Read Online The Summer of Lost Wishes by Jessa Gabrielle - Free Book Online

Hector says when he
finally decides to speak. “Does it need a lot of work? I mean, I
figure since it’s just been sitting there for half a century, it
probably needs some major work, right?”
    Well, that’s a new one. People stare. People
are amazed. People think we’re weird. But he’s the first to assume
the house is decaying. Believe it or not, the Calloways didn’t just
let the house fall in on itself. It’s in pretty good condition, all
things considered.
    I quickly shake my head. “It’s really not
that bad,” I say, doing all I can to keep any defensiveness out of
my voice. “Just needs some updating. Any major renovations are just
because my mom wants them, not because they’re necessary.”
    “Anyway,” Rooks interrupts. “I was going to
ask if you’re working later today. I didn’t want Piper to miss out
on the experience of you in full costume.”
    Hector narrows his eyes. “Unfortunately,” he
says. “You coming to the sunset tour?”
    Rooks nods. “It’s the best time of day for
it,” he says.
     
    After browsing half the shops downtown,
talking about Rooks’ baseball season, and enlightening him with
stories of the boring things I used to do in Tennessee for fun, we
make our way down the docks at Moonlight Harbor. The sun breathes
fiery red streaks across the blue and white clouds, like it’s
trying to set the sky on fire before fizzling out for the day. It’s
an eerie kind of pretty, sort of like the Calloway Cottage.
    “Which boat does Hector work on?” I ask,
rising up on my tip toes to see the signs on the ticket booth.
    “The Dragon’s Jewel,” Rooks says. “It’s the
one you probably saw earlier today. Huge white sails. It’s hard to
miss.”
    He steps up to the counter and asks the girl
for two tickets for the evening boat tour. A retired couple waiting
behind us says something about having to bring their grandkids out
here sometime, and now I’m a little unsure about this boat
ride.
    “So we’re going on the pirate ship?” I
assume as Rooks hands me a ticket. There’s a cartoon parrot with a
patch over its eye.
    “I promised you a gimmick, didn’t I?” he
asks, trying to keep a straight face. “It’s not so bad. They really
do take the same route as the dolphin tours, and they sail out
toward Lighthouse Rock a.k.a. Shark Island a.k.a. the one place I
know you’re dying to see as close up as you can. Am I right or am I
right?”
    “You’re arrogant,” I tell him. “But you’re
arrogantly right.”
    A proud smirk sneaks onto his face, but he
doesn’t boast any more than he already has. Instead, he leads the
way down the docks toward The Dragon’s Jewel. A long line stands
before us – mostly kids and parents.
    “Let me guess,” I say, hoisting my bag onto
my shoulder better. “This is the family-friendly kids’ ride,
right?”
    I’d have much rather taken the actual
dolphin tour earlier today. At least then it wouldn’t be
pirate-themed or have three dozen small children bouncing around
hoping they get to play captain or look for treasure at some point
during the ride.
    “It’s really not bad,” Rooks repeats. He
runs a hand through his hair, almost frustrated with his decision
to bring me out here. “I promise. It’s a good tour, and it’s
hilarious seeing Hector dressed in his pirate costume. That alone
is worth the price of the ticket.”
    The kids ahead of us giggle and squeal with
excitement while I cling tightly to the bag over my shoulder.
Something about touring near Shark Island makes me feel like these
letters will magically disappear from my bag – or that Seth’s and
Hanna’s spirits will rise from the waters and pull the massive ship
under in retaliation.
    Rooks leans in and speaks so only I can hear
him. “We’ll sit toward the back if it makes you feel any better,”
he whispers. “You know, not so many excited kids.”
    After the twenty-minute wait, inching along
the docks toward the ship, we come face-to-face with a