Chapter 14
F elicity and Brent headed back to the B&B. Townspeople smiled or nodded at them as they passed. The once-again familiar sights of the town slipped past them as they slowly strolled along the sidewalk. Brent was quiet as they walked along.
Finally, she looked over at him. “So, your mother. She might have lived here on Magnolia Key. That’s really something.”
He nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. “It’s possible. From what Dale said, that photo I found with the lighthouse in the background is definitely from Magnolia Key.”
“But you’re not sure if she actually lived here, right?”
“No, I’m not. No one in my family ever mentioned it, but then again, they didn’t talk about her much.” He paused and frowned. “So it doesn’t give me a definitive clue. It could have simply been a vacation. Magnolia Key was a popular spot back then.”
She stopped beside him. “The island still is.”
“I’ll have to look into it more. See if I can find any records that prove she lived here. Or prove she didn’t live here. But at least it’s a start.”
They continued walking and reached the B&B, its wide porch welcoming them back. Without discussing it, they both headed for the porch swing. She settled in, feeling the familiar creak of the chains as Brent sat beside her.
“What was your mother like?” she asked, genuinely curious.
A soft smile curved his lips. “From what I can remember—and it’s not much—she was vibrant. Always laughing, always ready for an adventure. But there was a sadness to her sometimes. Though maybe I’m remembering that from when she was ill. Like I said, my memories of her are few and kind of jumbled.”
“It might be nice to figure out where she grew up. Learn some more about her. Maybe it would make you feel more connected to her.” She grinned at him. “And we all know how you love to research.”
He laughed. “I do. And I think it might help to find out more about her if I can.”
They fell into a comfortable silence, the rhythmic creaking of the porch swing accompanying their thoughts. She glanced over and studied his profile, noticing the set of his jaw and the intensity in his eyes as he gazed out at the horizon.
“What if you do find out she lived here?” she asked softly. “What would that mean for you?”
He turned to look at her, his brown eyes meeting hers. “I’m not sure. But I think I’d be glad. Glad to have a connection to this place. A connection… anywhere.”
She nodded, understanding. She felt the same way about Magnolia Key, about the roots her family had put down here. It was comforting and grounding.
“We’ll figure it out,” she said, surprising herself with the term we , but it felt right.
He smiled a warm, genuine smile that made her heart skip a beat. “Thank you,” he said simply.
That heart-skipping thing and the way she felt when she spent time with him confused her. Of course, everything confused her these days.
They sat and moved slowly, back and forth on the swing, until finally, she turned to him, daring to ask the question that had been on her mind all day. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course. Anything.” He turned to look at her.
“You were going to kiss me, weren’t you? Last night before Gran interrupted.”
He grinned. “I was. Did you want me to?”
She turned and looked out at the bay for a moment, gathering her thoughts. “I… I honestly don’t know. I’m not sure now is a good time for a relationship. I’m so confused about so much in my life. My identity is wrapped up in being a teacher and now the thought of going back just… leaves me feeling empty.” She looked up into his eyes and took a deep breath. “Can we just be friends? Is that okay with you? Besides, we’re both leaving soon. It seems fruitless to start something that can’t go anywhere.”
He locked his gaze with hers, a sadness hovering about his features. “I understand how you feel. I know you have things to sort out. But I won’t say I’m not disappointed. I felt… something. I thought you might too.”
She looked down at her hands, breaking their contact. “I just don’t know how I feel about anything right now. My life. Anything. It’s not the right time to start something, I don’t think.”
“If that’s what you need, I’ll back off. We can stay friends. Research partners. That’s fine.” His voice almost sounded like he was telling the truth.
She glanced up, relieved to find that his look said he understood. That he was fine with her decision. She let out a long breath and smiled at him. “Good, I’m glad that’s settled.”
Brent stood. “I think I’m going to go for a walk on the beach. Been inside a lot doing all this research.”
She rose. “And I should go in and see if I can help Gran. That’s why I came here this summer, after all.” To help Gran and sort things out. Only… things just kept getting more and more complicated. At least he was supportive of her decision. They should just be friends.
“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Brent turned and headed down the stairs.
She leaned against the porch railing, staring out at the bay. The ferry was barely visible in the distance, bringing another load of people to the island just like it had brought her at the beginning of the summer.
This summer had not been like she’d imagined it would be. But the slower pace and helping Gran was such a welcomed change from teaching. Maybe by the end of the summer, she’d be ready to head back to her job, recharged and ready to go.
Maybe.
And now that she’d talked things out with Brent, that was settled too.
Maybe.
Brent walked along the beach, his feet sinking into the soft sand with each step. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore filled his ears, and the light breeze blew through his hair. But his thoughts were on Felicity and their talk.
She’d made it clear that it wasn’t the right time for a relationship. Maybe she was right, but he couldn’t deny his disappointment. He’d been ready to see where things were heading between them. Over the past few weeks, he’d grown to like her more and more. Her passion for uncovering the island’s history, her kindness, and her warm smile had drawn him in.
But he had to respect her decision. She was going through a lot, trying to figure out her career and find contentment in her work again. He understood that she needed to sort that out before considering anything else. Still, a part of him wished they could be more than just friends.
And he felt like she’d pulled back on wanting to research the prince. He wasn’t sure what that was about. Although she had said she’d help him research his mother.
His mother.
How strange to think she’d visited this very same island, and walked these very same beaches. He couldn’t wait to dig in and research more. He had this burning need to find out more about her. About her childhood. Her family. Any and every little detail.
As he continued his walk, he found himself approaching the lighthouse. The tall structure rose up against the blue sky. He paused and stared at it, then realized he was standing in almost the exact same place his mother had been standing in the photograph. A sense of connection flowed through him. A peace along with the longing to know more.
He climbed the steps leading up to the base of the lighthouse and stood where surely his mother had once been. The view was breathtaking, the vast expanse of the ocean stretching out before him. He wondered what had brought his mother to Magnolia Key all those years ago.
“Hey, Mom. I’m right here. Right where you’ve been before. Walking the same beach. I wish… I wish I had gotten the chance to know you better.”
Sadness swept through him for his loss. For the years he didn’t get to spend with her. For the loneliness that had been his life growing up without her.
A seagull swooped overhead, turned, and swooped back by him, coming to land at the edge of the foamy waves. It turned and looked at him, then scurried down the beach before soaring up in the sky.
He leaned against the railing, letting the warm sun wash over his face. Despite the disappointment of Felicity’s decision, peace settled over him just being here. The island had a funny way of soothing him, and he was grateful for the opportunity to explore its history and his own family’s connection to it.
He knew he needed to focus on his research and the book he was writing. That had been his goal from the start, and he couldn’t let his feelings for Felicity distract him from that. And he didn’t really even know what his feelings were because she didn’t want to explore them.
He would continue to work with her, enjoy her company, and enjoy the friendship they had formed. Maybe, in time, things would change, but for now, he had to accept what was.
With a deep breath, he turned away from the lighthouse and started making his way back along the beach. As he walked, determination crept through him, taking a firm hold. He would uncover the secrets of Magnolia Key and his mother’s past, and he would do it with Felicity or without her. He promised himself that he’d uncover the prince’s secrets and find out everything he could about his mother.
Felicity sat in her room that night, knitting on the scarf she’d started at the knitting club. She really should make some progress on it to show to the ladies at the next meeting. Although, if she were being honest, she was hiding out in her room, not wanting to run into Brent again tonight. She just needed some time to think. And give him some time to think.
A knock sounded at her door, and for a brief moment, she hoped it was Brent. What? That didn’t make any sense. She was avoiding him, remember?
“Honey, it’s Gran.”
“Come in.”
Gran came into the room, carrying a tray with tea and her knitting bag slung over one shoulder. “I made us some chamomile tea. You were quiet at dinner. I thought you might want to talk?”
“Gran, I’m supposed to be helping you. You’re not supposed to be waiting on me.”
“I’ll never quit spoiling you, dear. It’s what grandmothers do.”
She got up and took the tray from Gran, setting it on the small table. “Sit then, and have some with me.”
Gran smiled. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
They settled into the comfortable chairs by the window with their tea, and Gran picked up her knitting. “So, is something bothering you?”
“No. Not really. I just had a talk with Brent. Told him it was the wrong time to get involved with someone.”
“And what did he say?”
“That it was fine with him. That we could be just friends.”
“And did you believe him?” Gran raised an eyebrow.
“I…” She set down her cup and sighed. “I kind of believed him. I think he was disappointed with my choice. But he said it would be fine. We can be friends. Research partners.”
“And that’s what you want?”
“I think so.” She shrugged. “Of course, I don’t really know what I want anymore.”
“Seems a shame to shut that door before you even know what might happen.”
“Maybe. But I think it’s the smart thing to do.”
“Sometimes the smart thing to do and what our heart wants are two different things.”
Gran always had wise words. She shook her head and changed the subject. “Oh, and we got sidetracked from researching the prince.” She guessed Gran would be glad about that, at least. “We discovered that a photo Brent found of his mother was of her standing here on Magnolia Key as a young girl. I didn’t recognize it because it had the old lighthouse in the background. You know, before it was rebuilt.”
“That was a long time ago when the storm damaged it. I think it’s been rebuilt once and remodeled once.” Gran paused and took a sip of her tea. “So Brent thinks his mother visited here?”
“Maybe. Or possibly even lived here. He’s going to research it.”
“I hope he can find out more about her.”
“I do too. I think it will help him feel closer to her. I think he had a pretty bleak childhood. Passed around from relative to relative. His dad worked overseas a lot.”
“That’s too bad. A child should always feel secure and know they have a home.”
“I think he’s hoping he’s connected to Magnolia Key. For his sake, I hope he is too.” She smiled. “It’s nice being connected to this island.”
“The island does something to you, doesn’t it? Claims a part of your heart.” Gran picked up her knitting. “Now, show me your scarf.”
She showed Gran her progress, and they chatted and knitted while they sipped their tea. She couldn’t ask for a better way to spend an evening. Well, maybe if she’d sort out what she was going to do with her life, it would be a bit more peaceful.
Gran looked up and smiled at her. “Don’t worry. You’ll figure things out.”
Her grandmother always did know what she was thinking.