My breath hitched. For the first time in almost a year, I pressed Accept.

The screen connected, but it wasn’t Austin’s face.

“Grandma?”

The voice was small and sweet. Maya’s face filled the screen. She looked older, her hair in a slightly messy ponytail, clearly done by a father still learning.

“Hello, my darling,” I breathed, touching the screen as if I could stroke her cheek.

“Dad gave me his phone. He said he was too ashamed to call you himself yet,” Maya whispered, glancing off-camera. “But he wanted me to tell you… we have a surprise for you when your big boat comes back.