Page 50 of Key West Promises

They worked in seamless coordination, sharing small smiles and casual touches that spoke of growing comfort. Gretchen noticed what a gentle man he was and wondered when Tess might share his story with her.

"Mom?" Kaitlyn appeared in the office doorway. "Would you mind looking over these auction item descriptions? You're better at catching typos than I am."

The simple request—and the acknowledgment of her skill without pushing her away—made Gretchen's throat tight. "Of course."

"Thanks." Kaitlyn handed her a stack of papers. "Do me a favor and don't reorganize everything, okay? We have a system."

The gentle teasing in her daughter's voice was new, a tiny bridge across the chasm between them. "I'll restrain myself," Gretchen promised.

As Kaitlyn turned to leave, she hesitated. "Oh, and Mom? Will's going to film some interviews with the families later. The ones who are comfortable sharing their stories. Would you sit in? Maybe help them feel more at ease? You've always been good at that."

The request stunned Gretchen into momentary silence. This wasn't just busywork to keep her occupied—this was something real, something that mattered.

"I'd like that," she managed.

Kaitlyn nodded and left, immediately drawn into another discussion about table arrangements. Will caught her attention from across the room, and Gretchen watched as her daughter's entire face softened at whatever silent communication passed between them.

Standing nearby, Elena smiled. "You see?" Elena said softly. "Sometimes the best way to be needed is to wait until you're asked."

Gretchen chuckled. "I'm not very good at waiting, but I guess I’ll have to learn.”

"No one said growth was easy." Elena's smile was knowing. "But from what I hear, that's something of a family trait. You Lawrence women don't do anything the easy way."

A crash from the kitchen made them both jump, followed by Tess’s voice: "Chelsea! That was the last sample of the crab puffs!"

"Not my fault! One of the children bumped me!"

Gretchen started to rise again, but Elena's raised eyebrow stopped her. Through the chaos, she could hear Kaitlyn's laugh—bright and real and so grown up—as she went to handle whatever crisis her aunts had created.

"She doesn't need me to fix everything anymore," Gretchen said softly.

"No," Elena agreed. "But she’ll always need you. I can promise you that.”

“Do you have any children of your own?” Gretchen asked.

Elena shook her head. “No, I wasn’t able to have children. After my husband died, I didn’t want to remarry. How do you get married again when you’ve already had your love story?”

Gretchen smiled. “I’m not sure. I’ll let you know when it happens to me.”

Elena chuckled. “Paradise Harbor House is where I get to be around children.” She lifted her hand in the air. “This is where I was meant to be. This is where my maternal instincts kick in.”

“Paradise Harbor House is lucky to have you,” Gretchen said after a moment.

Elena smiled. “I think it’s the other way around. This place saved me as much as I’ve helped others.”

Gretchen nodded, letting the thought settle.Maybe that’s what I need—something bigger than myself to hold on to.

A group of children ran by their laughter filling the air. Elena’s face lit up as she waved to them, her joy unmistakable. Gretchen followed her gaze, watching Kaitlyn crouch beside a little girl, tying a loose shoelace with the same gentle patience she had once shown her dolls as a child.

“She belongs here,” Gretchen murmured, a mix of sadness and pride welling inside her.

“She does,” Elena agreed. “But that doesn’t mean there’s no place for you.”

Gretchen sighed. Maybe she’d spent too long thinking about what she’d lost instead of what she still had.

“Maybe,” she said, the word tasting like a possibility.

Elena smiled knowingly. “You’ll figure it out.”

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