Chapter 8 #2
“That’s right,” I said. “Gillian suggested a whale watching expedition as something fun to distract Annie and Delphine from their grief. It was such a sad time. Esme had kicked useless Jeff out of the house. Lila’s husband had just left her for a much younger woman.
Jon had taken his own life. But I remember it being a wonderful day.
It was the first time I’d seen Delphine smile since we’d buried Jon. ”
“Yeah, Annie was quiet that day,” Tyler said. “And she’s a baller, you know, so that whole time was weird.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Hunter said.
“Like I said, hard time in our little family,” I said. “But we got through it together, like we always do.”
“It’s a blessing to have found family,” Hunter said.
“That’s exactly right,” I said. “They are my sisters.”
“Has Delphine been subjected to the dating app scheme?” Hunter asked.
“I think she and Dorian are a match made in heaven,” I said. “But she refuses to even entertain the idea.”
“She might come around eventually,” Hunter said. “Even those of us who have sworn off love can’t resist it when it comes knocking again.”
Hunter and I locked eyes for a moment, and everything fell away. I took in the softness of his gaze, the tilt of his head, his hazel eyes clear and intelligent. And I had sudden clarity. This was no longer a crush. We were falling in love.
Good God. What was I supposed to do now?
After dinner, while Hunter and I cleaned up the kitchen, Tyler looked for whale expeditions. “I found one for this Saturday. Should we book it? I don’t have a game that day.”
“That’s the day Ivy’s supposed to get here,” Hunter said. “But Wes can entertain her until I get home.”
“Would she want to come with us?” Tyler asked.
“No. Not because she wouldn’t want to, but because it’s kind of a hassle for her to go to public places lately,” Hunter said. “She wouldn’t want it to ruin our time together by being so conspicuous.”
“She could wear a hat and sunglasses like in the movies,” I said.
“No, this is a day for the three of us,” Hunter said firmly. “Book it, Tyler. We’ll have our first adventures together … as …” He trailed off.
“As a family?” Tyler asked.
I could tell he immediately regretted it. His cheeks flushed pink and he returned his gaze to his plate. But the yearning in his voice was as clear as could be. He wanted this so badly.
“As the three musketeers,” I said, quickly.
“What is a musketeer anyway?” Tyler asked.
“Charming, dueling heroes with big hearts and even bigger loyalty,” I said. “Great in fiction.”
“Even better in real life,” Hunter said. “But do we have to wear cloaks?”
“You would rock a cloak,” Tyler said. “And tall boots. A sword. Next Halloween maybe?”
“I’ll take that under consideration,” Hunter said, laughing. “Regardless, I like the idea of the three of us as a team.”
“Me too,” Tyler said.
I didn’t say anything because I’d suddenly forgotten how to speak.
Words, for once, could not describe how I felt in that moment.
How it seemed to be falling into place and how terrifying it all was.
Tyler and I were in deep already. What if this all fell apart and we’re left broken-hearted?
I could handle it for me, but for my son? I just couldn’t bear it.
Be brave, Sugar Plum. Love can’t blossom without courage.
My dad. Speaking to me from the dead again, as bossy as ever.
I answered him back.
Fine. I’ll do it your way. But it doesn’t mean I’m not scared.
You were never afraid of anything your whole life. Don’t start now.
Dad again.
“Let’s do this. Buy three tickets,” I said. “For the three musketeers.”
“I’m on it, but I have to do it on the computer,” Tyler said. “I’ll be right back.” He sprinted out of the kitchen and up the stairs to his room.
When he was gone, Hunter snuck an arm around my waist and pulled me in for a kiss. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For bringing me back to life,” Hunter said. “For waking the muses. For sharing your son with me.”
“It’s the easiest thing I’ve done in a long while.”
He kissed me again and I kissed him right back.
Take that, Daddy.
Later, I pulled up our group chat.
Seraphina
Confession time. Hunter just left.
Gillian
And?
Seraphina
I’m quickly becoming a fool in love. I don’t know what’s happening to me.
Esme
Greetings from Amsterdam. And what?!? You and Hunter? Spill the tea.
Seraphina
Tyler wanted guitar lessons. From Hunter. At the house. So yeah. Operation Parent App is still in full swing. And it seems to be working. I’m falling. Hard. So is Tyler.
Lila
Wow. Wow. Wow. This is amazing. I knew it.
Delphine
Except for his ex-wife. Esme, search for Dana King on your phone. You’ll see what she’s been up to.
Lila
Why SOS? Isn’t this all good? You two have been crushing for months.
Seraphina
I don’t like messy. And his ex-wife is messy. And I’m somewhat in the public eye. Romance readers hate nothing more than a cheater.
Lila
But it’s not true. Don’t forget that part.
Seraphina
I won’t, but you know how things can look when spun the right way.
Esme
Okay, I’m back. Dana King IS causing a lot of trouble.
Delphine
And Seraphina needs to protect her image and her brand. This IS messy.
Gillian
But it’s worth it for love. Look at Alex and me. We were pretty messy. Bella’s reaction. Her real father threatening us. But we made it through to the other side. And now we have Leo.
Lila
Yes, and Margot’s arrival made it more complicated for Vance and me.
But it all works out in the end—if you and Hunter fall in love, everything will work out somehow.
But DO be careful about the gossip. It can upend things in a hurry.
I don’t need to remind anyone about the photographers camped out in front of my house.
Delphine
That’s right. And these Nashville people are ruthless.
Esme
How do you know that?
Delphine
I just do.
Esme
I have to go. Our tour is starting. Keep me posted, please.
Seraphina
I will. Go enjoy your adventure. Say hi to Grady.
Esme
Will do.
Everyone else said goodnight, and I put the phone away, feeling better. My friends didn’t necessarily have answers, but they were always there to listen. And right now, that’s just what I needed.
Early Saturday morning, we drove south to the location of our boat excursion.
Hunter had driven us in Margaret’s car, as his truck wasn’t suited for three of us.
We’d stopped for coffees and scones on the way, chatting excitedly about what we were about to experience.
We parked along the harbor just as the morning fog was beginning to lift, hovering over the water.
We got out of the car and donned heavy jackets, as the wind was strong, carrying the scents of kelp and seaweed mixed with diesel. A small crowd had already gathered near the dock, waiting to board the boat. Gulls circled overhead, making unnecessary racket.
Our boat’s white paint was worn in places, scuffed from use, and the name along the side had been sun-faded to a soft blue. A crew member checked us in with a clipboard, then pointed us toward a narrow ramp onto the boat, which rocked against the dock, bumping with a hollow thud each time.
Onboard, the air felt even colder. The wind whipped through my hair, slipping down the collar of my jacket.
“Ooh, it’s cold,” I said.
“It is, yeah.” Hunter reached into his jacket and pulled out a knit cap. “Wear this.” He came closer, tugging it over my hair. I immediately felt warmer. I caught the scent of Hunter’s cologne in the fibers of the yarn. I might never take it off again.
Soon enough, all the guests had boarded.
As we pulled away from the dock, the harbor opened slowly, the clustered boats giving way to wider stretches of water.
Tyler went to stand by the side, peering over the railing.
Once we cleared the breakwater, the tide shifted from the relatively calm harbor into long, rolling swells.
The boat rose with each one, making me feel a little queasy.
Hunter sidled up next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me against his chest.
“You okay?” Hunter asked.
“Little nauseous.”
“Look at the water ahead. That should help. Tell me about the colors you see.”
“Not blue. Gray, layered with green. Changes depending on the way the light hits it.”
“Isn’t it spectacular?” Hunter asked.
Spray caressed my face, cold against my cheeks and tasting of salt when I licked my lips. Around us, people leaned into the motion of the boat, hands braced on the rail.
The captain’s voice came over the speaker, pointing out directions and things to look for. “Look off to the port side. Keep your eyes there.”
Hunter and I turned to look, but, at first, I didn’t see anything except the endless shifting water.
Then someone pointed, and everyone’s gazes followed, excitement in the air.
I narrowed my eyes, scanning the surface, trying to separate one dark shape from another.
There was a sudden burst of mist, straight up from the water, hanging there for a second like breath on a winter morning.
The whale showed himself, a curve of his dark back rising from the surface, smooth but not sleek, and marked and textured.
We heard the sound of a forceful exhale, cutting through the wind and engine noise.
The whale rolled forward and disappeared again under the water.
For a moment, there was nothing but the gray surface.
Then, a little farther out, he surfaced again, I couldn’t move or breathe as I watched this ancient dance—the rise, the breath, the slow arc of his back.
When he dove, the tail lifted last, broad and dark, water streaming off the edges before it slipped beneath the surface and was gone.
The boat drifted slightly as the captain adjusted position, the engine lowering to a quiet hum. Whereas there had been anticipation earlier, the crowd was now hushed and subdued, awed by what we’d just seen. We all waited, scanning the water again, knowing now what to look for.
Another spout in the distance. Then another. Everyone cheered, suddenly pulled from our collective trance.
“Alright, folks,” the captain’s voice came over the speaker again.“We’ve got a couple of them moving through here. I’m going to cut the engine for a minute and drop the hydrophone so we can listen in.”
The engine quieted, the steady vibration beneath my feet fading until all that remained was the sound of wind and water. Without the motor, the ocean felt bigger and our boat smaller.
A crew member moved to the side of the boat, lifting the lid on a small compartment and pulling out a coiled cable attached to what looked like a metal cylinder. He lowered it carefully over the side, hand over hand, until it disappeared beneath the surface.
Everyone remained still and quiet, listening.
For a moment, we heard only the slap of water against the hull and the distant cry of a gull, but then a soft crackle came through the overhead speakers, followed by a wavering sound.
Not music, but something akin. The sounds rose and fell in long, uneven notes, layered with faint clicks and distant pulses before turning almost mournful.
Out beyond the boat, another plume of mist rose from the surface, lingering in the cold air.
After a minute or two, the captain’s voice returned. “Those were likely humpbacks passing through. We had good luck today.”
The crew member began to pull the hydrophone back up, water streaming from the cable as it emerged.
The moment the device broke the surface, the sound faded, thinning into static before disappearing altogether.
Our engine rumbled back to life, filling the space again, and the spell broke.
Everyone started talking and moving around, all of us caught in the magic of it all.
“They have a music of their own,” Hunter said. “But it sounds as lonesome as a sad country song.”
I leaned against him, taking in the moment, his bulk warm next to me. “This was a good idea,” I said softly.
“Agreed,” Hunter said.
Tyler came to stand with us. “That was the most awesome thing I’ve ever seen.”
“It was pretty cool,” Hunter said. “I didn’t know if we’d actually see one. Or hear one.”
“I wish we knew what they were saying,” Tyler said.
Hunter leaned his back against the railing. “We don’t need to know exactly what they’re saying to one another to know it’s a language of love.”
“You think?” Tyler turned back to the sea, squinting into the light.
“Has to be,” Hunter said. “This was amazing, right?”
“The best,” Tyler said. “Thanks for taking us, Mom.”
“My pleasure,” I said, stumbling a little as the boat turned around to head back to shore. Hunter reached out to steady me. Tyler watched us, taking in every detail.
“I’ll never forget this as long as I live,” Tyler said.
“Me either,” Hunter said.
“I’m with you,” I said.
We were quiet on the way back to the harbor. There wasn’t a need to say anything the whales hadn’t already said.