Rebecca’s Cove

Chapter 22

“Hey.” Baylor slumped into the chaise lounge beside the pool, Arturo in her lap. He had been happy to see her, leaping into her arms the minute she had entered the house.

“Hey.” Juliana looked up from the manuscript she was reading. “Well?”

“Well what?” Baylor asked. “Don’t make me hurt you.”

“Hurt me? Oh, yeah. Like you tried to do last night? You hit like a girl.”

The two friends paused to look at each other and burst into laughter. They had been through much worse over the years than the previous night’s encounter. They had, and always would, remain friends, no matter what idiotic things they might say in the heat of the moment.

“About last night,” Baylor began, “you know...Well, I’m sorry, I just—”

“Don’t sweat it, mate. So,” Juliana drawled with a leering grin, “how was last night?”

Baylor grinned without realizing she had done so. “I guess that smile says it all. About damn time.” “No thanks to you.” Baylor laughed.

Juliana just kept smiling. One thing she would never reveal to Baylor was that she had played a part, albeit the tiniest part, in setting the two women up. Baylor didn’t like to be pushed. If she felt that she’d been manipulated in any way, she’d ruin her life and hurt Hobie just to spite everyone.

“So tell me the good parts,” Juliana said.

“It was all good, but not in the way you’re thinking.” “Did you tell her?”

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“Yep.” “Atta girl.”

“We spent the night together, but we slept...that’s all.” “Right,” Juliana said sarcastically. “I bet there was some

major snogging going on over there.”

“Nope, that’s the honest truth.” Baylor cleared her throat self-consciously. “We sort of agreed to wait, you know, take it slow. Till the cast is off, then we can—”

“You mean she said no.”

“Yeah, pretty much. I did everything but get on my knees and beg.”

Juliana laughed. “It’ll be good for you. Build your character. You know, women like this aren’t just flings, mate. Hobie’s the real deal.”

“I know.” Baylor stretched in the chair. “You’d think I’d be more, I don’t know, scared of that. Wouldn’t you?”

“Knowing you, I’d have to answer a big fat yes. Usually, you’re running for the hills about this time.”

“I know. I can’t figure it out. I just know I’m not going to let that son of a bitch beat me anymore.”

Juliana looked at her friend. She knew Baylor was referring to her father. Baylor lay stretched out with her eyes closed and the white pup snoring in her lap. Juliana couldn’t remember a time when Baylor had looked this comfortable in her own skin.

“You deserve this girl, mate,” Juliana said softly.

“I don’t know about that, but I’ve got to try. I better get cleaned up. Hobie’s coming by and we’re going to see Tanti. Want to come with?”

“Nah.” Juliana wasn’t sure she could keep from spilling any secrets in a room with Evelyn, Hobie, and Baylor. “I’m gonna work on my tan. I’ll go up this afternoon and visit with her.”

“Check. Thanks for taking care of Arturo while I’m out, too.”

“No problem. He’s a lot of fun once you get used to being his puppy pillow.”

Baylor chuckled. “Yeah, I kind of got him into some bad habits. I’m off to get cleaned up. See ya later.”

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“Later,” Juliana echoed.

“Thanks for going with me to see Tanti,” Baylor said. For the first time in her life, she was enjoying being a passenger in her own car. It gave her the opportunity to watch Hobie as she drove.

“You don’t have to thank me. I’ve been Evelyn’s friend for years.”

“I guess it’s just an excuse for me to spend time with you then.” Baylor stretched her arm along the backseat and played with the loose hair at the back of Hobie’s neck. Hobie offered up a bright smile before turning her attention back to the road. Baylor knew her heart was in deep when her stomach did a flip at the sight of that smile.

“You know that Evelyn is going to give us the third degree, don’t you?”

“Not if she doesn’t know, she won’t.” “So we don’t say anything about us?”

“Unless you want to answer a lot of personal questions. I don’t know, how’s your embarrassment tolerance?” Baylor asked with a smile.

Hobie returned the laughter. “I see your point, but we are going to get asked. You know how folks are around here.”

“I guess.” Baylor’s brow creased.

Out of the corner of her eye, Hobie saw Baylor’s expression. It didn’t look as though she was entirely pleased at the idea of their relationship becoming common knowledge. Immediately, Hobie’s defenses went up. “Is it that you don’t want people knowing you’re in a relationship or that you don’t want them to know it’s with me?”

“What?” Baylor stopped her wandering mind. “No, no, baby, it’s nothing like that. I didn’t mean it like it sounded. I guess I’m just lousy at being in the spotlight. That’s the part I was dreading.”

“Oh,” Hobie said quietly. “I thought maybe—”

“Don’t think that. It was the furthest thing from my mind.” “So do you think we can treat each other like nothing’s

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different between us?”

“You mean can I look at you without revealing how absolutely lucky I feel, without showing to every single person in the room how much I love you?”

Hobie smiled and shook her head. “You do have a way of saying just the right thing at times.”

“Besides, I don’t know how Tanti will react to us, you know, being a couple.”

“Do you think she’d have a problem with it?”

“She’s never said anything. She’s actually been pretty accepting of my sexual preference, but we’ve never really talked about how she feels about me being gay.”

“I think Evelyn’s probably the last person on the island to have a problem with that.” Hobie chuckled.

“There’s a first time for everything.”

“Yeah, but wouldn’t that kind of be like the pot calling the kettle black?”

“Huh?”

“Because of her and Aimee.” “What about her and Aimee?”

“What do you mean, what do I mean?”

“I mean, what do Evelyn and Aimee have to do with the price of tea in China?”

“I just meant that since Evelyn was gay, or at least had a female lover in her life, I’m sure she wouldn’t come down on you. What did you think I was talking about?”

“Excuse me?” Baylor’s mouth went dry and her mind shut down.

“I said, what did you—”

“I heard what you said, what I don’t get is why you said it.” Hobie pulled the car into the hospital parking lot. She turned

off the ignition and turned in the seat to face Baylor. “We are having a huge gap in communicating here. Aren’t we?”

“I think so.” Baylor laughed nervously. “Why would you say that Tanti is gay?”

“Um...because she is,” Hobie said slowly.

“She is? My grandmother? We are talking about Evelyn

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Warren, right?”

“Of course. Baylor, didn’t you know this?”

“No.” Baylor sat back in her seat. “I had no idea. Are you sure?”

“That’s not the kind of thing you can mistake. Surely, you were around Evelyn and Aimee when you were younger.”

“Yeah, but Tanti never said anything. All they did was joke around and yell at each other a lot. They acted like...well, I don’t know. They argued all the time!” She paused and looked over at a smiling Hobie. “That sounds like us, doesn’t it?”

“Kind of.”

“Holy shit! How could no one have told me?”

“I guess they all figured you knew. Did your parents ever say anything when you were a kid?”

Baylor realized with startling clarity why her father had disowned his mother. “Yeah, that sounds exactly like something he’d do,” she muttered.

“What?”

“Oh, sorry. I was just remembering. As far back as I can remember, my father never spoke to Tanti. Mom said they had a falling out, but I’ll bet you anything it was over that.”

“Some son,” Hobie said. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Don’t be. It’s just what I was thinking. I can’t believe Tanti never came out and told me.”

“Maybe she thought you knew. Maybe she felt that you weren’t ready to hear that kind of thing about your father.” Hobie laid a gentle hand on Baylor’s arm. “Whatever it was, you know that Evelyn must have been thinking of you.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Tanti’s always been there for me.” “Just do me one favor?”

“Sure, anything.”

“Make sure you don’t, well, pounce on Evelyn with this news the minute we get there. Okay?”

“Give me a little credit, hon. I can be the epitome of tact when I want to be.”

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“Well, if it isn’t my two favorite girls!” Evelyn exclaimed. She looked positively healthy and glowing.

“I can’t believe you never told me you were gay!” Baylor blurted out.

Hobie let her face fall into her open hand. “Smooth,” she said once she raised her head. “What happened to tact?”

“Oops, I forgot,” Baylor admitted. “Still,” she refocused her attention on her grandmother, “Tanti, why didn’t you ever tell me you’re a lesbian?”

“Because I’m not,” Evelyn said.

“See,” Baylor turned to a surprised Hobie. “I told you she was straight.”

“Oh, but I’m not that, either.”

Baylor stood there looking at her grandmother. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. “Oh. I get it.” She looked at Hobie and wagged her finger back and forth. “Because she was married once...she’s bi.”

“Uh-uh.” Evelyn shook her head.

Baylor stood silently. “Okay, I’m confused.”

“Baylor, you know how much I detest labels. I cared very much for your grandfather while he was alive. Then I met Aimee and...well, I fell in love with her. If I call myself this or that, it seems as though I’m putting limits on love. We all know that sometimes love just happens, whether we mean it to or not.”

Baylor and Hobie exchanged a guilty look.

Evelyn watched the two women closely. They hadn’t said a word about it, but she could read all the signs. Not only were they in love, but they also had finally shared their feelings with each other. There were subtle changes in their behavior—their chairs sat a tad closer than usual, their gazes occasionally locked. Evelyn nearly jumped for joy. She couldn’t wait to call Rebecca.

“If I’d ever thought you didn’t know, Baylor, I would have surely told you. Some things about me never seemed to interest you. Like my being a Wiccan, for example.”

“You’re a witch?” Baylor’s voice rose considerably. “I think they prefer the term ‘Wiccan,’” Hobie said.

“You knew about this? Are you one, too?” Baylor asked with a suspicious glance.

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“Don’t be silly. Of course I’m not,” Hobie said. “Some of the...well, older women on the island are.”

“I’m afraid it very nearly is just us old women anymore, Hobie Lynn. Your mother is probably the youngest member of the Ladies Guild.”

“My mother?” Hobie stood alongside Baylor at this point. “That’s what the Ladies Guild is, and my mother is a...a... witch?”

“I thought you said they liked to be called Wiccans,” Baylor said smugly.

“That’s before I knew my mother was one of them,” Hobie shot back. “I think I need to sit.” An expression like amazement fixed itself upon her face. “I don’t understand. I mean, I’ve heard rumors, but—”

“Hobie, I’m sure it’s not what you think. Tell her, Tanti.” Baylor looked to her grandmother for support. “I mean,” she looked at Hobie, “it’s not like they dance naked under the moon or anything.” She laughed.

“As a matter of fact, we do, dear,” Evelyn said. “But only once a year. It’s more tradition than anything else.”

“I think I’m losing my mind,” Hobie said.

“Welcome to my world.” Baylor rested a reassuring hand on Hobie’s shoulder.

“You girls act as if I’ve lost my mind. Hobie Lynn, these practices have gone on for more years than I’ve been on this island. There’s nothing to be afraid of or worried about. Most of the younger women on the island think we’re just a bunch of loony old women, but we’re harmless. We never hurt anyone and we don’t share our views with anyone but the most open-minded. Just the thought of witches living on the same block does frighten some.” Evelyn whispered the last sentence.

Hobie looked up at the kindly old woman and instantly felt guilty. She had done what people had been doing to her all her life—judged. “I’m sorry, Evelyn. I shouldn’t have sounded so disapproving. I had no right.”

Evelyn reached out to squeeze Hobie’s hand. “Being different comes with a price. I think we all know that. Eh?” She looked up

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at Baylor.

“I guess we should know most of all,” Baylor admitted with a wry grin.

“Baylor, I wonder if you could get me some water,” Evelyn said.

“Sure, Tanti.” Baylor reached for the pitcher on the bedside table.

“No, dear, that water isn’t any good.” Baylor eyed the plastic pitcher. “No good?”

“The best water is in the vending machine in the lobby, just near the entrance.”

“All the way over there?” Baylor raised her voice. “I suppose I could call a nurse to take me over...”

“No, no. I can get it. Anything else you want? Like some unsalted Brazil nuts that I need to go to Brazil for?”

Hobie slapped her playfully on the thigh. Baylor grinned down at her and Evelyn looked on, certain she had never seen her granddaughter quite this happy before.

“Okay. Hobie, want anything?” “No, I’m good.”

“I don’t suppose you have a broom I can use to just fly over there, do you?” Baylor grinned at her grandmother. Evelyn arched an eyebrow.

“Okay, okay, sorry. Geez, can’t anyone take a joke anymore?”

As soon as Baylor left the room, Evelyn laughed and reached for Hobie’s hand. “Tell me everything.”

“What?” Hobie asked with a confused chuckle. “You and Baylor.”

“I have no idea what you mean.”

“Hobie Lynn, I know that Baylor likes to hide her emotions, but that’s never been quite like you. Now am I right about the two of you?”

“Yes, Evelyn,” Hobie said. “You’re right.” “Well then, tell me all the juicy details.”

Hobie laughed. “There are no juicy bits to talk about yet, and even if I had some, I don’t think I’d feel entirely comfortable

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talking to Baylor’s grandmother about our sex life.”

“Such a spoilsport,” Evelyn teased. “I can’t tell you how happy I am for you both. You deserve this, a love that will last a lifetime.”

“I’d like to think it will last a lifetime, Evelyn, but as to deserving it, that’s debatable.”

“You’re not still worried about that, are you?”

“Evelyn, I haven’t told Baylor. I should have before because now it’s too late. She’ll be so angry. I just don’t know how to handle it.”

“Honestly, it’s not as if it wasn’t an accident.”

“You know how paranoid Baylor can be. She’s certain to think the worst, something terrible, like there’s some sort of conspiracy behind it all.”

“I honestly don’t see why she would be that upset,” Evelyn protested. “I think you should just come right out and tell her. She’ll understand it coming from you.”

“Oh, you think that, do you? And just how am I supposed to phrase it? ‘Oh, Baylor, has your grandmother told you how she ended up breaking her hip? No? Well, let me be the first to say that I ran her over with my pickup at the very same intersection I hit you! Small world, huh?’”

Hobie looked up into Evelyn’s face and noticed her stricken expression. She didn’t understand until she realized that Evelyn was looking past her. She turned, but she knew what she would see. Baylor was standing in the open door staring, open-mouthed, at them.

“Oh, God,” Hobie breathed.

“Was that supposed to be a joke?” Baylor walked slowly into the room and deposited two bottles of water onto the bedside stand.

“Now, Baylor...” Evelyn paused, uncertain what to say next. She wanted to make a joke, say something light to break up the stormy expression growing on Baylor’s face. That look stopped her, however.

“I don’t believe it. Tell me it’s not true. Hobie, I can’t believe you would hide something like this from me.”

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“Now, Baylor—” Hobie began.

“Will you both quit saying ‘now, Baylor’?”

“Well, it’s just that we can see you’re getting upset—” “Then you’re both goddamn clairvoyant!” Baylor shouted.

“You’re damn right I’m getting upset. I can’t believe that you purposely hid this information from me.”

“Baylor, stop. It was me who told Hobie not to say anything.”

“No, Tanti, don’t try to cover for her.”

“Cover for me?” Hobie’s voice rose about two octaves. “I’ll have you know that I don’t need your grandmother to take the fall for me.”

“Oh, yeah? Who usually does it?” Baylor shot back. There was one moment, one brief moment, when she had thought that perhaps calming down and listening to reason would be a smart thing. That point had passed her by about twenty seconds earlier. Now Baylor only had one thought: Hobie Lynn had purposely deceived her. Of course, in Baylor’s mind, the infraction grew quickly from simple deception to betrayal. Perhaps it was her past, her natural mistrust, or the fact that her temper could strike faster than lightning. Whatever the reason was, it took a matter of seconds to transform Hobie from lover to enemy.

By this time, the voice inside Hobie’s head, the one that told her she had gone too far, was having fits of apoplexy. She knew she had one last chance to think rationally. She took a deep breath, her hands clenched into fists. “Okay, I can do this. I can behave like an intelligent adult. Now, Baylor—”

“I swear, I’m going to smack the next person who says that.” “Baylor, you must stop!” Evelyn could see all her hard work and planning slipping away because of the two strong-willed

women. “Think about what you’re saying. Hobie, you too.” “That’s the problem, she never thinks before she speaks. Her

thoughts drop down onto her tongue and out her mouth like a Pez dispenser!” Hobie cried out.

“Oh, yeah?” Baylor returned, frustrated that Hobie had caught her off-guard.

“Ooh, what a sparkling retort.”

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“Baylor, please...” Evelyn’s words sounded fatigued as she made one last halfhearted attempt to calm the two women, who now stood toe to toe. “I certainly didn’t plan it this way,” she muttered under her breath.

Unfortunately, Baylor heard the comment. “Planned?” Baylor looked between Hobie and Evelyn. “Holy shit! I don’t believe it, but it all makes sense. You got me on this island on purpose,” she said to her grandmother. “This whole thing was some…some… setup.”

“Oh, please!” Hobie rolled her eyes.

“And you’re in on it, too!” Baylor took a step backward as she pointed at Hobie. Her paranoia kicked into high gear. “You’re a witch, just like the rest of them, aren’t you?”

“Oh, you’re about to see what a witch I am!” Hobie took a step closer to Baylor.

“You ran over Tanti to get me here, then you,” Baylor pointed to her grandmother, “put a spell on me.”

“Oh...my...God! Do you hear yourself?” Hobie asked. “It sounds reasonable.”

“The idea that the moon is made of green cheese probably sounds reasonable to you!” Hobie shouted back, as though she had never declared her love for Baylor, as though they were strangers.

“Is that a dig about my intelligence? You know, I have a PhD. You should be calling me doctor!”

“Oh, for Christ’s sake!” Hobie turned to pick up her jacket. “I can’t believe I seriously entertained the idea of a relationship with you. How desperate can one woman get? I don’t know how I fell into this. You are insane!”

Hobie moved toward the door and there were tears in her eyes when she turned to face the women in the room. “I don’t want you to contact me again, Baylor, and I want you to stay as far away from my son as possible. Noah doesn’t need this. I’m sorry, Evelyn,” she said before she walked out the door.

Baylor looked at her grandmother, contemplating how odd it was that sometimes the smallest things made the biggest impact. The mention of Noah’s name had snapped her brain back to reality.

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She realized that the last few moments were going to change her life. As she watched Hobie disappear down the hall, she also understood that change wasn’t going to be for the better.

Baylor’s countenance appeared to clear. She felt a pressure in her chest, an old familiar weight that sat heavily where her heart should have been. The reality of what she said, and to whom she’d just said it, came crashing in on her.

“Oh, God. Tanti, what have I done?” Baylor sat with a heavy sigh. She lowered her head into her hands and muttered, “Shit, shit, shit.”

“I don’t think cursing is going to help any,” Evelyn said gently.

“What’s wrong with me? How could I have said those things? I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean—”

“Are you under the impression that you’re the only one to blame here?”

“Well, I...What do you mean? Yeah, of course it was my fault.”

“Why do you think that, dear heart?”

“Um, I, uh...I don’t know. I guess because when things like this happen, it’s always my fault. Me and my big mouth.”

“Is that you talking or your father?” Baylor looked up in surprise.

“From where I sit,” Evelyn said, “all three of us had a hand in making a rather cosmic mess of this whole day. I shouldn’t have asked Hobie to stay quiet about the accident. I do apologize for that deception.”

“Tanti, it’s not necessary. I—”

“I think it is necessary, and I’m an old lady. You shouldn’t argue with old ladies.”

Baylor grinned.

“There, that’s better. At least I can still make you smile.” She held out her hand and Baylor took it.

“Hobie may have been doing as I asked, but she was as guilty as you in perpetuating that argument. Sometimes that girl has the temperament of a rattlesnake on a hot day.”

“Are we talking about the same person?” Baylor asked.

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Evelyn’s only answer was a cryptic smile.

“I don’t know how I’m going to make this one right, Tanti. I hear what you’re saying, but I don’t think Hobie is looking at this in the same way you are.”

“What are you most afraid of, dear?”

“That she won’t forgive me. That I’ll lose her,” she added softly. “I don’t know how I’ll handle that.”

“You love her that much?”

“Yes. I don’t know how I’m going to do this. I don’t know how I’m going to keep going without her. Geez, how pathetic does that sound?”

“Baylor Warren, you sound as if she’s left the country. You haven’t even tried to talk to her yet.”

“Did you see the look on her face? See that anger in her eyes? She thinks it’s all my fault...and it is.” Baylor pulled at her forelock. “I don’t know why I’m like this.”

“Like what, dear?”

“Like...like me.” Baylor stood and paced around the small room. “Hobie’s right. I’m selfish and arrogant. I think I’m so superior to everyone else I meet. I don’t even know why I act so mean to people. I guess I’m just a lost cause.”

“Baylor, dear heart, show yourself as much compassion as you’re learning to show others.”

“Me? I’m the least compassionate person on this earth!” “That’s not what I hear. People tell me that you sit for hours in

the bookstore having tea with Katherine and Albert.” Baylor felt a prickly heat gather around her collar.

“They say you sit with the coach, just to keep him company, that you watch out for Hobie’s boy, Noah. Theresa Allen said that in one night you brought her family closer than they’ve been in twenty years. Are those the actions of a selfish woman?”

Baylor refused to look up from her shoes.

“There are a lot of reasons why people do the things they do. Many of yours have to do with the way your father treated you, the anger, and the feelings of inadequacy that his treatment instilled in you. I’m so sorry for that. I would have done more if I could have.”

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“I never blamed—”

“I know that, but that’s not why I bring this up now. I’m telling you these things to make you see that you may have been one way for a very long time, but people can change. You’ve changed, Baylor. You’ve changed for the better, and I’ve never been more proud of you.”

“Are you forgetting how I just acted?”

“We all have our weak moments,” Evelyn deadpanned. Baylor finally smiled as she sat down.

“Are you happy, Baylor?” “Not as this moment I’m not.”

“You need to work at finding the key then. The key to your happiness.”

“That’s funny. Rebecca Ashby was the last person to say that to me. Seems like I hear a lot about the key to happiness around here.”

“You’ll find that the people who are the most comfortable with themselves have discovered what it is. Maybe that’s why we have so many content people on Ana Lia.”

“So what is it, the key to happiness?”

“First of all, it’s up to you to discover that. Second, it’s different for everyone. What makes you happy?”

“Hobie. Hey, maybe she’s the key to my happiness, huh?” “As lovely as that sounds, let me give you one bit of advice

about your happiness. Don’t take this from your grandmother, take it from an old woman who has lived an awful lot of life. Don’t ever let your happiness depend upon another person, even one as lovely as Hobie Lynn.”

“I guess that makes sense.”

“What makes you happy, my dear?” Evelyn repeated gently. “I was just trying to think of that. I have to say that looking at

my life, I don’t recall too many times when I was actually happy. I wouldn’t say that writing does it for me. I mean, I love it, but it can become work, ya know? There’s Hobie. Noah,” Baylor added with a smile. “But if I couldn’t say people, I don’t know. I feel like it’s right here, ya know?” She grasped at the air. “I just can’t verbalize it. Like it’s a feeling of things. Damn, that makes no

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sense at all, does it?”

“It will come. Usually when you’re doing something mundane or something you’ve done a thousand times before, suddenly, you’ll realize that this is the thing that truly brings you happiness.”

“Do you know yours? Did you figure it out?” Baylor asked. Evelyn nodded, that same Mona Lisa smile on her face.

“Is it a secret? Can you tell me or is it a witch thing?” “You are a little stuck on that, aren’t you?”

“Oh, no, not at all. You know me, open mouth, insert foot. Sorry. Come on, tell me.”

“I’m surprised you don’t know what brings me the greatest joy in my life, aside from my headstrong granddaughter, that is.”

“Aimee? No, you said not to depend on other people for your happiness. Um, Arturo? No, you just got him.” Baylor’s brow furrowed in concentration.

“You’ve been taking care of them for me since the first day you arrived,” Evelyn hinted.

Baylor’s eyes lit up as the pieces fell into place. Framed Life covers and photos of her grandmother’s adventures filled her house. Cambodia, Thailand, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico.

“You’ve been in every jungle from—” Baylor looked into her grandmother’s eyes. “Your greenhouses.”

Evelyn smiled and leaned back on her pillows. “I finally realized it when I couldn’t go on assignment anymore. The jungles and rainforests were what I missed most of all. Unless you’ve been there, you don’t know what the early morning dew sounds like as it drips from leaf to leaf. There’s a smell...wet, loamy earth that’s all humid and still.” Her eyes took on a faraway expression. “Aimee and I worked to bring the rainforest to Ana Lia.”

The argument with Hobie came rushing back at Baylor. “I won’t ever be that happy, not without Hobie.”

Evelyn shook off her dreamy thoughts. “You won’t unless you find that girl and at least try to apologize.”

“Me? Shouldn’t she apologize to me?”

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, looking remarkably like her

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granddaughter.

“Okay, that was a stupid thing to say, wasn’t it?”

“See, you are learning to change. In the beginning of a relationship, you’ll find that one person may have to initiate apologies. It’s not always like that, but there are some people who...well, they’re too afraid of appearing vulnerable. Given enough time and love, they’ll overcome that. In the meantime, you may need to be the first to extend the olive branch, even when you know you’re right. After all, does it really matter who did what to whom first? Isn’t it more important to have Hobie Lynn back in your life?”

Baylor realized the truth of it. Getting Hobie back was the most important thing.

“Is Hobie one of those people you just talked about, Tanti? Is she afraid?”

“Hobie Lynn is very afraid. Remember when I told you that our past experiences shape who we are?”

Baylor nodded.

“Hobie’s life was shaped by her father, too. When he died, he left her with the feeling that people aren’t permanent. She fears living without love, but just as strong is her fear of loving someone who will leave her.”

“I have to find her.” Baylor jumped from her seat and crossed the room to the window. “The car’s still here. Maybe she walked.”

“What would you do if I said I knew where to find her?” “Kiss you.” Baylor grinned before growing serious. “Then

grovel, I guess.”

“Help her confront her fears. She is a master at sweeping her emotions into a corner. If you’re serious about this girl, you have to make her admit to it. In the end, it will be worth it. One more thing.”

Baylor turned.

“Don’t do this unless you really are serious about committing to one woman and helping to raise a son. You’ll do harm to everyone, yourself included, if you don’t know yet whether this is what you want.”

Baylor nodded slowly, her brain working overtime. “Hobie is what I want, her and everything about her. Noah, this island, these crazy people—all of it, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get her.”

Evelyn’s smile fairly lit up the room. Her happiness at that moment had nothing to do with her hopes for Baylor’s future on Ana Lia. Rather, it came from seeing her only grandchild finally become the woman she had always hoped she would one day be.

“Very well then. I think you’ll find Hobie Lynn at the west end of the building. There’s a small atrium across from physical therapy. She loves flowers. You’ll also discover that she is as miserable over her actions as you were.”

Baylor smiled from ear to ear. “Thanks, Tanti!” She was almost out of the door before Evelyn’s voice stopped her.

“Wait a minute!” Evelyn pointed to her own cheek. “Aren’t you forgetting what you just promised?”

“Oh, yeah.” Baylor blushed and came back to her grandmother’s bedside. She leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on the old woman’s cheek. “Thanks, Tanti. I’ll be back. You’re the best.”

“Yes, that goes without saying,” Evelyn said as Baylor rushed out the door.