Sail Away with Me

by Susan Fox

  Bouncing Ariana gently in her arms, Miranda listened to the conversation with half an ear while she formulated a plan for finding a new home for herself and her daughter.

  “Eden, you’ve told your mom and dad?” Di asked.

  “Yes, we stopped at their cabin first.” Eden’s parents and younger sister were living in one of the eight scenic log cabins at SkySong, though Helen and Jim planned to buy a house on Destiny Island in the spring. “Mom and Dad are thrilled to bits. They’ll be over for dinner shortly. Kelsey was out for a run, so she doesn’t know yet.”

  Eden went on, gushing about how she couldn’t believe how wonderful the past year had been, finding her long-lost aunt Di, discovering this wonderful island, and best of all meeting the love of her life.

  Helen and Di had been separated since their teens, when Di, the older sister, had run away from their Ottawa home along with her new, secret boyfriend, a member of the Mi’kmaq First Nation in Nova Scotia, who was also a teen runaway. They’d traveled west, all the way to Destiny Island, where they’d joined the Enchantery commune. Last summer, a long-lost letter had provided a clue that brought Eden here, and the rest was history. A family reunion, not to mention a new love.

  Di, who’d been emptying glass canning jars of chopped tomatoes into a large pot on the stove, glanced over her shoulder. “Have you two talked about a wedding date?” The serene woman in her mid-sixties looked a bit like the hippie she’d once been, wearing one of the woven Guatemalan tops she loved, with her walnut-and-silver hair gathered into a long braid.

  “Soon,” Aaron said.

  “But Aaron,” Eden said, “I start my new job at Arbutus Lodge after New Year’s. There’ll be so much to do, and I need to concentrate on that rather than giving them short shrift.”

  Yeah, that was Eden. Superresponsible and organized.

  “Do not tell me we’re going to wait a year,” Aaron said, sounding a little panicky.

  “No, no, of course not. It’s just, this is such a surprise. I need to get my head around it, and planning a wedding does take some time and effort.”

  He groaned, and Miranda gave him a sympathetic smile. Just wait until the poor guy found himself being dragged into discussions about flowers, music, and catering.

  The scent of cooking tomatoes and herbs drifted across from the stove, stirring guilt in Miranda. She always tried to pull her weight and really should be helping with the meal. But right now something else was more important. She plunked down on a sky-blue chair across from Aaron and Eden, with her daughter in her lap.

  Eden, gazing at Aaron, said, “How about the spring? April or May?”

  “I guess I can live with that. After all, we’ll be living together anyhow.”

  And there was Miranda’s cue. “Ariana and I will clear out of the house as soon as I can find a place.” She’d been in denial, should have done this back when Eden decided to move to the island.

  Cuddling her daughter, she said, “I’ll talk to Iris at Dreamspinner. She and her family know everyone on the island.” The Yakimuras’ bookstore and coffee shop were the heart of Blue Moon Harbor village. “I bet some of the summer folks would be willing to rent their place at least until May or June, and by then I’ll have found—”

  “Whoa,” Aaron said, casting a quick sideways glance at Eden.

  “That’s for sure,” his fiancée said. “Miranda, Aaron’s place is your home, yours and Ariana’s, just as much as it’s mine. We don’t want you to leave.”

  Even as she appreciated Eden’s generosity, Miranda’s heart gave a twinge at the we. Already, Aaron and Eden were a we who made decisions together.

  “Besides,” Aaron said, “if you pay rent somewhere, you’ll have to increase your work hours, and that won’t give you as much time for your studies.”

  For years he’d been urging her to further her education. As an eleventh-grade dropout who’d never done well in school, she’d had no desire to go back to the books. And she’d been busy, what with the waitressing and retail jobs she’d held, and her pre-Ariana active life as a young single woman in a dynamic city. But then she’d gotten pregnant and life had changed.

  Last summer it had sunk in that, if she was going to give her daughter the kind of life she deserved, she needed higher-paying work. So she’d worked her butt off for the past few months and almost finished her GED online. Turned out, she wasn’t all that bad at schoolwork if she applied herself. In the new year, she’d start the online courses to get certified as an early childhood educator. Even if she busted her butt on those, too, which she fully intended to do, it would take her more than a year. “I’ll still study,” she said grimly.

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  She’d have snapped at him for his lack of faith, except he had plenty of reason to doubt her. But now she was committed to building a better future for herself and the precious girl whose weight and stillness now indicated she’d dozed off on her mom’s lap. “Yes, I’m sure.” Somehow she’d find the time.

  “And you guys need privacy,” she said firmly. “Stop being so nice and generous and all that good stuff and be realistic.” She managed a one-sided grin for her brother. “Isn’t that what you’ve been telling me all these years? To be realistic?”

  “Yeah, but—” he started.

  “I have an idea.” The calm voice was Di’s, reminding Miranda that she and her brother had an audience.

  Miranda glanced over her shoulder to see that Eden’s aunt had turned away from the stove, where a pot of spicy tomato sauce now simmered. “Stay here, Miranda,” Di said warmly.

  “Here? At SkySong?”

  The teen runaways had been together forever now. Never married, they’d rechristened themselves, changing the first names their parents had given them and taking the surname SkySong, and over the years they’d created this retreat by the same name. In addition to the lovely old wooden two-story home where Di and Seal lived, the scenic property included log guest cabins and a huge organic garden.

  “We’d be happy to have you,” Seal agreed, looking up from spreading something on a loaf of homemade French bread. Garlic and herb butter, from the delicious smell of it. He, like his partner, showed his hippie roots, clad in faded tie-dye and wearing his graying black hair in a ponytail secured by a leather thong. His deep brown eyes were sincere behind wire-framed glasses.

  “I can’t take your charity.”

  “It’s not charity,” Di said firmly. “Nor is having Helen, Jim, and Kelsey in a cabin.”

  “No, of course it’s not, with them,” Miranda said. “I mean, they’re your family.” Not to mention the SkySongs were assisting in Helen’s recovery after surgery and treatment for a recurrence of breast cancer.

  “You’re family, too,” Seal said.

  “No, I’m not.” Aaron and Ariana were her only family.

  “Of course you are,” Di said, coming over and resting a hand on her shoulder. “Aaron’s about to be our . . . uh, nephew-in-law and you’re his sister. Besides, you sure can’t accuse Seal and me of being sticklers for convention, can you?” Her bright blue eyes danced.

  Miranda’s lips twitched. “I wouldn’t dare.”

  “For us,” Di said, “it’s the family of our hearts that counts. You and Ariana most definitely have a place in our hearts.”

  “It’s the truth,” Seal said.

  Miranda swallowed, trying to clear away the lump that had formed in her throat. If she could believe them, she might cry. It was more acceptance and support than she’d had from her own grandparents, not to mention the unknown father who’d knocked up her mother. Or the mom who’d put her next fix or her current boyfriend ahead of her children’s welfare.

  “We’re never full up in winter,” Di went on. “You and your sweet girl can have a cabin for the next four or five months at least. You’ll have lots of able babysitters, so—”

  “It’s no problem for me to take Ariana to the store.” Blowing Bubbles, where she worked part-time, sold childre
n’s toys, furniture, strollers, and so on. Kara, the owner, brought her own little one along with her and encouraged Miranda to do the same. There was a fenced playpen for their toddlers and the kids of customers, and Kara gave the children toys and stuffed animals to keep them happy. She said the best advertisement was to see a smiling child loving one of the store’s products. Mind you, since Ariana had turned two at the end of July, the whole happy-child thing wasn’t happening as often as it used to.

  “You might want to go out in the evenings, though,” Di said.

  “Going out isn’t on my list right now.” She hadn’t had time to make female friends here. As for dating, her history with men was a succession of screw-ups: from the musician she’d moved in with when she was fifteen; to the gorgeous African-American actor who’d hung around long enough to father Ariana but not to see her born; to the chef she’d fallen for last year before realizing he changed women as often as he changed his special of the week.

  Aaron said she looked for love in all the wrong places. Maybe he was right. All she knew now was that this wasn’t the time to be looking. And, though she had no affection for Destiny Island, she had to admit it was a good place to be if she wanted to avoid temptation. There weren’t many eligible guys, and those she’d seen were way too wholesome and boring to appeal to her. “My spare time’s for Ariana and for studying.”

  “Wise priorities,” Aaron said.

  She sent him an eye roll just as the kitchen door opened again. This time it was Kelsey, Eden’s younger sister. She wore damp jogging clothes and with one hand flicked raindrops from her spiky, blond-streaked hair. “Eden, Aaron? Mom and Dad say you have big news.”

  A grinning Eden held up her left hand.

  Kelsey squealed and threw her wet arms around her sister and Aaron. “I’m so happy for you! For all of us!”

  The commotion woke Ariana, who let out a demanding screech.

  Kelsey said, “Oh, sweetie, are you getting ignored?” She came over to scoop the child from Miranda’s arms and made funny faces that worked magic in calming the incipient tantrum.

  Eden repeated the proposal-on-the-dock story and then Di said, “Kelsey, Miranda wants to move out of Aaron’s house and I’ve told her she and Ariana should take a cabin here.”

  “You totally should!” Kelsey said to Miranda, her eyes—the same blue as Di’s—sparkling with excitement. “That would be so cool. More additions to our big, happy family.” She gazed down at Ariana again. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? I’d see lots more of you. Mom and Dad would love it, too. They’re just crazy about you, you little sugarplum.”

  Kelsey, at twenty-two, was seven years younger than her sister and almost five years younger than Miranda. She was spontaneous, generous, and optimistic, and she was also completely devoted to her mom. So much so that she’d taken a year off from university at McGill to move here with her parents to help out.

  A big, happy family. It was the one thing Miranda and Aaron had always wanted. He was getting it, but she couldn’t truly accept that it was being offered to her. Or that she deserved it. She glanced at her brother, who sat with his arm around Eden. His gaze met hers. A quarter of a century ago, the two of them had learned how to communicate without words. Now she knew he’d read her unspoken question.

  Sure enough, he said solemnly, “Eden’s right, that our place is yours, too. Never think you need to leave. But if you want to, I think you should accept Di and Seal’s generous offer.” His tone lightened. “Ariana would love having all these people to spoil her.”

  Miranda looked around the kitchen. A few minutes ago, everyone’s attention had been on Aaron and Eden and now it was on her as they waited for her answer. Her brother knew exactly how to manipulate her. She’d do anything if she believed it was good for her child.

  But could she really move to SkySong and be part of all this? The idea was overwhelming. She was so used to living alone with Ariana and had barely gotten adjusted to being in Aaron’s house. Could she be a good guest here, pull her weight, ensure that Di and Seal didn’t regret having made the offer?

  Of course, she and Ariana would have a separate cabin. It wasn’t like they’d all be living on top of one another. A lot of the time, she and her daughter would have more privacy than they did at Aaron’s.

  She gazed at her child, so contented in Kelsey’s arms. Ariana was her anchor. Her heart.

  Slowly, she said, “Di and Seal, if you’re really sure, I guess that’s what we’ll do. But you have to let me at least pay something or cook meals or garden or—”

  “Miranda, shut up,” Seal said with a smile that deepened the curved lines bracketing his nose and mouth.

  In the next moment, Di’s arms came around her. Almost like a mother’s.

  Which was a dangerous way to think, because if there was one thing Miranda knew, it was that she couldn’t rely on a mom.

  Photo by BK Studios Designer Photography

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  International bestselling author Susan Fox (who also writes as Savanna Fox and Susan Lyons) has been a finalist in Romance Writers of America®’s prestigious RITA® contest and has won the HOLT Medallion, the Booksellers Best Award, the Book Buyers Best Award, the Aspen Gold Readers Choice, the Golden Quill, the More Than Magic, the Lories, the Beacon, and the Laurel Wreath. She is a Pacific Northwester with homes in Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia. She has degrees in law and psychology, and has had a variety of careers, including perennial student, computer consultant, and legal editor. Fiction writer is by far her favorite, giving her an outlet to demonstrate her belief in the power of love, friendship, and a sense of humor. Visit her website at www.susanfox.ca.

  FLY AWAY WITH ME

  Known for its rugged beauty and eccentric residents,

  tiny Blue Moon Harbor is big on love . . .

  For busy lawyer Eden Blaine, a trip to a Pacific Northwest island she’s never even heard of is far from a vacation. Eden’s ailing mother has tasked her with finding her long-lost aunt, who once had ties to a commune on the island. Still reeling from a breakup with her longtime boyfriend, romance is the last thing Eden is looking for. But her gorgeous seaplane pilot has her wondering if a carefree rebound fling is exactly what she needs....

  Aaron Gabriel has no illusions about happily ever after. His troubled childhood made sure of that. But he does appreciate a pretty woman’s company, and Eden is the exact combination of smart and sexy that turns him on. Still, as he helps her search for her missing aunt, the casual relationship he imagined quickly becomes something much more passionate—and much harder to give up. Can two people determined to ignore romance recognize that their heated connection is the kind of love destined to last?

  WINTER WISHES

  This winter, let four tales of mistletoe magic and

  the spirit of the season cast a special glow as some

  of your favorite authors introduce stories of hope,

  happiness, and holiday hearts.

  CHRISTMAS KISSES

  Fern Michaels

  Starting over in a new town with a new job, Meredith thinks

  buying Noah’s grandmother’s house will be a simple

  business deal. But neighborly Noah is determined

  to make Meredith feel at home—and as the holiday season

  works its magic, he’s suddenly hoping that she’ll find

  a place for him in her heart.

  BLUE MOON HARBOR CHRISTMAS

  Susan Fox

  Jillian and Michael have nothing in common—except the

  child two reckless college students created eight years ago.

  When Michael unexpectedly asks to meet his son,

  they have the twelve days of Christmas to get to know

  the adults they’ve become—adults who just

  might be ready to fall in love for real.

  SECOND CHANCE CHRISTMAS

  Jules Bennett

  A blind date turns out to be anything but when Ruby finds<
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  Knox on her doorstep. A few years ago, she nursed

  his dying wife. Can two lonely people defeat the shadow

  of the past and let the spirit of Christmas offer them

  the most special gift of all?

  FINDING COLIN

  Leah Marie Brown

  When Grace is suspended from work over the Christmas

  holidays, she does the only sensible thing—she travels

  to Ireland to find her favorite actor! But while the Colin

  she finds may not be a star, he’s ready to show her

  that gifts come in all shapes and sizes—and love is

  the miracle that truly counts.

  HOME ON THE RANGE

  In this exciting new series, author Susan Fox welcomes

  you to Caribou Crossing, a small Western town

  made for love and adventure . . .

  For Evan Kincaid, the best thing about his dusty hometown was watching it fade into the distance. Jessica Bly was the only one who didn’t treat him like an outsider, and their friendship ended with one mind-blowing night of young passion. Now they’ve both got the lives they planned—Evan in New York, Jess with her beloved horses in Caribou Crossing. But business has brought Evan back to Jess’s Crazy Horse ranch on a mission that could destroy whatever’s left of her trust.

  Ten years ago, Jess wanted one perfect night to remember Evan by. What she got was a broken heart and a secret that’s kept them strangers ever since. The boy she knew was sexy and sweet; the man he’s become leaves her breathless. And no matter how much she tells herself that country girl and city boy don’t belong together, in her heart she wants to believe his home has been right here all along . . .