The Charlotte Chronicles (Jackson Boys 1)

“I’ll put post an ad.” She makes a note on her tablet. At the doorway, she turns back. “I’m going to visit as much as I can. You’re not leaving your old friends; you’re making new ones.”

“I know.” But it’s sure nice hearing it.

My next task is a phone call is to my parents. It’s one that I’ve been putting off, but Nathan and I both agreed that they would need to be told today.

“Charlotte!” My father answers, and his deep voice is full of affection. No matter the distance or the time, I am secure in my parents’ love. I realize that it is not the move I fear, but the newness of Nate and my reconnection.

“Hey Daddy, when was the last time we saw each other?”

“Father’s Day,” he replies promptly. “You brought your friend that Nick has a hankering for and her sweet little girl. We all went up to the North Shore and had a picnic out on the beach.”

All but Nate, but he’s not been part of our “all” for a long time.

“That was too long ago.”

“Your mama and I can be on a plane tomorrow if you’re missing us. Besides, your mama’s got some news for you.”

His happiness tells me it’s good news. “What is it?”

“She and Noah are selling out their interests in the fund.”

I’m glad I’m sitting down. Dad sold out all his construction interests shortly after I finished treatment in Switzerland. He didn’t want me to be by myself, and he wasn’t interested in working like a dog anymore, as he put it. I loved having him with me, and it made my loneliness bearable when Nick went to college and Nate went AWOL on me. But Mom motored on, almost as if she was in a contest with Noah to see who could make more money.

“She’s tired of it and wants to travel. Noah was relieved. He said he’s been trying to convince her to chuck it all into the river for years now.” Dad laughs. I can see him sitting in the library in the penthouse, a low boy full of some expensive liquor in his hand and his feet up on a cowhide hassock. His face is probably tan against his hair. He says I’m full of my mother’s stock except for my blue eyes and blonde hair the color of wheat, which I inherited from him.

“I’m excited for you,” I say truthfully and then wonder if they’d come out to San Diego for a few months to help with my transition.

“I can tell by your voice that you’ve got something on your mind,” he rumbles.

“Where is Mom?” I don’t want to divulge the news twice.

“In the office. Want me to call her?”

“Yeah.”

There’s a series of clicks and then I hear my mom’s strong voice. “Your father says you have news.”

“Apparently you do as well. I didn’t know you were thinking of retiring.”

“It’s not so much as retiring as changing our scenery.”

“I assume this means hotels and airlines because you once said that camping was for people who hated life.”

“The outdoors and I don’t get along.”

That’s an understatement. Mom’s idea of enjoying the outdoors is lying on a lounge chair next to a pool with a big hat shading her skin from the sun. “I’m sure Daddy appreciates the sacrifice you are making.”

He rumbles his amused agreement. “You’re welcome to come with us.”

“I was gone this week, and when I returned I found that my work was having babies faster than hamsters. So as much as I might like the idea of a vacation, I get enough traveling in the form of my job.”

“The invitation is always open. We’ll send you our itinerary, and if you find a break in your schedule, hop on a plane and we’ll take care of the rest. Now what’s so important that we are conferencing together?”

My delay tactics have run out. I don’t have a good way to break the news, so I just blurt it out. “Nate asked me to marry him, and I said yes.”

There is a long silence on the other end of the line. So long that I wonder if they have hung up on me or if the connection dropped. “Hello?”

When I do hear a voice, it’s my daddy’s. “We’re still here, darling. We’re trying to wrap our heads around the bomb that you dropped.”

“I hope you’re happy for me.” My free hand is clenched so tight around the metal pen, I’m certain I’m going to bend it in half.

Mom clears her throat. “I think the question that we need answered is, are you happy? This came out of nowhere. I didn’t even realize you had any contact with Nathan in years.”

“I was in San Diego getting a player situated, and I had to buy a gift at Tiffany’s for his wife because she wasn’t happy about the move. In the weirdest coincidence, I saw Nate in the store. I admit that for a while I had convinced myself that it didn’t matter that Nathan didn’t love me like I loved him. I thought I’d find someone else, but there wasn’t anyone for me.” My voice is cracking as I relive the anguish of the moment when I believed Nathan was buying a ring for another woman. My parents remain silent. “But as I looked at him through the window I realized I would never, ever love anyone else like I loved him. And something happened to him as well. He’s loved me all along.”