Page 22 of Last Wish Wedding

The sun was barely kissing the horizon now, painting the water in shades of fire. Mac cleared the dishes and returned with coffee and what looked suspiciously like bread pudding.

“Look there,” Mr. Costigan pointed north, where the first stars were appearing. “Sky’s clear as crystal. If the lights are going to show, this would be the night.”

Mac settled beside Kelsey on the cushioned bench, close enough that she could feel his warmth. Above them, the sky deepened to indigo, while somewhere in the darkness, a sea bird called its haunting cry.

“It’s gotten chilly out here,” Mac stated, rubbing his arms and watching Kelsey draw her knees up under the jacket. He reached for a soft wool blanket and draped it over both of them.

Mr. Costigan had dozed off in his chair. The bread pudding sat half-eaten between them, fragrant with vanilla and cinnamon.

“This is nice,” Kelsey said softly to not wake the old man. “Being out here, away from everything.”

“Look.” Mac’s voice was close to her ear as he pointed upward. “First one’s out.”

The evening star hung bright and clear in the darkening sky, soon joined by others as night crept in. The water lapped gently against the hull, creating a peaceful rhythm.

“Mac...” She turned to find his face inches from hers. “Thank you. For today. For being there when I fell apart.”

“Humph.” He shifted in his seat.

A flash of green-white light streaked across the northern sky, making them both start.

“Grandad,” Mac called gently. “Wake up. The lights are starting.”

Mr. Costigan stirred, his eyes brightening as another shimmer of aurora danced overhead. “Would you look at that,” he breathed. “Just like when I was a boy.”

The three of them sat in wonder as ribbons of light began to wave across the stars, like celestial curtains stirred by an otherworldly wind. Colors shifted from green to purple and back, reflecting off the dark water around them.

“Your grandmother would have loved this,” Mr. Costigan said softly. “Thank you both for this. For getting an old man out to see it one more time.”

Kelsey squeezed Mac’s hand under the blanket, and he squeezed back. The lights continued their ethereal dance overhead, but she found her attention drawn to the profile of the man beside her, his face tilted skyward, new vulnerability written in every line.

After a while, Mr. Costigan’s quiet snore made them both smile.

“Should we head back?” Kelsey whispered.

Mac shook his head. “Let him sleep a bit longer. He’s comfortable, and his breathing’s good.” He paused. “Unless you need to go?”

“No,” she said, letting herself lean slightly against his solid warmth. He didn’t move away from the contact. “I’d like to stay.”

Above them, the lights shimmered like dreams made visible, while below, the gentle rocking of the boat began to unknot something tight inside her chest. For the first time since Noah left in the Prescotts’ limo, she felt herself truly breathe.

The aurora’s dance gradually faded, leaving only stars scattered like diamonds across black velvet. Mr. Costigan’s peaceful snoring mingled with the soft splash of waves against the hull. Mac hadn’t moved. His shoulder was warm against hers, their fingers still intertwined beneath the blanket.

“Now we should probably head back,” he whispered reluctantly. “The temperature’s dropping.”

As if to emphasize his point, a cool breeze swept across the deck. Kelsey shivered despite her layers. Mac pulled the blanket tighter around them. “Thank you for the distraction.”

“Grandad’s pretty good at that.” Mac replied, looking down into her face. “Though, I think he’s got ulterior motives.”

“Oh?”

“He’s been not-so-subtly trying to play matchmaker since the accident.”

Kelsey lifted her head to look at him. In the starlight, his eyes were dark and serious. “Has he now?”

“Mhm.” Her eyes fell to his lips, and she thought about how they would feel on hers.

But Mr. Costigan stirred, mumbling something, and they pulled away from each other.