Page 65 of Like a Hurricane

She was visibly wary of both Torin and Rett, and I couldn’t help but notice that she had a habit of shielding Ethan from them both, not well but she tried.

It pulled on my curiosity, but I wouldn’t pry for information she wasn’t willing to give.

She was a kind woman, smart, beautiful with so much love for her family and this island. She gave up her studies to take care of her son, which I respected but it also made my heart twinge with sadness. If the father was in the picture perhaps, she would have that time for her education, have that time to follow her dreams.

But that’s the sad thing about single mothers, it is often their dreams that are sacrificed. It doesn’t make the love for their children any less, doesn’t makethemany less but it happens, and people overlook that sacrifice.

I stare down at Ethan’s happy little face, gaze into those young, innocent eyes and wonder what kind of mother I would be. I’d never thought about having children, I didn’t have time but now, could I do it? Could I have a little boy of my own? Would he have dark curls and icy eyes like Rett? Or would it be a daughter?

“I know that look,” Maya slides up next to me, offering her finger to Ethan which he accepts in favor of my hair.

“Sorry?” I ask.

“The way you’re looking at him,” Maya says, cooing at the boy, “You want children.”

I smile, “Maybe one day.”

“You and Rett would make such cute babies,” She whispers as if in conspiracy, “But don’t tell him I said that.”

“Rett and I, I’m not sure we’re built to last like you and Torin are.” I admit.

“I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Arryn,” she scoffs, “That man looks at you like you hung the moon and stars. Hell, he looks at you like you built the whole damn universe. He’s halfway in love with you, if he’s not there already.”

“We barely know each other.”

“There are no rules when it comes to love Arryn, I learned that.”

“How did you and Torin meet?”

“I was running,” she accepts Ethan into her arms when he gives her grabby hands and bounces him on her hip, “My ex was abusive, always had been but it got so bad, and he almost killed me. I ran and tried to steal a ride on Torin’s boat back to the island.”

“I’m so sorry,” I mumble, horrified at her words. How could anyone want to hurt Maya? She was so sweet, so good, it was pure evil.

“Torin and I didn’t really get along when I came here. I guess stowing away on his boat didn’t help much but after some time we just…clicked and everything happened. And now, I couldn’t imagine being without him. He’s my sun and moon. It didn’t come without challenges,” she tells me, cradling the back of Ethan’s head as he settles in ready to take a nap, “just like I’m sure you and Rett will face them. But sometimes, when things are just meant to be, it’ll work out.”

“You’re very optimistic,” I smile at her, sighing.

“Life’s a little sad without those silver linings.”

I nod and say no more, staring down at the coffee in my mug.

“Let me give you some advice,” Maya touches my shoulder gently, “Open your mind to a life beyond what you’ve been taught and what you know. When you do, you’ll realize there is so much more waiting for you.”

I watch Maya wander off to Vanessa, a sleeping Ethan in her arms and I take a seat on one of the plush couches in front of a large fireplace, the flames crackling and hissing up the chimney. There was a light and quick snowfall this morning, but it hadn’t lasted long, though the clouds were rolling and tumbling, the threat of more to come soon.

“Need some alone time?” Ruthie has a voice anyone could recognize, kind and warm, instantly soothing. She sits by me on the couch with a groan, rolling her eyes when I cast my eyes to her in concern, “Don’t look at me like that, miss Arryn, I’m old but I’m notthatold. The cold messes with my joints.”

“And yet you live on an island that’s always cold.”

“Not always,” she knocks my knees, “Spring and summer are wonderful, warm. The island comes alive with the sun.”

“This really is a little story book town, isn’t it.” It made me feel like a little girl reading a fairy tale, getting lost in those pages where dragons soared through the skies and battles were won and lost, princesses falling in love with the heroes. I missed my books, my stories. They were a comfort, but I had to admit this little island gave me the same feeling as if I was reading it from the pages of my favorite books.

“It is,” Ruthie agrees, “This has been my home for many good years. I’ve seen it house heartbreak, tragedy, love, it tells stories and holds many secrets in the old walls. But why are you here, Arryn? What will this little town do for you?”

I roll my lips, “I wish I knew the answer.” I tell her. She sits with me for a moment, the silence settling between us comfortable as the fire continues to blaze ahead of us. Eventually though, she has to go back to work, so I get up and head back to Rett. There are so many unanswered questions rolling around inside my head, and I know Rett can answer them if I only had the courage to ask.

The cold salty air bites at my face, the wind rolling off the sea to tangle up my hair as I walk the short way to Torin’s house. A sense of calm moves through me with the sound of the waves and the birds, there’s no loud horns or shouting, no flashing cameras or enraged customers to deal with. Just the sea, the sky, and the forest.

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