Page 36 of Last Wish Wedding

Mac’s hands moved over the screens and buttons on the console, displaying what Kelsey assumed were underwater objects, as well as the boat’s speed and direction. “You were the first person to tell me the pain doesn’t go away. Most people promise it gets better.”

“Maybe I missed my calling as a grief counselor?” she laughed. “This is going to hurt forever.”

“It’s a true statement.” He glanced at her. “The way you put it, about the pain becoming part of who you are.”

Kelsey noted how his shoulders had tensed at the subject. She suspected he hadn’t filled in the gaps Marlene’s death left. Instead, he’d sold his company, retreated to the island, and was planning a solo sailing trip. All of it seemed less like moving forward and more like running away.

“Have there been others?” she asked quietly. “Since Marlene?”

“A few.” His knuckles whitened on the wheel. “Nothing I would call a relationship. Nothing that lasted past them wanting more than I could give. You?”

“Oh, a lot of dating and fix ups. Two relationships that made it past a few months. Both ended when they realized Noah would always come first.” She shrugged. “I’m used to being on my own. Between Noah’s activities and work, I don’t have much time anyway.”

Mac gestured between them. “So where do you see this going? If we’re being honest.”

She moved closer, laying her hand over his on the wheel. “I’m not asking for anything. You’re a decent guy, buying me a new car when you didn’t have too, and how you care for your grandfather. And you actually enjoy spending time with Noah. I like being with you, even as ornery as you are and even when you put your nose in my business without asking first.”

“I’m not ornery…”

She laughed. “We’re here. We’re alive. The sun is shining, and I’m wearing a very pretty dress.” She squeezed his hand. “Can’t that be enough for now?”

The tension in his shoulders eased slightly. “You make it sound simple.”

“Stop overthinking it.”

The sun painted the water in shades of gold and red as Mac dropped anchor in a sheltered cove. True to his word, Mac had guided them through a maze of rocky islands with seabird nests and scraggly pine trees.

When he finally disappeared below deck, she expected him to return with sandwiches. Instead, he emerged carrying a wicker basket that smelled like heaven and what looked suspiciously like wine glasses.

“You planned a picnic on the ocean,” she said, delighted when he spread out an actual tablecloth on the small deck table.

“You said you wanted a date. So it’s a date.” He produced a bottle of white wine and a container of what turned out to be grilled salmon. “I might have had some help from that little café in town.”

“And flowers?” She touched the small vase of wildflowers. “You’re full of surprises.”

“Don’t get used to it.” But his smile was pleased as he poured the wine.

The food was excellent, but the company was better. As the sky deepened to purple, and stars began to light the sky, Mac told stories about growing up on the island, his voice warm with memory and showing a side of himself Kelsey knew now not many people saw.

“Grandad used to let me take out this tiny sailboat,” he said, gesturing with his wineglass. “I must have capsized it a hundred times, but he never worried. Just waited until I figured it out.”

“That sounds wonderful. Noah has that kind of freedom here too. With so few people on the estate. He has the run of it.” Kelsey pulled her knees up to her chest, getting comfortable. “Though I nearly had a heart attack when I saw him out on the beach with you that day.”

“I wouldn’t have let anything happen to him.”

“I know that, now. Then, you were just some strange man with my son.”

Mac leaned back, studying her. “He’s a smart kid. Reminds me of myself at that age, always collecting things, wanting to know how the world works.”

“He adores you, you know. All I hear about is Mackie this, Mackie that.”

Something flickered across his face, and they looked at each other. She shivered, though it wasn’t entirely from the cooling air.

“You’re cold. Why don’t you go below to change? I put your bag down there before we left, it’s on the couch or the bed. You’ll see it. I’ll clean this up.”

Grateful for the suggestion, Kelsey stood. “I’ll just be a minute.”

As she headed below deck, she could feel Mac’s eyes on her. Her skin tingled at his attention.