He closed the book and eased off the bed. She resembled a little angel in the soft lamplight, her lashes touching the tops of her cheeks. She had her mommy’s brown hair and doe eyes, but he glimpsed Ethan in her olive skin tone and facial expressions.
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and shut off the light on his way out. He pulled the door until there was only a slight gap, as she didn’t like it completely closed.
When he reached the living room, a breeze cut through the open French doors. He joined Maggie on the elevated deck where she was texting someone. Two glasses of iced tea sat on the small circular table between the chairs.
A million stars twinkled on the sky’s onyx canvas, which melted into a sea as dark as the Black River. The white-crested waves rolled landward, bombarding the shore with a continuous roar. The scent of burning wood carried on the breeze. Someone was enjoying a campfire at Freeman Park—fires were illegal on every other beach.
He took the chair beside Maggie. “She’s down for the count.”
“How many stories?”
“Three and a half.”
“You got off easy.”
“No doubt. Ever hear back from your mom?”
“That’s who I’m texting. She’s not answering or picking up my calls.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.”
“You’re probably right.”
This was hardly the first time Nora had left Maggie hanging. He couldn’t fathom why the woman enjoyed causing her daughter anxiety—especially when Maggie had already suffered so much. But it sure seemed like she did it maliciously. It was hard to watch.
Maggie was a kindhearted, generous person. He’d never understand how she’d turned out so wonderfully with Nora for a mom. Must’ve been the good influence of her aunt. Plus the teachers and swim coaches at school, where she’d been well accepted and had success, both academically and athletically.
She pocketed her phone and turned a chagrined smile his way. “I haven’t even asked how your business is going or how you’re doing. I just arrived in town and demanded your time and energy, and as always, you gave it. I’m sorry.”
“I think we can give you a little grace here since you ran into your deceased husband’s doppelganger at a carnival.”
Her husky laughter sent a thrill through him. “I mean, come on. You have to admit it’s completely absurd.”
His lips twitched. “Ridiculous.”
Still laughing, she wiped her eyes. “Leave it to Ethan to cook up a mystery for us.”
“He always did like to mess with me.” When Josh was little, Ethan had convinced him he was adopted. Erin exposed his lie, but not before Josh put a dead jellyfish in Ethan’s bed. And so it went.
“He sure did love you, though.”
At Maggie’s wistful tone, Josh’s expression wilted. “The feeling was mutual.” As they’d grown older, Ethan had become more the protective big brother. But even with his height, Ethan was more cerebral than physical. And Josh, who’d begun to bulk up for football, could easily hold his own.
He glanced through the doorway to the fireplace mantel where two urns sat—his parents’ and Maggie’s. They would release them at sea in August on the fifth anniversary of Ethan’s death. His brother had loved the ocean.
But were those actually Ethan’s ashes? He shook away the absurd thought.
“I was thinking while you were putting Zoey down... Just to get some closure here, why don’t we reach out to one of his friends who was there on base? I remember him mentioning Rocky a lot. That was his best friend over there and he worked at the field hospital too. I met him once on a video call. Surely he’d be able to give us answers or at least direct us to someone who could. Maybe even someone who was there when the explosion happened.”
“Ethan mentioned him to me too. Do you remember his last name? Or have any idea where he’d be now?”
“I don’t remember a last name, but he was from South Carolina. His tour would be up by now, though.”
“Yeah, he’s probably been discharged.”
“Maybe there’s something in Ethan’s letters. I lost the emails somehow when my computer bit the dust, but I have the copies I printed—back at the house, of course. I could ask one of my friends to send them... or maybe I should drive back myself. I don’t want to risk losing them.”
“I still have his emails too. Let me pore over them and see if I can find anything first. Maybe save you the drive.”
