Hoagie gave him a mournful look. “I’ll ask around. Somebody’s bound to want her. She’s a great boat. But, damn it all, Burke, selling her would be like selling a member of your family!”

“I know. But my daughter’s got her heart set on a new BMW convertible. Selling the boat would make it easier for me to buy it.”

Hoagie shook his head. “Blast it, Burke, I know you love that girl. And I know you’ve knocked yourself out trying to make up for her mother being gone, and that you’ve got some guilt over marrying a woman Brianna doesn’t like. But a college student doesn’t need a new BMW. A decent used car for ten or fifteen thousand would get her anywhere she needs to go. If she wants fancy new wheels, she can graduate and earn the money herself! She’ll appreciate it more that way.”

Burke exhaled and took a sip of water. “You’re probably right. But I promised her any car she wanted. And I’ve always taught her that promises were meant to be kept.”

Hoagie swore under his breath. “I never thought I’d say this to your face, but I’m saying it as a friend. That girl hasn’t heard the word no from you since her mother got sick. And it hasn’t done her any good.”

“You’re saying I’ve spoiled Brianna?”

“Well . . . yes. And even though you haven’t talked about it, I know your business is having money problems. Hell, we all know it, the whole gang.”

“So what are you saying?”

“I’m saying maybe it’s time for Brianna to grow up. And maybe that classy new wife of yours needs to grow up, too. Look at the money she spent fixing up your house, when it was fine the way it was before. Hell, man, Kate would never have—”

“I told you, that’s enough, Hoagie,” Burke said. “I know you mean well, but when you criticize my wife, that crosses a line. Leave it at that, and I’ll forget what you just said. All right?”

Hoagie shrugged. “All right. I was just giving you a little friendly advice, that’s all.”

“I know. But I’ve got to ride out this storm in my own way. All the friendly advice in the world won’t make any difference.”

“You always were a stubborn son-of-a-gun.” Hoagie rose to his feet. “Even flat on your back and hooked up to machines, you don’t back down. You may be my best friend, but sometimes you can be a mule-headed idiot.”

Burke forced a smile. “Thanks, Hoagie. I can always count on you to say what you think. You’ll ask around about the boat?”

“Sure. But I still think you’d be crazy to sell it. You get better, okay?”