Captiva Ever After (Captiva Island Series #7)

“I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I do worry that you’re taking on more than you can handle.”

“The boys have been a great help, but Finn is going back east in a couple of days so we’ll see where we are at that point.”

“How is Paolo and Sanibellia? Were they damaged at all?”

“Not too bad. The one structure they were worried about was strong enough to withstand the winds and rain. I think that was Paolo’s biggest concern. They brought the plants inside so they were protected. I understand that the inn didn’t get any flooding which, honestly, is a miracle. What do you think about the weddings? Have you talked to Becca?”

Crawford nodded, “Yes, I let her know that although the island has had some damage, none of it is problematic for the wedding. We’re all systems go at this point unless something major gets in the way.”

“I haven’t been involved with many weddings, but I do hear people get excited about them in the beginning, but then say they can’t wait until the whole thing is over. How are you feeling about it, are you stressed at all?”

Crawford put his arms around Ciara and hugged her.

“To be honest, I’m more excited about the wedding the closer we get to it. We’ve had a few setbacks, but I think these kinds of problems only make a person appreciate when things are going well. At least, I know that’s what’s been happening to me.”

It wasn’t like him to be this introspective, and it wasn’t his way to share his fears with anyone else, but the possibility of Ciara being hurt in any way had frightened him. He saw real fear in people’s eyes when he drove throughout Captiva. Crawford didn’t know how to express what the impact of those images were for him, but the anxiety hadn’t left him and was palpable.

“I’m just glad that the people I love most were safe during this storm. I don’t know what I would have done if anything ever happened to you or my children. In case you didn’t know this already, Ciara Moretti, you’re my life and my future.”

His words struck him as a profession of his commitment to Ciara, and, without thinking, a declaration of his love and devotion to her.

There was something he needed to do before saying more. As soon as the whirlwind of activity on Captiva Island slowed, he’d finally do what he’d been afraid to do all these months. He’d ask Paolo Moretti for Ciara’s hand in marriage and promise him that he’d take care and love her for the rest of his life.

* * *

James and Julia Walker watched their daughter Willow balance the pillow in her hands. Beth walked slowly behind the little girl carrying fake flowers while Gabriel watched his niece smile at her parents as she passed them.

Living in the same town as Beth and Gabriel, they indulged Willow when she said that she wanted to practice her flower girl walk down the aisle.

Beth could have played the wedding march as they practiced, but Willow didn’t know that song and insisted they all play a Taylor Swift song called Never Grow Up.

Beth wasn’t surprised since the artist was Willow’s favorite singer. Willow had several posters covering every inch of wall space in her very pink bedroom.

“I think you’re going to be an awesome flower girl, Willow,” Beth said. “ Are you looking forward to the wedding?”

Willow nodded. Until she turned seven, Willow was so shy that she didn’t talk much with people she didn’t know well. Something changed in the last year and the little girl couldn’t stop talking. She shared every tiny detail of her thinking around the clock with anyone who would listen.

“I love my dress. I wanted to wear it the other day but Mom said I have to wait. I told her I wouldn’t get it dirty but she still said no. My friend Nellie has a new dress and her mother lets her wear it all the time.”

Her mother rolled her eyes, clearly tired of having this conversation once again.

“That’s enough, Willow,” Julia said. Turning to Beth she smiled. “I think she’ll do fine. I’ve got to drive her over to Nelle’s house since they’re having a sleepover. I won’t be long.”

Beth nodded. “Bye, Willow. I’ll see you at the wedding.”

Gabriel hugged Willow. “See you soon.”

“Can I get you anything to drink, James?” Beth asked.

“No, thanks, Beth. We can’t really stay too long. We’ve got company coming over. Julia’s former boss and his wife. Trust me, if I could, I’d stay here with you guys but since Julia is considering going back to work, I best play nice with Mr. Paul Dutton.”

“I didn’t know Julia was going back to work. I remember when we first met, she talked about how happy she was to stay home with Willow. What changed her mind?”

James looked uncomfortable and Beth immediately understood why.

“One day we’ll be saddled with mounting medical bills. We’re doing everything we can now to be prepared for the future.”

James had the presenilin 1 gene mutation that predicts with absolute certainty a diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Gabriel didn’t inherit the gene, but Willow did.