Delighted to watch Martha's pleased amazement, as the suitcase seemingly packed itself, Carolyn hoped to help her accept the Captain's abilities. "See how easy it is with a ghost around the house?" she asked. Having adapted far more quickly than anyone imagined, Martha said happily, "Fantastic! Captain Gregg, you're going to be a great help to me when it comes to my housecleaning."
Having anticipated some such practical response from the housekeeper, the Captain warned, "Martha there are some things at which even a ghost draws the line." His bemused grin told Carolyn that he was enjoying this game with Martha as much as she was enjoying the fact that, at long last, their family was without secrets. But giving him a searching look, and seeing his quick intense gaze on her, she knew that perhaps not ALL the secrets were ready to be shared this day.
"Fantastic!" Martha offered again, after the Captain had closed the suitcase and disappeared himself. Before she knew it, it was time to head to the airport. Recognizing that combination of shock and delight, Carolyn knew Martha needed some time to herself to finish adjusting to this new part of the Gull Cottage life. Turning with her most chipper voice, she asked," Well, shall we go?"
Martha looked about the room, and with an amazed smile said, "Really Fantastic!" Still a bit stunned, with suitcase in tow, they headed down the stairs.
Waiting up on the Widow's Walk, the Captain smiled appreciatively as the two women bustled into the car and headed toward the small airport that would take Martha Grant to Boston and then down to Pensacola. "I feel certain," he mused to himself, "that if Martha knew just a fraction of all that has occurred over the last two years, that she would feel fantastic is not quite sufficient to describe it at all."
Looking up, and seemingly hearing his thoughts, Carolyn Muir paused before heading down the road. "So Martha," she began, "now that we're alone, and the kids are at home with Claymore and Ed, I need to tell you a story, one I think of as 'The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.' I suspect that it won't really surprise you, but I think you're entitled to know . . . well most of it at least." As the two women drove away, Martha's open mouth and approving nods confirmed that even if she didn't know every single detail, the story was one that met, very much, with her complete approval.