Chapter 45
MAE
I tried hard to stay out of it, keep my mouth shut and let Jonah fight his own battles.
I really did. But Eleanor made that impossible.
Seeing her still trying to guilt Jonah for not wanting to do what she wanted him to do was infuriating.
Even with a solution in hand, and Myles poised and keen to take over the hotel, so that Gray could retire and look after his health, she was still intent on making sure Jonah knew she was disappointed in him.
‘He doesn’t want to do anything,’ Eleanor retorted. ‘That’s the problem.’
‘That’s not true. He has brilliant ideas, actually.’ I looked at Jonah. ‘Tell them.’
He stared back at me, then nodded slowly.
‘Tell us what, son?’ Gray asked.
‘Growing up, as you all know, I spent a lot of time outdoors. You thought it was because I couldn’t sit still, but truthfully, out there, on the island, was the only place I felt at peace.
Out there, there were no expectations on me, no pressure.
I combed the shorelines after school. Explored the forests on the weekends.
Studied the tides. Learned where to shelter in a storm. ’
His family listened intently. I put my hand in his and gave it an encouraging squeeze.
‘People come to this hotel and stay in these beautiful rooms,’ he continued.
‘But that’s all Pine Harbor is to them. A stunning view from a window.
’ He shook his head. ‘But it’s not. It’s so much more than that.
It’s the way the sea smoke dances on the ocean’s surface on a cold winter’s morning.
The way the light glitters off the frozen lake as you skate around it.
The sound the wind makes on the bluff. The color of the sky before a storm.
There is so much beauty in this place, and that’s what I want people to see. What I want to show them.’
‘That’s all very admirable,’ Eleanor said. ‘But our guests will be wondering where—’
‘Eleanor.’ Gray’s voice cut her off. Quiet but firm. ‘Let him finish.’
She stared at him in shock.
‘Go on,’ Gray encouraged Jonah.
‘I want to run excursions through the hotel,’ Jonah explained. ‘Guided nature walks. Skating. Seal watching. Sailing trips. Experiences that will connect people to the place.’
There was silence as his family processed this. I wanted to speak but Jonah already knew what I thought of his idea. He needed to hear it from his family now. Gray was the first to break the silence.
‘I think it’s a brilliant idea,’ he said, smiling at his son.
‘I agree,’ Anna said, nodding. ‘It’s the perfect job for you, Jonah. You know this island like the back of your hand. Who better to share it with people than you?’
‘It’s a great idea,’ David added.
‘I’m afraid I disagree,’ Eleanor said. ‘Adventure tourism is not what The Shore Hotel is about.’
‘It’s not adventure tourism,’ Jonah argued. ‘But I should have known you wouldn’t understand. It’s about showing people the real Pine Harbor. This place is truly special, and I want them to go home feeling like they’re taking a little piece of Pine Harbor home with them.’
‘It’s a nice sentiment,’ she said. ‘But I’m sorry, I just don’t think The Shore Hotel is the right venue.’
‘You’re wrong,’ Gray said and Eleanor’s head snapped back as if he’d slapped her. ‘I think our guests will love it.’
‘And as the soon-to-be CEO of this hotel,’ Myles said, ‘I agree. I think it’s just what this hotel, and this town, needs. Come see me Monday morning, Jonah, and we’ll go over the details.’
‘Ooh, honey,’ Anna purred, tugging gently on his tie. ‘I do like your executive voice.’
‘Oh God, save it for upstairs,’ David groaned, miming gagging.
Jonah held out his hand to Myles. ‘Or,’ he suggested, grinning, ‘we could just do what we’ve always done, and nut out the finer details over a beer at The Cozy Catch?’
He laughed, taking Jonah’s hand and shaking it. ‘Deal.’
Eleanor waved a hand. ‘And you expect me to take you seriously as a businessman when this is how you behave?’
Jonah shook his head at her. ‘You know what? I don’t care what you think any more.
You either accept me for me, or you don’t.
I refuse to change myself for you, or anyone.
I’m happy with who I am.’ He smiled down at me and put an arm around my waist, and I smiled back at him with tears in my eyes.
It wasn’t just words, I could tell. He looked happy, as if a massive weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
‘I’ve heard enough for tonight,’ Eleanor said, gesturing to Gray. ‘Our guests will be wondering where we are. We should join them.’
‘I guess there’s my answer,’ Jonah said softly, and I gave him a comforting squeeze, trying to convey that whatever happened with his mother, he had me.
The rest of his family headed back into the ballroom.
‘Shall we join them?’ I asked him.
‘Yeah, in a minute,’ he replied, looking over my shoulder with a frown on his face. ‘Something’s up.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I keep seeing hotel guests heading outside, and I swear that family going out now have their pajamas on underneath their jackets.’
I checked where he was pointing. ‘I think you’re right. But why are they going outside into the cold night?’
‘Only one way to find out.’
Outside, the cold wind made me gasp, and Jonah whipped off his jacket to wrap around my shoulders.
People were gathered along the shore path in front of the hotel, gazing skywards.
If I hadn’t been a witness to last night’s storm, I’d never have believed it happened.
The sky was wide and dark, clear of any of the carnage from the night before.
Littered with stars, it was undoubtedly breathtaking, but still I stared, puzzled, wondering why people had gathered to look at what was surely a regular sight in Pine Harbor.
Then Jonah gave a sharp intake of breath and grabbed my arm.
‘Look,’ he urged, pointing to the horizon.
At first, I wasn’t sure what I was looking at. A pale tint to the sky, like fog on glass. Then it shifted and I saw it. A green ribbon, moving gently, unfurling.
‘Is that?’ I asked breathily.
‘Northern Lights,’ Jonah confirmed, sounding as entranced as I felt. ‘Here in Pine Harbor.’
We stood in awe, watching as they drifted and danced, graceful and unhurried. Around us the crowd murmured their delight. A child nearby, red and white candy cane in hand, gasped before clapping their gloved hands over their mouth, as if afraid the noise would chase the lights away.
I reached for Jonah’s hand. ‘Everything that’s happened to me since I came here to Pine Harbor has been unreal. It feels like I’m dreaming.’
‘Want me to pinch you?’
I shook my head. ‘No. If this is a dream, I don’t ever want to wake up.’
He pulled me in close to his chest, wrapping his arms around me. ‘Well the good news, is that this is really happening.’
‘And the bad news?’
He nuzzled my cheek. ‘There is none.’
The lights put on a show for another few minutes before beginning to fade, then disappearing as gently as they had arrived. I turned in his arms.
‘I’ll never forget that sight for as long as I live,’ I declared. ‘I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.’
‘Me neither,’ he said softly, and I wasn’t sure if he was talking about the lights or me, but either way, I knew I was exactly where I belonged.
‘Dance with me?’ he asked softly.
I felt my chest swell with pride. ‘Always.’
* * *