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girls with them?”
    My expression must’ve betrayed me because Nick said, “It’s okay; tell me what you’re thinking. I want to know your honest opinion. Is it because they homeschool their children?”
    “No, I think homeschooling is amazing. It’s nothing I could do, but those Kempner boys are smart and polite.” I checked on Travis and Hailey who’d ridden down the seashell driveway to the paved bike path and were now riding in figure eights. “I like Doug and Caroline a lot, but homeschooling and living with all those boys would be an adjustment for Hailey. Travis, on the other hand, could have his bags packed in five minutes.”
    Nick gave a sad smile. The Kempners had five boys under the age of eight. “Their very own basketball team!” Travis had enthusiastically observed. “And they don’t even have to go to school. Can you believe that?”
    I picked at a flake of paint on the railing. The house had been repainted just a few years ago but was already beginning to peel due to the harsh ocean environment.
    “So, what are you going to do?” I asked.
    He shook his head. “I don’t know. But now that the funeral is over, I need to make a decision.”
    He looked defeated, and I scrambled to say something helpful. Before I could, Travis honked the rubber horn on his bike. “Come on, Mom. We’re going to be late.”
    “On my way,” I called.
    I placed my helmet on my head and adjusted the chin strap. “Children adapt easily. Way better than adults. I’m sure both Hailey and Gabby will be fine with whatever you decide. The Kempners are great parents, and their boys seem happy.”
    Travis honked his horn again, and Nick shoved his hands into his pockets. “You’d better go. I’ll see you later.”
    “See you later,” I repeated, although I immediately regretted the words. I didn’t need to see him later. I needed to avoid him, because whenever I saw Nick Peterson, I was consumed with a desire to throw my arms around him. I wanted to cling to him and help him through this difficult time. I wanted to take care of him and let him take care of me.
    But as evidenced by our kiss on New Year’s Eve and my desire to hug him this morning, throwing my arms around him would only lead to wanting more. And wanting more was not something I could afford when I had a child to raise and a heart to protect.
    Turning away, I bounded down the stairs, determined to distance myself. When I reached ground level, however, Nick called my name.
    “Yes?” I replied, turning around with an eagerness that was pathetic.
    “Would you come with me to meet the Kempners? I’m . . .” He held out his hands in a surrendering motion. “I’m in way over my head and could really use your help.”
    One look at his pleading eyes had me saying yes. So much for resolving to maintain my distance. Fortunately, he’d be leaving soon, and I wouldn’t have to fight my heart’s foolish desires much longer.

Chapter 5
    Nick
    L ater that morning, I met Anna and the Kempners at Casa Jose’s, the festive Mexican food restaurant on Harbor Street overlooking the bayside of the island. Years ago, the building manufactured large ships, but now it sold the best breakfast tacos in the state of Texas.
    Over the holidays last year, I’d eaten at Casa Jose’s with Ethan and Ivana several times. Being at the restaurant without them, especially given the reason for today’s meeting, proved more difficult than I’d anticipated. In fact, everything about being on the island without my brother and his wife proved more difficult. I kept imagining that instead of dying, they’d gone on a cruise and had convinced me to babysit the girls for a few days.
    Inside the restaurant, I placed Gabby in a high chair and handed her a graham cracker before sliding into the booth next to Anna. Doug and Caroline Kempner sat across from us with two-year-old twins who epitomized the phrase active toddlers. The boys clambered over their parents, played with the