Page 19 of Hibiscus Heights (Crown Island #4)

A t the Crown Island marina, boats of all sizes languished in their slips. Grant checked his watch. They were right on schedule, but his stomach was still knotted with anticipation.

Today, his mother was hosting a celebration of his father’s life. His father had only wanted the best for him, but what Jock had in mind didn’t always match Grant’s desires.

Deb’s accusations still rang in his ears. As a parent, was he guilty of that, too? Maybe he should have come with his sons instead of sending them with Jen and Daniel.

“Wow, look at that boat.” Teddy pointed toward a sleek yacht, the largest one in the marina. It was moored at the far end due to its sheer size.

“That’s a beauty.” Grant ruffled his younger son’s hair. He knew that yacht. A San Francisco venture capitalist who often sailed the Bay Area owned it. He’d seen it during a charity fundraiser one year and admired it, too.

Mason scanned the boat slips. “Which one are we going on?”

“Should be just ahead,” Grant replied.

As the three of them walked along the dock, Grant thought about his sons.

Teddy had his mother’s irrepressible energy, while Mason had inherited his thoughtful expression and cautious nature.

They both shared Nicole’s curiosity and willingness to try new things.

Seeing her features in them was a constant reminder of the love they’d shared.

Just when he’d never thought he could love again after Deb had turned silent, Grant began working for Nicole’s father and started to see more of her.

Their fathers were friends, and their parents encouraged the relationship.

Wounded as he was, he was comfortable with Nicole as their friendship developed.

Eventually, he fell in love again.

He thought his feelings for Deb had dimmed, yet when they spoke, it was as if he were drawn back in time to all the passion they’d once shared.

They were older now, and life had changed them. Any feelings he had today were surely a result of nostalgia or a longing for reconnection.

That must explain it.

“Look, they’re already here,” Teddy said, waving.

Just ahead, he saw his mother aboard a gleaming yacht.

Kitty exuded her usual air of effortless sophistication with white cotton trousers, a navy blouse, and deck shoes.

She’d specifically forbidden any shade of black, saying they’d already done that at the funeral.

Beside her stood Jen, dressed in a vibrant yellow sundress, and her new husband, Daniel, who wore a Hawaiian print shirt.

Grant had followed suit with a light blue knit shirt his father had given him.

“Who’s ready to go?” Kitty opened her arms as Grant lifted Teddy onto the craft.

Mason climbed aboard and met with another heartfelt hug.

Today, with the sunshine overhead and the sea as blue as he’d recalled, they were gathered to release Jock Emerson, a man they’d all loved.

To Mason and Teddy, Jock had been the doting grandfather, a man who’d mellowed in his later years. Family had been their anchor after Nicole’s death, so losing their grandfather a few short years later was rough on the boys.

Although Grant and his father had their differences, especially about Deb, Grant respected him. His father only wanted to see him succeed in life.

Shielding his eyes from the sun, Grant admired the vessel’s pristine white hull and teak accents. The name, “Crowned One,” was painted in flowing script on the stern.

“Your father would have loved this,” Kitty said as he boarded.

Immediately, Grant noticed the monogrammed canvas tote his mother held close. His father had loved Crown Island, so it seemed fitting to return him to the waters he’d cherished.

Along with his father, maybe Grant could set Nicole’s spirit free as well.

His sister hugged him, and Daniel did the same. Jen managed a wistful smile. “Are you ready for this?”

“It’s what Mom wants,” Grant replied.

He understood. It had been important to him to have Nicole buried where the boys could visit her, but as it turned out, seeing her gravesite was so utterly heart wrenching for the boys that he limited their visits to once a year.

At first, he’d often stopped by Nicole’s gravesite to talk while the boys were in school, but that was before he’d realized he could communicate with her anytime in his heart.

A rugged, middle-aged man approached, wearing a captain’s hat and a crisp white shirt with naval-style epaulets. His weathered face creased with a smile.

“Welcome aboard, I’m Captain Craig. Would you like a tour before we get underway?”

Mason and Teddy beamed at that, and Grant nodded.

“This way,” the captain said, gesturing for them to follow.

The cabin area was spacious, featuring polished teakwood paneling, comfortable seating, and a small but well-appointed galley. An assortment of refreshments and light fare beckoned, and the captain encouraged them to help themselves. Two well-appointed cabins were below.

After exploring, they climbed the stairs to the helm. An array of gauges captured Mason’s attention, while the captain offered a brief explanation.

“May I sit in the captain’s chair?” Teddy asked in a shy voice.

“Why, sure.” Captain Craig lifted the boy into the seat. “Take as many photos as you’d like.”

“With you and Mason, too,” Jen said, motioning for the captain and his older son to join in.

After they were finished, Captain Craig reviewed the safety instructions and distributed life vests to the boys, making sure they fit properly. “The island tour will be underway soon. Please make yourselves at home.”

As they all moved onto the open deck, Grant joined his mother at the stern, where she stood looking out at the water, her hand still resting on the tote bag.

Grant put his arm around her shoulders. “Dad would appreciate this.”

Kitty smiled up at him. “Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting those we loved.”

Grant understood she wasn’t just talking about his father. “I know,” he said quietly.

“The boys seem happy here,” his mother said, leaning on the railing. “They’ve been talking about Deb. Isn’t it strange that of all the people they might meet on the beach and become friends with, it would be her? It’s as if we have invisible magnets attracting us to others we’re meant to know.”

Grant inclined his head. “That’s an interesting thing for you to say.”

“I want you to know that I always liked her,” Kitty said as if making a point. “Your father thought you were very young, that’s all.”

Grant didn’t ask for elaboration. Today wasn’t a day for finding fault but for celebrating a life. Parents did the best they could at the time. He knew that now.

“And you?” Her gaze was penetrating. “How do you feel about seeing Deb?”

“We’ve only just met. Again, that is.”

“Give it time.”

“Mom, I don’t know what you’re up to?—”

“Hey, Dad,” Teddy called out. “Can we invite Deb to come on a boat with us? I bet she’d love it.”

Grant exchanged a look with his mother. “That’s sweet of you to think of her, Teddy, but this is our family holiday.”

Teddy wasn’t giving up. “But she knows all about the island, and she said she likes being on the water. Can we take her with us? You said you wanted us to make friends.”

“Maybe some other time.” Grant noted another look that passed between his mother and sister.

“Why not?” Jen interjected. “It’s a great idea.”

Grant shook his head. “It’s complicated.”

Jen took Teddy by the hand. “Let’s see if we can spot some dolphins. Daniel brought binoculars.”

Mason followed. “Can I look through them?”

“Sure, bud.” Daniel looped a strap around his neck and showed him how to adjust the binoculars.

As the captain prepared to cast off, Grant turned back to his mother. He sensed there was more she wasn’t saying. “What did you mean about the invisible magnets?”

“Maybe some people are meant to be in our lives. What if we get second chances?”

A sudden thought occurred to him. Maybe he didn’t know his mother as well as he thought. “Have you reconnected with someone?”

“Me? Heavens, no.” Kitty placed a hand on his forearm.

“I’m talking about you. This time, we don’t have to rush home.

At the rate you were going with Deb, your father thought you might have proposed by Christmas.

” She pressed a hand to his cheek. “Let’s stay until school begins. I owe you that much.”

Before he could follow that comment with a question, the engine rumbled to life, and the boys raced back to join him.

Soon, they were gliding away from the marina. As they headed toward open water, breezes whipped their hair and cast out worries.

Grant folded his arms and leaned against the railing, watching the waves. The captain kept a steady hand on the rudder.

Grant’s mind reeled back to that last summer on Crown Island. They’d left quickly, but by the time they returned, his grandmother had made an amazing recovery.

With only four weeks left in the summer, Jock had called him into his study and told him Nicole’s father had offered him an internship at his publishing house. His father insisted he take it before returning to school, saying it would be a good experience.

Feeling heartbroken, Grant had gone along with the plan to take his mind off Deb. He was assigned to photography, and Nicole was in the editorial department, so they often took their breaks together. They were friends throughout college before their relationship developed into something more.

Grant thought about what his mother just said. Something didn’t add up. Internships usually spanned the summer months. He hadn’t thought about that then, but now he wondered if his father had orchestrated that for him. Likely so, he decided, exhaling at the realization.

That was a long, long time ago.

He turned his attention back to the boys and joined them. Mason was training the binoculars on a tall structure on a point.

Mason asked, “Does that lighthouse still work?”

“Sure does,” the captain replied. “That rocky outcropping claimed its share of vessels before the lighthouse was built.”