Page 108 of Fire and Rain

“It does seem like it happened quickly.”

“I hope you get the day off so you can join us.”

“I remember Justin saying there’s always a ridiculous amount of cake when your family celebrates a birthday. Is that true?”

Eden picked up a bit of brown sea glass. “We all bake cakes.”

“Everyone?”

“Well, my mother, my sisters, and I. We kind of compete for the tastiest cake.”

Sean grinned. “So, you havesixcakes at every family birthday party?”

“Yes—and every last crumb gets eaten.”

“I get it. Okay.” He chuckled. “I mean, what’s a birthday for if not cake?”

“Exactly.” Eden pointed. “It looks like Maverick has made some new friends.”

A couple of seagulls checked him out, the spots on their feathers marking them as juveniles. He offered one a pebble, which it ignored. He tried to touch them, but they ran a short distance away, making him laugh. Soon, it became a game. He chased them, and they chased him back, Maverick squealing with laughter.

Sean drew Eden against him, wrapped his arms around her, the two of them watching Maverick play. “I love this place—and I love being out here with the two of you. I want it to last forever.”

Eden knew only too well that nothing lasted forever. “I wouldn’t be here right now if not for you. You saved my life, Sean.”

He kissed her hair. “No, Eden, you saved me.”

Eden tilted her head to look up at him. “What do you mean?”

“After the crash, I was lost. The physical injuries were hard, but the emotional ones … I felt broken. I had promised Justin that I’d watch over you and Maverick if anything happened to him. I didn’t realize it at the time, but helping you took me out of myself and gave me a better reason to get up in the morning than physical therapy.”

It was hard for Eden to think of those early days. “I hated seeing you in pain, knowing you were suffering, but I was so caught up in my grief. I wish I’d been there for you more.”

“But you were.” He seemed to search for words. “You showed me another way to live—foraging, treasure hunting, walking in the rain. More than that, you helped me get beyond the guilt I felt for not being able to save Justin. The biggest difference between me and James is that I have you. I love you, Eden, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Eden’s heart swelled to bursting. “I must be the luckiest woman on this earth. Both of the men I’ve loved are heroes.”

About twenty feet away, Maverick plopped onto his bottom, and one plucky seagull chick ran over his legs, making him laugh harder.

“I love that sound. It’s like … music.”

“Baby laughter is the best.”

Sean took her hand, and they walked toward Maverick. “I think our boy is going to need a little brother or sister one day, don’t you?”

Eden’s heart soared. “One day.”

“It’s time to go, little man.” Sean let go of Eden’s hand and knelt beside Maverick, the seagull chicks scurrying away. “You found lots of treasure. Look at this cool stuff. Let’s go home and have something yummy for supper.”

While Sean brushed the sand off Maverick’s pants and hoisted him onto his shoulders, Eden looked out toward the open ocean.

Rest, my love. All is well.

As they walked back up the beach, the sun broke through the clouds and turned the surface of the water to diamonds.