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“I was three. Good night, Harry.”

“Whatever,” he grumbled.

I walked Willa down to the beach and set out the blanket, using our flip flops to hold down one side and a few shells for the other. Then we set out our salads, fish, and fries. She sat cross-legged beside me while we ate, then tucked into me to watch the sunset.

“It’s so pretty.” She sighed as she took in the pinks, oranges, and purples lighting up the sky all while the waves lapped a few feet away like a lullaby. “Can we watch the sunset all the time?”

“Whenever you want. As long as it isn’t storming.” I brushed my thumb over her cheek.

“If it’s storming there wouldn’t be much of a sunset to see.” She grinned. “I can see why you came home when life went sideways. Everything about this island is soothing. Even Harry.”

Walking the beaches, watching the sunsets, letting the tide pull me along the shore…all of it helped, but none of it healed me. Not like loving Willa did. “Spending forever with my best friend is the only home I need.”

Willa pulled away and turned, kneeing up to take my face in her delicate hands. One roamed down my beard, smiling as she watched it move through the whiskers. “I love you, Everett. More than I thought possible. Thank you for making me so happy.”

I let her place a kiss on my lips before I flipped her onto her back and kissed her the way I needed. “You’re welcome. Just remember, we’re only getting started. There’s a lot more to look forward to.”

“Yes, I can tell,” she giggled as my erection dug into her stomach. “You better take me home.”

“I don’t think the other sunset watchers will mind.”

“I mind!” She giggled harder as I started tickling.

“Then I better get you home.” She squirmed and writhed in all the right ways. “I can never get enough of you, Willa.”

Her smile grew even wider and her eyes sparkled. “And thank goodness for that.”

EPILOGUE

ISAAC

Ten years later…

Ikept my knees bent as the boat jumped underneath us. We were speeding back to the marina from Flamingo Island, Everett at the wheel. The wind sliced around my sunglasses, whipping my hair back.

I was in my twelfth season managing the Mantas and each trip home was still special even though it felt less and less like home. Our Brady Bunch house was now home to just me and my family with Kate. Everett and Willa had long since moved here and Hannah and Patrick followed last year to help them with their kids. They still came back frequently and helped us out with our kids whenever we needed a hand, but those days were few and far between. Rosie was off to college. Lily and Ethan were both starting middle school in the fall. My kids weren’t quite kids anymore.

We made the turn towards the marina and Everett slowed the engine, throttling us back to keep from making waves.

“I still can’t believe you’re such a romantic.” Planning things wasn’t a strong attribute of any of the Anson men, lord help our wives.

“It wasn’t hard. Besides, I want Willa to relax.”

“You just want to make another baby.” My brother was my opposite in so many ways. I was happy with my three kids. In fact, I was overwhelmed when we found out they were twins. I thought one more kid would be perfect. Turns out I was wrong, but I was still grateful to get two for one. Kate didn’t like being pregnant either. So we were more than content with our family of five.

But Everett and Willa were another story.

“You’re not wrong,” my brother laughed. “I can’t be held responsible if our anniversary weekend knocks her up again.”

“I’m pretty sure you’ll be entirely responsible if that happens.”

“Not true. If Willa didn’t want anymore kids we’d start using birth control. I have volunteered to get snipped whenever she says so. If we get pregnant this weekend it's both our doing.”

I couldn’t imagine having five children, let alone wanting more. But Everett was happier than I’d ever seen him. In fact, he seemed to get happier every day. We just spent the last couple of hours getting their beach cottage ready. He brought his own sheets and pillows, food, blankets, and something in a box I was pretty sure I didn’t want to know about. Hannah and Patrick were staying at the house with the kids. All he had to do was whisk Willa away after the annual anniversary party that celebrated the weekend of their double wedding ceremony.

Which should be getting underway.

We tied the boat off at the marina, hopped in his Jeep, and hurried down to the beach where tents, games, and food were set up. Our parents, Patrick and Hannah, Seth and Annalise, Chris and Olivia, plus all our kids were laughing and having a good time. Even Rosie was home for the weekend.