Page 16 of When We Are Falling

“Morning, Mom.”

I grab a mug and pour myself some coffee, the rich aroma filling the room. We sit down at the table, and Mom passes me some toast. She’s wearing her favorite blue cardigan, the one that makes her eyes pop.

We share a quick breakfast of toast and scrambled eggs, the familiar routine grounding me. “How are you feeling today?” I ask, watching her closely.

Mom looks up from her plate, her smile returning. “Better, actually. I’ve been thinking about the oil spill, and I want to do my part. I’m going to volunteer today.”

Seeing her up and about, motivated to help, is a huge weight off my shoulders. “That’s great, Mom. Call Patrick. He’ll get you sorted with the volunteer groups. I’m working around the lighthouse today. Loads of people turned out to help and they put us all into different groups.”

She drains the last of her coffee. “How are things at the bar?”

“All good. Nothing you need to worry about.”

I glance at my watch—I need to get moving if I want to swing past Emmy’s place. “I’ve got to go, Mom, but I’m really glad you’re feeling better.” Standing, I give her a quick hug.

“Take care today.” She squeezes my hand.

As I head for the door, I pause. “I love you, Mom.”

Mom waves me off. “I love you, too. Go on, then. Have a good day, sweetie.”

Stepping outside, the morning air already warm under the summer sun. Taking a deep breath, I’m feeling a little lighter knowing Mom is doing better.

The lighthouse is within walking distance, but I want to catch up with Emmy, debrief about last night’s crazy turn of events, so I head for my car to save a little time. And after Emmy’s house, it’ll be straight into the thick of things with Ethan and the cleanup efforts.

I can’t decide if the flutter in my stomach means I’m dreading the thought of seeing him or if I’m excited.

Chapter 8

Blake

Soon I’m walkingup the path to the neat house Emmy shares with her fiancé, Patrick. The house is charming, with a tidy lawn and flower beds that always seem to be in bloom. The house used to belong to Patrick’s grandmother, and I can still sense her spirit—Granny Sloane was larger than life.

Next door, Patrick’s mom’s garden is a wild riot of colors, with beautiful sculptures peeking out from behind the foliage. It’s a stark contrast to the other manicured lawns, but somehow fits perfectly into the neighborhood.

Emmy and Patrick got back from traveling several months ago, and Emmy and I have become fast friends. She’s one of the kindest and most genuine people I’ve ever met, and I’m so glad to have her in my life.

I knock on the door and their little dog, Stormy, starts barking. Within moments, Emmy answers, her blond hair pulled back in a ponytail, while Stormy jumps up on me, sniffing me all over, wagging his scruffy little tail.

“Blake!” She gives me a tight hug. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it to the Tavern last night. I had a shift at the hospital.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I say, returning the hug.

She steps back, holding the door open for me. “Come in, come in. Do you want some coffee or breakfast? I just made a fresh pot.”

“I’ve already eaten, but thanks.” I follow Emmy and Stormy into the cozy living room; the house smells like bacon and vanilla.

Emmy heads to the kitchen and pours me a glass of OJ. “At least have some juice. I know how bad you are remembering to eat. This is probably the last thing you’ll have until dinner.”

I take the glass and follow her to the table. The kitchen is bright and airy, with sunlight streaming through the windows. Fresh flowers sit in a vase on the table, which is set with cute, mismatched dishes that somehow work together perfectly.

As we sit down, the sound of water running reaches me. “Is Patrick in the shower?” I take a sip of juice.

Emmy’s expression softens at the mention of her fiancé. “Yeah, he’s getting ready for a pretty busy day. He’ll be out in a bit.”

We chat for a few minutes, catching up on the latest news. Emmy tells me about her shift at the hospital, and we talk about the oil spill. I’m conscious Patrick could be done at any moment, and I take a deep breath, deciding to dive right in.

“Something crazy happened last night after everyone else left the bar.”

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