“Im here. ”
Nora and Jere both spun around. Caroline stood in the living room. She was wearing the same silk and linen clothes from last night, only now they were wrinkled beyond recognition. Her hair was a tangled mess. Flecks of caked mascara turned her eyes into twin bruises. “Hi, Jere,” she said softly. “I heard your voice. ”
Ruby came stumbling down the stairs and rammed into her sister. “Sorry, Caro, I-” She saw Jeremy and stopped. Her laughter dwindled into an uncomfortable silence.
Jere walked over to Caroline. “Care?”
The tenderness in his voice told Nora all she needed to know. There might be trouble between Caro and Jere-maybe big trouble-but underneath all that there was love, and with love, they had a chance.
“You shouldnt have come,” Caro said, crossing her arms. She took a step backward, and Nora knew her daughter was afraid of getting too close to this man she loved so deeply.
“No,” he said softly, “you shouldnt have left. Not without talking to me first. Can you imagine how-” His voice cracked. “how I felt when I got your letter?”
“I thought-”
“Your letter, Caro. All these years and you leave me a letter that says youll be back when you feel like it?”
Caro looked up at him. “I thought youd be glad I left, and I couldnt stand to see that. ”
“You thought. ” He sighed, ran a hand through his hair. “Come home,” he whispered. “Moms watching the kids for the rest of the weekend. ” Caroline smiled. “Shell be bleeding from her ears before tomorrow morning. ”
“Thats her problem. We need some time alone. ”
“Okay. ” Caroline turned and went upstairs. She came down a minute later with her overnight bag. She enfolded Ruby in a fierce hug, whispering something that Nora couldnt hear; and then both girls laughed.
Finally, Caroline walked across the kitchen to Nora. “Thanks,” she said quietly.
“Oh, honey, Ive waited a lifetime for last night. ”
Carolines eyes were bright. "I wont miss you anymore.
“No way. You cant get rid of me now. I love you, Caro. ”
“And I love you, Mom. ” Nora pulled her daughter into her arms and held her tightly, then slowly released her.
Jeremy took the overnight bag from his wife, then held on to her hand. Together; they left the house.
Ruby and Nora followed them as far as the porch, watching as the gray Mercedes followed the white Range Rover out of the driveway.
“Shes gone,” Ruby said.
“Shell be back. ” Nora stared out at the beautiful blue sky and choppy green sea. It was going to be a great day for sailing; no clouds, a little breeze shivering through the trees, sunlight on the water.
Ruby sidled up to Nora, stood so close their shoulders were touching. “Im sorry, Mom. ”
Nora turned. “For what?”
Ruby looked different somehow. Serious. “For all the presents I sent back and all the years I stayed away. But mostly Im sorry for being so damned unforgiving. ”
Nora wasnt sure how it happened-who moved first-but suddenly they were clinging to each other; laughing and crying at the same time.
At exactly eleven, a boat horn blared. A loud ah-oo gab, ah-oo-gah. The Wind Lass pulled up to the dock.
Ruby glanced down at the water; watching Dean tie the boat down. “Theyre here. ” There was a strand of worry in her voice.
Nora understood. “Are you afraid to see Dean?”
Ruby nodded.