“Yes, it is,” Big Mac said to his second son, who had found the perfect partner in Stephanie. Big Mac and Linda wholeheartedly approved of the delightful young woman who’d overcome a hardscrabble upbringing to become someone anyone would be proud to welcome into their family. “This is very good news indeed.”

“Happy fer ya, too,” Ned said gruffly. “Don’t think I ain’t. We all got a soft spot for that gal.”

“Thanks,” Grant said. “We’re excited.”

“Ah, here comes our newest Romeo,” Big Mac said, making room at the table for his brother.

“Oh shut up.”

“Holding hands, Uncle Frank,” Mac said. “Looks like someone’s got himself a girlfriend.”

“So what about it?” Frank asked testily as he helped himself to one of the doughnuts.

“He’s not even denying it,” Mac said. “It’s worse than we thought.”

“You all need to get busy minding your own business rather than everyone else’s.”

“That ain’t never gonna happen,” Ned said to laughter from the others.

“What the hell fun would that be?” Big Mac asked. “So… You and Betsy. Going steady. This is very exciting.”

“You’re a jackass, you know that?”

“Um, excuse me, but who was up in my grille every time I brought a new girl home? I never got the chance to do that to you because you were with Joann since eighth grade. Now it’s my turn, and revenge is sweet.” Big Mac wasn’t sure if he’d done the right thing mentioning the wife Frank had lost to cancer so young, but Frank just smiled at him, full of the good humor Big Mac expected from his older brother.

“Have your fun, pal. I’m happy to take your abuse, because she’s worth it.”

“Oh, wow,” Mac said. “This is way more serious than we thought.”

“I don’t know if serious is the word I would use,” Frank said. “At least not yet, but it does have potential.”

“Good fer ya,” Ned said. “Been a long time comin’.”

“Indeed it has,” Frank said.

“Pardon me,” a female voice said. All eyes turned to a striking, dark-haired woman. She was tall with brown eyes and a cautious manner.

“Help you with something?” Mac asked her.

“I’m looking for Mac McCarthy?”

“That’d be me,” father and son said together, as they usually did.

She looked from Big Mac to his son and then back to him. “Senior,” she said.

“What can I do for you?” Big Mac asked.

“Could I have a moment of your time, please? In private.”

“Uh-oh, Dad,” Mac said. “What did you do now?”

The young woman gave his son a curious look before returning her attention to him. He had no idea who she was, but since she’d asked so politely… “Sure thing. Right this way.”

He led her down the main dock to the very end, where the Salt Pond stretched out before them.