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Chapter One

Liam

The compound was quiet as I reversed rinned as I spied Pops out on his dock, stepping onto his boat He loved that thing I had no doubt he’d putter around on it until Nan would appear, de he come have breakfast I wondered briefly if he’d cajole her into a little trip around the bay She did love to sail with him

No one else was around yet, although I knew if I alking on the beach, I would see Bentley sitting on his deck, sipping coffee, perusing the headlines on his laptop My dadIf he were, he would head up to join Bentley soon Even after all these years, the two of theether, both in and outside the office

I passed my brother Ronan’s house, the s dark I wondered briefly if he was asleep or sitting in the lone chair in his living roo out theover the expanse of water he loved so much, torn up and lost

I had never seen hiet the devastated look in his eyes the day I led him away from the corner as he watched the woman he loved walk away

But hopefully, today, that would change

“Keep your chin up, little brother,” I muttered “Help is on the way”

I left the co on et a lot better

And I, for one, could hardly wait

I pulled up to the address Ava had given rass was cut, the bushes tri the front of the house, just beginning to catch and bloo a nice dogould look good by the steps and a cedar tree would suit the bare corner

Then I chuckled I knew Beth and her rooe rented the house I was here to pick up Beth and take her to Ronan Not landscape the place

I turned into the driveway and cut the engine Outside, the coolto warrass It was roughly the size of a soccer ball, but the plastic was various shades of pink I recalled the hter, Lucy, and determined the ball must be hers

Cli the steps, I ad with petunias, verbena, geraniuht colors added a nice homey touch to the front door and made you feel welcome

I knocked on the door, and without thinking, bent and deadheaded some petunias while I waited for Beth to answer it Ava said she would be expecting me