The Lost Bride Trilogy, #3
The Seven Rings
by Nora Roberts
Contents
Chapter Seven
Overview
Sonya, Trey, Owen, and Cleo sail Owen’s sloop to Pirate’s Cove, where they witness Hester Dobbs’s bird apparition repeatedly failing, signaling weakened reach. Buoyed, they return for an impromptu family dinner and plan a garden sunrise shoot.
Back at the manor, Sonya maintains routine, receives Jack’s sketch of Yoda, ignores Dobbs’s doorbell tantrums, and organizes the Ryder wardrobe, finalizing a sailing shoot with Owen and Cleo.
Summary
Before noon, Sonya, Trey, Cleo, and Owen load Owen’s 38-foot wooden sloop, The Horizon, with food and pets, then set sail. Cleo proves adept as first mate and takes the wheel while the group enjoys the day and Owen’s craftsmanship. They anchor at a secluded spot they call Pirate’s Cove for a picnic and sketches.
From the beach, Sonya spots a dark bird appearing and vanishing near the manor’s windows. With binoculars, Trey and Owen confirm it as Hester Dobbs’s manifestation repeatedly failing at range. Cleo concludes Dobbs is secretly practicing and losing strength. Sonya gains confidence, deciding their ongoing use and restoration of the manor erodes Dobbs’s power.
They sail home at dusk, then visit Owen’s parents, Deuce and Corrine. A spontaneous cookout follows, during which they discuss donations paperwork and conceive a sunrise yoga photo shoot in the manor gardens featuring Cleo amid hydrangeas and the garden statue.
The workweek begins smoothly. Sonya trains, uses music to steady resolve, and pointedly ignores Dobbs’s doorbell banging during a storm, treating it as wasted energy. She finds Jack’s carefully printed sketch of Yoda on her desk, treasures it, and plans to frame it and gift him an art kit.
Routine holds through the rain as Cleo paints outdoors. The arrival of the Ryder wardrobe turns the library into a staging area. After sorting gear, Sonya and Cleo finalize looks: a lilac yoga set with a sunrise mat for the garden shoot and nautical outfits for a sailing shoot of Cleo with Owen on The Horizon. Cleo schedules nails; Sonya coordinates timing with Corrine.
Who Appears
- SonyaProtagonist; enjoys a sail, detects Dobbs’s faltering bird, asserts defiance, treasures Jack’s Yoda sketch, and organizes wardrobe and photo shoots.
- CleoArtist and sailor; sketches Pirate’s Cove, interprets Dobbs’s weakness, models outfits, and plans sunrise garden and sailing shoots.
- OwenBoatbuilder; captains The Horizon, confirms Dobbs’s failing projection, shares family dinner, and agrees to a sailing photo shoot.
- TreySupportive partner; helps crew the boat, analyzes Dobbs’s tactics, steadies Sonya, and enjoys family evening with his parents.
- Hester DobbsAntagonist spirit; attempts long-range bird apparition that repeatedly fails, later throws doorbell-banging tantrum.
- DeuceTrey’s father; hosts impromptu cookout, supports Sonya’s plans, and schedules donation paperwork visit.
- CorrineTrey’s mother; proposes sunrise garden yoga shoot and welcomes the group for dinner.
- JackYoung artist; leaves a signed sketch of Yoda for Sonya, deepening personal connections.
- YodaSonya’s dog; joins the sail and becomes the subject of Jack’s charming sketch.
- CloverHouse presence/playlist trigger; cues music that boosts Sonya’s focus and resolve.