Chapter 30
[Lumi]
The pounding in my head matches the rattling on my front door.
“Alright, alright already,” I mutter, as I fling my feet off my bed and stand on shaky legs. I slept in last night’s clothing, which includes long underwear pants, cabin socks, and a tank top, covered by a flannel shirt Saint had left behind.
Pulling it up to my nose, I inhale, hoping for the peppermint and chocolate scent to right my brain and soothe the hammering in my head.
Instead, I realize I really should wash the thing. I’ve been sleeping in it for four nights in a row.
With a quick glance at my bed, I find Isolde curled up on her side. Her back to my side of the mattress. She looks exactly like she did as a college co-ed. Still beautiful. Still book smart. Still shy.
As I wander down the stairs, I worry Neve left but find her sprawled out on my couch like she had a rough night. One arm flung over her head. The other is dangling down toward the floor.
How she can sleep through the rap, rap, rap on the door is beyond me.
When I finally twist the deadbolt and flip the lower lock, I open the door on a rush and stare at the man in front of me.
Long camel-colored wool coat. Polished leather shoes. Thick gloves on his hands and a giant bag in each one of them stuffed with Christmas presents.
“Merry Christmas, Mom.”
“Danny,” I whisper with trembling lips before I launch myself at my grown son, hugging him tight and choking on the expensive cologne along his neck.
I hold back the cough and just breathe him in.
When I pull away, I stare at the vision in front of me. He’s so grown up. A handsome man who looks a little like his father but more like a Snowe with jet black hair and deep blue eyes.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper, the shock still in my throat.
“You didn’t think I’d really miss Christmas, did you, Mom?”
I did. He told me he wasn’t coming. He was too busy.
“How did you get here?” I glance around him, looking for a rented car in the road. Then I remember the downed tree yesterday, blocking the entrance into and exit out of Hideaway Harbor.
Must have been removed.
“I could have picked you up.” The airport is in Bangor.
“I wanted to surprise you.”
“I’m surprised,” I admit, clutching at the flannel shirt around me as the cold of the outdoors slowly seeps in.
“So . . . are you going to let me in?”
“Of course,” I anxiously giggle as tears well in my eyes. “Oh, honey. Yes.” I step back, announcing, “This is always your home.”
He sets down his large bags in the entry hallway as I shut the door behind me.
“That’s why I’m here.”
Home. Where he’ll always find me. Where he’ll always come back to me.
Neve rouses from the noise, groaning as she slowly sits up.
“Snowe sister movie night?” Danny arches a brow at me as he takes in the living room. The empty bottles of wine. The giant, empty bowl for popcorn.
“A family tradition,” I remind him.
“Another reason to be here. I’m sorry I’m late.”
“You’re never late as long as you’re here.” I reach for him again, pulling him into another embrace despite him being taller and broader than I remember.
Then Neve cries out his name, jumping up and over my couch to tackle my son.
Isolde follows, ambling down the stairs. When she reaches the bottom, Danny picks her up and spins her around, causing her to grip her head in pain.
“Who wants breakfast?” I ask.
Four arms go up because Neve raises both of hers.
With several of my favorite people all in one place, I realize it really has been a wonderful life.