“Good to know you’re so adept at keeping secrets.”

Frank laughed. “Only when absolutely necessary. Otherwise, I’m a fairly open book.”

“Retirement is looking good on you, Your Honor. You seem very relaxed.”

“I love it. Laura told me I’m so tanned that my colleagues at the court wouldn’t recognize me. I guess I’ve been rather pasty-faced for the last thirty or so years.”

“You’ve worked hard and have earned your free time.”

“It still feels strange to have nothing much to do when I get up in the morning except go have coffee and doughnuts with my brother and the guys at the marina.”

“I bet Mac loves having you there.”

“He does, and it’s great to be able to see him every day. He’s helping me learn how to relax. Had me out fishing in the middle of the day on Tuesday like it was no big deal to run off for a few hours.”

She leaned in a little closer to him and said in a conspiratorial whisper, “It is no big deal, Frank.”

“Keep reminding me.”

“Happy to.”

“Have you decided yet what you’re going to do at the end of the summer?” he asked, hoping the question sounded casual when his feelings for her had become anything but during the time they’d spent together over the summer. So far that time had consisted of lots of dinners, days at the beach, cookouts with his family and babysitting his new grandson. He was hoping what had begun as a promising friendship might turn into something more, which was a first for him since he lost his wife so long ago.

Betsy was still fragile after the tragic loss of her son in a boating accident earlier in the summer, so he was proceeding with caution where she was concerned.

“I’m still trying to decide my next move,” she said. “Ned has been very kind about allowing me to rent month-to-month, which has really helped. Being here has helped. All of you have helped.”

“Good,” Frank said tentatively. He honestly didn’t want to hear that she was planning to leave. The time they’d spent together had been good for both of them, and he was hoping for much more of it.

“At some point, I should probably go back to work.”

“Do you have to work?” he asked before backtracking. “Not that it’s any of my business. Sorry.”