Bed & Breakfast Next to the Pink Roses Hotel

GOING BACK HOME WITH HER FATHER DID CROSS HER MIND. DESPITE how much she cared for Jesse, despite the good things and the good people she was coming to know on the island, the incessant waves of fear, of insecurity, made her seriously consider that possibility.

Then again, going back wouldn't solve anything. She couldn't escape difficulties forever. Thinking about it, it would really only make things worse, for she would see - or believe she saw - yet another disappointment in her parents' eyes. But she couldn't stand this situation of uncertainty anymore either, so she decided it would be best to seek professional advice.

"A lawyer, I mean," she qualified during breakfast.

"As a matter of fact, I've been thinking about that too," said Jesse. "It's a stressful situation not knowing for sure whether we are rightful owners of the hotel and the Bed & Breakfast. I want to believe that we are. There is every indication that we are. But I too need it to be once and for all confirmed and settled as soon as possible."

"Maybe we should talk to the notary first", suggested Kathy.

And that same afternoon, she found herself again on a plane, back to the city where they would be able to meet with the notary, a lawyer if essential, Mrs. Steel, Mrs. Sloan's editor and anyone else they eventually considered necessary.

Her father made her promise she would go home soon - for a visit, indefinitely or for the time she wanted - and he insisted they asked for any help they needed.

Kathy couldn't remember ever having had so much empathy with him. He even offered to travel with them and stay till the end of the process. But he also knew that his daughter and Jesse may need to handle the matter on their own, for several reasons, so he accepted their first grateful refusal.

She was nervous, which somehow meant she was getting used to living on the island - if staying in a hotel room could be called living.

She'd talked to her mother on the phone that morning.

"Oh, honey! I so wish I could have gone with your father! But Mary's feeling much better now. Do you want me to catch a plane and accompany you to the notary's office?"

"No, mum. But I really appreciate it. Thank you. In any case, I will be going home soon. I promise. And I've already assured Dad that if we have any trouble at all, we will contact you. So don't worry. Ok?"