“It’s been such a long time, Jazzy. So good to see you. You look great.”
All of Edward’s sisters had been fond of Savannah. They all loved her like family, and that hadn’t changed with the divorce. In fact, Edward had been concerned that if he’d brought someone new home, he’d have trouble with the women in his family.
“Where is everybody?” Edward asked.
“Alyson and Samson are flying in from Miami later tonight. Nate got in last night. Whitney’s flying in from Texas tomorrow morning, and Denny will be here tomorrow night. That’s everybody.”
“Great. Everyone will be here for the celebration,” said Edward. “Where are our quarters?”
“I have you set up in the Symonette Room,” Jasmine said.
“And Savannah?”
“Oh, you’re not sharing quarters?” Jasmine smiled.
“No,” Savannah interjected. “Chloe and I will need a separate room, thank you.”
“Oh, I wasn’t aware of that. I’ll have to check and see if we have an extra room available. We’re pretty tight this weekend.”
“Are you kidding? I told you I was coming,” Edward said.
“Right! You told me that you were coming.” Jasmine walked over to the front desk, logged on to the computer. “Just give me a second.”
“This is a bit inconvenient,” Savannah whispered to Edward. “Perhaps Chloe and I can bunk at your parents’ home.”
“She’ll find us something,” Edward assured her. “Don’t worry.”
Jasmine looked up from the computer. “I don’t have one single room available, guys. I’m sorry. Everything’s booked for the entire weekend.”
Edward sighed. “You and Chloe can take the Symonette Room. I’ll bunk at my parents’ for the weekend.”
“I can try to find you a rollaway bed, big brother. How about that?” Jasmine asked.
Edward shrugged. “I’m going to stay at our home in Governor’s Harbour.”
“The Symonette Room is one of our more spacious rooms. And it has the best view. Quite romantic, too.” She cleared her throat. “Should be plenty of space for the three of you.”
“I’m sure my old room at home will do just fine.” Edward gathered the luggage.
“Okay, suit yourself.” Jasmine moved from behind the desk, reached her hand out to Chloe. “And you, young lady...how about you come with me? I spotted some ice cream in the freezer earlier today. Would you like some?”
“Yes!” Chloe exclaimed.
“And we’ll have to do something about this hair.” Jasmine ran her hand across Chloe’s thick mane. “Maybe some plaits.”
“That would be nice,” Savannah said, laughing. “I don’t know what to do with Chloe’s hair! It’s just a thick bush.”
“It’s okay. Auntie Jazzy will take care of it.” Jasmine grabbed Chloe’s hand and headed for the kitchen. “Let’s go for ice cream.”
Savannah and Edward climbed the wooden, refinished stairs to the Symonette Room.
“I’m sorry that I won’t be staying on Harbour Island with you and Chloe for the weekend, but I’ll be just a phone call away. I swear this wasn’t preplanned. I thought Jazzy understood that we would need separate rooms.”
“It’s okay. We’ll make the best of it.” Savannah walked over to the window and took in the view. “Very nice. This place is awesome. It’s much more than I’d imagined.”
“I can’t take the credit. Jasmine and her husband, Jackson, spearheaded the entire project.”
“It’s so hard to believe that Jazzy is married now. I still see her as your baby sister. She’s all grown up.”
“And Jackson is a good man. He’s one of my best friends, so I don’t have to worry about her.”
“Good.” Savannah smiled. “Because we all know that you’re a worrier.”
“I’m not a worrier, I just like to protect the people that I love.”
“You can’t save everyone,” Savannah said.
“I’ll sure try,” Edward said. “I think we should head over to Governor’s Harbour to my parents’ house. I’m sure they’re anxious to see Chloe.”
“I’m sure they are,” said Savannah. “I just need to freshen up a bit.”
“Fine. I’m going to walk the property a bit and visit with Jazzy. Just let me know when you’re ready.”
“Okay, I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
* * *
Edward’s childhood home smelled of Bahamian spices. He loved coming home. Although he enjoyed living in Florida, there was nothing like his home on the islands. A place where he and his five other siblings were reared. Edward was born in Key West, but the family moved to Eleuthera when he was a small boy. His parents moved to the islands to care for his ailing grandfather.
Edward, the oldest of the bunch, was a precocious young man. His father, Paul John, had hopes that his oldest son would follow in his professional footsteps and study medicine, but Edward had plans of his own. He was more interested in law and politics and had already immersed himself in an upcoming local election by the time he’d graduated from Harvard. Changing the laws was just as dear to Edward’s heart as being a father.
Edward and his siblings had inherited three historical homes from their grandparents, which had been transformed into the B and B on Harbour Island. Even after the Grove was completed and operational, Edward still had no intention of moving back to the islands to help run it. However, he’d been instrumental in the renovation and obtaining funding for the family’s business. He was happy that his sister Jasmine had taken a lead in making the Grove the extraordinary property that it was. It had quickly become one of the most sought-after properties on Harbour Island, which was why there weren’t any vacancies for his weekend visit with Savannah and Chloe.
“Where is everybody?” Edward asked loudly.
“Oh my goodness, Edward Talbot! You’re here.” His mother, Beverly, rushed from the kitchen wiping her hands on the end of her apron. “Oh, my! Who is this little young lady?”
Beverly Talbot was an older version of Edward’s sister, Whitney, with medium brown skin and a slender body that didn’t represent that of a middle-aged woman. Wisdom hid behind those eyes, and her smile was the same one that Edward owned.
“This is Chloe.” Edward grinned with pride. She’d been his greatest achievement. “Chloe, give your grandmother a hug.”
“Oh, you’re just so precious.” Beverly gave the girl a tight squeeze. “And Savannah, you’re just as pretty as I remember.”
Savannah embraced Edward’s mother. “Hello, Mrs. Talbot. So good to see you.”
“I believe you used to call me Mother. That still works just fine for me.” Beverly placed her hand on Savannah’s cheek. “So, the three of you will be staying here, yes?”
“No, Mother, just me,” Edward interjected. “Savannah and Chloe will be staying at the Grove.”
“What!” said Beverly.
Paul John Talbot came into the room wearing a pair of dingy coveralls and carrying a wrench. “I heard the voice of a little person in the house.”
“Pop, what are you fixing on now?”
“Bathroom sink is clogged,” Paul John stated. “And you must be Chloe. They told me they were sending someone to help me with the plumbing. Are you the help?”
Chloe grinned and shook her head no.
“No? You mean you don’t know how to fix the bathroom sink?”
Chloe shook her head again.
“Well, then. I guess I’ll have to do it myself.” He pretended to walk away and then turned back to Chloe. “Can you fix anything?”
“Um.” Chloe placed a finger against her cheek. “My Barbie’s arm came off one time and I fixed it.”
“Well, there you go! That qualifies you to fix a sink then.”
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Chloe shrugged her shoulders. “Okay.”
“Say hello to your grandfather, Chloe,” said Edward.
Paul John gave his granddaughter a handshake, then turned to Savannah. “Good seeing you, Savannah. I’d hug you, but I’m much too dirty.”
“Good seeing you, too, Mr. Talbot.” Savannah giggled.
“You all must be hungry,” Beverly said. “Come on into the kitchen and get something to eat.”
Savannah and Chloe followed Beverly into the kitchen, while Edward took his bags down the hall to his old bedroom. The room was just as it always was when he visited home, with fresh linen on the bed and his favorite chocolates in a candy dish on the dresser. He opened the drapes and let some sunshine in, unpacked his bag. When he finished he made his way into the kitchen where Savannah and Chloe were scarfing down fish and grits.
“Where’s Nate? Jazzy told me he’s here,” Edward said to his mother.
“Nate’s already up and running about the island. You know he’s not one to sit still for too long.”
“Right. He might be at the beach catching some waves on his board.”
“Maybe,” Beverly said. “Why don’t you sit down and have a bite to eat, son?”
Edward didn’t waste any time fixing a plate and sitting down at the kitchen table across from Savannah. He listened while she chitchatted with his mother, and suddenly his mind wandered. He wondered how he had allowed Savannah to slip away. His mother had always had her opinions about everyone, but she’d loved Savannah genuinely. His entire family had embraced her in the past, and it was clear that she was still very dear to them. Even his sister Alyson, who was fond of very few people, loved Savannah.
“Is anybody home?” the voice in the living room asked, and then Alyson appeared in the doorway of the kitchen. She’d lost a few extra pounds since Edward had last seen her. Marriage had done her well. Though she struggled with her weight, she was still just as beautiful as all the Talbot women. “You’re all in here feeding your faces!”
“Hello, dear. We didn’t hear you,” Beverly said.
“Obviously.” Alyson walked over and kissed her mother’s cheek. “Oh my goodness, Savannah! You look fabulous. What are you doing here? You and Edward back together again?”
Savannah stood and gave Alyson a strong hug. “It’s good to see you, Alyson. And no, we’re not.”
“Did I miss something, big brother?” Alyson blew Edward a kiss.
“You haven’t missed anything. I just wanted everyone to see Chloe...and she’s been a little under the weather, so I invited Savannah along to help me look after her.”
“Didn’t you get married recently?” Alyson asked Savannah.
“No,” Savannah said sweetly. “I was engaged, but things didn’t quite work out for us.”
“Well, that must’ve been good news for you, big brother.” Alyson grinned at Edward and then turned to Savannah. “He was beside himself with grief when he thought another man was going to take you away. Showed up on my doorstep.”
“Alyson!” Beverly exclaimed. “Behave.”
“What, Mother? You know it’s true.” Alyson kept going. “I thought I was going to have to give him a sedative.”
“You just don’t know when to quit, do you?” asked Edward.
Alyson rolled her eyes, ignored his question. “And this must be my beautiful niece.”
“Yes, this is Chloe,” Savannah stated.
Alyson squeezed Chloe’s shoulders.
“Where is my brother-in-law?” Edward asked. “He needs to come and get you under control.”
“From what?” Alyson giggled. “Samson’s getting our bags out of the car.”
“I’m right here!” Samson exclaimed. “Is she misbehaving again?”
“As always.” Edward stood and gave Samson a strong handshake. “Good to see you, bro.”
“Likewise,” said Samson as he moved around the table to Beverly and kissed her cheek. “Mother, good to see you.”
Beverly placed her palm against Samson’s face. “Are you hungry?”
“Famished, Mother.”
Beverly shook her head and looked at Alyson. “You have to feed this man, dear.”
“Samson knew I was a busy woman before he married me,” Alyson said.
“So because you’re busy, he can’t eat?” asked Edward. “Is that what you’re saying?”
“Mind your business, Edward,” Alyson warned.
“Like you minded yours earlier?” Edward asked.
“It’s certainly not that she can’t cook,” Beverly said. “I taught them all very well.”
“It’s that she won’t,” Edward mumbled.
“Okay, okay,” said Alyson. “It’s true. I don’t cook that often. However, Samson is a pretty good cook himself, so we get by.”
Edward ignored Alyson and turned to Samson. “Samson, this is Savannah, by the way. Savannah, meet Alyson’s husband, Samson. I honestly don’t know how he puts up with her.”
“Pleased to meet you.” Savannah giggled and reached her hand out to Samson. “I didn’t know that you got married, Alyson.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t a big to-do. Just a little justice of the peace type of thing.”
“She refused to do it the right way. She knows the Talbots are a celebratory bunch,” said Beverly. “We were looking forward to a big to-do.”
“You know I don’t like making a big fuss of things. Spending all sorts of unnecessary money.”
“We can still have that beautiful ceremony...whenever you want, Alyson,” said Samson.
“No need.” Alyson grinned and held her hand out to show Savannah her ring. “This rock is beautiful enough.”
“It is. Very beautiful.” Savannah smiled. “Congratulations to you both.”
Alyson waved her hand in the air to brush off the sentiment.
“Thank you,” Samson interjected. “A pleasure meeting you, Savannah.”
“And this is our daughter, Chloe,” Edward said.
Chloe was a mixture of Edward and Savannah, but more Edward. She had his smile and his long, slender frame. With thick hair and bright, inquisitive eyes, she had the ability to charm everyone around her.
“Well, aren’t you beautiful.” Samson smiled and then took Chloe’s small hand in his, kissed the back of it. He removed his fedora from his head, turned to Alyson. “I’m going to drop the bags in our room. Can you fix me a plate?”
“Yes, can you at least fix the man a plate?” Edward instigated. “And I’d like a cold beer while you’re headed that way.”
Alyson groaned, but then gave Samson a gentle smile. “Of course, sweetheart.”
When she handed Edward a beer, he smiled. He loved being at his childhood home. He glanced at Savannah and Chloe. There was nothing more important than family.
Chapter 10
Contemporary Caribbean music and laughter filled the Talbot home. Edward crossed one leg over the other, reclined in the easy chair in the corner of the room and took a sip of his wine. Denny peeked his head in the screen door, a wide grin on his face.
“Oh my word!” Beverly exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
“I can leave if you’d like.” Denny gave his mother a wicked grin and then removed his duffel bag from his shoulder and set it down.
“Get in here, boy!” Beverly demanded. “I didn’t even know you were coming.”
“I thought I would surprise you. That’s why I swore Jazzy to secrecy.” Denny hugged his mother tightly and kissed her cheek.
“And she was able to keep that secret?” Edward asked.
“I guess so. Mother didn’t know I was coming.”
“Good to see you, young man!” Edward grabbed his brother in a headlock.
“Hel
lo, Savannah.” Denny gave her a warm smile while being playfully choked by Edward. “Surprised to see you here.”
“Hello, Denny. I can’t believe you’re all grown up now.” Savannah sat on the sofa next to Chloe, her hand resting beneath the bowl of her wineglass. “You were just a young boy the last time I saw you.”
“Are you and this old guy back together?”
“No!” Edward and Savannah said it in unison.
“Okay! I was just trying to figure out what was going on here.” He moved from Edward’s grasp and then turned to Chloe and smiled. “You must be Chloe. I’m your Uncle Denny.”
“Hi,” Chloe said softly.
Denny turned to his oldest sister. “Alyson, good to see you.”
“You’re not AWOL, are you?” Alyson asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Of course not.” He kissed his sister’s cheek and then shook Samson’s hand. “I’m on leave.”
“Good to see you, Denny,” said Samson.
“Hey, Pop.” Denny hugged his father, after which he went back to the door and opened it just a bit wider. A young woman followed him inside. “Everybody, this is Gabrielle. Gabby for short.”
“Hi.” Gabby was dressed in military fatigues, her hair in a ponytail and a cap on her head. She gave the family a slight wave of her hand.
Everyone was too shocked to speak.
“Hello, Gabby.” Paul John Talbot was the first to say something and shook her hand.
“Does Sage know that you’re home?” Alyson asked Denny about his high school sweetheart, the girl he’d vowed to marry as soon as he returned from boot camp.
“I haven’t spoken with her,” Denny said nonchalantly.
“Have you introduced Sage to Gabby?” Alyson continued.
“No, Alyson, I haven’t!”
“It’s very nice meeting you, Gabby,” said Beverly Talbot. “Why don’t you come in and have a seat?”
“So, obviously you’re on the force, too,” Edward stated. “Did you train with the navy SEALs as well?”
“Yes, sir, I did,” Gabby said.
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