Chapter One

Nathaniel ignored the buzzing in his pocket and gazed across the park where the morning sun shimmered on the waves in the harbor. He inhaled a deep breath of fresh sea air but let it out in a huff of irritation as his phone vibrated again. This vacation had seemed like such a good idea when he’d rented the cottage for the summer in Lobster Cove, Maine, but if his office didn’t stop bothering him, this trip wouldn’t be a vacation at all. He needed a change of scenery. They all did.

He finished the last sip of his coffee and threw the paper cup in the trash. He rubbed his thumb over the callous where his wedding ring had been, and the familiar guilt twisted in his stomach. Guilt that he didn’t feel devastated every time he thought of Clara, guilt that what had begun as a fairy tale had become anything but. He shook off the thoughts and turned his attention to his two children, Ruby Sophia and Finn Charles, playing near the gazebo in the park by the post office.

Ruby threw bits of her muffin to the seagulls, watching as they edged their way close to snatch the pieces.

Her brother ran through the flock of birds, scattering them in a flurry of feathers and squawking. Just the thing a three year old would find entertaining.

Nathaniel’s chest filled with warmth as he watched them. All the fighting with Clara, the tension, growing apart, and bitterness, he would do it over in a heartbeat because of the two beautiful children the marriage had produced. He never would have imagined he could love two people as much as he loved Ruby and Finn. The twist of guilt returned—tighter this time. He should have felt the same sentiments for his wife. Should feel empty at her loss. His phone buzzed again and this time, he answered. The marriage counselor had told him that any time his emotions became too complex to handle, he buried himself in work. She was right.

“Cavanaugh here.”

“Sorry to bother you, Mr. Cavanaugh, but Mr. Knox insisted you be part of the call with Mr. Pennington.” The paralegal’s voice squeaked.

It should. The whiny kid had bothered Nathaniel at least five times a day since his vacation began last week. He gritted his teeth. He didn’t have the patience for this. When he got back to Boston, he would address this issue with the new staff member. “Patch me in.” Nathaniel stood at the edge of the park near the post office where tourists waited for the trolley. He figured it must be getting close because the group was growing.

The idea of a trolley ride and a visit to Martin Lighthouse thrilled Ruby and Finn.

And Nathaniel was determined not to let work keep him from spending a long overdue day sight-seeing with his kids.

As he listened to the conference call and made the occasional comment, he studied the people that gathered: retired couples sporting golf visors and shopping bags, families that talked excitedly and took pictures, sunburned teenagers poking at smart phones.

He wondered how many of them were just going through the motions. When his family had been together, Nathaniel had felt as if they were always pretending. In ten years, would his children be distant and annoyed with him? Ruby wasn’t far from that attitude now. He’d hoped this vacation would change all of that. They’d reconnect and start to move past their mother’s death. A fresh start. A change of scenery. After all, Clara’s death had been nearly nine months ago.

A young woman caught his eye as she walked unsteadily across First Street in high stilettos that she was clearly unused to wearing.

Nathaniel tried not to stare, but found it virtually impossible. Everything about her was extreme. Her fingernails and lips were the brightest shade he’d seen on anyone, and her purse—was it made of pink fur? Her skirt was too tight, her hair too big, her blouse too low, her curves too—

Nathaniel reined in his thoughts, realizing he hadn’t been paying attention to his partner and their client. He muttered something into the phone to indicate he still listened and scanned the park, locating Ruby and Finn near the gazebo.

The young woman sat on a bench in the shade of the Captain’s Library and kicked off her shoes, bending and flexing her toes.

Though he stood at least twenty feet away, he could see dark red blisters forming. Why did women insist upon wearing shoes that hurt their feet?

Even among the tourists who didn’t dress in the conservative New England style, the woman stood out. She tugged on her skirt, as if she was uncomfortable, and kept checking her pink, rhinestone-encrusted watch, looking as nervous as a defendant during sentencing. He wondered if she was meeting someone. The sound of his name brought his thoughts back to the conversation. He made a flimsy excuse about his wireless connection as his mind scrambled to come up with something to say to reassure his client that he had matters well in hand. Even though he didn’t.

Nathaniel wondered again why he thought he could leave Boston for the summer and work remotely from the little office in the vacation cottage. He rested his hand in the crook of his elbow, pressing his arm tight against his chest and shifted from one foot to the other. His stress level rose.

Finn ran past, squealing as seagulls flapped frantically to get out of his way.

As she watched him, the woman on the bench smiled.

Nathaniel had to admit she had a lovely smile, and if her face wasn’t covered in an entire rainbow of make-up, she would be quite attractive. The thought surprised him. He’d definitely been alone too long.

After a moment, she checked her tacky glittering watch again and slipped her feet back into her shoes, wincing as she stood. She brushed her hands over the back of her skirt and shouldered her furry purse. She started walking then hesitated, changing her path slightly to step off the curb.

Nathaniel figured she must have decided to cross the street since the crowd waiting for the trolley blocked the sidewalk.

The group shifted. The trolley must be approaching.

Nathaniel looked around to gather his children. He called and waved to Ruby who joined him right away. Where was Finn?

Birds screeched. Nathaniel snapped his gaze in their direction just as Finn jumped off the curb and chased the squawking seagulls into the street. Pain compressed his gut, and Nathaniel choked on his breath. Finn was directly in the path of the trolley!

****

Val looked up the street toward The Venus Gallery, feeling a rush of nerves. As she clicked-clacked across the road, she again cursed her choice of shoes. Her feet were killing her. She glanced down at her watch—even though she’d checked the time just a few seconds earlier. She was five minutes early for her job interview. Perfect timing. She wanted to appear prompt and reliable, but not desperate. A flock of birds flapped past in a rush startling her, and Val glanced back, hearing the ringing of the trolley bell.

The dark-haired boy she’d watched in the park jumped off the curb behind her and ran after them. At the rate the trolley was moving, there was no way the boy would avoid getting hit.

Val felt her muscles tingle as panic shot through them. People in the crowd screamed and pointed, but Val was the only one close enough to do anything. She whirled, dropped her purse, and pulled up her tight skirt a few inches, darting in front of the trolley. Her heel caught in the tracks, and she stumbled. She lifted the boy into her arms as the trolley brakes screeched. She wasn’t fast enough to avoid the slow-moving, but heavy, vehicle. It slammed into her left hip and spun her, throwing her across the ground. Val held the boy against her tightly, absorbing the shock of the impact. Burning pain shot up her leg as she took the brunt of the skid on her right elbow and thigh.

Once she stopped sliding, Val righted herself into a sitting position, blinking for a moment, her thoughts fuzzy. The realization she held a sobbing child made her instantly alert. She leaned her lower back against the curb and examined the boy to make sure he hadn’t been hurt.

He appeared unharmed, only scared. She brushed the tears from his cheeks. “Hey, buddy, you’re all right.”

The man she assumed to be the boy’s father ran toward her, followed by the trolley driver, a little girl, and a whole group of curious onlookers—some of whom snapped pictures of the scene.

The father knelt and placed his hand on the boy’s back. His face was chalky and his jaw clenched. “Finn, are you hurt?” He turned to Val. “Is he hurt? Are you…”

His gaze moved to her elbow, and then down, she assumed, to her thigh.

His lips pulled back in a slight grimace. He tried to lift the boy, but he, Finn?, clung to Val and buried his face against her chest. Daddy looked from the boy to Val. “You may need a doctor.” He pulled out his phone, tapping the screen.

Val assumed he sent a text.

“My friend works at the clinic just down the street.” His phone buzzed, and he glanced down at the screen again. “He’s on his way.”

Val held onto Finn while she twisted her arm, tipping her head to take a better look at her stinging elbow. Her skin was raw and bleeding. Pieces of gravel were imbedded in deeper scrapes. She leaned around the boy, and although she couldn’t see much with him sitting on her lap, she got enough of a glimpse to see her thigh was in the same condition. Val sucked in a breath through her teeth. Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, pain throbbed through her injuries. She shook her head. “It’s just a little road rash.”

“The injuries look worse than that.” His brows pinched together. “I—”

“You saw them jump out in front of me.” The sputtering trolley driver cut in. “There was no way I could have stopped in time. I have all these witnesses.”

The trolley driver stood in the way of a police officer as he pled his case.

Val squinted at the men. Does he really think the cop can’t see us?

The police officer stepped around the trolley driver and knelt next to Val. He moved his gaze quickly over her and Finn. “I’m Officer Harris. Can you tell me your name, miss?”

“Val McKinley.”

Daddy knelt on her other side. “I contacted Seth Goodwyn,” he told Officer Harris. “He’ll be here soon.”

The officer glanced at him and nodded, and then turned his attention back to Val. “Miss McKinley, just relax. A doctor’s on the way.”

“I don’t need a doctor, sir, thank you.” Although she knew he was just doing his job, Val’s frustration grew “Once I’m certain that Finn is calmed down, I’ll need to get going. I have an appointment.”

Officer Harris glanced over his shoulder at the commotion the trolley driver created. “Sit tight, Miss McKinley. I need to take care of this.” He excused himself and walked toward the trolley driver.

Finn’s father placed his hand on his son’s back. “You’re all right now. Seth is coming.” He spoke in a soft voice, but the boy did not release his hold on Val.

Val closed her eyes against the pain that spread like fire over her skin.

As he spoke to the officer, the trolley driver moved again, blocking the view of Val and Finn while he told his story. His voice rose, and along with the increase in volume, it became higher and squeaky.

Witnesses argued about where they had been and what they had seen.

The police officer put out his hands to quiet them. “Listen, we’ll get to all your testimonies soon enough. I’ve got a deputy on the way who would love to listen to each and every one of you. But right now, I’m gonna need you to cooperate. So, everybody, back up.”

In spite of Officer Harris’ warning, the trolley driver continued his diatribe.

The officer raised his voice again.

Finn’s crying, which had been nearly calmed, started once more and despite his father’s comforting words, he buried his face against her neck.

Val’s body temperature rose along with her headache. She’d had enough of these bickering men. Can’t they see they’re upsetting Finn? “Do y’all mind?” Val said in a loud voice.

The men stopped arguing and turned.

“Take it somewhere else.” She jerked up her chin. “This boy is scared enough without having to listen to y’all fighting like stray cats in an alley.”

The officer and trolley driver moved a bit away, ducking their heads as they walked.

Val turned her attention back to Finn, murmuring, “There we go. They’ll be quiet now.” She kicked off her stilettos. The leather had torn off of the heel of one when she caught it in the trolley tracks. The sight made her stomach sink. She’d loved those shoes, even though they were a half-size too small.

The young girl Val had seen earlier stood behind her father, wide eyed. “Your skirt is ripped,” she said.

Val hadn’t even noticed her skirt. Again, she twisted to the side and shifted Finn so she could see the full extent of the damage. Great. The tight skirt had nearly torn completely up one side and the thin fabric had done little to protect her thigh and rear end from the asphalt. Now she’d have to return to her apartment, clean up, and change outfits before she went to the gallery. That would take at least two hours. Beside the fact that the shoes and skirt from the sale rack in a local consignment store had cost a huge chunk of her savings. And now, both were ruined.

She looked around for her purse and spotted it near the tracks. If I could just call the gallery…but she didn’t want to move and dislodge the boy from her lap. Besides, if she stood, her rear end would be in full view of everyone on the street.

“And I can see your panties.” The girl pointed, hiding a smile behind her hand.

“Ruby!” Her father’s face reddened. “That is certainly not appropriate.”

“I appreciate it, Miss Ruby.” Val smiled to let her know she wasn’t offended. “Us girls need to stick together, and tell each other when our panties are showing.” She shifted again, searching for a position that didn’t hurt or show more of her underwear, while still maintaining her hold on Finn. She scooted up awkwardly onto the curb, resting all of her weight on the side of her rear that wasn’t churned up like road kill. As she moved, her other hip started to throb in the spot where the trolley had struck her. An ugly bruise was probably forming. She scowled. Waiting for a bruise to fade and the scrapes on her leg to heal would keep her from lying out on the beach anytime soon. And she had a hot pink bikini to debut.

Daddy moved from his squatting position to sit next to her on the curb.

He smelled delicious. Sort of a warm, rum-spice smell. Certainly not something he got out of a sample bin at the drugstore.

“I can’t begin to thank you, Miss McKinley. I don’t know what I would have done if you…” He took off his sunglasses and pressed his finger and thumb into the corners of his eyes.

“No thanks necessary. I’m glad I was close enough to help.” She tried to keep her voice light, though she felt like screaming from the stabbing pain.

He turned toward her and, for just an instant, their gazes locked.

Val was startled by the color. She had never seen such deep blue eyes, and she forced away her gaze, certain the turmoil of the last few minutes was responsible for the increase in her heart rate.

Ruby stepped behind them and sat on Val’s other side. “When you say I, it sounds like ah. I like how you talk.”

Val was glad for an excuse to turn her attention in the girl’s direction. “Why thank you, Miss Ruby. What a nice thing to say.”

“I’m glad you saved Finn. And I’m sorry your bottom got hurt.”

Val smiled at the girl’s serious expression. “It’s hard to be a big sister, isn’t it? I bet y’all worry about Finn just like I worry about my brothers.” Now that her brothers were both teenagers, she worried about them even more. Who knew what sort of trouble those guys were causing without Val keeping an eye on them?

Ruby knitted her eyebrows together and nodded. “I worry Finn is going to get hurt. Or in trouble.”

“Finn’s lucky he’s got you to look out for him. Watching over your brother will make you a good momma one day.”

“My mother died.” Ruby clasped her hands between her knees.

That did a lot to explain why Finn was still clinging. Val’s throat tightened. “I’m sorry, Ruby. My momma died, too.”

Ruby sat quietly for a moment, staring at the road. Then she scrunched her nose and tipped her head to the side. “Val’s a boy’s name.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Val saw Daddy shift his position. “People call me Val, but my real name is Valdosta.” She spoke quickly before Ruby’s manners were corrected again.

“That’s pretty.”

“Thank you. I think Ruby is a pretty name.”

Finn lifted his head and scooted around on Val’s lap so that he faced his sister. “And Finn is a pretty name, too.”

Ruby shook her head. “Not pretty, handsome.”

Daddy excused himself to speak to the officer.

Val hadn’t realized how tense she’d been while he sat next to her. Now that he was gone, she relaxed. Kids she could talk to. She glanced up and took the opportunity to study him while he spoke with the other men, observing him objectively as she would a painting. His dark hair was cut short, but she thought if he allowed it to grow, he would have curls like his children. The sun revealed light caramels and deep bronze. His shoulders were square, his jaw was strong, and he had a cleft in his chin. He stood straight and confident, small lines fanning out from the corners of his eyes as he concentrated on the men’s conversation.

If she were to do an artistic rendering, she would choose to paint him against the background of the sea to emphasize his deep blue eyes. She quickly looked away when she saw him watching her. Of course, he is watching me. She was a bloodied stranger sitting on a curb with his children. He wasn’t watching her. Time to get real.

A blond man in a golf shirt and shorts strode up the street. He spotted the men and hurried toward them.

The children’s father looked up and his face relaxed as he moved away from the others to meet the man. “Thanks for coming so quickly.”

The blond man nodded and placed his hand on Finn’s daddy’s shoulder as he listened to what Val figured was a re-telling of the accident. His brows furrowed as he glanced toward the small group sitting on the curb.

After a quick discussion, the man walked toward Val and Finn and knelt on the street in front of them. “I’m Dr. Goodwyn.” He smiled at Val, straight white teeth against tanned skin. “Seth Goodwyn. Rules say you don’t have to call me doctor unless I’m wearing a white coat.” He winked and turned to Finn. “How ya doing, kiddo?”

Seth couldn’t have been much older than thirty, and between the casual way he dressed and the bleached blond hair, she thought he looked more like a surfer than a doctor. Val glanced at Finn’s daddy while Dr. Goodwyn talked to the boy.

His attention was on his son.

The concern on his face made her want to reassure him Finn was fine. But she remained silent, knowing the doctor would calm any worries better than she could. She glanced away, moving her attention to the buildings up the street. To The Venus Gallery.

She looked at her watch and winced. Now she was officially late for her appointment with Abigail Longley and would have to reschedule. “Ruby, do you think you could run and grab my purse for me?” She pointed to where she’d dropped it, near the trolley tracks. Val could only hope her phone had made it out of the accident in better shape than she had. She could never afford to buy a new one.

The doctor asked Val about the accident and checked her elbow. He crouched down to examine the scrapes on the back of her upper thigh.

Val twisted awkwardly to give him a better view of her injury. Pain shot a fiery path up her leg. She wasn’t thrilled with the entire street watching while her backside was on display. As if he could read her mind, the children’s father motioned Ruby toward him, and the two moved to a position that blocked the crowd’s view and gave Val a bit of privacy.

She tried to think of something to distract her from the doctor’s examination. The wind blew, and Val shook her hair out of her face, moving carefully so she didn’t disturb Finn. If it weren’t for the constant sea breeze, the humidity would be sticking her hair to her neck like it did back home in West Virginia. Typically she wore a pony tail, but last night, she’d slept with her hair rolled in strips of paper towels and teased it until looked like a rodeo queen’s. If that didn’t impress The Venus Gallery, she didn’t know what would.

Seth helped her into a more comfortable position. “I don’t think you’ll need stitches, but I’d like you to come into the office to get these abrasions cleaned out. And just as a precaution, I’ll want to get you started on some antibiotics.”

Daddy handed him a blanket someone must have donated to the cause.

Val maneuvered Finn while Seth arranged the blanket over her lap to cover her exposed leg. He pulled it tighter on her other side, and she flinched and sucked in a quick breath.

Seth’s eyebrows rose. “Is this where the trolley hit you?” He indicated her left hip.

Val pursed her lips and nodded. This doctor was thoughtful and she didn’t want to be rude, but she had to get moving in order to convince Abigail Longley she hadn’t just blown off her interview.

If things didn’t work out with The Venus Gallery, she’d need to find a gallery or an art shop in another town. The idea saddened her. In just a few days, Val had come to love the New England coast. But she wasn’t looking for just any job. She needed one that would give her experience in her field of Art History. The last thing she wanted to do was limp back to Millford Creek, penniless, and return to her old job at the cigarette filter factory.

The doctor squatted back on his heels. “We’ll definitely want to do some x-rays.”

“I can tell ya right now, that won’t be necessary. Nothing’s broken.”

Ruby handed Val her purse and sat next to her on the curb again.

“Much obliged, Miss Ruby.” Val reached inside, pulling out her phone.

The doctor rested his forearms on his knees. “There are other things to worry about aside from fractures. I really would feel better if you were examined thoroughly. If it’s me you’re not comfortable with, other doctors at the clinic can—”

“My unwillingness has nothing to do with you, sir.”

“Seth.”

“Seth.” Val nodded and smiled. “I know I’m not hurt bad enough to need a doctor, and I don’t want to waste anyone’s time.”

“It’s hardly a waste of time to make sure you’re taken care of, Val.”

“Well, you make a good argument. But honestly…” Val’s gaze slid from his and she lowered her voice. “I can’t afford a doctor.” She didn’t know if she’d even stretch her funds far enough for bus fare back and forth from her apartment a few more times. The small room she’d found outside of Bar Harbor had required a first and last month’s rent deposit. Real estate prices in coastal New England were astronomical compared to rural West Virginia. Plus now she was worried about finding—and affording—a new skirt.

“Of course, I’ll cover any medical costs.” Handsome daddy stood behind Seth with his hands in his pockets.

“That’s not necessary.” Val lifted her gaze to meet his before lowering it again. Her face heated.

Seth tipped his head to catch her eye. “I’m sure we can figure out—”

Val drew in a deep breath. She’d pussy-footed around long enough. Time to be assertive. “I do appreciate your concern, but this isn’t my first scraped leg. I’m not in shock, I didn’t hit my head, and I know how to use hydrogen peroxide. Oh, and did I mention, I can be stubborn as a polecat once I’ve made up my mind?” Val gave Seth a pleasant smile that she hoped conveyed “it’s not you, it’s me,” and opened her phone. “Excuse me a moment, will ya? I need to place a call, and then I’ll finish explaining all the reasons why I don’t need a doctor.” She continued to rub Finn’s back as she scrolled to the number for The Venus Gallery and pressed Call. Then braced herself for a conversation with Abigail Longley, the gallery owner.