Chapter 7
seven
EDEN
“You’re really here!” Autumn squeals as I step off the gang plank of the Liberty ferry, onto the island I grew up on. She runs to me, throwing her arms around me, and for a second I luxuriate in my big sister’s embrace.
And then I feel it. Her bump. And a lump in my throat forms. I step back, taking her in. “Look at you,” I say. “I can’t believe it. You’re going to be a mom.”
“I know.” Her nose wrinkles, but I can see the happiness radiating from her. “I can barely believe it myself. Married, pregnant, living back here? Remember when all we talked about was escaping?”
The rock in my throat gets bigger. Because that’s still all I can think about. Even though I’m so happy to see her, there’s still this feeling of guilt I get whenever my family or Liberty is involved.
“I’m parked on Main Street,” she says, going to grab my battered rucksack. I bat her hand away.
“You’re pregnant. I’ll carry it.”
“Ugh, I hate this. Everybody thinks I’m an invalid. Parker won’t let me do anything, it’s infuriating.”
“Shut up. You always loved being treated like a princess,” I remind her.
She smiles. “I know. And I do. Mostly. But still, only on my terms.”
And that’s my big sister in a nutshell. We walk up the hill away from the ferry, giving a wave to Jesse, one of the kids we grew up with, who now works on the ferry and is very much a grown man.
It’s been almost two years since I was last on Liberty. Even then, the island was changing in front of my eyes. Ever since Hudson, Parker, and West bought the island back, they’ve done nothing but improve it.
The Salty Dog – Liberty’s only beach bar – doesn’t look like the run-down dive it once was. The whitewashed walls are sparkling, the outdoor furniture comfortable yet chic. The place belongs to Hudson’s wife, Skyler, along with Jesse, her brother.
We continue up the hill, past Eileen’s By The Sea with its sign welcoming weary travelers to Liberty.
And then at the top is Brewed Awakenings, the coffee shop owned by Eileen’s identical twin sister, Mylene.
Only thirty yards or so away from Eileen’s guest house, yet the two of them haven’t spoken to each other since they were twenty-one.
But it’s Main Street that’s undergone the biggest transformation. It looks beautiful. Hand painted signs hang from pristine awnings, all varying shades of pastels. Pinks and blues and greens are set against the white stucco buildings, large glass windows showcasing their wears.
Even the cobbled side walk is clean and sun-dappled, lined with sleek black benches and antique style lampposts that definitely didn’t exist a year ago.
“Oh,wow,” I say.
“I know. West is responsible for the glow up,” Autumn says. “Part of the investment for the resort.”
I try not to go red at the mention of his name. Nobody knows, and nobody is going to know about us. He’s come up with a whole explanation of why we’re going to be living in his house. About me wanting to have the ability to get space from my family, and him employing me to work on the resort.
But we both know it’s because he doesn’t trust me to keep quiet if I stay with my family.
“Oh, the bookshop’s expanded,” I say, looking at Books by the Sea. There’s a new shop next to it. Art by the Sea. Same branding, and the same beautifully curated displays.
Inside, a woman with long hair is perched on a ladder, hanging a string of fairy lights above the cash register.
“Sadie loves art,” Autumn tells me. “That and books. Says she’s living the dream here.”
“Does Zach know there’s a gallery here now?” I ask. Our brother is an art dealer, so very rarely home. He travels the world seeking out the rarest pieces for his very, very rich clients.
He also gambles, much to Hudson’s dislike. Of all our brothers, he’s the one I feel the most kinship to. Probably because we both tried to escape this place as soon as we could.
And we both look like our mom.
“No idea.” She lets out a breath. “Oh, the baby’s kicking.”
“It is?” My heart thuds. I’m still getting used to the fact that she’s so… settled. Once upon a time she was as messed up as me.
Before I can say anything else, she grabs my hand and puts it against her stomach.
It’s firm beneath my touch, but I can’t feel any kicking. “Don’t worry, Parker can’t feel it either. He gets pissed every time.”
I laugh. “I bet.”
We’ve almost reached her car – a huge SUV that Parker insists she drives to keep her safe.
“Thank you for picking me up,” I tell her.
“It was either me or Simon. And we both know you’d be waiting for days if I sent Simon.” She smiles. Simon is the island’s only taxi driver. And he’s… unreliable to say the least. “Plus I told West I would.”
I blink. “You spoke to West?”
“He called me last night. Told me you were fine after Vegas but needed a bit of space. Then he said that you were on your way and I should be nice to you when you got here.”
“Oh,” I say. That’s kind of sweet. And since when is West sweet?
“Anyway,” she says, looping her arm through mine.
“He also explained why you’ll be staying at the North House.
Said you accepted a job and he thinks you’ll be happier in his guest room.
” She tips her head to me. “Which is so great. I’m so happy you’ll be here for a while.
” There’s this hopeful note in her voice that hits me to the core.
“I’d so love for you to be here for the birth. ”
My throat tightens. “I’d love that too,” I whisper. And I would. There’s nothing I’d love more than to help the one person who’s always helped me. But the thought of being here for that long. For longer… God, this is all happening so fast.
“I still can’t believe you let West talk you into working for him,” Autumn says as she unlocks the car door. “You’ve hated the idea of being told what to do ever since I can remember.”
“I still do,” I mutter. Especially by him.
She shoots me a look, one brow raised. “So what changed?”
I force myself to put on a cheery smile. “Let’s just say he caught me at a vulnerable moment.”
And isn’t that an understatement.
I throw my backpack into the trunk and climb into the passenger seat, swallowing hard as she starts the engine up. And as we pull away from her parking spot on Main Street, I give myself a talking to.
I might be home, but I’m not the girl I used to be. Afraid, alone, so full of guilt she couldn’t look her family in the eye. I’m a grown woman. I have guts, I have a degree.
I also have a secret husband. And he’s on his way to the island right now.