Liza stared at him in disbelief. “Are you serious? You really mean that?”
“I do,” he said quickly. “You should stay here. You need this chance to start over, more than I need the money. We can figure that out. I want you to have a chance to center yourself and figure things out. I can see you’ve gotten in touch with something out here that’s been dormant a long time. I couldn’t take that from you now, Liza. What kind of a brother would I be to do that to you?”
Liza felt so overwhelmed with relief and gratitude that for a moment she couldn’t speak at all. “Thank you, Peter,” she said at last. “Thank you for understanding and for changing your mind.”
“Will likes it here, more than he ever thought. He doesn’t want us to sell it either. He wants to be able to come back here. He told me last night before he went to sleep. I think he really meant it, too.”
“I think he did,” Liza agreed, sending up a silent prayer of thanks for Will’s influence over his father and for Peter’s amazing change of heart.
“Someone is going to have to tell Fran Tulley,” Liza said quietly, trying to hide the grin that threatened to break out across her face, ear to ear.
“Yes… someone is. Someone named Peter Martin, I think,” her brother said with a resigned sigh. “Poor Fran. She worked so hard the last two weeks and finally reeled in a big fish for us. We’ll have to make it up to her somehow. Send her some flowers or something.”
“A free weekend at the Inn at Angel Island, our deluxe suite.”
“Our deluxe suite?” Peter gave her a look. “You have big plans, don’t you?”
“I do,” Liza said in a soft but firm voice. “I definitely do.”
For the first time in a long time, she felt very sure of things, what she wanted and where her life was going.
CLAIRE had arrived while they were talking in the parlor. Liza hadn’t even heard her come in but realized she was there when the warm, delicious smell of something baking beckoned.
“Something smells good.” Peter sniffed the air. “Shall we go investigate?”
Liza followed her brother to the kitchen. Claire stood by the open oven, checking a pan of dark brown muffins that smelled incredibly good.
“What are those made of? Nectar of the gods?” Peter asked, teasing her.
Claire laughed. “Not quite. It’s a lot of good things, though, in the recipe. They’re called Morning Glory Muffins. Just let them cool a minute and you can try one.”
“I can’t wait,” Peter admitted, taking a seat at the table.
Liza glanced at him, and he seemed to read her mind. “We have some good news, Claire,” he began. “We’ve decided to keep the inn.”
Claire turned and looked at them each in turn, casting them a warm smile. “That is good news. Wonderful news. I’m very happy to hear it.”
“I’m going to stay here and run it,” Liza added. “I hope you’ll stay and help me, Claire. I don’t think I could do it without you.”
Claire met her glance. “Of course I’ll stay. I don’t think you could get rid of me now… short of knocking the place down.”
Liza laughed. She’d never heard Claire make a joke before-and actually, from the sparkle in the housekeeper’s blue eyes, Liza wasn’t entirely sure that Claire was joking.
Liza watched Claire beat some eggs in a bowl, working in her steady, competent way, and felt so utterly grateful for her friendship and loyalty. It felt like a gift. And maybe it was, she realized. A final gift from her dear aunt, who was always looking out for her, trying to guide her and help her grow.
Liza impulsively leaned over and gave the housekeeper a quick, fierce hug. “Thank you, Claire. Thank you for everything.”
Claire stepped back from the stove and hugged Liza back, then patted her arm. “I had a feeling it would all work out. I had a feeling your prayers would be answered,” she added.
Liza had never told Claire that she had prayed about the inn. But she didn’t question that Claire had guessed this and somehow knew.
Will appeared in the doorway, his thick dark hair tousled and his eyes still puffy from sleep.
“Hey, Will, what’s up?” his father said cheerfully, for once beating his son to the famous question.
Liza walked over to her nephew and slung her arm around his shoulder. “Going for any big bike rides today?” she teased.
He gave her a sheepish grin and shook his head. “I don’t think so… My butt is pretty sore. I can barely sit down.”
They all laughed. Even Claire, who tried not to but couldn’t help it.
“Well, eat your food standing up, then,” she said, handing him a muffin. Will took a huge bite, putting practically half in his mouth at once. “Mmm… that’s really good.”
“It’s a great day. Maybe we can go out to the beach and take some pictures,” Peter said to Will. “And we can talk some more,” he added. “Would you like to do that?”
Will gave his father a serious look for a moment, then nodded.
“I’m glad you guys aren’t leaving for Arizona today,” Liza said. “Now that everything’s settled, maybe you can stay a little longer and just enjoy the island.”
“That’d be okay,” Will said, grinning at his dad.
Peter grinned back, then glanced out the window. He suddenly put down his coffee and rose from his seat. “There’s Daniel. I never got to thank him.” He walked to the back door and pulled it open. “Daniel, come in for some coffee?”
Liza felt her heart quicken at the mere mention of his name.
She watched for him at the doorway and met his glance. Their eyes locked, and she smiled. It was only a moment, but it was more than enough.
“Good morning,” Daniel said, as he walked into the kitchen. “Hey, Will. How are you this morning?”
“I’m okay. Except certain parts of me.”
Peter laughed. “Don’t ask,” he told Daniel. “I just wanted to thank you for all your help yesterday. You didn’t have to go out of your way like that. I really appreciate it.”
“That’s all right. I’m just glad this crazy kid was found safe and sound,” he added, glancing at Will.
“So are we all,” Peter replied.
“There’s some news, Daniel,” Claire said. She turned and winked at Liza.
“Some news?” Daniel looked around curiously. “What kind of news?”
“Peter and I agree we’re not going to sell the inn. I’m going to stay here and run it for a while. We’ve decided to keep it in the family. It’s important to us.”
“Wow… that is news.” Daniel cast a warm, wide smile in her direction. Liza felt herself starting to blush and quickly looked away. She could tell that Peter knew something was going on between her and Daniel, and was grateful that he hadn’t asked her about it. Yet.
“Congratulations, Liza,” Daniel said. “This place will keep you busy. But I think you’re up to the challenge,” he added.
“I hope so,” she said.
“You’ll be great. But you’ll get sick of seeing me,” he predicted.
I sincerely doubt that, Liza nearly said aloud. Sick of hearing hammers and power tools, maybe. Looking at him?
Not likely.
“Oh, we’ll see about that,” she said quietly. “There is a lot to do.”
“One step at a time,” Peter said. “We’ve made some good progress the past two weeks. You might even be ready for guests this summer.”
“Yes, we might be. It’s a good goal,” she agreed, feeling excited and even a little scared at the idea. But she could do it with Claire’s help, and Daniel’s. And even the ephemeral support of her aunt Elizabeth, whom she often felt hovering nearby.