“It’s been hard for you too. How are you doing?”
“Staying busy has helped.”
She was glad he had work to keep him occupied. Even as busy as he’d been this week, he’d still made time to check on her. She was blessed to have such a devoted brother-in-law. That kiss from two and a half years ago flashed in her mind, flushing her face with heat. She could hardly believe that had ever happened. And yet the memory only seemed sweeter with time.
Before guilt got a stronghold, she pushed the thought away. “Did I ever thank you properly for going to Rock Hill with me? I don’t know how I would’ve handled the news alone.”
“We’re in this together. Grieving sure isn’t for the faint of heart, is it?”
“Amen.”
As they fell quiet, Maggie breathed deeply of the briny air, mixed with the metallic tang of fireworks. She hadn’t celebrated the Fourth in Seabrook since Ethan was home on leave. They’d watched the display with his family from the town pier. Then they’d driven home to Fayetteville and made love late into the night. Would the memories ever stop haunting her? Then guilt nipped at her.
She should hold tightly to every single one. She just didn’t want them to make her so sad. She’d been doing better before this wholedoppelganger episode. Before she’d given hope a foothold. Now it seemed she’d lost some of her hard-won progress.
“You’re still looking for him, aren’t you?” Josh said.
Maggie’s gaze snapped to him. “What?”
“You’ve been scanning the crowd all evening. You’re still wondering about him. Trying to figure out who he is and why he looks so much like Ethan.”
He was right. She’d been searching for him without thought. “I can’t seem to help it.”
He stared at her for a long moment. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“I’ve already dragged you down this road once and it was painful for both of us. I don’t want to see you hurt anymore.”
“I can take care of myself—and I’ve been wondering about him too.”
“You have?”
He offered a humorless grin. “It’s been driving me crazy. There has to be a logical explanation.”
“Why didn’tyousay something?”
“Same reason you didn’t.”
His concern warmed her heart. But she was relieved she wasn’t the only one still working this puzzle around in her head. “I don’t think we’re going to figure it out—unless we find him.” She turned her attention to him. Would he be willing to take this another step?
“I agree...”
“But?”
“But I’m reluctant to cause you more grief.”
“Know what’s causing me grief? Not knowing why there’s a man roaming Seabrook who looks just like my husband.”
He chuckled, his eyebrow doing that little involuntary bounce that upped his appeal 1,000 percent.
“There it is.”
“There what is?”
“Nothing. Let’s start looking for him again.”
He studied her for a long moment, then something flared in his eyes. “Tomorrow night?”
“It’s a date.”
