Contents
Chapter 5
Overview
Haunted by insomnia and Will’s return, Fern weighs her future at the resort and her abandoned café dream. Peter delivers Margaret’s saved writings and confirms Margaret privately hired Will. Will details a four-week, discounted turnaround stay. Old wounds reopen over his past disappearance, but he offers help; Fern remains cautious.
Summary
Awake at 2:02 a.m., Fern fixates on Will’s unexpected presence and that Margaret hired him. She texts Whitney, jokes about their old “Mystery Guest” game, debates returning to her Toronto café job, and admits her dream of opening her own shop. She decides to call the resort’s accountant and speak with Will. Later she spots Will awake in Cabin 20; they wordlessly see each other through their windows.
At dawn, a jarring dream blends her mother’s accident with Will’s image. Shaken, Fern calls Reggie, the accountant, to meet despite it being Sunday. Peter arrives with three familiar shoeboxes—Margaret’s saved writings Fern thought were lost—and insists they belong with Fern. Peter also recalls Margaret mentioning a consultant she felt was overqualified and a deal she was pleased with.
Determined to set the tone, Fern goes to Will’s cabin, then invites him for coffee. Over terrible pod coffee, Will explains he visited for a wedding last summer, met Margaret, discussed the resort’s challenges, and later agreed to a discreet deal: a four‑week stay in Cabin 20 at a significant discount to help modernize and cut costs.
Grief and history collide as Fern challenges Will about failing to meet her nine years ago. Will, tense and evasive, says, “You wouldn’t have liked who I was back then,” offering no details. Jamie’s call interrupts, and Will abruptly ends the conversation but reiterates his willingness to help. Fern watches him leave, unresolved and wary of needing him.
Who Appears
- Fern BrookbanksProtagonist; sleepless, debates future, arranges meeting with accountant, confronts Will, struggles with grief and resurfacing feelings.
- Will BaxterArrives as consultant Margaret hired; outlines four-week discounted plan, hints at troubled past, offers help despite tension.
- PeterResort baker and family friend; brings Margaret’s saved writings, confirms consultant talk, shows quiet grief.
- WhitneyFern’s best friend; late-night call sounding board, urges Fern to stay and support the resort.
- ReggieResort accountant; schedules a Sunday meeting to review finances with Fern.
- JamieFern’s ex and staff member; calls during Fern’s talk with Will, prompting Will’s abrupt exit.
- Margaret (Maggie) BrookbanksFern’s late mother; posthumously influences events via saved writings and secret consultant deal.