Page 35 of The Pumpkin Spice Spell
This boat was his pride and joy. His escape and his kingdom. Now it’s just another thing my mother’s trying to sell off, like it doesn’t mean a thing. Another ghost she wants to bury while pretending none of it ever mattered.
I pull the line tighter. Not because it needs it. I do it because just the thought of someone else’s hands on this deck, someone else’s name on the papers, someone else driving her out into the sea while I’m stuck watching from the shore burns deep down inmy chest in a way I'm not ready for.It’s not just a boat for me. It’s the last piece of him I have left.And I’m not ready to let it go.
I look at the supplies stacked, ready for the remodels and repairs. I’m still going to do them. Because someone is going to get this boat and appreciate it. And somehow it will live on for my dad—just with someone else. And I’ll admit that it makes me sad.
Finn hops down beside me, brushing sawdust off his sweatshirt. “She's holding up all right for an old girl,” he says, running a hand along the weathered wood.
“Yeah, what do you think about rebuilding that rotted wall?” I nod to the side.
“Not a problem, I can help you,” he offers. Finn is a great carpenter and a magician with building things.
Junie’s already climbed into the wheelhouse, pretending to steer, her curls wild in the breeze. “Aye aye, Captain Holloway!” she shouts.
I manage a smile and tell her as I step past, “Careful, Captain Junie, keep her off the rocks.”
Finn chuckles and then glances at me again, probably taking in the sadness I'm trying my damndest to conceal. “You all right?”
I shrug, settling onto the bench at the stern. The water laps against the hull, slow and rhythmic, like it’s trying to rock me into admitting something I’m not ready to say. “Yeah, just thinking about what I’m going to do when this gets sold.”
Finn leans back on the railing, arms crossed. “Have you given any more thought to Remy’s offer of the job at the tree farm?”
“Yeah,” I mutter. “It was nice of him to offer it.”
Finn raises an eyebrow. “Nice? He’s running himself ragged. You’d be doinghima favor taking that job. He’s burning the candle at both ends. He needs a manager and a nanny. But heis not good at hiring help. He’s too proud. But if he’s asked you, trust me…he meant it.”
I scrub a hand over my jaw. “I don’t know if I'd be any good. All I know is fishing. My whole life, it’s been fishing. What happens if I take the job and let Remy down?”
Finn shrugs easily. “You could always take it until you figure out what you want to do. At least you know Remy. You know he'd be good to work for.”
Junie drags a piece of cloth behind her like a pirate flag and tells me, “You won’t mess up, Captain Tate.”
I look down at her, her face full of absolute certainty.
“Everyone loves trees,” she adds wisely. “Even pirates.”
Finn snorts out a laugh, and I can’t help but grin. “Even pirates, huh?”
She nods, all seriousness. “Daddy said so.”
I lean forward, elbows resting on my knees, watching the gulls wheel overhead. “It’s more than just the job. My mom...she’s selling the boat.”
“The pirate ship?” Junie gasps, wide-eyed.
I nod slowly. “Yeah, kiddo.”
Junie’s face crumples a little as she looks at me. “Why?”
I sigh, unsure how to answer that in a way that makes sense to a five-year-old, or even myself. “I guess she doesn’t see much point in keeping it around.”
Junie puts her tiny hand on mine, her expression soft and earnest. “That makes you sad. I can tell.”
Her words catch me off guard. She’s right, of course.
“Yeah,” I admit quietly. “Yeah, it does.”
“Are you coming tonight?” Junie asks suddenly, swinging her legs as she looks up at me. Her tone brightens, like she’s decided that a change of subject is exactly what’s needed. “Daddy has all the pumpkins ready. And a big bonfire, too.”
“Pumpkin carving?” I ask.
