Page 31 of The Crown

She called down the hall, “Pack up you two. We are going back.”

Even if Nico wasn’t sure about her, even if they needed to work through a few things, even if he was too busy to talk to her for weeks, she would go and try to see, because if she didn’t make an effort, she would have many more pathetic ugly cries in front of the television in her future. She was much happier being near him. And besides, she could start working on her own career from there. She was busy with lots of plans. And she could work on them from anywhere.

Nurse June peeked her head out. “We haven’t even unpacked yet. We’re ready when you are.” Her smile couldn’t grow any larger.

Jo whispered. “Is my father ok?”

“I can hear you. My hearing isn’t bad yet.”

And they all laughed.

But the Nurse nodded, and mouthed, “He’s great.”

“I can see you Nurse June. You’re standing right in front of me.”

Jo shook her head. “Looks like I’m the only one who didn’t know what I would do.” She headed toward her room to start throwing things back into her bags.

The doorbell rang. And from the upstairs balcony, she saw a limo parked in front of her house.

Her heart shook her chest as she raced to the door and flung it open. She couldn’t hide her disappointment. Trane stood in front of her.

“Oh.” She cleared her throat and opened the door wider. “Trane. Come in.”

“I’ll never live it down.”

She laughed. Something about that comment was sounding very familiar.

“I’ve never been shut down so fast by a woman. My brothers, they’ll torment me.”

“What?” She looked out past him to the street, remembering the first time she had met Nico, but she didn’t see anyone.

Trane held up an iPad, and Nico’s laugh warmed her. “She brings that out in all the guys.” He tilted his head to the side with the largest smile she had seen on him.

She ushered Trane into the house and then waved before she stepped into the kitchen for some privacy. “Nico.” She drank in the sight of him. “It’s so good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you too, Jo.” His voice came from the kitchen entrance. Her eyes shot up and she almost dropped the tablet. Nico stood in the kitchen doorway with Trane right behind.

Trane bumped him closer into the room. But Nico shooed him away. “Trane. Leave us alone. I’m perfectly capable.”

Jo giggled. “What?” Her smile hurt her cheeks and she couldn’t stop. “You’re here.”

He nodded. “I am.”

They sat at the table in her kitchen, both smiling and not daring to look away from the other. He laid two large manila envelopes on the table.

“What’s this?”

“I realized I failed you in such a large way the other day.” He ran a hand through his hair, mussing it in such an adorable manner she wanted to run her own hands through it again. “Was it just the other day? It feels like last year.”

The stress and weight of the past few weeks showed on his face for a moment. Then he smiled again and energy seemed to spark off him. “I let you down, so this is just my attempt to make it up to you.”

Curious, she opened up the first. Legal papers. A settlement. “You settled with Kevin?”

He grimaced. “I hated to give him anything, he’s such a creep to try what he did in the first place. But you are once again the full and complete owner of the marina and Tiki Rumble restaurant. And your manager is once again gainfully employed to handle things while you are away.” He paused, nervous for a moment. “If you decide to go away again, that is.”

“Thank you, Nico. There are no words, really. Thank you.” She reached for the other envelope. “What could this be? After the first, I can’t imagine anything more wonderful.”

She pulled out a paper with letterhead she didn’t recognize. But the first line welcomed her to their fellowship program.

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