“This is the point.” She looked up at Ruby.
“Nothing wrong with your eyes.”
“You’re thinking about selling the point to a developer?” She turned on Alec. “Is this why you told me the cottage had to be torn down? So that you and your developer friend could build on it?”
“Lis, I would never do something like that. You should know that. And Ruby has made it clear to Brian that the point is not for sale,” Alec tried to explain, but she pulled away and picked up the literature that Brian had brought along with him.
THE DUNES AT CANNONBALL, the one-page flyer read. The principals were listed as Brian Deiter, Builder/Developer; Cassidy J. Logan, M.Arch.; and Alec M. Jansen, PhD, Environmental Consultant.
Lis stared at it, then held it up.
“PhD? You have a doctorate?” She waved the paper. “Environmental consultant? I thought you were a carpenter. A boatbuilder.”
“I am, but—”
“You didn’t think to tell me you have a doctorate?”
“Lis, it’s kind of hard to fit that into a conversation. What was I supposed to say, ‘By the way, you should call me Dr. Jansen’? It just never came up, and frankly, it’s really not all that important.”
“It’s important, Dr. Jansen, that you are who you say you are.” He reached for her, and she pushed him away. “I don’t think I really know who you are. I’m not sure I want to know.”
She walked from the room, and even Ruby’s “Lisbeth Jane!” failed to slow her down. She got into her car and drove to the point, unlocked the door to the cottage, and stepped inside, ignoring the sagging floors.
“No one is going to sell you,” she said aloud.
She went into the large room and sat on the floor near the fireplace, mindless of the dirt.
“No one is going to sell you,” she repeated. “Ruby promised you to me.”
Had Ruby lied?
Lis shook her head. If Ruby had, it might well have been the first time in her life. The woman was honest to a fault, and everyone who knew her knew that about her. Ruby would never lie to her or make a promise she did not intend to keep.
So what the hell was going on back there at the store? Why would anyone want to change anything on Cannonball Island? As far as Lis was concerned, it was perfect just as it was. The fact that it hadn’t been developed was what made it different, made it special.
“Changes be coming . . . time to get out of the way,” Ruby had said. God knows Ruby had seen enough changes on the island, and in her life, in her hundred years. Judging from Ruby’s stance back at the store, she was just fine with whatever changes were about to occur. How could she be okay with all that construction? How could she have given her blessing to such a project?
And why was Lis the last to know?
Lis thought about the view out the front window at Ruby’s, and how she could see so clearly the way the island looked before anything had been built there. It was almost as if somehow it was her job to record what had been, as if she’d been given a window of another sort, one that opened onto a view of an island that was no more before it was lost forever.
She heard the front door squeal open and heard footsteps cross the floor.
Alec came into the room and sat down a foot away from her.
“Lis, nothing is the way you think it is,” he said calmly. “Nothing.”
“Are you working with that developer to build on the island?”
“Yes. I am. I’m his consultant.”
“Environmental consultant.”
He nodded
“Then things are exactly the way I think they are.”
“You’re wrong. And if you would listen to me for just five minutes, I’d like to tell you how things really are.”
“All right, Dr. Jansen, I’m listening.” She looked at her watch. “Your five minutes start now.”
“Brian Deiter contacted me about building a bunch of houses on the island. A lot of houses. And yes, he wanted to build on the point, but Ruby would have none of it. I’ve told him more than once that it isn’t for sale.”
“Then why did he have that poster that showed houses built out here? A whole bunch of houses out here.”
“That was his last-ditch ploy to appeal to Ruby. He had it in his head that if he showed her what it could look like, told her how much he was willing to pay her, she might cave.” Before she could ask, Alec said, “And no, of course she did not. She knows what it means to you and she couldn’t care less about the money. All that time and energy and money he’d spent trying to change her mind—it was all a waste.”
“But the rest of the island . . . does she know what he wants to do with the rest of the island?”
“Of course she knows. Actually, she was the first person who knew he was interested. When he first contacted me about working for him on this project, I came out and talked to Ruby before I accepted the job offer. She was the only person I consulted with. I needed to know how she would feel about the changes that would come to the island. Hers was the only opinion that mattered to me.”
“When was that?”
“Awhile before you came home.”
“I can’t believe she’d go along with it. What did you say to make her think this was a good idea?”
“Do you really think that anything I or anyone else might say could make Ruby go along with something she didn’t think was a good idea?”
“You’re telling me she thinks this is a good idea?”
“She’s a realist, Lis. She reads the writing on the wall more clearly than anyone I ever knew. You know how she is.”
“How is changing the island in any way a good idea?”
“Lis, there is development going on up and down the Chesapeake. Some of the developers are good and are trying to do the right thing, build in a way that has the least impact on the environment. Others couldn’t care less about where the herons and the osprey nest or whether there’s sludge or waste in the bay. You need to understand that there are other consultants who aren’t above overlooking certain regulations for a price. If I’d turned Deiter down, he’d have hired someone else.”
“So what you’re saying is that you’re the lesser of the available evils.”
“If you want to look at it that way, fine, yes, I am. But the truth is that it’s only a matter of time before someone builds on the island. I know this and Ruby knows it, too.” He shook his head. “Lis, it’s inevitable. Ruby recognized right away that sooner or later, it’s going to happen, and it would be better for the island that I be involved to make sure that nothing is done that shouldn’t be done. I didn’t talk her into it. It was really the other way around. Ruby knows she can trust me to do the right thing, to make sure Deiter does the right thing.”
“But why does it have to happen at all? Why can’t this island, this one place, stay as it is?”
“Most of the island will remain as it is. There won’t be a concentration of homes like Deiter originally wanted, only a few dotted here and there around the island. So it isn’t going to look like a housing development plopped down onto the island, I promise. Cass has spent considerable time studying the existing buildings and she’s come up with plans for the new places that are spot-on. Beautiful little cottages that look as if they could have been here from the first. She’s even agreed to reuse whatever wood and brick she can salvage from the original structures in her designs, so each will be a little different from the others but they’ll retain the history. She’s done a remarkable job.” He ventured a little closer to her. “Look at them, please. I’d asked her to be respectful of the architecture that is here, and she has been.”
“And this place?”
“I promised I’d do my best to fix it and I will. I had Cam O’Connor come out to look it over. To tell you the truth, he thinks I’m crazy to try, but I told him we were going to
give it our best shot because it means so much to you and because I’d do anything to make you happy. I waited so long for you, Lis. You are . . . you are everything to me. There aren’t words for me to tell you what the other night meant to me. I waited more than half my life for you. Do you really think I would do anything—anything—that would make you unhappy? Knowing that maybe we could have a future here, don’t you think I would move heaven and earth to make it happen for you? For us?”
She slid over to him, winced when a splinter pierced her shorts. She touched the side of his face, then leaned over to kiss his mouth. “I’m sorry I second-guessed you. It was just . . . walking in on that meeting, with all those people there and seeing the posters and the displays and that man . . .”
“I understand. I wouldn’t have wanted you to find out that way.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me? Why am I the only person on the island who didn’t know all this was going on?”
“At first, I didn’t tell you because I’d agreed to keep it confidential until we could determine if enough of the property owners would be interested in selling to make it worth his while. Brian had an experience recently where another builder came in and outbid him on a project, bought it right out from under him. Didn’t even give him the option of bidding back. And like the man or not, I believed the island’s best interests would be served if Brian was the man who did the building, so I didn’t discuss it with anyone. You have to understand, he’s my client, and in this, my first obligation is to him.”
“Except Ruby.”
“That was before I even agreed to take the job. You weren’t back then, and I had no reason to believe you might be.” Alec smiled. “Ruby is so sharp. She got it right away.”
“Got what?”
“That a change was going to come, like it or not, so it would be best if we found a way to like it. Brian is offering to pay fair market price, and that’s good for the people who are interested in selling. He also promised that he’d give first consideration for hiring to residents who have construction skills. It’s going to be a bit of a windfall for some of the families here.”
“How can you be so sure he’ll be fair when it comes to buying the properties?”
“I asked Ham Forbes to come out this morning and look over the properties in question, and to give us fair evaluations. Deiter has promised to honor that.”
“So just like that, all those people are willing to sell off their families’ land? I don’t get it.”
“Not all of them are selling. But some of them don’t have a choice. Some of the older people have no relatives to leave their property to, and some of the younger residents don’t want to stay on the island because their futures are limited here, but they can’t afford to leave.”
“You mean because they can’t afford to start over someplace else.”
“That’s exactly what I mean. And then you have Tommy Mullan and his sisters. They are selling property that has been in their family since the island was populated. And before you say, ‘How can they do that?’ you need to know that Tommy’s parents are both in a nursing home. Frankly, the family needs the cash. The money they get from the sale will ensure that Mr. and Mrs. Mullan can stay in the nursing home they’re in and get the care they need.”
Lis nodded. She got it.
“The two houses that Brian will build on the Mullan land will reflect the original house that Tom grew up in. I don’t know of another developer who’d have made that promise. There won’t be any modern boxes, and nothing over one story, so the views of the bay won’t be blocked. And there will be no deep dredging to allow for big boats to dock in the cove.” He held his hands out in front of him. “It was the only good solution to the problem, Lis. I did the best I could do. It was going to happen, was only a matter of time. Ruby saw that right away.”
“I just wish I’d known. I wish I could have been part of that conversation, that you’d trusted me enough.”
“It wasn’t a matter of not trusting you. I gave my word to my client. I signed a contract.” Alec reached into his back pocket but there was nothing there. “Wait. I must have left it in the car.”
“Left what?”
“A surprise. Be right back.” He was on his feet, out the door, and back in a flash.
In his hand he carried a rolled-up piece of paper. He spread it flat on the floor. Lis leaned over his shoulder and studied the picture.
“It’s the cottage,” she said.
“It’s the new and improved cottage,” he corrected. “This is obviously the exterior. And this”—he unrolled a second sheet that was under the first—“is the interior.”
“It’s just the same . . .” she said.
“It’s the same but different. Better. It has all the modern comforts and conveniences but retains all the charm and the history. Here’s the second floor.” He pointed to a sketch in the top right-hand corner. “See? It has all those windows that you love across the side, but it has skylights and everything is energy efficient. There won’t be massive gaps between the windows and the walls, so no cold wind, no water, will be blowing into your studio when you’re trying to paint.”
“That would be nice,” she admitted.
“I’ve told Cass that I wanted her to incorporate as much of the original woodwork and floors from the old into the new, just like she’s doing in all the others she’s designing.”
“So I’ll still have the floors Gigi and Harold and Gramma Sarah walked on.”
“If enough can be salvaged, we’ll use the old, and we’ll try to match what we can’t use to complete the floor. If not, we’ll do counters, like I did for Ruby.” He rested his chin on the top of her head. “Cass drew up these plans for new construction if we had to go that way, but this is how I see the place after we’ve finished the renovations. There’s no reason why we can’t use her plans and adjust them to restore the original building.”
She nodded. “All right. When does the work begin?”
“As soon as you say the word.”
“You’ve got it. Let’s do it. Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow might be tight. We need permits, we need to see when Cam’s schedule is free, we need to order supplies and equipment, and the foundation has to be shored up and—”
“Okay, okay. Do all that.” She sat snuggled next to him for a long moment, then asked, “Is there any way to make the front bedroom bigger?”
“Not if we stick to the original foundation. If we build an addition, it can be as big as you want, I suppose. Cass can adjust the floor plans. Why?”
“Because I’m thinking maybe I’ll want to live here when it’s finished. Maybe I’ll want a big bed in there.”
“Big enough for two?”
“Oh, easily big enough for two. Big enough for two and maybe a big dog.”
“I’ll talk to Cass first thing in the morning, before you have a chance to change your mind.”
“No way I’ll change my mind. You?” she asked tentatively.
“Are you kidding? After all the time we’ve lost? You’re stuck with me now.”
They sat quietly, caught up in their own thoughts of the future.
“Were you going out with her?” Lis asked.
“Going out with who?” He frowned.
“Cass.”
“Me and Cass? No. I think you might have me confused with someone who wishes he were dating her.”
“You mean Owen.”
“I fear he’s smitten.”
“Owen is never smitten, and she’s not his type. Or maybe he’s not her type.”
“Don’t make assumptions about her, Lis. She’s really very nice. Get to know her.” He smiled. “Owen doesn’t know what he’s getting into if he’s set his sights on her.”
“Might do him good to have to work for it for once. But that’s his problem.” Lis wiggled out of
Alec’s arms and stood. “We need to go back to the store. I feel an ear-whipping coming from Ruby.” She waited for him to get up. “I have never in my life walked out on her when she called my name, and I know I am going to hear about it. ‘Lisbeth Jane, you be taught better than that. You listen when I talk to you, hear?’ ”
“Lis, are we okay?” Alec stood at the door with it half opened. “Before we go, I have to know.”
“We are okay. More than okay. We’re going to be okay for a very long time, Dr. Jansen.” She put one hand on each side of his face and kissed him. “We are as much okay as we were on prom night.”
“That was pretty darned okay.”
“Well, okay, then.” Lis went outside and walked toward her car. “I’ll meet you back at the store. I’ll be the one in the back room getting the lecture on respecting one’s elders . . .’cause you’re never too old for Ruby to ‘put some manners on you.’ ”
Lis got in behind the wheel, started the car, and slipped the gear into reverse, then paused. Alec walked to his Jeep, then raised a hand to wave to her, and in that moment she was overcome with gratitude. For the love she knew they would share in that cottage on the point and the years they would spend there. Even for the tongue-lashing she knew she was going to get, because it meant Ruby was still there with them, alive and feisty as ever. For whatever it was that had brought her back to this place that she loved with the people she loved. The family she had and the family she and Alec would make.
Know where you belong.
“I know, Gigi,” she whispered as she drove off. “I know . . .”
Epilogue
September
Gigi, you about ready for me to drive you over to the inn?” Lis stuck her head into the back room, where earlier Ruby had been watching the morning news.
“I been ready. Been waiting on you.” Ruby eased herself out of her chair with some difficulty.
Lis had to stop herself from rushing over to help. She knew it would have earned her a swat on the hands and a verbal rebuke. So she waited patiently while the elderly woman gathered her purse and the book she had borrowed from her friend Grace and was returning.
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