The Way Back to Erin

by Cerella Sechrist

  “The only thing left to say is thank you. Thank you for protecting your country. Thank you for giving me Kitt. Thank you for loving me and offering me a home and a place at your side. Our marriage wasn’t perfect, but I never regretted a single minute of it. It was a joy to be your wife.”

  She raised the ring to her lips and kissed it gently before carefully tucking it into her pocket.

  “Goodbye, my love.”

  And then she turned and walked toward her car without looking back.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  BY THE TIME Erin arrived back at the house Aunt Lenora was renting, any remaining tears had dried. She felt...at peace. It was a new and unexpected emotion, but one she believed would last.

  She grabbed the mail from the mailbox as she pulled into the driveway and carried it inside without looking through it. The day was warm, and she was thirsty so she dropped the mail on the counter on her way into the kitchen.

  “Kitt?” she called as she opened the cupboard for a glass.

  Aunt Lenora shuffled into the room. Erin had to admit that moving out of the Moontide had been good for the woman. She still moved like the eighty-nine-year-old woman she was, but she stood a little straighter and her eyes were a little clearer. Erin hadn’t realized how much the inn had become a burden for Aunt Lenora. If she had, she might have looked at the Moontide differently much sooner.

  “I picked up the mail on my way in. It’s on the counter.” Erin gestured toward where she’d dumped the pile of envelopes. The mail haul had been respectable since they moved, as word of the inn’s sale spread. People had written from as far away as Alaska to share their memories of the Moontide. Erin left most of that correspondence to Aunt Lenora. It seemed to bring the older woman a sense of closure, as well as joy, to read the letters. But for Erin, it would only cause her to look back instead of forward.

  “There’s fresh lemonade in the fridge,” Aunt Lenora said, guessing Erin’s need for a drink, “and Kitt’s with Burke.”

  This statement gave Erin pause. “Burke is here?”

  “No. He came to pick up Kitt about an hour ago. He’s taking him to his new house on the point, to help do a few projects. Mostly, I think Kitt and Scout will probably keep each other company so Burke can get some work done.”

  “Oh.” Erin knew Burke had purchased a house on Fallon Point, but she hadn’t been to see it. In fact, she and Burke avoided each other as much as possible since the move. She assumed he was angry with her over her rejection, and she couldn’t bear to see the resentment in his eyes.

  She’d been surprised to learn he was staying in Findlay Roads, after all that had transpired, and that he had even gone so far as to purchase a house. It showed a level of commitment she hadn’t expected from him. And she was touched at the effort he was putting into his relationship with Kitt. He stopped by several times a week to pick up her son and take him and Scout to the park or out for ice cream or to his new house. Erin usually made herself scarce when she saw him pull up and let Aunt Lenora see Kitt out the door and welcome him back inside when he returned.

  Erin took a long sip of lemonade, savoring the sugary sweet taste that masked the sharp tang of citrus.

  “Erin.”

  She turned, curious about the tone in Aunt Lenora’s voice. It was filled with expectation. She held up a large manila envelope. Even from a few feet away, Erin could see the culinary school’s logo on the exterior.

  “It’s addressed to you.”

  She set the lemonade on the counter and moved to take the envelope from Aunt Lenora. By the weight of it, she knew it had to be an acceptance letter and welcome packet. Tearing it open, she pulled out the paper, gave it a brief scan and grinned.

  “I’m in. I’ll be starting pastry school next month.”

  Aunt Lenora clapped her hands together and then drew Erin into her arms. It was an unexpected gesture since Aunt Lenora rarely showed affection in this way, except with Kitt. She wrapped her arms around the old woman’s shorter, thinner frame and hugged her.

  “Congratulations,” Aunt Lenora whispered, then pulled back to look in Erin’s eyes. “Gavin would be thrilled for you.”

  “Thank you.” She marveled that the mention of Gavin’s name did not stir the grief it would have even a month ago.

  Aunt Lenora moved away to continue sorting through the mail while Erin perused the folder containing her orientation information.

  “Oh. Oh my.”

  Erin looked up. “What?”

  But Aunt Lenora ignored her, her attention focused squarely on a magazine she held in her hand.

  “Aunt Lenora? What is it?”

  When she still received no response, Erin moved to Aunt Lenora’s side and looked down at the front page of Traveler magazine. She gasped at the familiar sight of the Moontide featured on the glossy paper.

  Findlay Roads Local Inn Finds a New Purpose, by Burke Daniels.

  The words were prominently displayed amidst the titles of other articles.

  “Burke did this?” She grabbed the magazine from Aunt Lenora’s hands, unable to contain herself. She flipped through the pages until she found the article as Aunt Lenora took a seat at the table.

  Findlay Roads’ local treasure, the Moontide Inn, has withstood wars and rebellion and served as a safe haven for many during its 200 plus years.

  “Read it aloud,” Aunt Lenora instructed.

  “Oh, sorry.” Erin repeated the article’s opening line and then continued, “From the exterior, you might never guess the secrets held within these walls, but the Moontide Inn has experienced its share of history over its lifetime. All of that was nearly lost recently when the inn was slated for demolition.”

  Erin’s jaw dropped. “What? The inn was slated for demolition?”

  Aunt Lenora frowned. “Allan Worth. He didn’t intend to keep the Moontide as a clubhouse. It made more sense to level it.”

  Erin experienced a surge of anger. “He what? And you knew that was his plan?”

  Aunt Lenora shook her head. “Not until after the sale was final. There was nothing I could do at that point. My hands were tied.”

  Erin went to the kitchen table and sat down. Her own hands were trembling at the idea of the Moontide’s destruction. She had said her goodbyes to the place, but she wasn’t ready to see it destroyed.

  “Is it...? Is Allan...?” She couldn’t even bare to voice the words aloud. Fortunately, she didn’t have to. Aunt Lenora answered her unspoken question with a swipe of her head.

  “No. Allan is no longer in possession of the inn.”

  Erin’s jaw dropped a second time. “He’s not? But...the restoration that’s been going on...”

  “By the town and the historical society. He donated the building and a small bit of land back to the town.”

  Erin was floored. “He did what?”

  Aunt Lenora’s smile was just a little too gleeful. “I don’t pretend to know the particulars, but apparently Allan was facing some difficulties with permitting and such for the golf course. After he donated the inn to the town, all that red tape went away. Or so that’s what Mrs. Cleary says.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me about the demolition?”

  Aunt Lenora’s smile faded. “Burke asked me not to.”

  “Burke?”

  “It was him. He was the one who managed to pull it off. He learned of Allan’s intentions and he spoke to the town council, convinced them to declare the inn a historical landmark, which would prevent Allan from tearing it down. What choice did he have except to turn the Moontide over? They’re converting the inn into a museum and local offices for the historical society. So clever of Burke.” Her smile was back, filled with pride.

  Erin rested her palm over her chest. Her heart was racing.

  “Burke managed to do all that?”

  She nodded.


  “Why didn’t he want me to know?”

  Aunt Lenora looked at her with something that appeared suspiciously like pity. “He was afraid of hurting you further.”

  “But...he saved the Moontide from being bulldozed to the ground. Why would he think that would hurt me?”

  “Because you already resented him for encouraging me to sell the inn. He was afraid if you found out how close it had come to being torn down that you’d be even angrier with him.”

  She blinked. “I’m not angry with him.”

  Aunt Lenora arched an eyebrow.

  “Well, not anymore at least,” Erin clarified.

  “Hmm. I’m not so sure he knows that.”

  Erin looked down at her hands, resting in her lap. There was a faint white line, paler than the rest of her skin, where her wedding band had been. It would fade with time, she knew. Just as the worst of her grief and guilt had faded.

  “I thought he was angry with me,” she murmured.

  “Oh, you foolish girl.” Despite the words, Aunt Lenora’s tone was warm with caring. “He is in love with you.”

  Erin raised her head. “I know. But I turned him away. Not once but twice. He has to hate me for that now.”

  Aunt Lenora sighed, as if weary of young people’s mistaken assumptions. “Have you had one conversation with him in the last month? Just one?”

  Erin furrowed her eyebrows together. “Well...no. Not really.”

  Aunt Lenora harrumphed, as if to say I rest my case.

  Erin considered. Could Aunt Lenora be right? Could Burke still love her? Could he forgive her? Was there still a chance?

  Her eyes fell on the article before her, and she began reading once more. Tears welled in her eyes, and she had to blink them away in order to continue the article. Burke had done a stellar job of telling the inn’s history, including his personal connection as a child, visiting Findlay Roads with his family and then later, as an orphaned teenager in need of a home. And finally, he mentioned Gavin and her, as the last in a long legacy of married couples who had made their home at the inn. By the time she finished reading, she was steadily wiping the tears from her eyes.

  “Do you think it’s too late?” she asked, not bothering to tell Aunt Lenora what she referred to.

  The older woman’s voice was strong with confidence. “It is never too late, where love is concerned.”

  * * *

  AUNT LENORA SAID Burke planned to drop Kitt off at home before dinner, so Erin had plenty of time. Even so, she hurried, stripping off the jeans and T-shirt she wore to shower and then dressing in a flowing, peach-colored sundress. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail, swiped on some lipstick and sprayed a touch of body splash on her wrists before giving herself the once-over in the bathroom mirror. She could have done more, but she was in too much of a hurry. She looked pretty, she decided, if not gorgeous—it would have to do. She couldn’t wait any longer.

  With a quick explanation to Aunt Lenora about where she was headed, she barely had time to register the older woman’s pleased smile before she was out the door and in the car, navigating toward the point.

  She slowed once she found Burke’s street and hesitated when she reached the turnoff to his lane. The house was a little more secluded than she had thought it would be, but she found she liked it. It had a slightly rural feel as she headed down the unpaved drive and ended up in front of a breathtaking Cape Cod–style house with a wraparound porch. It was obviously in need of some repairs, but Erin fell in love with it at first sight. It was a home for a family, a house for a couple in love to grow old in. She parked the car on the grass and opened her door.

  She heard Scout’s bark announcing her arrival well before she caught sight of Burke and Kitt around the side of the house. As she approached, she saw Burke had a paintbrush in hand as did Kitt. They were applying a coat of paint to the railing.

  Burke’s face revealed his surprise as she approached, and it was all she could do to keep from running straight into his arms. Scout stopped her as he leapt around at her feet, his tail wagging furiously. He jumped up, placing two paws on her waist, and strained to reach her face so he could cover her in wet kisses.

  “Scout, down,” Burke called in a warning tone, but Scout was disinclined to listen. Erin laughed, bent down for a face full of slobbery kisses and then scratched him behind the ears.

  “You’re a good boy,” she approved, and Scout’s tail wagged even harder.

  “Mom!” Kitt whined. “I’m not ready to go home yet!”

  Burke was walking toward her, his lips turned down in a frown. “I could’ve brought him home sooner if you wanted. You didn’t have to drive out here to get him.”

  She looked at Burke, the wariness in his expression, and felt a moment’s doubt. What if Aunt Lenora was wrong? What if he was too angry to forgive her? She’d broken his heart twice, choosing Gavin over him, even when Gavin was no longer an option. But she’d come this far, and she was past the point of letting fear hold her back.

  “I didn’t come for Kitt.”

  “Oh?” His face registered another display of surprise.

  “No. I came for you.”

  He blinked, his jaw sagging slightly. She reached for his hand, tugging the paintbrush free and tossing it onto the grass. And then she didn’t waste any more words, she stepped up to him, drew his head down to hers and kissed him.

  She could feel his shock, electric and sharp, or maybe it was just the rightness of finally giving in to how she felt.

  It took him a moment to recover from his surprise, but once he did, he kissed her back, pulling her tightly against him and wrapping his arms around her, holding her close. Her heart soared at how tightly he held her. It wasn’t too late.

  Why had she ever thought it would be too late? He had waited fifteen years for her, not wanting to come between her and Gavin, giving her the space and distance that she needed for her marriage to thrive. But she knew, so clearly, that she and Burke had been destined for one another. She had loved Gavin, loved him body and soul, holding nothing back.

  But in his absence, another room had opened in her heart, one to fill with her love for Burke. It wasn’t a betrayal to love him. Perhaps it was a tribute to Gavin, in some way. Because Gavin had loved her so truly and so well that she was no longer afraid to put her faith in loving again.

  She only pulled away from Burke when she needed to catch her breath. He stared at her.

  “Erin...”

  “Wait. I have to say something first.”

  She rested her palm against his cheek as he fell silent, stroking her thumb across his cheek.

  “I need to thank you.”

  “Thank me?”

  She nodded. “For waiting. For your patience and understanding. For what you did to save the inn. For making Kitt smile again and adopting Scout. For taking care of Aunt Lenora and knowing that what she needed wasn’t necessarily what I wanted. For staying away for so many years so I could love Gavin without distraction.” She drew a breath. “For loving me so well and so steadily that I almost didn’t realize your love was the thing getting me through the last couple of months.”

  She licked her lips. “Do you still love me, Burke?”

  He pulled her against him once more. “So much it hurts to breathe.”

  She sighed, feeling as if everything in her world had finally shifted into place with a soft and satisfying click. The breeze kicked up, tickling the back of her neck, and for a moment, she wondered if it was Gavin, giving his blessing.

  “This house better be big enough for us, Scout and Aunt Lenora, too,” Erin said.

  His smile was so bright that she had to laugh and press a kiss to his lips. Scout barked, and Kitt tugged at the skirt of her sundress. She hadn’t even heard him approach.

  “Does this mean I can stay, Mom?”

  She a
nd Burke stepped apart to draw Kitt into their embrace.

  “Sure, buddy,” Burke answered, “I think this means we’re all going to stay here. Together.” He looked at Erin, his expression still awed.

  “Just like at the Moontide?” Kitt questioned.

  Erin looked at her son. “Even better.” She turned her eyes toward the view of the town, her gaze falling on the lighthouse. It stood in silent approval, unchanging. Just like the Moontide. Thanks to Burke.

  “We’re going to be a family,” she whispered.

  “We’re already a family,” Kitt pointed out.

  Burke rubbed a hand over Kitt’s hair. “That’s right. We are. Now, let’s get back to work on turning this place from a house into a home.”

  And then he took Erin’s hand as Scout and Kitt scampered ahead of them toward the house...and their future.

  EPILOGUE

  IT WAS A little strange to be back at the Moontide when it was no longer home, but Erin had to admit that the renovations had breathed new life into the inn. The historical society was hosting this reception to show off the great lengths they had gone to in order to repair and restore the old building. The walls were painted a linen cream color with Colonial blue accents. Paintings and photographs adorned the walls—some were even ones Erin recognized from her years living there. Aunt Lenora had donated quite a bit to the historical society, and Erin was pleased to see these items returned to the home that had housed them for so long.

  Erin shifted her gaze to Aunt Lenora now to see how she was reacting to the changes. The old woman was obviously pleased, her eyes bright and a smile permanently affixed to her mouth. She had her arm linked through Burke’s as they were greeted by members of the historical society and provided with a pamphlet that detailed the inn’s history and recent changes. There was even a framed copy of Burke’s article on display, and Erin’s heart sped up when she saw it, feeling a swell of pride.

  They had been married less than three months, and she continued to feel a thrill every time she looked at him. As if her gaze drew him, he looked over his shoulder to find her, his face brightening when she smiled at him.