Secrets Whispered from the Sea - Emma St. Clair Page 0,56

her head when I offered her some, and I gestured to the screened-in porch, flipping on the fan but not the lights. I’m not even sure the girls noticed she was there. Thankfully, Emily had sent someone by earlier in the week to replace the torn screens, so we wouldn’t be eaten alive by mosquitos. That was something we didn’t need the Crud’s approval for, thankfully.

For a few minutes, Ann and I didn’t speak. It was surprisingly pleasant. The insects and frogs weren’t at full summer volume, but I could tell they were gearing up. If I tilted my head just so, I could imagine the crash of the waves.

“How are things going? The house is looking better,” Ann said.

“Almost finished cleaning things out. Let me know if you need any old lamps, Cosmos, or newspapers.”

Ann made a face. “Hard pass.”

“That’s what I thought. I actually donated or threw away most things already. And I saw a new set of plans today that has me hopeful.”

Ann set down the bottle of water she’d had when she arrived. “I still think it would be better to sell as is. We stand to make more. Less time and money spent on getting this place into shape. Someone might still bulldoze it, you know. Even with all the work you put in.”

She wasn’t wrong. The thought made me feel sick. “I can’t let it go without at least trying. Even if …” I couldn’t bring myself to say the words.

“You’re not usually sentimental,” Ann said.

“I’m the first to admit to that. But something about this is different for me.” I spread my arms, gesturing to the porch and the house beyond. “I mean, my only good memories growing up were here. You know?”

“So, why don’t you stay?”

The question shocked me. Not because I hadn’t thought about it. I had, at least in fleeting thoughts that I pushed away. But it was shocking that Ann asked. I hadn’t gotten the impression she wanted me to stick around the last time we talked.

Maybe we didn’t have an easy relationship. But she was family. And I adored the girls. I hated to think of how much they’d grown since the last time I’d seen them. I didn’t want to miss out on so much. And, like with Nana, things can change in the blink of an eye. Something Ann and I knew all too well.

Beyond the happy memories here, there was something deeper about the rhythm of the ocean, like my heartbeat synced up to it. I loved the scent of it in the air, feeling my lungs fill and expand with it. There was the innate feel of island life, the tug of the sea on the deepest parts of me. The kinds of things I could never articulate but felt in my bones.

It felt like home more than any other place ever had, and that scared me.

“I’ve already got an interview next week in Atlanta at my dream firm.”

“So soon?”

I shrugged. “They had an opening. It just lined up.”

“Congratulations. I hope it goes well.” She paused. “The girls have enjoyed having you here. Thanks for spending time with them. It means a lot.”

I glanced in, where they were still entranced with their princess movie. “I’ll visit more.”

Ann made a noncommittal noise, picking up her water bottle and beginning to peel off the label.

“I will. Atlanta’s not too far. Closer than Houston anyway.”

“Not as close as DC. Or Charlotte.”

I took a deep breath and slowly let it out. So, I hadn’t visited more when I lived closer. That was a mistake. One I planned to change going forward. Anything I said would sound defensive, so I changed the subject. “How was whatever you were doing tonight?”

She was quiet for a moment. “Tommy and I started counseling. We had our third session tonight.”

I tried to keep a neutral expression, but my eyebrows shot up a bit before I could stop them. “You guys seem so good. I didn’t realize anything was going on.”

Other than the money pressure she seemed to have, and the mention of IVF. Both of those things could be huge stressors on a marriage. If we had been closer, I would have simply asked her questions. But with Ann, edging the door open and leaving it cracked seemed like the best bet.

Ann lifted a shoulder. When she let it fall, it slumped. Or maybe I was just paying attention now. If I was being honest, an aura of sadness clung to her and