Page 39 of First Street (Harbor View Cozy Fantasy #1)

The Harbor View cemetery sat on a hill above the gleaming waters of the harbor.

Stone walls formed a border around it like something out of an old movie.

Headstones leaned sideways, some of the names rubbed almost smooth, and weird little angels with broken wings stood next to tall stone markers streaked with moss.

The place smelled like seaweed and wet rocks, and every now and then the clang of a buoy bell could be heard.

Ocean tightened her grip on the bouquet of flowers she was holding.

Standing next to Arthur, she stared at the two graves in front of them.

They looked older than anything she’d ever seen, the names black against the gray of the headstones.

The grass around them was freshly cut and neatly trimmed, a sharp contrast to the graves that had been sitting here forever.

“How did they end up side by side like this?” Ocean asked, glancing at Arthur.

“Jo died during the flu epidemic,” Arthur said.

“While that was going on, they couldn’t ship bodies anywhere.

Afterwards, according to Henry, her fancy New York family wasn’t interested in hauling her all the way to New York.

They probably had a marble mausoleum waiting…

columns, stained glass, the whole nine yards.

But no. She got Harbor View.” He gestured to the grave at Ocean’s feet.

“And when Henry came back from the war, he bought the plot next to her. Saved it for when his turn came.”

Ocean tilted her head. “How did Henry die?”

“An accident,” Arthur replied. “He was trying to install electricity in his house.”

“That’s kind of tragic, you know?”

“The way he tells it, he was ready to join her any time. Poor man. Little did he know he’d be stuck here for eternity, looking at the house across First Street where his lost love waited too.” Arthur huffed out a laugh, sharp and a little sad. “I guess you could call that tragic.”

Ocean took two roses out of her flower arrangement and leaned down, placing one on each grave.

“But what is it I hear? You’ve been the letter carrier between these two? That makes things a little less tragic, don’t you think?”

“I guess so.”

“Look, darling. It means he trusts you. He actually shows himself to you.”

Ocean smiled. “He’s a good judge of character.”

Arthur gave a sly grin. “Well, I’m glad of it. Means I won’t be the only one he moans and complains to. I’ll just hand him over to you for babysitting duty.”

As she and Arthur walked toward the building where her grandmother’s service was being held, Ocean replayed everything that had happened since Jo knocked the gun out of Elara’s hand.

Arthur had gotten there in record time, the state police not too far behind him.

Long before the town sheriff finally bothered to show.

Elara was hauled away in cuffs. She said nothing about diamonds to the police.

The story behind those stones was way too messy, and her mom wasn’t about to open that can of worms. Skye had just nodded, gone along with Jo’s wishes, and locked the whole thing away.

What would happen to them in the future? Ocean didn’t really care.

The important thing was that her mom had already agreed they’d be staying in Harbor View for the summer, at least. For Ocean, that was a total win. Two weeks had stretched into three months, and who knew what she might be able to talk Skye into once summer was over.

I stared at the text that popped up on my phone, and for a second it felt like my whole body was vibrating with anger.

Two days ago, Rhys had moaned that he couldn’t afford the flight to Connecticut.

So, I bought the ticket. I booked the car service.

I even arranged another one to get him from the airport to the cemetery this morning.

I did all of it, telling myself at least he’d be here. At least he’d show up.

But the text said it all.

Sorry, I couldn’t work it into my schedule. Hug Ocean for me.

My throat burned. My hands shook. After everything, after all the years, after every excuse, he couldn’t even bother to stand beside me while I buried my mother.

“Love you, Mom.”

I startled when Ocean’s arms wrapped around me, but the second she held on, something inside me gave way.

I clung to her, desperate, letting her strength steady the shaking in me.

For a moment I just breathed her in. She was only fifteen, but she was the only solid thing I could lean on.

Her affection was exactly what I needed right now.

When I finally pulled back, her eyes found mine.

“He isn’t coming, is he?”

I shook my head. “You know how it is with him. His schedule?—”

“He’s an ass.”

“You’re talking about your father.”

“He’s an ass, Mom.”

A laugh slipped out of me, bitter, but real as I pulled her into another hug. “Well, I agree.”

“And he doesn’t deserve you.”

“He doesn’t.”

“And he doesn’t deserve me.”

“No. He doesn’t,” I said again, firmer this time.

“And we’re going to do so much better without him.”

I nodded, my throat tight.

“Look, Mom.” Ocean tipped her chin toward the room. “Look around you. These are our people. People who care about you. That’s why they’re here.”

I followed her gaze. Bernie and Mateo sat together in the second row with another of his crew.

My friend Barbara was there too, a man beside her deep in conversation with Arthur.

Other faces were familiar, though I couldn’t place every name.

The chapel, meant for fifty, was half full. More people than I’d hoped would come.

“And look who just walked in,” Ocean whispered, nodding toward the door.

Caleb. His eyes locked on me as he crossed the room.

“Okay, Mom,” Ocean whispered, her hand squeezing mine. “It’s time you and I start thinking about what could be, instead of getting stuck in the past. Let’s lay it out. Pros and cons. You and me.”