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“Linnea,” he whispered. “It was my mum’s name.”
“I’m not surprised she chose it.”
“Wait. Where’s her mother?”
“She was ill and passed away.”
Sven’s face fell. “When?”
“A few weeks ago.” I looked out the window at the guys attaching the ferry lines to the dock. “We’re tied off. Go!”
I stood back and waited, wanting to give them privacy but unable to tear my eyes away when Sven ran to where DeDe waited and put his arms around her and the baby.
When it started to rain, I got off the boat and joined them on the docks.
“Okay, you two, or three, let’s get you to the house, where it’s warm. The others are waiting for your go-ahead to board the next ferry,” I said, motioning to the golf cart DeDe and I had used when I brought her here a month ago.
“I hope you don’t mind if my dad, along with some of the people who have been searching for you, want to come to the island. I can tell them to hold off,” Sven told her.
DeDe shook her head. “I want to see them. Especially your dad.”
The ferry whistle blew. “I’ll head back across now. When you’re ready, just send a message, and I’ll get them loaded on the next scheduled trip,” I offered.
Before I could walk away, DeDe put her hand on my arm. “Can you stay? I’m sure they can find the way.”
I was about to say I didn’t want to intrude, but I stopped myself. Selfish as it was, I wanted to witness this reunion.
I excused myself when we returned to Butterfly Cottage and sent a message to Brand, including a photo I’d taken of the family from where I stood on the ferry as I watched their first few moments together.
I pray that, soon, we’ll be in each other’s arms. I love you. I brushed away my tears and watched the screen for his response.
I love you, Butterfly, and when we meet again, I want to spend as much time as we can at the cottage.
I looked out the window of the kitchen, where I’d gone both to make myself scarce and to prepare some food for when the others arrived, when I saw the ferry approaching.
“They’re here!” I shouted. “Be right back.” I raced out the door and drove the golf cart to the dock, where everyone got loaded onto the others waiting in the parking lot.
Once I returned at the cottage, I knocked, and Sven opened the door to find his father was the first person waiting. He went in alone.
“Thank you for taking care of Seshat,” said Nemesis, putting her arm around my shoulders.
“She and Linnea mean a lot to me.” I wiped my tears. “It’s crazy how we met. I’m not the type of person who usually starts a conversation with a stranger, but when she and I were seated on benches close to one another, I was compelled to.”
“I don’t know about you, but I believe people are put in our paths for a reason. You were meant to meet Seshat and keep her safe until Sven could find her.”
I shrugged. “I guess you’re right. Brand and I were so worried about her. It was obvious she was in hiding and feared for her safety, but we were powerless to help her.”
The door opened again, and Puck invited everyone to come in from the cold. I went into the kitchen and brought the food I’d prepared out to the table, then turned around to bring out drinks.
“This is lovely,” said a woman who introduced herself as Oleander. “Can I help?”
“I was about to bring some drinks out.”
“Got any champagne?” she asked.
“Loads of it.”
“Let’s pop a few corks, shall we?”