Page 52 of Key West Promises

"Exactly." Chelsea felt a surge of affection for her sister. "Captiva suits us both. The quiet, the community. And I like knowing we'll still be neighbors."

Gretchen reached over and squeezed her hand, her grip warm and familiar. "Me too. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Before moving there, I felt untethered. Of all the places I’ve lived, and for the first time in a long time, Captiva feels like home.”

Chelsea squeezed back. "Then it's settled."

Gretchen exhaled, and Chelsea could almost see the weight lifting from her shoulders. "Yeah. It is."

The wind rustled through the palm trees, mixing with the distant sounds of music and laughter from Duval Street. Chelsea smiled, knowing that sometimes the best part of finding where you belong is being secure enough in your choice to resist the pull of somewhere else.

A faint cheer erupted from somewhere down the street, followed by the upbeat strains of a Jimmy Buffett song.

The sisters caught each other's eyes and both laughed, the sound mixing with the nighttime symphony of Key West. Let Tess and Leah have their endless party, Chelsea thought. She and Gretchen had found their own kind of paradise in Captiva's quiet sunsets, and both of them were exactly where they needed to be.

CHAPTER 21

The afternoon unfolded in controlled chaos. Gretchen stayed in Elena’s office, methodically working through the auction descriptions while watching the activity through the window. Every instinct screamed at her to intervene when things went wrong, but she forced herself to observe instead.

When Leah dropped an entire tray of canapés, Kaitlyn handled it with calm efficiency, already on the phone with Harbor Lights to arrange replacements.

When two volunteers disagreed about the silent auction layout, she mediated with a diplomatic touch that reminded Gretchen, achingly, of herself at that age—before life had made her rigid with the need to control everything.

“You survived,” Chelsea commented, appearing with coffee. “Two whole hours without trying to reorganize anyone’s system. I’m impressed.”

“I’m learning,” Gretchen said, accepting the cup. “Though it’s killing me a little. Did you see how they’re arranging the auction item? If they just?—”

“Nope,” Chelsea cut her off.

“I’m just kidding,” Gretchen said. “I’ll be good.”

Through the window they could see Will interviewing Jamie about his restaurant’s involvement with Paradise Harbor House. Kaitlyn stood behind the camera, occasionally making suggestions about angles or lighting. The easy synchronization between her and Will was obvious even from a distance.

“They look like they’ve been working together for years. She’s really good at this,” Gretchen said quietly. “All of it. The organizing, the people skills, even the technical stuff with Will’s filming.”

“Finally noticed that, did you?”

They watched as Will wrapped up the interview. He said something that made Kaitlyn laugh, her whole face lighting up in a way Gretchen hadn’t ever seen before.

“When did she fall in love with him?” Gretchen asked.

“Probably around the same time she fell in love with this place, this work.” Chelsea's voice was gentle. “When she stopped trying to be who everyone expected and started being herself. I think Will gravitated toward her like a moth to a flame. Kaitlyn is special, and he recognized that the first time he laid eyes on her.”

Before Gretchen could respond Kaitlyn appeared in the doorway. “Mom? The first family is ready for their interview. Are you still up for helping?”

“Of course, just tell me what you need me to do.”

“Great. Here’s how it will go. We’re interviewing Melanie, who is here with her daughter Hailee. They’ve been staying at Paradise Harbor House for several months. Her husband passed away unexpectedly, and without his income things unraveled fast. Melanie’s been working hard to get back on her feet, but it hasn’t been easy.”

Gretchen nodded. “Poor thing. I can’t imagine how hard that must be for her and her daughter. What can I do to help?”

“I need you to keep Hailee out of the frame. That’s not going to be easy because she’ll want to stay close to her mother. Melanie is happy to tell her story, but she’s also a little nervous. The other volunteers are helping to keep the other children from running into the camera, but I need you to keep your eye on Hailee and also guard the door and make sure the other children don’t slip through.”

“Got it.”

“Here is a coloring book and crayons. See if you can color with her. Okay, let’s go.”

They walked out into the courtyard. Hailee was tucked close to Melanie’s side, clutching a worn stuffed bunny.

“Hi, Hailee,” Gretchen said. “What a cute little bunny you have there. What is the bunny’s name?”

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