Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22
T he next morning, Randy came over to help her unpack and put everything away that she wanted to keep. He tirelessly hauled off boxes marked for donation to the various charities around town while making trips to the local dump with items that were beyond salvaging.
As they tackled the living room, Evie carefully arranged her beloved books back onto the shelves, their familiar spines bringing a feeling of home to the cottage. All the books were back where they belonged, except for some that she donated to the library, knowing they would find new readers to enjoy them.
“I’m glad I didn’t pack up the kitchen yet,” she admitted as they paused for a well-deserved break. Settling down at the worn kitchen table, they sipped glasses of sweet tea. “I should have, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”
“It’s one less room we have to put back together.” He smiled and raised his glass, the ice jingling against the sides.
“I needed to go through Nana’s things, anyway. So at least that’s finished. Now I just have to figure out where to put everything back.”
“Good thing you have such a handsome helper.” He winked at her, his eyes twinkling.
A smile tugged at her lips. “Oh, the handsomest.”
The lighthearted moment stretched between them, comfortable and familiar.
Randy set his glass down and nodded toward the counter. “Is that the box from Susan?”
“It is. Let’s look at what’s in it while we sit here.” She grabbed the box and set it on the table. She lifted the lid and peered inside. On top was an old Bible. She carefully took it out and opened it. There, on the first page, was a family tree. She scanned down the names and gasped when she came to two of them. “Look. It’s Fred and Lula. They got married—” She looked up, grinning. “On March 2, 1908. The music box must have been a wedding present.”
“I guess we solved the mystery of another item from the Christmas box.” He smiled in satisfaction. He leaned over to examine the family tree carefully, tracing his finger along the lines connecting generations. “It looks like Fred might have been Miss G’s great-uncle?”
“Really? So that’s why she had the music box.” She picked up a stack of old photos, sifting through them, and recognized Nana and Linda in many of them.
He selected a stack of brittle papers from the box and carefully leafed through them, the soft rustle filling the kitchen. Suddenly, he paused and let out a warm chuckle as he handed a page to her. She took it, her eyes scanning the faded ink before a smile spread across her face. “Oh my goodness, Randy. Nana inherited the house in Plymouth from Fred and Lula. It’s like pieces of a puzzle falling into place. It all comes full circle, doesn’t it?”
“It does indeed,” he agreed, his eyes twinkling with their shared discovery.
She tapped her fingers on the worn table and frowned. “So the only thing we haven’t figured out is who helped Sam Waterman save his glass-blowing business. That’s still a mystery.”
“There’s still the question of why Miss G had that piece of sea glass that looks like a Christmas tree, too.”
“Well, we figured out most of the items from the box. What do you say we open the last one on Christmas Day? Just like I used to do with the advent calendar Nana made.”
“I think that’s a great idea.”
She set the paper down and leaned back in her chair. “You know what I was thinking?”
“Nope, but I bet you’re going to tell me.” He winked at her, a smile settling onto his lips.
“I think we should have a big open house here on Christmas Eve. Invite everybody. I’m just so grateful to have the chance to become part of this town, live on this island.”
“Can we make more of Miss G’s cookies for the party?” A boyish grin spread across his face.
She smiled at him. “Yes, I’m sure that could be arranged.”