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“Kathleen!”
“Give me a moment.” Kathleen closed her eyes, and thought of Brian. His patience. His ability to always make her laugh. The way they’d argued about the best way to mark a place in the book. Their love of the sea. Their home. Their daughter.
He had, without doubt, been the best thing that had happened to her in her life. Better even than The Summer Seekers.
He’d been her biggest and best adventure.
Martha was right. She wouldn’t change a thing. She wouldn’t trade a day of her life, either when she was single or with her dear Brian, for more time with Adam.
Her throat ached. How she missed Brian. She missed his steadiness and the way he’d known her. There was no better gift in life than being known, and yet still loved.
And Brian had known and loved her.
She opened her eyes. “Tea then, but only tea. And we should have some kind of signal. In case I need moral support or a rapid exit, although I’m not sure I’m capable of making a rapid exit with my hips the way they are. You may need to throw me over your shoulder, Josh.” She saw Martha and Josh exchange glances again and gave a sigh of exasperation. “Now what?”
“You’ll have all the moral support you need, Kathleen.” Martha turned her head to look at the road.
A large car approached and glided to a halt in front of them.
“She’s here.” Josh stepped out of the car and so did Martha.
“Who is here?” But Kathleen was talking to herself. Before she could call after them and tell them that all this drama and subterfuge was frustrating, the door of the car was opening and a woman stepped out into the sunshine.
She looked exactly like Liza.
Kathleen felt something flutter in her chest. No. It couldn’t be. Liza was in France, with Sean and the girls.
But it was Liza. A different-looking Liza, whose shoulders were back and whose smile was sure and confident. Happy. Right here in California, wearing a dress that flipped around her legs. She was hugging Martha, and shaking hands with Josh, and then she walked quickly to the car and smiled down at Kathleen.
“Hello there, Summer Seeker! I have to admit I had my doubts about the car, but it suits you.”
Kathleen couldn’t find any words. She wanted to get out of the car, but in the end she didn’t need to because Liza slid into the passenger seat next to her, wincing as she tried to squeeze her legs into the limited space.
“You drove all the way across eight states with your legs cramped like this? It’s a wonder you can move.” She leaned forward and hugged Kathleen. “I hope you don’t mind me coming. I wanted to be with you for this part. I thought we could see Ruth together.”
Together. She wasn’t on her own. She had Liza.
She’d been so afraid of losing her independence, but she saw now that you could lean on someone and accept support without giving up any part of yourself. Accepting help didn’t make you weak, it made you human. Perhaps it was even a strength because it meant you could face things you might be unable to face alone.
Kathleen clung back, only vaguely aware of Josh and Martha getting back into the car. “Why aren’t you in France?”
“It’s a long story. Why don’t I tell you after we’ve had tea?”
“But what about Sean and the girls?”
“They’re here too.” Liza fastened her seat belt. “Last-minute change of plan. It probably won’t surprise you to learn that the news that we were coming to California, instead of France, was greeted with joy by the girls. They’re currently in our beachfront apartment—arranged at short notice thanks to Josh—planning a future that allows them to move here permanently. It might even be the boost Caitlin needed to focus on her studies. They can’t wait to see you, by the way. They’re cooking dinner for us all tonight.”
Kathleen was finding it hard to keep up. “Did you say that the twins are cooking dinner?”
“Don’t be scared.” Liza patted her leg. “Turns out that they’re better at it than past experience would suggest. I have a lot to tell you. But let’s get to Ruth’s now. No point in delaying a moment longer. How far is it?”
“Not far.” Josh glanced at the directions and told Martha to make a left. “It’s halfway down this road. Close to the beach. Adam can’t have done too badly if they bought a property here.”
Kathleen’s mind was spinning. She had so much to say, and she needed to say it now. “I can’t sell Oakwood, Liza.”
“You’re right. You can’t.”
“I know you think I’ll have an accident there, but—” She paused. “What did you say?”
