Contents
Chapter 17
Overview
Fern finds clarity at the family dock and decides not to sell Brookbanks, informing Peter and enlisting Jamie’s input. Will arrives mid-celebration, reveals jealousy, and they sleep together again. After a warm dinner with Whitney and Cam, a tense call from Will’s sister about moving out pulls Will away, exposing unresolved family pressures and unsettling Fern.
Summary
Fern swims at the secluded family dock, reminiscing about time with her late mother and recognizing that her heart is “too big to let go.” This clarity leads Fern to decide to stay and keep Brookbanks rather than sell. She calls Peter first to share her decision.
Fern then invites Jamie over, thanks him for his support, and announces her plan to remain owner while implementing changes informed by Will’s consulting. Jamie, relieved, celebrates with her; they drink, sing karaoke, and reaffirm their friendship despite their romantic past.
Will arrives late from a meeting to find Fern and Jamie celebrating. He is visibly unsettled by Jamie’s presence and by hearing Fern’s news second. After Jamie leaves, Will admits longstanding jealousy and pulls Fern into an intense, consensual encounter on the couch, revealing he engineered extra time varnishing the mural just to be near her.
Later, Fern and Will dine with Whitney and Cam in Huntsville, where Will tenderly soothes baby Owen and fits easily into the lively evening. A bells ringtone on Will’s phone—his sister Annabel—interrupts; after the call, Will grows tense. He tells Fern that Annabel plans to find a place for herself and Sofia, which he won’t discuss further. He declines to stay over, choosing to call Annabel back. Fern lies awake, comforted only by his light in the cabin and uneasy about how much she wants him to open up.
Who Appears
- Fern BrookbanksProtagonist; decides to keep Brookbanks, seeks Jamie’s input, rekindles intimacy with Will, worries over his family secrecy.
- Will BaxterConsultant and past fling; jealous of Jamie, sleeps with Fern, then withdraws after sister’s call about moving out.
- Jamie PringleResort manager and ex; supports Fern’s decision, celebrates with karaoke, teases Will, commits to professional friendship.
- WhitneyFern’s best friend; ecstatic Fern is staying, hosts dinner, probes Fern about Will.
- CamWhitney’s partner; cooks dinner, jokes about past, enjoys evening with Fern and Will.
- OwenWhitney and Cam’s baby; soothed by Will, symbolizing domestic warmth.
- PeterLongtime staff and family friend; first to hear Fern’s decision to keep the resort.
- AnnabelWill’s sister; calls to say she’s seeking a place for herself and Sofia, unsettling Will.
- SofiaAnnabel’s daughter; referenced in plans to move out with her mother.