Page 4 of Broken Promises

lucy

. . .

One week later,I scanned the arrivals area for my mom, but I couldn’t spot her. In a not-so-surprising twist, my mom had only booked me a one-way ticket, assuring me it was to grant me the freedom of an open-ended stay. So, why couldn’t I shake the suspicion that my mom secretly hoped I’d decide never to return?

Ah, that’s right.It was because Eve was always a woman with an agenda.

Around me, people moved back and forth—some arriving, some departing, and others waiting for their loved ones. And my mom wasstillnowhere to be found. Pulling out my phone, I dialed her number. It rang once before she picked up.

“Hey Mom, where are you?” I looked around. “I’m at the exit and can’t find you…”

“What do you mean?” she questioned.No,this wasn’t happening. She couldn’t have forgotten about this.

“I just landed. I thought you were going to pick me up and?—”

In the middle of my words, a police cruiser rolled up before me. An older man lowered the window and said, “Are you Lucy Milburne?” My knees went weak as I stared at the man with salt-and-pepper hair and warm blue eyes. He didn’t seem like he was there to arrest me, but why would he be there in the first place?

“Yes…” I answered slowly.

“Surprise!” Mom yelled into the phone, making me jolt. From my initial shock of a police car pulling up in front of me, I had forgotten that I had been on the phone with her.

“What’s the surprise, exactly?” I questioned, still splitting my attention between my mom and the police officer.

“I got you an escort for your ride home,” she responded. My mouth gaped open. I, for once, was speechless.

“Don’t you think the police have more important things to do than to drive around someone who’s just landed?”

My mom laughed on the other side of the phone. “Oh, pumpkin, Edward is a good friend of mine. He offered his help. I’m very busy at the flower shop, so I accepted his offer. I hope that’s okay.”

“Of course,” I responded. I couldn’t have expected her to drop her life for me, but it would’ve been nice if she picked me up. At least this one time. “I’ll see you at home.”

As I hung up, the older police officer—whose name I now knew was Edward—grabbed my luggage and stowed it away in the trunk before opening the door so I could get in the car.

“I get to sit in the front seat?” I asked him, getting in.

“Well, you’re not under arrest, so that’s fine.” He settled on the driver’s seat, flashing me another smile. “Most people call me Ed. I was only Edward when my wife was angry at me,” he explained as he started the car.

“I’m Lucy, but you already know that,” I replied. “How do you know my mom?”

“Eve is a good person. I moved to Port-Cartier after my wife died eight years ago. She helped me find a place and get settled. Your mom was one of the first friends I made here.” As I listened to Ed’s story, my gaze wandered around the familiar landscapesas we headed to the town. Beautiful mountains rose in the background, with the ocean extending as far as my sight could reach to my left.

“I’m sorry about your wife,” I expressed my condolences, but Ed smiled again.

“It’s okay. It was a long time ago. Eve told me the other day that you were coming home and asked if I would give you a hometown welcome. It’s the least I could do, especially after everything you’ve been through…”

I sighed, sinking into my seat. The concept of privacy was foreign to my mom. Even when I was a teenager she made sure half the town knew that I had gotten my period the first time.

“I’m sorry about your boyfriend. He sounds like a douche-canoe.”

The words caught me off guard, and I burst out laughing. “You know what? Heisa

douche-canoe. Thank you.”

The rest of the drive from Rockwood was in a comfortable silence. As we approached Port-Cartier, memories flooded my senses. I had spent a good portion of my life here, and not much seemed to have changed. Exposed brick buildings and colorful houses, with luscious trees scattered in between. Tiny shops and restaurants piled alongside the road, ready to welcome customers. Everyone was in their element, chatting with those around them, laughing, making sales. Not a single soul would notice someone who had just returned home. And it was better that way.

My gaze drifted toward the small one-screen movie theater and a diner beside it. Both were, to my surprise, still open. My heart clutched at the sight, and my mind welcomed unwanted memories, hitting me with a wave of nostalgia.

The illuminated sign flickered above us, casting a pink glow. Luke intertwined his fingers with mine, giving me a smallsmile. My heart fluttered at the sight, especially as his hand locked tighter around mine.

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