She turned into Shoreline Drive and saw the cluster of beautifully painted cottages crowded around a long wharf. She slowed, taking it all in – the Cove settlement was one of the last remaining historic places on the Tomales Bay coastland. The few sailing boats anchored on the silky-smooth blue water, the green of the forest crowding in behind it, and the wheeling gulls made it seem a million miles away from the city or from modern life at all. She could see why Jack liked it.

She drove slowly past the famous restaurant – Nick’s Cove – named after one of the original owners, and had been here in some form since the 1930s. Out front, the little sea captain statue in his rain-slicker gave her a cheery grin with one arm raised and fist closed. Jack told her the story went he either used to hold a storm lantern, or he was carved punching a drunken local who’d got a bit too rowdy in the bar.

Lights were strung along the eaves and also the railing of the wharf. At night they would be lit in different colors, and gave the whole place a carnival feel. It all made her want to go in, sit down, and eat. Come to think of it, she was starving, but would first see what Jack had planned.

Cate stopped and looked towards the end of the wharf and saw the boat bobbing gently on the water. It was the only one tied in close, and its deck, fittings, and double masts gleamed in the afternoon sunshine. Jack had done a magnificent job. The sails were furled at the moment, but they were wrapped and ready to go. She pushed open the car door, stood, and immediately placed both hands on the center of her back to stretch it out.

She inhaled the smells of low tide, warm sea water, pine trees and a hint of old wood – it smelled like heaven.

“Hi ho, there!”

The voice drifting from the end of the wharf made her smile. That, and the accompanying manic bark of his dog, Ozzy.

Jack stood out on his deck in shorts, t-shirt and she bet, bare feet. He waved once, and then lifted the small dog to toss it up onto the wharf, and immediately leapt to follow.  Ozzy didn’t wait and his tiny legs were a blur as excitement overtook the terrier as it motored down the wooden planks towards her.

Ozzy was first to her, and leapt, coming at her like a furred missile. She had to act quickly – drop her bag, brace her legs and then catch him. Once in her arms, he was a blur of cycling legs, wriggling body and tongue flicking madly for her chin and lips.

“Blerk.” She shut her mouth tight after the terrier scored a direct hit with his tongue to her lips and teeth.