Page 2 of Starlight Bay

Curiosity got the better of me. I rummaged through my junk drawer, finding the scissors and slicing through the thick paper.

Dear Ms. Fitzpatrick,

We hope this letter finds you well. We at Tousy & Associates are pleased to inform you that your late aunt, Gertrude Fitzpatrick of Starlight Bay, Massachusetts, has bequeathed you her estate. Enclosed are the legal documents to complete and return as the sole heir apparent.

You will need to present in person with two forms of identification at the Town Hall of Starlight Bay at your earliest convenience, not to surpass two business weeks from receipt of this letter, to obtain the deed and key to her home, formally known as Bramblehill House. Your prompt attention to this matter is most appreciated.

All the best,

Charles Rutherford IV, Esq.

What the hell? Why hadn’t I ever heard of this Aunt Gertrude before? How far down the family tree did they have to go to find me? And where in Massachusetts was Starlight Bay?

Grabbing my cell, I searchedStarlight Bayand up popped a tiny little dot south of Chatham. Didn’t ring a bell; I’d definitely never been there before.

So I did what any sane person would do facing this type of situation—I called my mom.

“Mom?” Upbeat Christmas music played in the background, clinking glasses and high-pitched laughter blending in with the chorus.

“Oh hi, sweetie! Merry Christmas Eve! How are you?” she trilled.

“Fine. Well, not great, to be honest. I broke up with Clark and lost my job. But that’s not why I’m calling.” I rolled through those talking points at a hundred miles per hour, hoping she wouldn’t ask about them. No such luck.

“What? Why? I adored Clark; he’s such a good-looking guy! And I thought you loved your job at Channel 5.”

“Clark’s an asshole, Mom, and the reason I lost my job, but we’ll talk about that later. It’s not why I’m calling. Who’s Aunt Gertrude?”

There was a long pause and a swallow. I could practically see my mother taking a pensive sip of her wine, attempting to furrow her unlined brow. Benefit of marrying a plastic surgeon the second-time around.

“Gertrude? I think she was your father’s third aunt by marriage. Why?”

“Apparently I’m the sole heir to her estate in Starlight Bay. Have you ever been there?”

“No. You know your father wasn’t close to his family. If I’m remembering correctly, Gertrude was the one with a lot of cats. Never married, no kids. A retired schoolteacher. Never met her, though.”

“Thanks for the info. How’s West Palm?” I asked, changing the subject to one of her faves, her amazing life in Florida with hubby number two.

“Gorgeous, sunny all the time. Now that you don’t have to go to work you can come down and visit! I’ll buy you a ticket.”

“Thanks. Maybe after I take care of the estate stuff in Starlight Bay. I’ll let you go; I know you have a party to attend to.”

“If you change your mind, we’d love to have you, darling. Christmas in Florida!”

“Thanks, Mom. Maybe next year. Love you, bye.”

“Bye, honey.” She air kissed me and clicked off, leaving me alone and wondering about the mysterious Aunt Gertrude of Starlight Bay and all of her cats.

CHAPTER 2

JACKSON

The only good thing about tonight’s New Year’s Eve party was the fact that I’d be shutting down one of the worst years of my life. And I just turned thirty, so that said a lot.

“Bro, don’t mope. It’s not a good look on you.” My older brother, Logan, elbowed me hard in the ribs as we moved through the crowded boathouse searching for drinks. “So you don’t have anyone to kiss at midnight? Big deal, I don’t either. Maybe you’ll meet someone here; the night is still young.”

I scoffed, blowing my breath out hard to warm my hands. “No thanks. I’m done in that department.”

Logan cocked his right eyebrow, an expression I’d tried, but could never master. “Ri-ight. You, Hockey Superstar and Serial Monogamist, are gonna be single for about a minute.”

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