Homecoming (Downeast #1)

Chapter 32

Chuck whistled loudly to get everyone’s attention. “Mom and I are so delighted to have all of you home for dinner,” he said when he had their attention. “I can’t recall the last time that happened.”

“Christmas, fifteen years ago,” Kellen said.

“If Kell says it was that long ago, he’s probably right,” Chuck said. “At any rate, it’s been far too long, and it took something awfully upsetting to make it happen. Keith and Kirby, we’re beyond relieved to put this episode behind us and to have you back home where you belong. And we’re deeply and forever thankful to Dan for everything he did to make it happen, and to both Dan and Kara, for dropping everything when we called to come running when we needed you. It’s been so great to have you both home, and we hope you’ll be back soon. We’ve missed you very much since you moved away, sweetheart, and we’ve loved this opportunity to be with you and to get to know Dan even better. Although we could’ve done without the whole arrested-and-charged-with-murder aspect.”

“You and us both,” Keith said with a small grin for Kirby.

Kirby raised his bottle of Sam Adams to Dan. “Thank you, brother. Thank you so much.”

“I’m glad it worked out.”

“It didn’t just work out,” Keith said. “You saw to it, and we’ll be forever grateful for everything you did for us.”

“Family takes care of family,” Dan said.

“Goes both ways,” Keith said. “If you ever need anything, anything at all… If a toilet backs up at your place, I’ll be on the next flight.”

Dan laughed. “I might just take you up on that, because according to my lovely wife, I can’t fix shit.”

“I’m your guy,” Keith said. “Any time. Anywhere.”

Judith served a delicious dinner that included grilled chicken and steak and what seemed like twenty different sides.

“How’d you pull this together so fast, Mom?” Kara asked her.

“Are you kidding? I used to feed thirteen people every day. This is nothing.” Judith looked around at the gathered family and seemed pleased that everyone was there—and getting along. “Our family hasn’t been close the way I hoped it would be.”

“There’s still time to turn that around. You’ve got us all here now.”

“Yes, I do. In fact…” Judith pinged a knife against a glass to get everyone’s attention. “I’d like to invite you all home for Christmas dinner this year. It would mean a lot to me to have everyone here.”

Most of the siblings nodded in agreement.

Dan glanced at Kara, eyebrow raised to let her know it was up to her.

“We’d like that,” Kara said. “I’ll see how I feel after having the baby in November. We’ll try to be here, though.”

With Kara back in the fold, all eyes turned to Kingston, who was usually the main holdout on anything to do with the family.

After a long pause, he said, “Sure, Mom. That sounds great.”

Dan and Kara planned to fly home to Gansett three days after the celebration dinner, having decided to give themselves a little more time in Maine before they left. They spent another day on the water with Bertha and Buster, took a hike in Acadia and went out for a fancy dinner for two in Bar Harbor. On their last night in town, they invited everyone to Bertha’s for a lobster- and clambake, overseen by Buster, the expert.

He taught Dan how to dig the perfect hole and to use seaweed to flavor the food.

Standing at the kitchen window, Kara watched her husband, shirt off and glistening with sweat, working side by side with her beloved uncle, tears springing to her eyes.

Bertha came up behind her and squeezed her shoulders.

“Look at them,” Kara said. “Dan’s right in there with him.”

“Only because Buster likes and respects him, or he’d tell him to get lost.”

“That’s true,” Kara said with a laugh. “Oh, Bertha… I never should’ve stayed away from here so long. I can see now that I was only punishing myself.”

“Sometimes you have to go back to find the way forward.”

“I never would’ve known that until I experienced it.”

“That’s how life works. We’re learning until we die.”

“Can you believe my dad and Uncle Henry, picking back up like they weren’t on the outs for close to twenty years?”

“I’m very happy for both of them. The power of forgiveness should never be underestimated.”

“Does that mean I need to forgive Kelly and forget about what she did?”

“No, never. Some things can’t be forgiven. That’s one of them.”

Kara laughed at the emphatic way that Bertha said that. “I think, at some point, whether I should have or not, I forgave them because I simply don’t care anymore. Their actions led me to the life I was meant for, and I suppose I should thank them for that.”

“Don’t you dare thank them for stabbing you in the back.”

“Okay, I won’t.”

“I’m glad you don’t care anymore. That’s a good thing. And it’s a good thing that you can be in the same room with them and not be upset or hurt. You can be cordial for the sake of your parents and your children—yours and hers—but don’t you ever forget what they did.”

“You’re right.” She turned to face her grandmother. “Do you think it’s possible for people to change?”

“Yes, I do, and I see Kelly trying to be better. She was very sweet when I saw her at your mother’s house, and her little guy is adorable. I’m glad I finally got to meet him. But, that said… The person who did what she did is still inside her, you know? I’d advise proceeding with caution there.”

“Good point. We can be civil without being overly involved.”

“That’s probably the best approach.”

Kara hugged Bertha again, because she could, because soon she’d be missing her again. “Thank you for everything, not just now but always.”

“Aw, love, you’ve given me so much more than I could ever give you.”

“No way.”

“Yes way.”

Smiling, Kara held on tight to the woman who’d been her rock, her best friend, her true north.

That’s where Dan found them when he came inside to get drinks for himself and Buster.

“Everything all right in here?”

“Everything is perfect,” Kara said as she released Bertha. “We’re just getting it in while we can.”

“I hope you’ll come to Gansett any time you want,” Dan said to Bertha. “Our friend Slim will pick you up and fly you over. He’s the best pilot I’ve ever met, and he’d take very good care of you.”

“I may take you up on that.”

“Please do,” Dan said. “My wife is so much happier when you’re around, and so am I.”

“I’ve been thinking about taking a few days off here and there.”

Kara stared at her in shock.

“Don’t look at me that way. I’ve worked hard all my life. I need to start enjoying myself more, and visiting this island that has you both so captivated is at the top of my to-do list.”

“Any time,” Dan said emphatically. “You call me, and I’ll call Slim. We can surprise Kara.”

“I’d love that. We’ll do it for sure. I can leave Buster in charge here.”

“He’s welcome, too, of course.”

Bertha laughed. “If you think it’s tough getting me out of Maine, he’s a whole other story.”

“Truth,” Kara said. “He’s never left the state, and if he has his way, he never will.”

“I’ll work on him while we finish the dig.”

“You do that,” Kara said, smiling at Bertha, who rolled her eyes.

Buster wasn’t going anywhere, and that was that.

The lobster- and clambake was a delicious hit with the family and friends who joined them on Bertha’s waterfront lawn.

Ellery’s kids played with Kendra’s girls, who chased the little ones, making them scream with laughter that added to the sounds of the gulls that flew overhead, looking for scraps.

Buster had strung lights over the yard that added to the glow of the bonfire he’d built from old traps and other scraps he’d been saving for such an occasion.

Full to the brim with seafood, potatoes and other yummy things, Kara sat next to Dan, holding hands as the sun set over the water.

“I love it here,” he said. “We have to come all the time.”

“We will. Considering the reason we came, I never expected this to be such a great trip.”

“It’s been great to see where you grew up and to meet all your people.”

“They love you almost as much as I do.”

“Check out the lovebirds over there,” Dan said, using his chin to point to Renata and Myles, who were wrapped up in each other in a dark corner of the yard.

“They’re too cute.”

“They sure are. I have a feeling we’ll be back here for a wedding before too much longer.”

“You may be right about that. I’m so happy for her.”

“Hey, I heard there was a party over here.”

At the sound of Kirby’s voice, Kara got up to greet him with a hug. “You made it.”

“I did.”

“Are you hungry? Buster outdid himself with the food.”

“I could eat something.”

Kara took him by the hand. “Right this way.”

He was stopped no less than ten times by friends and family who wanted to hug him and express their relief that the charges had been dropped. “Sheesh,” he said when they were finally inside. “They’re treating me like a celebrity.”

“Everyone is so thankful to see you and to have this awful stuff behind you.”

“No one more so than me. I’m trying to get back to normal, but it hasn’t been easy.”

“I’m sure it hasn’t. People are being nice to you, though, right?”

“Oh yeah. Everyone says they knew it was bullshit from the get-go. With me, anyway. They weren’t so sure about Keith.”

Kara smiled as she made a plate for Kirby. “That’s sort of how I felt, but it makes me feel guilty now.”

“Nah, don’t feel guilty. He’s been raising hell his whole life. No one knew what to think.”

“It’s a big leap from hell-raising to murder, and I shouldn’t have let myself even wonder.”

“Everyone wondered. Don’t feel bad. Did you hear the ex-boyfriend was arrested in Connecticut?”

“No! When?”

“Earlier today.”

They sat together at Bertha’s kitchen table while he ate.

“I’m relieved for her family, but sad all over again. It’s such a waste that ruins two young lives.”

“Yeah, for sure. All because he couldn’t deal with her breaking up with him.”

“I’m sorry you got caught up in something you had nothing to do with.”

“It’s a little overwhelming to realize how quickly your whole life can be turned upside down when you’re suspected of a heinous crime.” He ran a clam through the melted butter she’d warmed for him and popped it into his mouth. “I’ll tell you one thing… I have a whole new appreciation for the work Dan has done on behalf of unjustly incarcerated people.”

“It’s truly remarkable. And the people he’s freed are so thankful. One of them shows up to cook for us any time we’re in Malibu. Others do a wide variety of things for him throughout the year to show their gratitude, all of which he says is unnecessary, but you can’t tell them that.”

“He gave them their lives back. They see it as the least they can do.”

“Exactly.”

“I’m happy for you, K. You’ve found an amazing life for yourself on your island with a great guy who worships the ground you walk on. You deserve all the good things.”

“So do you, Kirbs. I want you to have that, too.”

“It’ll happen if it’s meant to.” He shrugged. “I suppose online dating is out now that I pop up as an accused murderer on Google.”

Kara didn’t want to laugh at that, but the face he made sent her over the edge.

“It’s ridiculous,” he said. “The exoneration comes about twenty items below the charges.”

“I wonder if Dan can do something about that.”

Kirby shrugged. “Whatever. It’s part of my story now, for better or worse. At least I won’t need to worry about getting a job.”

“That’s true.”

“Did you hear that Dad has put together a succession plan for the company that makes all eleven of us equal partners, with Kendra and Kellen as the managing partners?”

“When did that happen?”

“Earlier today. He sent a text.”

“I haven’t looked at my phone in hours. What do you think of that?”

“It makes sense to have them as the managing partners, since they’re basically running the place now. I like that he gave a piece of it to all of us, and he put it in an irrevocable trust so no one can force anyone else out. There’d be no point in fighting over any of it.”

“That sounds like a wise move in light of the family history.”

“I agree. He said he’s going to retire at the end of next year, and then the future is up to us to chart. Kingston immediately chimed in to say he’ll have nothing to do with the company, even if he’s an owner, to which Kellen replied that he can just cash the checks and not worry about it.”

“Sounds like a reasonable response.”

“King replied with a thumbs-up.”

“That’s good.”

“Yep. It’s all good.”

Just as he said that, Buster shot off the first of the fireworks he’d procured for the occasion.

“Let’s go watch,” Kara said.

They went outside to join the others as the sky exploded in light and color.

Dan slipped an arm around Kara. “There you are.”

“Here I am.”

“How’s Kirby?” Dan asked after her brother went to grab a beer from the cooler.

“He’s doing okay.” She filled him in on her dad’s plan for the company.

“Sounds like a great plan that keeps the company in the family and ensures a smooth transition into the next generation.”

“I agree.”

Kara snuggled into his embrace to watch the fireworks as a feeling of true contentment settled over her. She’d come home, faced her demons and found they’d lost some of their claws in the years she’d been gone. Time had a way of marching forward and leaving the past and its many lessons behind, but those lessons had made her stronger and wiser, and they’d led her to the life she was meant to lead with the man of her dreams.

“Do you feel ready to go home?” Dan asked.

“I can’t wait to get home—and I can’t wait to come back here.”

“I can’t wait for all of it. Every single day with you and Dylan.”

“Me either.”

“Then what do you say we ask Slim to pick us up in the morning?”

“I’m with you, Counselor. All the way.”

Thank you for reading HOMECOMING!