Chapter 4

The followingmorning as we make our way toward the beach, Lucas takes off running ahead the moment he sees Thomas”s cottage in the distance.

I make my way up the flight of four steps. ”Good morning, Thomas. I”m sorry to interrupt, but I think Lucas has something important to discuss with you.”

He relaxes his head and laughs as he does so. ”Oh, yes, I am aware of that.” His eyes twinkle. ”Lucas asked me if I wanted to come to the beach with him to watch you,” he coughs, trying to disguise a smile, ”skinny dip.”

I had just taken a swig of bottled water, which resulted in water dripping down the front of my shirt. ”He never?” I look first at Thomas, and then over at Lucas, who has an evil grin on his face. ”Did he?”

Thomas gives a small nod to the side.

I squeeze my eyes shut. ”Lucas Cartwright!”

”Granny goes skinny dipping,” Lucas says in his defense.

I give Thomas a fleeting look, and he appears to be on the verge of laughing out loud. I let out a sigh, and then I switch gears. ”Lucas, it”s time for us to leave because we”re going to the beach. Would yoube interested in coming with us?”

Thomaslooks from my face, which is reddening, to Lucas”s face, which is hopeful. ”I believe that I will.” After that, he gives Lucas a knowing wink and continues, ”Providing that your auntie keeps her clothes on. Might give me a heart attack at my age.”

Lucas starts giggling.

As soon as Thomas appears on the scene wearing his lightweight jacket, Lucas grabs both of our hands and directs us toward the beach. Once we”ve arrived, Ilead usto a spot where there”s some shade. ”Let”s take a seat here so we don”t end up looking like lobsters. Do not believe that you can get away with anything, Lucas, because I will still be able to keep an eye on you.”

While sitting next to me on the blanket, Thomas makes the observation, ”He sure is a handful.”

I laugh. ”Oh, he is for sure. It seems to me that he pays too much attention to his grandmother. I pull my legs up and rest my chin on my knees. ”Thomas, this place is beautiful. It”s hard to believe that in all the years I”ve spent in the Boston area, I”ve never made it out to Cape Elizabeth... It”s incredibly calm and serene here.”

After a few moments have passed, Thomas gives me a sideways glance before returning his attention to Lucas. ”I”ve never lived anywhere else,” he says. ”During the years that we were married, my wife Janet and I traveled all over the world, visiting places such as Europe, Canada, and Australia. However, ever since she passed away, I haven”t gone anywhere. After looking at what I already have and realizing that I have this in my own backyard, I see no reason to go anywhere else.”

“It’s paradise, Thomas.”

“That it is.” The focus of Thomas”s gaze comes to rest on me. ”Can I ask you a personal question?”

I give a wary nod while wondering what kind of question he is going to ask next.

He leans his head to the side as he waits for a response before asking, ”Why don”t you have a boyfriend?”

I immediately meet his gaze, and then blush because the question takesme by surprise.

He has a chuckle. ”You”re quite the looker for such a young lady, Mack. Even though I”m getting on in years, I haven”t experienced any problems with my eyesight.

”I date, but?—”

”No one has ever lit a spark?”

”I believe that about sums up everything.”

”When you finally do meet the person with whom you are destined to spend the rest of your life, you will understand.” He smiles. ”As soon as Janet gave me a smile, I knew she was the one,” hesays. “She is the only person who has ever captured my attention in the way that she did. Her grin could make a dark room seem bright.” Lost in his thoughts, I give him space.

I let out a sigh as I look out across the ocean while I take pleasure in Thomas”s company in the peaceful silence...until Lucas comes crashing down onto the blanket with a bang.

He stretches out his arms and leans against Thomas”s side, rubbing his eyes before letting out a huge yawn.

”Are you sleepy, Lucas?” I ask.

He starts to nod off as sleep overtakes him.

Thomas adds, ”I think I”ll have a nap as well,” while he spreads out next to Lucas on the ground.

”Well, if the two of you are sleeping, I”ll go ahead and read.” Before I go and get Rose”s diary out of my purse, I wait for them to finish getting comfortable on the blanket.

After leaning against a small rock and watching a yacht far out in the ocean until it disappears over the horizon, I finally open the diary to the page that I had bookmarked earlier.