Chapter 1

“Auntie Mack, are we there yet?”

I look in the rear-view mirror, and see my nephew, Lucas, becoming increasingly restless. It makes me smile. Even after just thirty minutes, the ”are we there yet?” inquiries have begun. ”Not just yet, but we shouldn”t be too far off. I promise.”

He lets out a dramatic sigh before staring out of the window.

I pretend not to be amused while at the same time my heart is warming up to the thought of him. Since the moment my sister gave birth to him, he has always held a special place in my heart; now he is six years old and full of mischief. Because his mother Melinda and father Daniel have a flight to Europe scheduled for later in the day, Lucas had opted to spend some time with me in Cape Elizabeth.

I”ve been working for most of my life, and this past spring, I treated myself to a summer rental by splurging on Rose Cottage.

My parents, who are matchmakers and want to see me married with a child of my own, will definitely be surprised by this new development. I”m only in my twenties, so I have no clue what all the fuss is about when it comes to this topic.

My train of thought is once again interrupted by a long, heavy sigh coming from the backseat. I am prepared for what is to come...

Three... Two... One...

”Are you sure that we haven”t arrived yet?” Again, Lucas inquires while wriggling his fingers.

As I respond to Lucas, my amused lips twitch slightly as I say, ”Lucas, we”ll be there soon. You have a lot of books, so why don”t you read one of them?”

”I”m sorry, Auntie Mack, but my books are dull. Could I have one of yours to read?” The very idea of it makes him so giddy that he practically jumps up and down in his seat.

”My books are intended for adults, and as such, they do not contain any illustrations.” It is a relief to know that my books are safely tucked away in the trunk, where Lucas cannot access them.

”Daddy told mommy that she would learn a lot more if she read the kind of books you read rather than the dull magazines that she currently reads. I like to learn,” Lucas says with his ”cute” face.

When Lucas gives me that look, I have never been able to keep anything from him, so my eyes start to fill with amusement. He is obviously hoping that I will give in to his demands and allow him to root around in the box containing my belongings. The more I think about it, the more embarrassed I become, and I start to wonder what kind of books Daniel thinks I read. ”You can”t read them unless you”re an adult, Lucas. If you”re getting tired of yours, I”ll gladly buy you some new ones once we arrive at our destination.”

”As soon as we get there? You promise?” The books that Lucas is currently reading are tossed onto the empty seat next to him.

”In a day or two, we”ll go check out the stores.” I take a quick glance in the mirror and notice that Lucas”s face has started to become more serious. As a result, I say to him, ”But if you”re good until then, I”ll buy you that atlas you wanted, and then you can keep track of where your parents are staying in Europe.”

After giving my words some thought, Lucas gives me a reassuring nod and smiles. ”That would be pretty cool.”

”Why don”t you try getting some rest? When we get there, I”ll make sure you”re awake. That way, the time will pass super quick.”

After another five minutes, Lucas is sound asleep, and after an hour and a half have passed, I pull up in front of Rose Cottage and turn off the engine. Lucas must have been startled awake by the calm and silence because he suddenly sits bolt upright in his seatand slams the side of his head against the window with a dull thud. ”Lucas,are you okay?”

He rubs his head. “I think so. Are we there yet?”

“Yes, we are, thank goodness… Let”s stretch our legs.” When I look over to the other side of the yard, I see a man ambling towards us at a casual pace. He has a slight build, is of average height, and his dark grey hair is cut short. As he draws closer, I see the wind and sun have taken their toll on his weathered face, which is bronzed. ”As a matter of fact, I believe I can see Mr. Degan making his way to the cottage.” I assume that the man to the left of me is the landlord for the summer.

I climb out of the car and open the back door for Lucas. In his excitement, he leaps out of the car and circles me several times before sprinting off to meet the proprietor of Rose Cottage.

As I watch Lucas dash toward Mr. Degan, I have a sudden change of heart and decide to go over to them instead because I have no idea what Lucas will say when he gets there. ”Mr. Degan?” I question, offering my hand. ”My name is Mackenzie Harper, and this is my nephew, Lucas Cartwright.”

After he has finished releasing my hand, Mr. Degan asks, ”You like fishing?”

”Um, not really.”My eyebrows furrow in confusion. There is no welcome; there is only fishing. I have absolutely no intention of getting anywhere near the bait, and the prospect of removing the fish from the water does not appeal to me either.

”I wasn”t talking to you, young woman. I was having a conversation with this here boy.” Mr. Degan directs his attention to Lucas.

The motions that Lucas makes resemble those of an excited puppy. ”I”ve never gone fishing before, but Daddy says you should try everything once.”

”Mmm, the river has some big suckers in it,” the man says. ”I figured I could catch something with you as the bait?”

While Lucas appears to be perplexed, I feel like my own eyes are going to fly out of my head. ”Mr. Degan, I don”t . . .”

”Take a deep breath. I am merely playing a joke on you. Please refer to me as Thomas. Even though I”m in my eighties, whenever you refer to Mr. Degan, it makes me feel like my father.”

I gave a small smile and shift gears. ”Do you have the keys?”

Thomas responds, ”No need.The doors open.” Along the way, he’s accompanied by Lucas, who, as we approach the cottage, puts his hand in Mr. Degan”s. Lucas seems instantly at ease with the older man. As for me, I”m not really sure how to approach Mr. Thomas Degan.

In the kitchen is where I finally catch up to them. It is nothing at all like what I had envisioned after reading the online description of it. But it”s a pleasant surprise. It’s spacious and bright, and the white cabinets, give it a classic look. The countertops seem to be made of a beech wood that is not too old. Linoleum with a pattern in yellow and white is used for the flooring. A flowery ceramic jar with cooking implements poking out of it sits to the side of a large wooden chopping block. Also nearby is a hanging rack that is stuffed with pots and pans. It is safe to say that I do not miss the coffeemaker that was situated next to a wooden stand that featured hooks for storing coffee cups.

As I move to the stove to take a closer look at it, I make the conscious decision to exercise some caution before I even attempt to turn it on. The stovetop appears to have been thoroughly cleaned, and it looks very similar to the one in the home in which I grew up in.

When I turned around to face Thomas again, I ask, ”Have you always lived around here?”

He scratches his chin. ”Around the year 1924, my parents made the journey from Ireland to this country in order to start a new life here. They initially settled in New York, but in 1927 they made the move to Rose Cottage in this very location. It goes without saying that everyone called it ”Degan House” back then, including me when I was a kid.”

”Perhaps you could spare some time and tell me more about your parents? Come over for coffee and homemade cake?” I really hope that Thomas will be tempted by the food that is being offered.

He removes the cap he wears. “Hmm.”

Thomas ispleasant, particularly given the fact that he doesn”t appear to mind Lucas hovering. In point of fact, it seems as though Lucas has made a new friend.

”Thomas, if you”d like to join us for dinner, I have pizza in the cooler, and there”s plenty of it; in all honesty, it”s too much for the two of us to eat by ourselves.”

As soon as Thomas sits down on the worn-out stool in the kitchen, Lucas immediately jumps up onto his lap. “Please stay, Mr. Degan.”

”Don”t mind if I do,” Thomas responds while grinning in my direction. ”If you give me permission, I”ll keep this little jumping bean entertained while you unload the car. I’m afraid I’m too old to do the unloading these days.”

“I can manage, and it would be wonderful if you could keep an eye on Lucas for me.”

As I stand outside, I turn my head and take in the breathtaking scenery, which includes the ocean, the cliffs, and the cylindrical dome-topped lighthouse that is perched on the edge of the headland. The light at the top of the dome flashes as it rotates.

Bright splashes of color can be seen all around the cottage; there are roses in both red and yellow, marigolds, cone flowers, and sunflowers. Trees and bushes that bloom in the spring and offer snowball-sized bursts of blue and white hydrangea as well as heavy purple cones of fragrant lilac. The season of summer is represented by trellises that are covered in flowers.

Planters and hanging baskets provide even more splashes of color when they are displayed on a porch that goes around the entire house. The back of the deck is lined with Adirondack chairs, all of which face the water.

At the very end of the garden is where you”ll find a gazebo, which provides a perfect spot to take a seat, get some shade from the sun, and keep an eye on Lucas while I read a book or enjoy a cup of coffee in peace and quiet.

As I take a long, deep breath of the clean, salty air, I can”t help but feel relieved that, unlike most days in the city, I won”t have to worry about inhaling a lungful of car fumes in the process. Not only does everything have a clean aroma, but there is also a euphoric lack of noise. No honking horns from passing vehicles, and no loud neighbors. The only sounds that can be heard are the birds singing, the wind in the trees, and the waves lapping against the shore. To me, it is nothing short of paradise.

I start unloading the car with a spring in my step and make a few quick trips back and forth as I carry Lucas”s toys, our clothes, and books into the quaint cottage.

The final trip inside is to bring the food, and it isn”t until after I”ve put everything away in the cabinets and the refrigerator that I realize how peaceful the cottage is. Lucas is six—he doesn”t do quiet.

As I listen, I hear voices coming from the upper floor.

After securing the lid of the cooler and getting it ready to be loaded back into the vehicle, I head down to the bottom of the stairs to grab a box of clothes and then proceed to the upper level. After hastily putting the box in the room that I believe to be the master bedroom, I open one of the doors on the landingand find both of them seated on one of the twin beds that occupy the room. To Lucas, who is beaming with glee, Thomas is currently reading what appears to be an extremely vintage comic book.

As soon as Thomas spots me, he raises the comic to his face and starts laughing. ”Lucas discovered it beneath the closet, where he also discovered a few spiders.”

I try to calm my nerves by looking around. “Spiders?” I inquire of Thomas, who is laughing.

”I believe it would be best if I left you two alone for the time being. I”ll let you know as soon as dinner is ready by giving you a shout.”

I haven”t stopped looking for spiders even after I”ve closed the door, and I hear Thomas and Lucas laughing as I make my way downstairs.

I’m such a wimp!

* * *

“Thomas!Lucas! It”s time to eat dinner!” I yell from the kitchen.”Please wash up.”

After messing around with the antiquated but spotless oven for a while, I was finally successful in producing a nicely warmed pizza.

I cut it into small triangles of a consistent size and then arranged them in a pattern on a plate for serving. As soon as Thomas and Lucas make their appearance, I place the pizza and potato salad on the table.

”Please have a seat. What would you like to drink, Thomas?”

He responds, ”Water”s fine,” as he helps himself to pizza and potato salad while we are talking.

After I”ve given everyone a drink of water, I go over to the two boys who are still hungry.

”Have you and your family always called Boston home?” Thomas inquires while stuffing his mouth with pizza.

“Yes. Born and bred there, Roslindale specifically.”

Before turning to face Thomas, Lucas flashes a grin. Suddenly, he blurts out, ”She”s a schoolteacher, and she scares all of the children in the classroom.”

”Lucas, if you could please refrain from talking with your mouth full, thank you.”

Indignantly and with a sly grin, Lucas responds, ”You and Mr. Degan just did,”

“Well, Mr. Degan and I are very naughty then, so you behave.” I chuckle.

”Is she always going to be this bossy?” Thomas shows a grin.

While shoveling in more food, Lucas says, ”You really have no idea,” while simultaneously speaking around a mouthful of food. ”You really ought to count your blessings that she is not your aunt.”

”Hey, if you want to go back to Boston, I can always drive you there. You can stay with your grandparents,” I say sternly, suppressing my laughter.

”No way. They are old and no fun. They don”t want to do anything else but play cards all day long.” As soon as he sees the frown forming on my face, he continues, ”And strip poker.”

I feel my cheeks heat up and begin to blush as I choke on my drink. “They do no such thing, young man. Well, maybe cards.” I turn my head to look at Thomas, who appears to be struggling to eat without laughing.

The things that occasionally come out of Lucas” mouth are so funny that it”s hard not to laugh at him.

The remainder of the meal is consumed in a relaxed and unhurried manner, and before I realize it, Thomas has finished clearing the table and is beginning to load the sink with water and dishwashing liquid.

“Thomas, you don’t need to do that.” I stand to help.

”I”m aware that it is not necessary for me to do this, but I still want to. Why don”t you get some coffee started?” he asks, a glint of mischief in his eye.

I can”t help but laugh as I go to do what he wants. While I”m waiting for the coffee to brew, I decide to follow Lucas into the living room and turn on the gaming system that Isetup for him while waiting for the pizza to cook. Before going to bed each night, he is allotted thirty minutes of free time.

After I”ve finisheddrying the dishes, I go and sit down with Thomas at the kitchen table, where I”m hoping he won”t mind if I ask him about his history. I find it very interesting to learn about other people”s lives, particularly before and immediately after the Second World War, and I am already at a point with Thomas where I feel comfortable enough to ask him questions about his life.

”Would you mind if I asked you about your family, specifically about your parents? What were they like? What did they do?” Thomas gives the impression that he has never had that question asked of him before. “I find family history rather interesting,” I add.

He frowns and looks into the cup of coffee he is holding. ”My mother and father, hmm. My mother, Josephine, and my father, Thomas, were both born in Delgany, which is located in County Wicklow, Ireland, in the year 1899. They immigrated to the United States in the early 1920s on the RMS Mauretania, which traveled from Southampton to New York.”

”It”s been a lifelong dream of mine to go to Ireland but getting there would require a flight that”s quite a bit longer than I”m comfortable with. Have you, Thomas, ever been there? There must be some of your family still living there?”

”I believe there is, but I wouldn”t know them if they jumped out at me. I have never communicated with them, and I don”t believe that either of my parents, maintained relationships with any of their family after moving here.”

“What did your parents do for work?”

”After they had arrived, my father was offered a good position with a law firm in Portland. This happened after they had settled in. Because the company paid well, the family relocated to this area in 1927. They started out by renting this cottage for a few years before eventually purchasing it. Even during the height of the Great Depression, my mother never held a job; instead, she spent her time socializing with her friends and sipping tea. Myfather was constantly busy with work. He was known to have a short fuse. He used to scare the crap out of me.”

We takea sip of our drinks.

”Were you their only child?” I inquire with an utter sense of fascination.

“No. Charlie was my older brother. He died toward the end of the Second World War, and a sister…she died a few years later. My mother passed away in 1951 from a heart condition, and my father did the same in 1964. When my father passed away, we hadn”t been in contact for years, so it came as a shock to find out that he”d left everything to me. It was at that time that I decided to change the name of the cottage.” He exhales loudly, his eyes showing signs of weariness as he does so.

”I”m grateful that you took the time to tell me about your family. You have a remarkable capacity for remembering dates.”

”I”ve always been good with figures,” he responds in the affirmative. ”I think I”ll just call it a night.”

I keep an eye on Thomas and as soon as he stands, I say, ”Please come join us for breakfast.”

His wrinkled and weathered face breaks out into a gleeful smile. ”I have other obligations in the morning, but I willcall on my way home.” He walks out without saying anything else, and the only thing that breaks the silence is when Lucas bursts into the kitchen.

”I overheard you inviting Mr. Degan to breakfast; do you think it would be alright for me to sleep on the sofa tonight while I wait for him to return?”

I give a gentle chuckle as I lead him to the upper floor. ”It”s not necessary for you to sleep on the sofa because I believe that you will be awake well before he arrives after breakfast.” While I start the water for his bath, I look over at my nephew, who is currently leaning against the doorjamb and smile to myself.

He grunts and groans and mutters to himself, as if he believes that I’m completely oblivious to what he is saying. I have listened to each and every one of his gripes about how adults are bossy.

I turn my head and grin as I practice my facial expressions. “If you want to see Mr. Degan in the morning then I suggest you run and get your pajamas. We’ll put them on the heater so that they’re nice and warm for when you get out of the bath.” Because Lucas has already sped off to his room in such a hurry, my words are rendered meaningless.

After breathing in all of that ocean air, hopefully he”ll be able to get some rest.