Page 40 of A Journey in the Bay

“How’s the ship coming along?” Alissa asked, moving her wine glass so Pearl wouldn’t topple it over.

“Good. I’ve cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom and I have a good idea of how many materials I’ll need to get it up and running,” Caitlin said. “I need to start thinking of the initial menu too.”

“Can I be the princess on the pirate ship?” Pearl asked, putting the stack of cards down in front of her. “And can we sail around the world when it’s done?”

Michael smiled. “We could probably sail around Blueberry Bay. It probably won’t go too far since it’s so big and old. A smaller boat would be best for exploring with a small crew.”

Pearl’s face lit up. “Do you have a boat like that?”

“Yeah, I do. I don’t think it could make it around the world,” Michael said. “Definitely Blueberry Bay, though.”

“Can we go on it?” Pearl asked.

“Sweetheart, you can’t just invite yourself to things like that,” Caitlin said, firm but gentle.

“It’s okay. I’d love to take you both out on it if you want to go.”

“Please?” Pearl looked at her mother with pleading eyes that were impossible to resist.

“Okay, we’ll go.”

Pearl squealed in excitement and thanked everyone. Alissa looked just as excited for both of them. Michael was glad she supported them—maybe Alissa’s approval would help Caitlin open up her heart and trust him.

* * *

Dane stood in the waiting area next to the ferry docks, resisting the urge to bite at his cuticles. His mother would definitely notice that and chastise him as she had when he was a teenager. It was a bad habit, one that flared up when she came around.

He checked his phone instead. The last text he’d gotten from her was when she got on the ferry to come to town. That was thirty minutes ago.

He spotted the ferry pulling into the harbor and his stomach crept into his throat. Alissa was waiting a little closer to the car since the pick-up area was crowded and Dane wanted a second to gauge how his mother would react. He glanced back at her and she gave him a shaky smile.

The ferry pulled into the dock and Dane tucked his hands into his pockets to stop himself from fidgeting even more. It took a few moments, but he spotted his mother dragging her enormous suitcase off the dock, her huge sunglasses on. The wrinkle of her nose and tightness of her mouth didn’t bode well for them when they actually spoke.

“Mom, over here!” Dane called, weaving through the crowd.

Johanna brightened for a moment. She was quite tall like Dane and had once had auburn hair like his before she’d let it go completely white. She had it cut in a neat bob, some hair tucked behind her ear to reveal the diamond studs his father had given her for some anniversary several years ago before his death.

Just as Dane had when he’d first arrived in Blueberry Bay, she looked wildly out of place in her tailored pants and flouncy blouse.

“Hi, Dane.” Johanna gave him a kiss on the cheek, the familiar scent of her expensive perfume overwhelming him.

“Let me get your bag.” He took it from her, startled at its weight. What could she have brought that weighed this much on such a short visit?

“Thank you.” She looked around, lifting her sunglasses. Her eyes lingered on the modest welcome center, then shifted over to the hand-painted sign that said Welcome to Blueberry Bay! Her eyes narrowed even more as she took in the scenery across the parking lot—trees, a small field, and the ocean beyond.

His heart dropped. She’d spoken four words, but she said so much more with her silence and stares.

“Come on. Alissa’s waiting near the car,” Dane said. “She’s excited to meet you.”

Johanna simply hummed in response, making Dane’s stomach twist even more. He spotted Alissa, who was playing nervously with her engagement ring.

“Alissa, this is my mom, Johanna. Mom, this is Alissa,” Dane said.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you,” Alissa said, extending her hand.

“Likewise,” Johanna said, her smile so stiff that Dane felt ill.

The uncomfortable pause made the air thick around him.

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