Page 38 of Crash Over Us

“Are you going to get cleaned up before dinner?” My mother asked him.

“Headed up now. You can start without me.”

She shook her head. “That’s not what we’re going to do. We’ll wait. But hurry.”

“Aye, aye.” He saluted Mom before turning to Margot. “Glad you’re here.”

Jacob laughed. “That is going to be the quickest shower he’s ever taken.”

It wasn’t long before my father joined us at the table. He kissed Mom on the cheek before sitting down. I knew she was annoyed not only because he was late, but also because of the boats. They consumed his time. I wondered if it was how she pictured their retired life playing out.

“All right, Margot. You’ve got my full attention now.” He passed around the platter with the roasted chicken. “How do you like Marshoak Island?”

She took a sip of wine. “Honestly?”

“That’s what I want at the dinner table. Give me your honest opinion.”

“Well, when I first got here it wasn’t the greatest. I’m not sure if you know much about the Blue Heron, but my Uncle Walt left me with a huge mess to deal with. Being here after living in New York City for so long was a culture shock.” She laughed.

“And now?” Dad pried.

Her eyes drifted to mine. I saw the beautiful smile on her lips that I had fallen in love with over and over.

“Now, I love it here. I’m going to stay. I’m going to fix up the Blue Heron. I think this is home. It feels like home. I don’t want to go anywhere else.”

My parents stared at her then exchanged a look. Shit. I knew that look. It was the look of people who wanted to be grandparents. Who wanted to tell their friends there was a big island wedding to look forward to. That was the look of a woman who was already planning on making baby quilts with her friends.

Dad raised his beer. “Well, I think that calls for a toast.”

I could see my brother shaking with laughter. He had seen it too. He knew how our parents thought. As the older sibling, he’d been subject to more pressure than I had about getting married and having kids.

Margot was falling right into the trap. She joined Dad in raising her wine glass. “What are we toasting?”

“We are toasting a new local on Marshoak Island.”

She blinked. Her mouth opened. I grabbed her knee under the table and squeezed it. I had to reassure her. I had to give her something steady. Because now she knew exactly what my dad meant. I had to hold on to her and keep her from bolting out of here.

“To the new local,” Jacob echoed. I could have punched my brother across the table. He was enjoying it too much.

“I’m just glad you moved here, honey.” Mom smiled. “I’d like to see the Blue Heron when you get some work done on it. It’s been years since I’ve been over there.”

“I’d like that too.” Margot drank the wine, and I took a sip of beer. I released my grip on her knee. The atmosphere felt steady again. “Did Caleb tell you about the benefactor?”

My heart almost stopped. “No. I hadn’t told them.”

“Benefactor?” Dad asked.

“Yes, I seemed to have a fan on the island or at least someone who wants the Blue Heron to succeed. Have you ever heard of a group called the Island Stewards, LLC?”

My mouth went dry. I reached for the beer.

“Can’t say that I have.” Dad shook his head. “What are they funding the renovation?”

“Not the entire renovation, but enough to get the marina back on its feet,” Margot explained. “Whoever the group is, I’m just grateful. It’s really the reason I get to stay.”

“I think that’s wonderful, honey.” Mom cut into the chicken and passed a basket of rolls around the table.

After dinner my parents tossed us out of the kitchen. They wanted to take care of the dishes.

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