Captiva Ever After (Captiva Island Series #7)

“I’ve gotten braver since that dating app disaster. He gave me his number and told me to call him…so I did.”

“Actually, if I remember correctly, he said to call him if you ever needed a limousine. How did he end up coming to the Christmas Tree lighting?”

“That was a front to get me to call. I could see it in his eyes that he wanted to see me again. I took a chance that my flirting radar was still working. I was right. He did want to see me again. I suggested the Christmas Tree Lighting. I figure if he’s willing to sing Christmas carols and drink hot chocolate with me, then he’s a keeper…at least until the second date. We’ll see how it goes.”

“Oh, look, a firefly! There’s another one!”

“I think they call them lightning bugs down here,” Chelsea said, “and I don’t care what they’re called, they’re beautiful.”

The best friends rocked in their chairs for the next hour. People waved as they walked past them, and the women marveled at the fireflies swarming near the porch. It was another perfect night on Captiva Island.

Maggie smiled, thinking how lucky she was to be sitting here with her friend. A year of chemotherapy and radiation was now behind her, and tiny new strands of hair regrowth had her believing that anything was possible.

* * *

The next morning, after saying goodbye to her family, Becca stopped into the Key Lime Garden Inn.

“Hey, Becca. It’s so good to see you. I didn’t know that you were coming to Captiva this week.”

“Neither did I actually. I needed to see my father and deal with a wedding dress disaster.”

“Oh, right. Beth mentioned something about that. Is everything straightened out?”

“Yes, I’m going to be wearing my mother’s wedding dress. It doesn’t even need alterations. It fits perfectly.”

“Oh, that’s a sign of good luck,” Maggie answered.

Becca laughed. “You might be right about that. So, it looks like the place is ready for the weddings. What’s left to do?”

Maggie put her arm around Becca’s waist, “Come with me and I’ll show you around. Your father and brothers have been a huge help as has Devon, Trevor and Clayton Hutchins. Devon’s connections have really made all the difference.”

Maggie and Becca walked the perimeter of the Key Lime Garden Inn as they talked more about the wedding and how everything was falling into place.

Becca laughed at Maggie’s story about the night she and the other women went to the Marriott. “I’ve never met Isabella, but she sounds wild.”

“It was quite the night, I have to tell you. So, you’re leaving today?”

Becca nodded. “Yes, my flight leaves at one o’clock.”

Maggie hugged Becca and started to get emotional about the upcoming weddings. “In one week you’re going to be my daughter-in-law. I couldn’t be more thrilled about that.”

Becca rubbed her eyes. “Stop, you’re going to make me cry.

Maggie wiped Becca’s tears. “I know how difficult that day will be without your mother, but you do realize that she’ll be watching from heaven. I truly believe that.”

Becca nodded. “So do I.”

* * *

Christopher stood at the door leading inside and next to the baggage claim area. When Becca texted him that she was coming home, he didn’t ask questions. He didn’t want to hear bad news on the phone. Not that Logan Airport was any better, but at least they’d be face to face when the news came.

He stayed in the cell phone lot for as long as he could, and when the text came through, he drove his car at record speed, parked and then walked inside the terminal.

His heart jumped in his chest the moment he saw Becca coming toward him, and Becca looked happy to see him. Wrapping her arms around him, she kissed him and stayed in his embrace for several minutes before she said anything.

“Chris, there’s so much I need to tell you. I’ve been such a wreck and I know you have been too. I felt lost and unable to say how I felt because, honestly, I wasn’t sure what was happening. I’m so sorry for what I put you through.”

“Becca, it’s okay. You can only do what you can do. I’m glad you went to Captiva if it helped you better understand your feelings. I’m terrified to ask, but are we still getting married next week?”