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Ellene longed to jerk from his grasp, but the feeling was too pleasant. Fighting her own longing, she eased away with her one-word reminder. “Business.”
Co
“Well, don’t, or you’ll have to find another contractor to handle this.” She winced. Once again, she could see her father’s face as he reprimanded her for not letting the past go and not handling the job like a professional.
Co
Co
The child looked at him with a frown. “No.”
“Good,” he said, ignoring the look. He moved toward the fireplace and tossed a log onto the kindling, then struck a match.
Ellene watched mesmerized as the kindling burst into flames and licked upward toward the bark. The flicker lent a homey look to the large room.
When she turned, Caitlin scooted off the chair and let Ellene sit again to finish her work. She glanced at her watch. “I’m just about done.” She scrolled the document, then hit Save and closed the program.
The aroma from Co
Caitlin tittered at the sound, then stepped back to let Ellene rise. “Are you going home?”
“I sure am. It’s late.”
Co
“Eat with us,” Caitlin said, a whole different child than Ellene had met when she arrived.
“Sorry. I really must go.”
She closed the computer and snapped the lock, but as she reached for the handle, the side doorbell chimed. Before Co
“Aunt Phyllis,” Co
The woman’s eyes widened in surprise. “The mind isn’t what it used to be, but I could never forget Ellene.” She grasped Ellene’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “How are you dear? It’s so good to see you.”
“I’m fine, and nice to see you,” Ellene said, surprised at the woman’s warm greeting.
Aunt Phyllis dragged snow across the room as she sought Caitlin and pulled her into an embrace.
“You’re too cold,” Caitlin said drawing back.
“It’s colder than the Arctic out there, and it’s starting to snow heavily again.”
Co
Snow. Ellene had seen enough snow the past year to keep her happy for many white Christmases. “Then I’d better—”
“Did you just drop by for a visit?” Co
“Not really. My father owns Bordini Construction, and I’m working up an estimate for a renovation project.”
Co
“Sorry,” she mouthed, trying to block the view from Aunt Phyllis. “He’s just thinking about it,” Ellene added, hoping to smooth her faux pas.
“I wanted to surprise you, Aunt Phyllis, once I knew it was a go. I know how disappointed you get when—”
“God be praised,” the woman said. “I’d have my prayers answered if you were thinking of moving here, Co
When things happen. The words sounded ominous, but Ellene wasn’t going to ask what things. Not knowing seemed the lesser of evils.
Aunt Phyllis pulled off her jacket and lapped it over the back of a chair. “Last year we were without electricity for nearly a week when the lines froze. It’s not uncommon here on the island.”
Co
“Let the Lord be in charge, Co
Ellene felt her brows lift, wondering what she meant.
Aunt Phyllis must have noticed her arched eyebrows and Co
Ellene hid her grin as she watched Co
“You can plan all you want, Co
Co
“Sorry, Ellene said. But she couldn’t help but grin, hearing the woman putting Co
“Something smells good.” Phyllis turned toward the stove and leaned around Co
“You’re welcome to join us.”
“I wouldn’t be in the way?” She looked at Ellene as if asking her.
“You’re not in the way,” Co
“I wasn’t worried about you,” Phyllis said. “I was asking Ellene.”
Ellene pressed her hand against her chest. “Me?”
Phyllis nodded. “You’re the guest here.”
“But I’m leaving. I was just getting my things together.”
Phyllis tilted her head to the side, a wry look on her face. “Leaving?”
“I’m heading home,” Ellene said again.
Phyllis broke into a chuckle. “You’re not going anywhere.”
“I’m not?”
“That’s what I came over to tell you. The ice is jammed tighter than a jar of pickles. You’re not getting off this island tonight. Maybe not even tomorrow from what I hear.”
Chapter Four
Co
“It happens? You mean you live here with all these unexpected events—no ferry service, no electricity, no… I can’t imagine wanting—”
“It’s an adventure,” Co
“You call this an adventure?” Ellene asked.
Co
“At the cider mill,” Caitlin said, “and one time the fair. I like surprises.”
Ellene’s eyelids lowered as if she realized what she’d almost done. “Surprises are fun,” she said, as if finally understanding Co
Co
“They must do something?”
Aunt Phyllis chuckled. “The coast guard brings in the Bramble to see what she can do.”
“Coast guard?” Ellene gave a fleeting look toward Co
“The coast guard cutter,” Co
She looked befuddled. “Are you kidding?”
“No. The Bramble breaks up the ice, but once the thaw begins they have a big job keeping the ice from packing against the shoreline. The ice jam not only halts the ferry service, but it stops the freighters’ access through the cha
“They can’t expect people to be stranded here forever.”
Aunt Phyllis moved closer and patted Ellene’s shoulder. “Not forever, dear. Only heaven is forever. It lasts a few hours or a few days.” She gave Ellene’s shoulder another pat. “Sometimes two or three weeks at the most.”