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he logged the policy change away as one more issue to be concerned about when he had the time or any possible solutions.
    Mike put all the bills back into the register, hoisted the crate behind the counter up on his shoulder, and headed for the door. Kai and Brandon followed with the rest of the supplies. Mike’s broad shoulders made it difficult for them to squeeze past as he held the door for them.
    “So the old man’s headed to the mainland, huh?” he asked, trying to return to their familiar, easy conversation.
    “Yup. Left this morning. Some agricultural conference he’s going to,” Kai answered. He heaved the supplies into the truck bed and climbed up to open the gate for Mike.
    “I think he met someone,” they heard Brandon say.
    Both Mike and Kai turned to look at him, shocked.
    “Your dad?” Mike finally choked out.
    “He’s on one of those online dating sites,” Brandon replied, shrugging.
    Mike shook his head and chuckled. “Well, will wonders never cease? I didn’t know he knew how to use a computer.”
    Kai was taking a bag of soil from Brandon’s arms when the front door of the shop opened again, and he caught sight of a wave of long hair. He sucked in a quick breath and straightened sharply, the muscles in his back protesting the suddenness of the motion. Heather leaned out, her long brown hair, thick with golden highlights, hanging like a curtain to the side of her face. She wore a white T-shirt, ratty jeans, and heavy work gloves. Kai thought she must have been out back with the animals while they had been in the store. He could feel the blood rising to his face as he realized he was standing with his mouth slightly agape.
    “Dad, phone call for you,” she called, waving the phone in her hand. Dust fell from the gloves as she moved, creating a hazy glow around her.
    Kai finally found his voice and called out, “Heather!” He waved lamely with his free hand, the bag of soil slipping suddenly from his grip. He was obliged to fumble with the heavy bag to keep it from going over the side of the truck.
    She laughed and answered, “Hey, Kai!”
    Mike was already jogging back toward the shop, reaching for the phone.
    “See you tonight, boys!” he called over his shoulder. He took the phone from his daughter, who smiled at Kai and Brandon as she stepped back into the store. Kai remained standing on the tailgate, looking after her. As soon as the door shut completely, the heavy sinking feeling of foolishness crept into his stomach.
    Heather had been one of the perks of staying on the island. His father’s long friendship with Mike meant that Kai could smile and wave when he passed her in the hallway at their high school, but it had taken him until his senior year to work up the courage to say more than three words to her. They had struck up an easy friendship, and he couldn’t believe his good fortune when she told him no one asked her to prom, suggesting they go together. They had spent every day of the next summer together, Kai knowing the whole time that she was leaving for college in California in a few short months. A few days before her move, he had told her he wanted her to be able to enjoy the next four years without him holding her back; she had cried and protested, but he had insisted. When she finally walked away, he felt as though a chunk of his chest had been ripped out.
    She had come home after three years when her mother got sick; their reunion had been shy and awkward, but after a few months of seeing one another around the shop, the ice had melted away, and they had regained their old friendship. She confided in him about her feelings of obligation, and he encouraged her to finish her degree at the local university. At her graduation, she had kissed him lightly on the cheek, and he felt the old wound in his chest start to fill. He told himself he was satisfied seeing her at the shop; there was no way he deserved a second chance with her.
    Behind him, he could hear Brandon