Page 8 of Plotting Summer

“How soon?” Tala’s gaze locks on me, and I’m well aware she’s using her uncanny human lie detecting skills to verify my honesty.

“This Thursday is when I’m finished with my current project.” Code for I’m sending my manuscript to the editor and I’ll have over a week off until I get the developmental edits back. I pause, hardly able to believe what I’m about to agree to. “I’ll head that way Friday morning.”

Tala stares at me, taking in every last detail of my expression through the camera. “If you don’t come, I may just let Heath donate the whole collection.”

I doubt she means it, but with my worst aunt ever status already working against me, I hate to tempt fate. “I’m coming.”

After a moment, I receive a nod of acceptance from Tala, and she smiles. “You can stay with us for the weekend. The kids will be thrilled to get some extra auntie time.”

I don’t break the news that I won’t be staying the night. Not yet. I’ll be in and out before anyone outside of my family and Jane knows I’m there. A quick day trip—even a half-day if I can manage it. My conscience pings slightly, but what other choice do I have? Literally none.

I assuage my guilt by promising myself I’ll make it up to all of them somehow. Maybe a day at Disney World is in order. Or I could sponsor a family cruise. Wow. I am desperate. But it really is for the best if my visit to Sunset Harbor is as brief as possible. Tala will understand once I tell her. She always does. “I can’t wait to see all of you!”

As I make my way along the sidewalk, the wicked combination of humidity and heat has me wishing I’d called Tala for a golf-cart ride from the ferry station. It’s one of my favorite things about Sunset Harbor—no cars—though it isn’t always convenient and it definitely takes longer to get where you need to go. Though I suppose that’s the exact reason I walked. I’m a master of procrastinating the hard conversations, and I’m all too aware of the conversation that awaits me when I get to Tala’s.

I turn onto the street I grew up on, and in an attempt to delay a little longer, and possibly to wrangle in my rising emotions of being here again, I pull out my phone to text Jane.

CAPRI

I know you’re busy, but I had to let you know that I’m officially back on Sunset Harbor! And I’m only freaking out a little bit.

Okay. I’m freaking out a lot.

It's only been six months since I last visited, but it feels so much longer. Probably because even when I moved off the island several years ago, I’ve made frequent visits. Like, exceptionally frequent. So I’ve felt the void intensely.

JANE

Yay!

I mean, yay you’re here. I’m sorry you’re freaking out though.

But everything will be fine.

I’ll drop by after I’m done helping with the flowers for the wedding tonight so don’t you dare leave before I see you.

CAPRI

I can’t wait to see you!

JANE

Same!

I tuck the phone in my bag and pause a moment on the front lawn to take in the sight of Grandma’s house, letting it fill every homesick crevice inside me. I’m not sure how long it’ll be until I venture this way again. Our family lived in a few different places in the years before Mom, Tala, Walker, and I moved in with Grandma, but nowhere feels as much like home as this two-story, aqua blue house with its white trim and wrap-around porch. Naples, Florida, where I live now, is a close second, considering that’s where we lived before Dad died. Since I can’t be here, it seemed like the next best option. A way to stay close to his memory. Though, with how often we visited Sunset Harbor, Grandma’s house is equally full of memories of Dad. As well as Grandpa.

Except now that Grandma’s chosen to move into the Seaside Oasis Senior Living Center, it isn’t her house anymore. It’s Tala and Heath’s. Not that I’m not thrilled for them. I am. But even positive change sucks sometimes.

Without permission, my gaze slides to the Palmers’ house next door. Their previous house, anyway. Another change. Except with the way my limbs start to tingle at the sight of it, I’m slightly relieved Tristan’s parents moved across the street from Seaside Oasis the year after Beau and I graduated. The fact that I’m not going to run into any of the Palmers is a huge factor in my willingness to come today. The nice older couple they have renting out the place know less about me than I do about them, and basically all I know is they are mainlanders soaking up their retirement days here on Sunset Harbor.

“Auntie Capri!” Serenity darts out the front door, and when she gets to me, I wrap her in a hug. At nine, she’s getting too big to scoop up anymore, but I plant a kiss on the top of her head to make up for it.

“How’s my favorite girl on this planet?”

She beams up at me, and I’m struck again at how dominant Tala’s and my genes are (or Mom’s genes, though her hair is now streaked with silver)—the dark hair, smear of freckles, and dark brown eyes. “I’m excited you’re here!”

“Not as excited as I am to be here.”

She takes my hand and pulls me toward the open front door. “You have to see the house! And my room! Mom painted my walls pink, and Dad is going to build a window seat for me when he can find the time.”