“Are you busy at lunchtime today?”

“Today?” She hadn’t expected it to be so soon, but she consulted the calendar on her phone. “Today would work.”

“I’m leaving on the noon ferry.”

“I’ll meet you at the dock.”

When she disconnected the call, she realized that some people in town might read something into her accompanying Ethan to visit his aunt. But she didn’t care about the gossip. She knew the truth. It was business only. Nothing more.

Now that people knew she could talk on the phone, it was ringing off the hook.

Ring-ring. Ring-ring.

Birdie smiled. She wondered who it was this time. She set aside the blanket that was now a quarter of the way completed. She reached for the phone.

“Hello.”

“Aunt Birdie, it’s Ethan.”

He never phoned her. Had something happened to Peaches? Or was he phoning to say that he had to return to New York earlier than he’d planned? The thought deflated her mood. It would ruin all of her plans.

“Aren’t you coming to visit today?” she asked.

“About that. I was wondering how you’d feel if someone came with me?”

The more company, the better. “Who?”

“Hannah. You know how she agreed to help me organize Spring Fling? Well, I think she has some questions for you.”

Birdie beamed. If they kept this up, they wouldn’t need her matchmaking efforts. “I’d love to see both of you.”

“Good. We’ll see you in a little bit. And I might have another surprise for you.”

Another surprise? What was her dear nephew up to? “You can’t leave me in suspense.”

He laughed. “I’ll see you soon.”

And then they hung up. All the while Birdie was wondering about this budding relationship her nephew had started with Hannah. She didn’t know how those two were going to make things work as a couple. His job was in New York and Hannah’s beloved bakery was there on the island. It wouldn’t be easy. But when it came to love, there was always a way.

She remembered a similar couple. She had grown up in Brooklyn. Her entire family had lived there. On Sundays, they’d all get together at her parents’ house for a big meal. Back then, she couldn’t imagine ever leaving New York and her loving family. And then along came Gil.

They’d met on her family’s vacation to Bluestar Island. It was love at first sight. But it took them a bit to figure out who was going to give up their home and join the other. She’d finally given in because the island was idyllic.

She was certain it was a location her family wouldn’t mind visiting regularly. And they had vacationed on Bluestar Island for many years. Oh the happy memories…

Even so, giving up her home and family to move away hadn’t been easy. Birdie knew the transition wouldn’t be easy for Ethan or Hannah, but if they were meant to be together, they’d find a way to make it work. And once she saw them together, she’d see for herself if they were destined for each other.