He gave her a wicked grin. Any sign of the gentle small-town doctor was gone as he growled, “Do I make you weak in the knees, Renee Rhodes?”

By way of reply, she nipped his neck, licking the salt from the skin, and making him shudder. “Two can play at that game.”

“Take a walk with me?” He squeezed her hand. “Before I do dirty things to you on that porch swing.”

“Maybe once the neighborhood goes to bed.” She winked as she set the flowers down on the bistro table. “Lead the way.”

Once they made it down to the shoreline, they kicked off their shoes and walked in the surf, the water tickling their feet. It amazed Renee how they walked in tandem, their sides brushing, their fingers interlaced. Every movement in sync.

“How’s Michelle working out?”

Michelle was the new receptionist at the Coastal Kids Medical Group, a twenty-something, single mother Renee had helped interview. The young woman’s story was remarkably similar to her own, except in her case, it had been an oboist rather than a kindergarten teacher.

“She thinks we should start an Instagram account,” Dan grumbled—good-naturedly, of course—which made Renee laugh. “It would feature me giving out medical tips and tricks. Who in the world would tune in for such a snooze fest?”

“I sure would,” she said, playfully kissing his neck, his cheeks.

They paused and watch the light fade out over the water as the sun dipped into the woods behind them.

“I hate that I don’t know what’s going to happen with Bree,” she whispered at last. “Why is this dragging out?”

“Ah,” Dan breathed, sliding an arm around her waist. “So, you have two things weighing on your heart tonight. One happy and one sad.”

“Pretty much.”

They stared up at the darkening sky.

“Good thing there are a few stars to wish on,” he said, pointing out the brightest ones.

Renee closed her eyes, offering both a prayer and a wish for her sister. Please let Bree be okay. Do not take her from me. I can’t bear it. She reached for Dan’s cheek, resting her palm over it. “What did you wish for?”

Dan looked at her curiously.

“I already have my wish. She’s standing right beside me.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-One

It was impossible to fully take in such a day.

How did you soak up every sound, every taste, every scent? How did you bottle up those sorts of feelings, this sort of wonder, pride, and appreciation? Where did you even begin? Maybe it was impossible, but Sadie was trying.