Chapter 18
EIGHTEEN
HALLIE
Caitlyn
Here are the wedding details! Seriously no pressure, but I’d love to have you there.
The gallery is so quiet, I can hear the clock ticking on the wall. I worry my bottom lip as my thumb hovers over my keyboard. I’ve typed ten messages and deleted them all.
As it turns out, figuring out what to text your half sister who you just met for the first time the night before is no easy task. I tend to overthink on a good day, but right now? I’m way out of my element. I need a step-by-step guide, but unfortunately, I don’t think one exists.
The sound of the front door opening startles me. I quickly lock my phone and set it aside. I’ll force myself to reply later, when I can read the message a hundred times to check for embarrassing typos.
A moment later, a redheaded woman steps inside. I don’t recognize her, so she’s either a tourist or someone that has moved to the island in the last ten years. My guess is tourist —one of the last of the season, now that we’re closing in on November.
“Hi,” she says when she sees me. “I’m looking for some postcards. Do you have any?”
Definitely a tourist.
I take a breath, putting on the mask I wear when interacting with customers. It’s me, only not. This version of Hallie is much more outgoing, and by the time I get home after work, I’m exhausted from having to maintain it.
“I think so,” I reply, stepping around the counter to enter the shop space. “I’m new, so I’m still learning where everything is. But I’m pretty sure Carole keeps them over there.”
I show her the rack of postcards that feature both illustrations and photos of the lighthouse and the wildlife you can find in the area.
Carole has curated a broad selection of local artists and photographers, including some Anishinaabe friends of hers from Manitoulin Island, a neighbouring island on Lake Huron.
I’m sure she’ll convince Delilah to add her photography to the mix before long.
I point to a postcard with the lighthouse on it. “This one is my favourite.”
The customer smiles as she takes one off the rack. Then she gestures to me. “That’s a beautiful ring.”
My eyes snap to hers, then down to my left hand.
Crap . I was so tired, I forgot to take the fake engagement ring off last night.
After we got back to the house, I slipped it back on so it wouldn’t accidentally get put through the wash in the pocket of my pants.
It should probably worry me how natural it feels to wear, even knowing what it represents.
“Oh, um, thank you,” I mumble.
She laughs. “I sometimes forget, too,” she says, mistaking my alarm for surprise. “My husband and I got married two months ago, but I still find myself calling him my fiancé. When did you get engaged?”
Double crap . Either I keep lying or I backtrack and make both of us feel awkward. At this point, the only way is through.
“Uh, last week. The ring is…very new,” I say, then chuckle nervously. “You’re right, I’m still getting used to it.”
Thankfully, I’m saved from the conversation and a steadily growing pile of more lies when the door opens again. This time, a man steps inside, and he makes a beeline for the woman.
“There you are,” he says. “I thought you were going to the post office?”
“Sorry, baby,” she says with a sheepish smile.
“I saw this place and thought I’d try my luck here.
Look.” She holds up a few postcards. “I think Sam would like this one, and this is perfect for Opal and Thiago. I also found these for Jamie and Mia, and Nate and Paige. Do you think we should send one to Margaret?”
He chuckles. “Hadley, all she’d do is wonder why the hell you wasted a stamp on her.”
Hadley grins. “That’s true, she would. We should send it anyway.” She turns back to me. “We’ll buy these.”
I take her back to the counter and ring up the handful of postcards. As she pays, I slide them into a protective envelope.
“Thank you,” I say, handing over the receipt. “I hope you have a good rest of your trip.”
“Thanks! This island is so cute. The downtown reminds me a little of home. If you and your fiancé ever find yourselves in BC, we’d love to have you in Sugar Peak,” she says. “I manage a ski resort there, and Brooks owns the bar in town.”
As soon as Hadley and Brooks leave, I let my head sink into my hands. I highly doubt I’ll ever end up on a trip across the country with Gabe. As it is, it’ll be a miracle if he doesn’t hate me by the time this engagement charade is through.
As I stew, the metal of my ring brushes against my cheek, and I pick my head up. It slips easily from my finger, and I shove it into my purse. Maybe if I can’t see it, I’ll be able to forget the guilt. Until I have to put it on again.
When the door opens for a third time a few minutes later, I find myself dreading having to interact with more strangers.
Or worse, locals. All this lying is making my stomach churn, and it feels like I’m living a double life.
To Kevin and his family, I’m happily engaged.
To the people of Kip Island, I’m the woman who couldn’t hack it out in the big, bad world and had to come running home.
Briefly, I thought maybe everything in my life was going to click into place. I’d come back here and find my footing. Now I know that was just an illusion. Because everything is messier than before, and I have no idea how to make it un messy.
Thankfully, I’m able to release a small sigh of relief when I find Carole standing in front of me.
“Hi, Buttercup,” she says. “You doing alright? You look a little sad.”
I take a deep breath, then paste on a smile. “I’m okay, just tired. How are you? I didn’t think I’d see you today.”
“I’m just peachy! But listen, I have a small proposition for you.”
This makes me somewhat wary. Carole’s proposition could be anything. “Yeah? What is it?”
“I have some friends who are looking to commission a painting. Their mom is heading to a nursing home, and they want to gift her something to give her comfort. A painting of her childhood home.” Her head cocks as she assesses me. “Do you think you’d be up for it?”
I blink. “ Me ?”
Carole laughs. “Don’t sound so shocked, Hallie.” She taps her temple. “I remember exactly how talented you are.”
I’ve never aspired to turn my art into a career. It has always been something that is simply for me. A way for me to express myself—something my mother couldn’t touch or taint. That hasn’t changed, but for the right circumstances, I don’t mind creating for someone else.
“I’ll do it,” I tell her. “But I don’t want to be paid.”
Carole takes one of my hands between both of hers. “You are a gem on this earth, Buttercup. Don’t forget that.”
If only she knew the truth.
As the day drags on, the temperature begins to dip and the sky turns grey.
After locking up the gallery and starting my walk to Gabe’s house, the rain begins.
Thankfully, it’s just a sprinkle, so it doesn’t soak into my clothes too much.
Still, I find myself shivering as I draw my sweater tighter around my body.
Summer is firmly in the rear view now, and it won’t be back for at least the next seven months.
I don’t mind, though. I’ve always loved the fall.
There’s something about the changing leaves and the cooler temperatures that comfort me.
The guesthouse has become my favourite place lately, in part because I’ve been working on it, but also because it’s nestled amongst the colourful trees at the back of Gabe’s property.
When an Audi slows and comes to a stop beside me, I look over. The window rolls down, and Delilah leans over the centre console. “Want a ride?” she asks.
It takes me a second, but I nod. I don’t know Delilah all that well yet, but I already know I like her. Her personality feels like a balance between mine and Clara’s, and it’s easy to see how much Luke loves her.
Quickly, I open the passenger door and slide inside her car, trying not to let the rain in. The heat is on, and I relish the warmth as I buckle my seatbelt.
“Thanks for this,” I say.
She smiles as she puts the car in gear. “It’s no problem. I’m passing by anyway. Did you just get off work?”
“Yeah, Carole asked me to work a little extra this week because she got a big order for some art prints.” Along with selling art, the gallery also has the means to print out customers’ pictures and wrap canvasses. It’s the island’s one-stop shop for art and photography of any kind, essentially.
“Oops, that’s my fault. I’m trying to make our house feel more like ours , so I’ve decided to start a gallery wall in the living room.
” She grimaces. “The only problem is, I can’t decide what prints to use until I see them all in the space.
Luke tried to help, but he just doesn’t have the vision, you know? ”
I laugh. “Hey, I don’t mind. More hours is a good thing for me.”
As we continue to drive, the rain picks up, and Delilah’s grip on the steering wheel tightens.
For a moment, I debate saying anything, but my concern wins out. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” She takes a deep breath. “Rain freaks me out these days. I don’t know how much Clara told you, but my parents died in a car accident last year. They hydroplaned.”
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry,” I say automatically. “You didn’t have to go out of your way to drop me off! You probably want to get home.”
Delilah shakes her head. “It’s okay. Really. I’m trying to work through it. Can’t avoid the rain for the rest of my life.”
“Well, if you need to take a break, I don’t mind. I’ll wait. Storms are…tricky for me, too, sometimes.”
She throws me an appreciative smile.
A couple minutes later, Delilah pulls into Gabe’s driveway and puts the car in park. In the cup holder, her phone lights up with a text. I catch Luke’s name on the screen.
She reaches for it as I brace myself to head into the onslaught. The relieved smile that stretches her lips makes me pause.
“Everything good?”
“Oh,” she says, looking up. “Sorry. Luke was just checking in because of the weather. It helps me, knowing my people are safe.”
My own phone chimes then. Looking at the screen, I see a text from Gabe.
Gabriel
Need me to come get you? The rain is coming down pretty hard.
It’s okay, I’m outside. Delilah gave me a ride.
The front door swings open a moment later, and Gabe fills the doorway. He waves to Delilah. She waves back.
“Looks like he’s checking on his person, too,” she says. Gone is the worry in her expression. Instead, I find something akin to mischief.
“What?” I squeak.
“You know, his person. His go-to. His girl?—”
“I know what you mean, but that’s not— We’re not—” I cut myself off. “Gabe and I are friends.”
She laughs. “I get it, Hallie. I’m sorry, I was just teasing.”
My cheeks heat, but I offer her a smile so she knows I didn’t take offence. “Thanks again for the ride.”
“You’re welcome.” Delilah holds out her phone. “Here, give me your number. I’m surprised Clara hasn’t added us to a group chat yet, but we can fix that.”
I type my number in, then hand her phone back. A quick glance out the windshield shows the rain isn’t letting up anytime soon. “Are you okay to get home? I’m sure Gabe wouldn’t mind if you came inside for a bit.”
She nods. “Thanks, but I’ll be okay. I have to relieve Sophia’s sitter anyway.”
“Text me when you get there?” She agrees, and I throw open the door and step out. “See you later!”
As I hurry up the walkway toward the front door, toward Gabe, I decide maybe things aren’t as bad as I thought.
I may not have my life figured out, but at least I’m making a new friend.
I had a few acquaintances in the city, but no one came close to Clara.
I could see Delilah becoming equally as important to me, though.
“Hey,” Gabe says, closing the door behind me, “how was work?”
For a second, I bask in the domesticity of this moment. It feels so normal to come home from a long day and find Gabe waiting for me. To have him ask me how my day was.
I want that .
“It was good,” I reply. “Caitlyn texted me this morning. She gave me the wedding info.”
“Do you still want to go?”
Slowly, I nod. “Yes, but…will you still come with me?”
The look Gabe gives me feels like a caress. “Of course I will. You don’t even have to ask.”
And I know that he means it. Gabe has always been like that—dependable. You couldn’t want for anyone better to be in your life.
My stomach tightens with guilt. Because it’s only a matter of time before I ruin things again.