothing more to do with me.”

“What? No, silly.”

His face popped up.

“I just wanted to be able to do this.” I threw my arms around his neck and he pulled me against him for a long kiss. Behind us, my sisters cheered and clapped.

Well, Nonna, as usual, you were right. My happy ending was waiting for me, and guess what? A prince came with it.