Chapter 22
Athena
“Sometimes, the greatest act of love is letting go of the story you thought you knew.”
—Eloisa Hobby
Three weeks had passed since Cantu returned to Benjamin and told him Athena wasn’t coming back, and her world hadn’t crumbled.
Yet.
Her father’s silence hung in the air like the scent of an approaching thunderstorm—electric, unsettling, impending. Athena tried not to dwell on it but wondered if each day of quiet brought her closer to a storm.
Or if her father had finally decided to let her go.
Ha!
Despite their fears, she and her sister settled into a comfortable routine on Hobby Island, and it quelled her anxiety a bit. In the morning’s cool, Athena and Calista worked with Paul, Reid, and eager volunteers on the memorial garden, laying the stones for the labyrinth and gardening.
In the afternoons, she and Calista got to know each other all over again as they visited various attractions around the island, taking in Prism Pavilion, the butterfly hatchery, and Old Turtles Grotto and hiking Opportunity Ridge.
They attended gatherings—joining the quilting circle one night, the knitting club another, and cross-stitch a third.
They participated in an author event at the bookstore and took painting classes at the art store.
Reid often joined them for meals and events, and later in the evenings, he and Calista would go off together, leaving Athena to pal around with Dot, Vivian, Luna, Clare, or Eloisa.
She noticed how Calista’s eyes lit up whenever Reid appeared, but when she asked what was going on, her sister simply shrugged and smiled shyly. “We’re taking things slow and just having fun.”
Athena was happy for her sister but prayed she didn’t get hurt.
Reid had broken Calista’s heart twice, and she didn’t fully trust the guy.
But since it was none of her business, she kept her opinion to herself.
Who was she to comment on anyone’s love life?
She’d been too busy rising to the top of the LPGA to have any relationship more profound than a hot summer fling.
On this Sunday morning, exactly three weeks after Cantu left the island, Athena’s anxiety honed its teeth on her bones. Today would have been their mother’s fifty-eighth birthday if she’d lived, and Calista had planned a private celebration with just the two of them.
Before the B they were walking up the front steps carrying suitcases, followed by Artie and Orion, their arms stacked high with packing boxes.
“What’s up?” Calista asked, coming to join Athena on the lawn.
“I don’t know, but I intend to find out.” She practically flew up the front steps, Calista and Reid at her heels.
Inside, Luna greeted Cantu, Julia, and Mateo at the reception desk.
Before Athena could ask what they were doing here, Eloisa emerged from behind the double French doors that opened out onto the backyard patio.
Today, the island owner radiated sheer joy in a sunshine-yellow dress with a pleated accordion skirt, white espadrilles, and a white-and-yellow-striped cartwheel hat adorned with fresh daisies.
“Cantu,” Athena said, her voice coming out strangely high. It looked so odd seeing her father’s longtime employee without his chauffeur’s cap and uniform. “Why are you and your family here? It looks like you are moving in.”
“My dear girl.” Eloisa giggled and clapped her hands. “They are! Meet the newest residents of Hobby Island!”
“Wh-what?” Confused, Athena shook her head.
Cantu’s grin grew as wide as Eloisa’s. He settled one arm around both Julia’s and Mateo’s shoulders and drew his wife and his son closer as they gave shy smiles of their own. “Thanks to you, I was free to leave your father’s employment.”
Athena stared at him open-mouthed. “I don’t understand.”
“I fulfilled my promise to your mother.” Cantu’s smile faded.
“What promise to our mother?” Calista scowled. “What are you talking about?”
“It is a long story.” Cantu shifted his gaze to Eloisa. “Is now the time to tell it?”
“Absolutely!” Eloisa waved toward the backyard. “Over a meal. Brunch awaits!”
Brunch? The word felt wrong in Athena’s mouth, like biting into something sour when she expected sweet. What was going on here? The smell of coffee and cinnamon wafted over her, at odds with the acid churning in her stomach.
“Come, come, everyone.” Eloisa beckoned them forward.
The group followed Eloisa, who adroitly walked backward with both arms thrown wide in enthusiastic welcome.