Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
E leanor sat out on her porch, the evening sky stretching out before her like a vast canvas painted in an inky dark blue, broken only by the sparkling stars and the faint glow of a crescent moon. Winston snored peacefully at her feet, his gentle breaths providing a soothing rhythm to the quiet night. The salt-tinged breeze carried the distant whisper of waves lapping against the shore, a constant reminder of the island’s embrace.
She rocked slowly back and forth in her well-worn chair, the creaking of the wood a familiar sound that had accompanied countless evenings spent in this very spot. How many nights had she sat out here on her porch, gazing at the stars and pondering life’s mysteries? In the very same house she grew up in, where the walls held a lifetime of memories, both joyous and painful. Each creak of the chair seemed to echo with whispers of the past, a nudge reminding her of the years that had slipped by like grains of sand through her fingers. She could almost hear the sounds from summers long past, feel the warmth of her momma’s embrace, and smell the scent of her daddy’s pipe tobacco lingering in the air.
These walls held so many secrets. Secrets that had been carefully guarded, hidden away from prying eyes and curious minds. She herself had kept secrets, buried deep within her heart. Sometimes, she knew, one had to do that—keep a secret to protect themselves. Is that what Vera had done? Had she had some secret affair with someone that the family knew nothing about? Or maybe the family did know, and that knowledge had driven a wedge between them, leading to Vera’s eventual departure from the island.
Eleanor didn’t know, and she suspected she’d probably never find out. She just hoped Vera had found her happiness, found peace. That her great-aunt had chased after what she wanted most in life, even if it meant leaving everything familiar behind.
But life had its mysteries, and some were meant to remain unsolved, floating like distant stars in the infinite expanse of the night sky.
Vera had been a stronger woman than she was. Because she, herself, hadn’t been strong enough to stand up to her father all those years ago. She hadn’t had the courage to defy his wishes. And look what had happened. She’d lost her chance at a life filled with passion and joy.
Instead, she’d married Theodore Griffin just like her daddy had wanted her to do. Theodore. Never Teddy or Ted. He was a man who demanded formality, even in the most intimate of settings.
She should probably say she missed Theodore now that he was gone, but, to tell the truth, she didn’t much. She guessed that’s what happened when you married someone you weren’t in love with, when you settled for a comfortable life of stability rather than trusting your heart and standing up for what you really wanted.
She closed her eyes against the memories, letting the gentle breeze brush against her face, remembering a wish of her own she’d made all those years ago. A dream she’d long abandoned.
The stars twinkled above as if each one was someone’s wish, a secret desire whispered into the darkness. A wish that might come true, if one only had the strength to believe in it.
I hope you enjoyed this book in the Magnolia Key series. And, there’s more to Eleanor’s story, of course. We’ll find out more in the next book, Bayside Beginnings . In the next book, Darlene—the owner of Bayside B&B—invites her granddaughter, Felicity, to come stay for the summer. Felicity is burned out from her teaching job and needing a break. But she finds much more than that…
And Eleanor? Let’s just say she gets a big surprise in the next book when more secrets are revealed. Oh, and more of Vera’s secrets come out too. Lots going on in this series!
As always, I appreciate your support and hope you’re enjoying a little escape into my books.