“Stop back any time!” Annie called after them, though she hoped to God that they would not. Not until the mess had been sorted out.

Too rattled to accomplish any more work, she knew that she needed to regain her emotional balance. So she retrieved her phone and texted John: ANY BIG PLANS FOR TONIGHT? A ROCK CONCERT? A SOX GAME? WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH ME?

He replied quickly: I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU THE SAME.

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

By the time Annie walked off the On Time ferry and onto Dock Street, the clouds had turned the sky a dull shade of gray. She wondered if later there would be fog, that pea-soup kind of stuff known to blanket both the land and the sea and deliver a bout of claustrophobia to the heartiest of islanders.

She went up Main Street and crossed over South Water, eager to see John. She knew she had to tell him about Jonas and the video. She knew she had to tell him and yet . . .

When he opened the door, he was wearing his at-home scrubs and an enticing grin. As soon as she stepped inside, he wrapped her in his strong, comforting arms. Then he kissed her. Long and sweet. When he was done, she pulled away and laughed.

“Wow. If I’d known I’d get such a welcome on a school night, I’d come by more often.” Surely her latest news could wait a little while. At least until they’d had time for pleasure.

He took her hand and kissed her fingertips. “I have good news. I made pasta. Again. And Lucy’s gone to her friend Maggie’s, so it’s just the two of us.”

Annie laughed. She traced the outline of his chin. It was smooth and clean; he had shaved recently. “She’s doing homework?”

“Doubtful. But she’s staying overnight. She brought Restless with her for protection. Maggie’s parents went off island for the day and got stuck on the Cape. They didn’t want Maggie to be alone all night.”

“Are the boats canceled?”

He shook his head and toyed with her hair. “One did. Another broke down. Even if the late ones go, there isn’t enough room for more vehicles.” He leaned down and kissed her cheeks, her eyes, her forehead.

“How much did you pay the captains to cancel the trips?”

He stood back and took her hands in his. “Not a penny less than was required.”

“I hope it was worth it.”

He shrugged. “Why not judge that for yourself?” He let go of her hand and guided her into the foyer, up the stairs, and into his bedroom. And Annie felt a special warmth begin to rise in her—the same warmth that arose whenever John stepped into her breathing space.