Chapter 37
CHAPTER 37
WILLA
S utter’s Ferry was under siege. At least, that was what it felt like to me. The central portion of the village had been blocked off all the way to the marina. A stage was set up at one end of Main Street, with a chalkboard announcing the different bands who’d be taking it over all day. The streets were lined with booths displaying everything from carved driftwood art to tidy jars from the Golden Dunes Honey Company. Interspersed throughout were tents for local restaurants serving pared down versions of their regular menus. I might have loved it but for all the people.
There were so many.
When I’d lived in the village proper with Bree, I’d deliberately pushed my own limits, working in public, or otherwise getting out and about some every day, even during prime tourist season. But since my grandfather had died, and Sawyer and I had moved out to Sutter House, I’d backslid. It had been so easy to stay holed up out there—first because of the stress and strain over the lawsuit and then simply because we were lost in our own little honeymoon world. That would have to change moving forward. I’d have to go back to making an effort.
“Willa! Sawyer!”
I turned toward the familiar voice and spotted Delilah waving from one of the booths. Relieved to see a friendly face, I cut through the crowd in her direction.
“Hey, sugar! How are y’all this morning?”
I accepted her warm hug without reservation. “Making it.” It was the best I could offer without lying.
Her dark eyes were knowing. “There are a lot of folks here today.”
“I think we have Miles to thank for that.”
Our mayor had taken what had once been effectively a party for the locals at the end of the summer season and turned it into an Event with a capital E.
“He did a big push this year around the homecoming theme, reaching out through social media and email to island residents who’ve moved elsewhere, encouraging them to come back to visit.”
There’d always been some who came home around this time. But this year, it felt as if they’d all said ‘Yes’ to his invitation. Ever since the 5K foot race had finished this morning, more and more people had appeared. I could barely move from booth to booth without someone encroaching on my personal space. Sawyer had done his best to stick close, shielding me with his bigger body, but he could only do so much, and I was very aware of the just-in-case dose of propranolol Gabi had pressed on me.
“Guess that was a success,” Delilah said. “I’ve seen some people today I haven’t seen in years.”
“How’s business?” Sawyer glanced around the tables, which already looked half-empty.
Delilah beamed. “Booming. I’ve already sold most of my canvases and quite a few prints. And a good portion of the pottery I had prepped is already spoken for. Nothing makes me happier than a reason to get back into the studio.”
From the next street over, I could hear the band changing out to something a lot louder and more raucous. So much input and noise. I missed Roy and his big, comforting presence. But he’d have been on high alert with all these people because I was, so it was best that he’d been left at home.
I dragged my attention back to the conversation. “Where’s Florence? I expected she’d be here with you.” There was no sign of the taller woman.
“Oh, she went to get us some lunch before the big rush.”
“That’s a good idea. Wren, you wanna get some food before it gets any worse? If we go now, we can probably eat before you’re supposed to report for the start of the regatta.”
The Founders’ Day Regatta was the first of several events I was expected to be present for. Some of it was ceremonial, and some was simply for the photo op. All of it meant I wouldn’t have my trusty emotional support husband for most of the afternoon. Being fortified with food would likely help.
“That’s probably a good plan.”
“Craving anything in particular? I think I saw the booth for Shell Yeah back around the block.”
“I’m not fussy. I’ll go for anything that’s not near the band.”
“You got it. See you later, Mimi.”
We ended up at the tent for the Shoreline Sandwich Shack, which was offering a limited version of its usual menu. A familiar, tall figure with silver-shot brown hair was waiting in line ahead of us. When he turned, I almost broke from the line and simply walked away to find somewhere else to eat. But this was my island, and I’d made my position clear.
“Miss Sutter. Good to see you.”
I forced a polite smile that I knew missed by at least half a mile. “Mr. Strand. Enjoying the festivities?”
“Indeed. It’s quite the turnout today.”
“So it is.”
Sawyer moved closer to me.
“It’s an exciting thing, seeing so many people on the island. Everybody wants their piece of Hatterwick. Lots of opportunity for those smart enough to act.”
Before I could reply to the veiled insult, Sawyer tightened his arm around my shoulders. “I’m sorry, are you implying that because my wife isn’t a money-hungry jackal, willing to sell her soul for a buck, she’s somehow stupid?”
I would’ve laughed, but for the flash of fury that passed over Anthony Strand’s face.
“I wouldn’t dare. Good day to you.” This last came off in a clear tone of fuck you very much as he turned his back on us and made his order.
When he had his sandwich in hand, he left the tent entirely.
“Good riddance,” Sawyer muttered.
“Much as I appreciate your defense, you probably shouldn’t have antagonized him.”
“I didn’t like how he was speaking to you. You’ve told him on multiple occasions that you’re not interested.”
“Yeah. But people like that can’t wrap their brains around the idea that not everyone thinks like they do. That not everyone is motivated by money. Which, I recognize, is a thing I can say because of my personal privilege. But despite what I came from, what I’ve inherited, I know what it is to have nothing. And I’d still make the same choice.”
He brushed a kiss to my temple. “And that’s just one of the many things I love about you.”
We got our sandwiches and found an empty table in the corner to eat. I could still feel the press of people, but at least they weren’t bumping into me. Knowing what was coming for the afternoon, I gave in and took the emergency meds. The last thing I wanted was to get caught up in a panic attack when I was nowhere near any of my supports.
Sawyer checked his watch and balled up his sandwich wrapper. “Probably time to start working our way to the marina.”
By the time we got there, I expected some of this feeling of pressure in my chest to have eased. Hand-in-hand, we made our way down the street, past the Brewhouse and on toward Pamlico Sound.
“Willa!”
At the hail, I braced myself for more peopling. But when I turned, I spotted Roland O’Shea pushing through the crowd.
“Hey, Roland.”
He was puffing a little by the time he reached us. “I tried to call you.”
Every muscle in my body went tense. “I think the cell towers are overwhelmed by all the extra people. Nothing came through. What’s wrong?”
He waved a hand. “No, no. Nothing is wrong. I wanted to share the good news. I heard back from the court.”
Sawyer pulled me close. “And?”
“Your parents’ case has been tossed out by the judge.”
I stared at him. “Tossed out? So it’s… over?”
Roland beamed. “It is. The estate and everything that goes with it is yours. Or will be, as soon as the probate process is finished in another couple of months. Congratulations, Willa.”
“I don’t— This is really, real?”
“Really, really,” he assured me.
I turned to Sawyer, looking up at him in giddy relief. “It’s over.”
He grinned at me. “We won. You won.”
I turned back to the attorney. “I can’t thank you enough for all your hard work with all of this. Protecting my inheritance. Protecting me .”
“Of course. It was my pleasure.” He pulled out a handkerchief and mopped his brow. “Don’t let me keep you. I know you’ve got places to be for Founders’ Day duties. I’ll be seeing you later at the parade.”
“Oh, are you helping out there?”
He rolled his eyes. “I got voluntold I’d be helping coordinate getting the floats in order.”
I snickered. “Miles is good at voluntelling people all kinds of things. I’ll see you there. And thank you again.”
With a smile and a wave, Roland disappeared into the crowd.
For a moment, Sawyer and I only stood there, beaming at each other.
“It’s really over. We successfully gave a great big double middle finger to my parents. My dad’s got to be furious.”
“He made a play, and he lost. Because he was wrong on every level. And you, my wife, have a big, bright future to think about.”
Biting my lip, I did a quick dancing squee. “Okay, but after today. I’ve gotta go be responsible.”
Down at the marina, I could see Miles and the other founding family representatives waiting out on the pier where we’d be launching the races. “I’m off to be a Sutter.”
“You’ll shine brilliantly. But if you get overwhelmed, I don’t give a shit what Miles wants. I’ll come. Just send me a text, and I’ll be there.”
“Where will you be?”
“Ed and the other Gray Beards are saving me a stool up at the Brewhouse. We were gonna hang out there during the regatta, and then I planned to come find you before the wreath-laying ceremony.”
“You might as well just hang out and get comfortable until after the parade is over. I’ll just be going from the cemetery back for that, and the float judging after. Then I’ll be all yours.”
He waggled his brows and slid his hands over my butt. “All mine?”
I wrapped my arm around his shoulders, rising up to touch my lips to his. “Every naked inch.”
“I’m holding you to that, wife.”
“You better. We have some serious celebrating to do.” Kissing him quickly, I slipped past the barricade and went to do my duty.