“You’re obviously in love with each other,” Nora said.
Well,Maddy thought,I’m in love with him. He has yet to return the words.
Nora walked to the top of a dune and stared out to sea. “What are you going home to, other than an empty apartment?”
“Nothing really, except my friend Holly. I do have an apartment lease, but that’s up in another month anyway.”
“It sure would be nice to have another sister here in Seahaven.”
Maddy and Emma stopped what they were doing and gaped at Nora.
“You’re staying?” Maddy asked, joining her sister on the dune.
Nora blew her hair out of her face. “I’ve been talking to Gram about it. I’ve also been checking out the job opportunities in the area. There’s an opening for a librarian in the next town over, and I’ve got that master’s degree just going to waste.”
Maddy smiled. “You’ve always wanted to be a librarian.”
“The current one is retiring next month, and Gram knows the manager. I have an interview scheduled for later this week.”
“That’s just wonderful, Nora,” Emma said. “I’ll be praying you get the job.”
“I might have to live with Gram awhile, but she’s all right with that. I have to get back on my feet. It won’t be easy, but I’m determined to make a life for myself here.”
“What about Chloe?” Emma asked.
“She’s my top priority. I’m going to go see her at college this weekend. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
“She’s a bright girl,” Maddy said. “She’ll come around.”
“She’s mad at the world right now,” Nora said. “And that includes me. I can’t blame her. I hope she makes more out of her life than I have.”
“Thank God for fresh starts,” Maddy said.
“Hear, hear,” Emma said, climbing the sand dune, her bare feet sinking into the damp sand. “Speaking of fresh starts—and mothers and daughters—has anyone talked to Mama yet?”
“We need to call her,” Maddy said. “I feel horrible about the way I’ve misjudged her.”
“Me too,” Nora said. “When I think about how I talked Daddy up in front of her I just want to smack myself.”
“I can’t believe she never told us the truth,” Emma said.
“I can,” Nora said. “You’ll do anything to protect your kids. I’d give anything if Chloe didn’t have to know about her dad. It’s torn her in two. But even if there were a way we could have kept it from her, I think I’ve learned the damage of keeping secrets.”
“We should invite Mama here for a weekend,” Emma said suddenly. “We have a lot of catching up to do.”
“A lot of making up to do also,” Maddy said.
“Can I invite Chloe too?” Nora said.
“Of course,” Emma said. “She’s family. I can’t wait to tell Mama about the baby. She’ll be so happy.”
The faint sound of a car engine carried over the sound of surf, and Maddy looked back toward the street. A blue Mazda was pulling into their drive. Her sisters hadn’t noticed and continued talking as Maddy shielded her eyes from the sun.
The man caught sight of them and, lifting a hand to Maddy, walked around his car and along the side of the house toward them.
Maddy almost didn’t recognize him. Hadn’t seen him in a couple years. He was wearing his brown hair longer now, and he’d lost the little paunch around his middle. But he still had a teddy bear build and wore that full beard.
“Um, Emma...,” Maddy said, getting her sister’s attention. “I think there’s someone here to see you.”
