Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
R achel was sorting through a mountain of laundry on the couch when Hannah breezed into the house, a wave of floral perfume and unchecked energy. She dropped her oversized tote bag onto the bench by the door, kicking off her sandals in one practiced motion.
“I thought I’d drop off Everly’s bracelet. What do you think?”
The tiny bracelet had pink and gold beads and one button with Everly’s name on it.
“Oh, Hannah. This is fantastic. However did you get her name on this? Everly isn’t a common name.”
“You’d be surprised. I have so many beads with names on them and because there are so many unique names, I’ve been able to collect tons for my pieces. To be honest, Everly’s name isn’t as unusual as some.”
Hugging Hannah, Rachel said, “Well, she’s going to love it. Thank you so much.”
“Rach, do you ever feel like you’re living in a Hallmark movie?” Hannah asked, plucking a cookie from the tray on the counter as she wandered into the living room.
“Not really. Why?” she answered as she returned to folding clothes.
Hannah flopped onto the couch, snuggling up against the armrest and nibbling on her cookie. “Because your house smells like cookies, you have a baby monitor humming like background music, and I half expect Jack to walk in with a bouquet of wildflowers any second.”
Rachel laughed softly, adding the sock to a neat pile. “Jack’s in the vineyard, probably swearing at the weather forecast. And I made these cookies because Everly decided to throw her breakfast at the wall this morning, so I needed a win.”
Hannah grinned.. “Well, they’re amazing, as usual. You’re like Martha Stewart without the criminal record.”
“Thanks, I think?” Rachel said, shaking her head as she reached for another of Everly’s tops.
Hannah leaned back, her eyes narrowing playfully. “So, how’s Jack these days? Still trying to convince you to expand your Chardonnay empire?”
Rachel smiled, though a flicker of exhaustion crossed her face. “He’s persistent, I’ll give him that. But I think we both know it’s not happening this year. Between the storm damage and Everly, we’ve got enough on our plates.”
Hannah tilted her head, studying her sister. “You know, you two are disgustingly perfect together. When are you going to admit you’re soulmates and make it official?”
Rachel arched an eyebrow, though her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. “Soulmates? Really? That’s not exactly the word I’d use.”
“Fine,” Hannah said, waving a hand. “Life partners. Domestic co-captains. Whatever you want to call it, you’re practically married already. Why not make it legal?”
Rachel sighed, setting the folded top aside. “It’s not that simple, Han. We’re happy the way things are. Marriage doesn’t automatically make things better.”
Hannah’s grin softened, her playful expression giving way to something more thoughtful. “I get that. But it’s okay to want more, you know. To believe in happily-ever-after again.”
Rachel’s smile faded slightly as she glanced at the baby monitor on the coffee table. Everly’s soft breaths filled the room in a steady rhythm, a comforting reminder of the life she’d built. “It’s not about wanting more. It’s about appreciating what we have. Jack and I have both been through enough to know rushing into anything isn’t the answer.”
Hannah nodded slowly, though her brow furrowed. “I just want you to be happy, Rach. You and Everly deserve it.”
“We are happy,” Rachel said firmly, her voice gentle but resolute. “And when the time’s right, we’ll figure out what’s next.”
Hannah reached for another cookie, nibbling on the edge as she watched Rachel fold the last of Everly’s clothes. For a moment, she felt a pang of envy—though she’d never admit it. Rachel had this way of making everything look easy, even when Hannah knew it wasn’t. She had a steady partner, a beautiful child, and a cozy home that felt like a haven. Meanwhile, Hannah’s life felt like a series of false starts. Her jewelry business was finally gaining traction, but her personal life was another story.
“You’re lucky, you know,” Hannah said suddenly, her voice quiet.
Rachel looked up, surprised. “Lucky? You mean because of Jack?”
Hannah nodded, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “And Everly. And this house. It’s like you have everything figured out.”
Rachel laughed softly, shaking her head. “I promise you, I don’t have everything figured out. Half the time, I’m just winging it, and I wouldn’t have had this house if not for Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Matthew.”
“Still,” Hannah said, her tone wistful. “It’s nice to see something working out for a change. Especially after...everything.”
Rachel’s expression softened as she reached out to squeeze Hannah’s hand. “You’ll get there, Han. It just takes time.”
“Time and someone who doesn’t think sea glass is just trash that got polished,” Hannah said, grinning.
Rachel laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “No wonder you dumped Oliver. I didn’t realize he felt that way.”
“I wouldn’t say I dumped him. I think it was more that he saw his career as being more important than mine. Although, I guess I didn’t really have a career at the time we ended things, but that’s not the point, is it?”
Rachel was about to answer when the sound of the front door opening interrupted their conversation. A moment later, Lucy stepped into the room, her dark hair pulled into a loose bun, her notebook tucked under one arm. She looked between her sisters, her sharp features softening into a small smile.
“Talking about me?” she asked lightly, though there was a hint of curiosity in her tone.
“Always,” Hannah replied, grinning. “You’re the most fascinating person we know.”
Lucy rolled her eyes, setting her notebook on the coffee table as she joined them. “Flattery will get you nowhere, Han.”
Rachel handed her a cookie. “What’s new with you?”
Lucy hesitated, her fingers brushing over the edge of the cookie. “Lots, and not all of it good.”
Hannah raised an eyebrow, leaning in. “Oh?”
Lucy took a bite of the cookie, chewing thoughtfully before answering. “I saw Romy in town.”
The room fell silent, both Rachel and Hannah staring at her in surprise.
“You what?” Hannah asked, her voice filled with equal parts shock and excitement.
“I saw her,” Lucy repeated, her tone even. “She was in town checking things out. For about five minutes, I felt like a stalker, but then I said hello and we had coffee. Well, I had coffee, she stormed out of The Beanery.”
Rachel’s searched Lucy’s face. “Sounds like things aren’t going well for her.”
Lucy exhaled slowly, setting the cookie on a napkin. “She’s… different. Guarded. I don’t blame her, but it was hard to see her like that.”
Hannah nodded, her expression softening. “What is she so angry about?”
Lucy looked down at her hands, her voice quieter. “I think she’s still trying to figure that out herself.”
Rachel tilted her head, her voice gentle. “Did she tell you what’s going on with her?”
Lucy hesitated, her mind flickering back to the way Romy looked at her in the coffee shop, her eyes shadowed and distant. “I don’t know. She didn’t say much about how she’s feeling. But she looks tired—like the weight of everything is still pressing down on her. I think something awful happened to her in New York.”
Hannah bit her lip, her brow creasing. “What makes you say that?”
“I don’t know, it’s just there is something more recent than…”
“You don’t have to relive all that again, Lucy,” Rachel said.
Lucy shrugged. “I know that. It’s hard for her to trust anyone, at least that’s the impression I’m getting…least of all me.”
“Do you think she’ll stay? I mean, it’s a big change, coming back here after all these years.”
Lucy sighed, leaning back against the couch. “I don’t know. But I think she needs this town, even if she doesn’t realize it yet. At least she has Pamela.”
“Pamela Winslow?” Rachel asked. “I saw her the other day, and honestly, I’m worried about her. She didn’t look well at all.”
“I hadn’t seen her in years,” Lucy said, “but I agree with you. When I talked to her she looked very tired, but you couldn’t tell by her attitude. She was as perky and upbeat as I remembered her.”
Rachel reached over, resting a hand on Lucy’s arm. “I think both those women are going to need our help. I’m glad you and Romy talked, even if it wasn’t pleasant. At least the door of communication is open. Even if she’s not ready to let you in, she’ll remember that you tried.”
Lucy nodded, her gaze distant. “I hope so.”
The sisters sat in silence, their thoughts drifting to Romy and the tangled threads of their shared history. It was a quiet moment, but it held the unspoken understanding that they would always be there for one another—and for Romy and her aunt, too.