Page 37 of Key West Promises

"Especially then," Chelsea confirmed, thinking of her own impulsive flight to Key West, of all the ways love made you brave even when you didn't feel ready at all. “But right now, there’s a young man outside who, if you don’t go out and talk to him, might start talking to Ernest.”

They all laughed, and for a moment all negativity was put aside, in favor of watching two young people find joy in the simple act of holding hands.

CHAPTER 16

Leah's phone rang just before dawn, Ernest's early morning strut temporarily halted by the unexpected sound. She knew who it was before she even looked at the screen. After days of avoiding her sister's calls, something told her it was time to answer.

"Leah?" Gretchen's voice crackled through the line, tight with tension. "Please don't hang up."

Leah stepped onto the porch, closing the screen door softly behind her. "I'm here."

"You all know, don't you? About Sarah?" A pause, heavy with unspoken words. "About everything?"

"Yes." Leah watched Ernest resume his morning routine, trying to keep her voice steady. "How could you, Gretchen? How could you keep this from us? From Kaitlyn?"

"I was trying to protect her?—"

"From what? From knowing she has a sister? From having a relationship with her father?" Leah's whispered words carried years of accumulated hurt. "Do you have any idea what this has done to her? The rest of us are old enough to understand how difficult divorce can be. No one will judge you for that, but Kaitlyn is different. You’ve made her feel that she can’t trust you. Was it worth it? Do you not understand how damaging this is?"

"Of course I do!" Gretchen's voice cracked. "I've watched her Instagram posts, seen how she's changing, how she's…For Heaven’s sake, Leah, she's working at a women's shelter? My daughter, who used to care more about followers than people, is helping families rebuild their lives. Don't you think that's killing me? Knowing she had to run away from me to find herself?"

"She didn't run away from you," Leah said softly. "She ran away from the lies and didn’t know what to do with the pain. You should feel proud of her for not doing something far worse than running to her aunts."

The silence stretched between them, filled only by the sound of early morning Key West stirring to life.

"I'm coming to Key West," Gretchen said finally. "The car is already packed. I should get there by dinnertime. I appreciate that Chelsea went down ahead of me, but I can’t wait one minute longer. She’s my daughter and I need to be with her."

"Gretchen—"

"No, listen. Thanks to the internet, I know about the fundraiser cruise, and all the work you all are doing. I know you're all involved now—you and Tess and Chelsea. I know about the guy with the camera who looks at my daughter like she's the answer to every question he's ever had. I know about Jamie and Jack and how you're all building lives there while I've been…" She took a shaky breath. "While I've been hiding from the truth."

"How do you know all that?"

"I’ve spent every minute searching the internet for anything I can find about what’s going on down there. I’ve started following Paradise Harbor House and have seen the photos, read about the work you're doing. And I've seen Kaitlyn… really seen her, maybe for the first time. I’m so proud of her."

Leah sank into one of the porch chairs, suddenly exhausted. "Does Jeffrey know what’s going on? You’re going to have to tell him."

"I called him last night." Another pause. "He wants to come too. With Sarah."

"Are you kidding me?" Leah pressed her free hand to her forehead. "You can't just ambush Kaitlyn like that."

"I know. That's why I'm calling you first. I need help doing this right. For once."

The sun was properly rising now, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold. Through the window, Leah could see Chelsea moving around the kitchen, starting coffee for everyone.

"The fundraiser's important," Leah said finally. "To all of us, but especially to Kaitlyn. Don't make it about our family drama."

"I won't. I just…I need to see her. To explain. To try to fix what I did."

"Don’t rush things, Gretchen. Give it time. What you have to realize is that it isn’t just Kaitlyn you need to think about. Sarah is a young woman who is about to learn she has a sister. Not to mention, I have no doubt you’re going to have to deal with his wife. Be patient with everything and build back trust with your daughter."

"When did you get so wise?" A hint of the old Gretchen surfaced in her voice—the sister who used to tease them about their dreams.

"Around the same time I started tending bar and writing grant proposals," Leah said dryly. "Life's funny that way."

After she hung up, Leah sat watching the morning unfold. Chelsea's phone dinged inside—no doubt Gretchen texting her next. The text would be brief but decisive:I'm coming to Key West. Today. Don't try to talk me out of it.

Kaitlyn’s face was buried in her pillow as she slept on the sofa. Leah signaled to Chelsea and Tess to join her outside.

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