Their dad, Harold, hadn’t exactly disowned Liam. But he’d certainly worn his disappointment on his sleeve when Liam announced plans to take over his grandpa’s shop rather than follow in his dad’s footsteps. Never mind how much more Liam knew about a motor or the components under the hood of a car than half the items in the hardware store. Or that he’d been an Army mechanic.
“Maybe you should try stopping by there every once in a while. Dad’s got a sweet spot for a caramel espresso from Black Bear Coffee.”
If Owen’s large eyes hadn’t been so intently fixated on them both, the kid no doubt hanging on their every word, Liam might’ve continued this argument. He might be in the minority of Sunset Ridge residents, but he didn’t drink coffee or believe in spending seven bucks on one his dad would possibly pour down the drain out of spite. “Owen, you ready to go?”
“Don’t forget his booster seat.”
Liam winked at his sister, mostly because he knew how much it annoyed her. “Already in there.”
He ushered Owen out the door to his truck, but not before April got in one more nugget of wisdom.
“Be careful, Liam.”
“I’m watching this kid like a hawk.” The claw-like gesture he made with his fingers made Owen laugh uncontrollably, but it didn’t soften April’s concerned expression. Seemed he wouldn’t get away without things turning heavier.
“She might win.”
Liam’s entire body went rigid over the possibility he knew existed but happily denied. He didn’t want to think about this now. “I know.”
“She has what it takes. I know you don’t watch the show, but maybe you should start. She ran a kitchen last night like a pro. Like she’d been doing it all her life.”
If only you knew. “I’ll make him run laps,” he joked about Owen once the kid was secured in his booster seat. “You want me to keep him for a while? I can take him back to the lodge for a few hours.”
“I like her, Liam. But I don’t want to see you hurt again.” April might be the only one who knew why he joined the Army when he did, and why it had been so hard on him. She was gone a lot that summer, but they’d stayed in touch. In many ways, his sister was his best friend.
“I know the risks.” He hopped up the couple of stairs on the deck and gave his sister a gentle squeeze. “You call me if you need a ride to the hospital.”
* * *
Despite the sunshine on the shore, a crisp breeze kept everyone bundled in light layers. The wind could be chilliest on the beach. Tessa hadn’t brought practical clothes for clam digging. Though her sisters helped with some of the essentials—old jeans and a pair of rain boots—Liam loaned her a waterproof jacket at least two sizes too big. But it looked perfect.
It looked like the future.
“Uncle Liam, Uncle Liam!” A clam cradled in his sand-covered hands, Owen ran to Liam who carried the last spade to the beach. “Look, it’s a clam!”
“Sure is, buddy. Drop it in the bucket. We have to keep every clam we dig up, remember. Those are the rules.” He didn’t have the heart to tell the kid that the clam would later be chopped up and cooked in a chowder. Even though the clams didn’t wiggle around quite the same way a fish did, it still might traumatize the youngsters to know what fate awaited their catches once they were dropped into that bucket.
“Do you remember doing this with Aunt Patty?” he heard Sophie ask Tessa. “How cold it was that day? And raining?”
“I was so mad at her. I hadotherplans,” Tessa said with a laugh. Her gaze flickered to Liam, then back to the hole she was digging. Liam smirked, suspecting those plans had been with him. “But that chowder was worth it.”
“I hope we can do Aunt Patty’s recipe justice,” Cadence chimed in. “I still dream about how good it was. I remember thinking how much I hated clams, too, until I had that chowder. Boy, was I wrong.”
“Nothing beats fresh clams,” Tessa said.
Liam wedged the spade near a round dimple in the sand, enjoying the Whitmore sisters acting like, well, sisters. Sophie had let on more than once during his stay at the lodge how far apart they’d grown. Hope existed now when weeks ago it was only a faint possibility. Liam suspected it was exactly what Patty Whitmore had wanted for her nieces.
If Tessa stayed in Sunset Ridge, they could form that bond once again. He hoped Tessa saw how much her staying would mean to everyone.
“Can I help you, Uncle Liam?” Owen asked when he spotted Liam lifting a pile of sand with his spade.
“Sure, buddy. Dig gently now.”
The warm look in Tessa’s eyes made his chest swell. Someday this could be the two of them, digging up clams with their own children. The same thought had to be circling in her mind, too.
April’s words whispered through his thoughts, trying their best to plant fear.Tessa might win.She might leave.
“I got it!” Owen shouted, drawing Caroline’s attention. The girl came running across the beach, her hands sandy but empty.
