“I know,” Erin said with a sigh. “But it was so damned funny.”

“Bet it was. Been thinkin’ bout’cha last coupla days.”

“You have? Why?”

“Happened to hear a little rumor ’bout a weddin’ the other day. Thought it might be hittin’ ya kinda hard, in light of everythin’.”

“It’s very kind of you to think of me,” Erin said softly, touched by his thoughtfulness.

“Tough thing you and Jenny went through. Can’t even imagine. Our Adam was in the city that day. Longest day a my life. Probably gonna be a tough week till the weddin’. Maybe a case of the blues after, but yer gonna be okay.”

“That’s good to know.” She closed her eyes against the burn of tears. She’d about had it with the tears at this point.

“This island is known for its healin’ powers.” Ned smiled at her in the mirror. “Worked its wonders on Jenny. Bet it will fer you, too.”

“It’s already been very good for me. The people here are just the best people I’ve ever met. Yourself included.”

“Aww, thanks, honey. Nice a ya ta say so.” He pulled into the long driveway that led to the lighthouse.

Erin had left the gate unlocked so she could get back in, and he wouldn’t let her get it for him. So she stayed put while he took care of the gate and then bounded back to the car.

“Looks like ya got a visitor,” Ned said, driving slowly.

Erin’s heart did a backflip when she realized Slim must’ve come by and had waited for her. “I think I might know who it is.”

“Anyone I know?”

“Can you keep a secret?”

“Bartenders and cab drivers,” Ned said, making her laugh when she remembered Slim saying the same thing about pilots and bartenders. “We’re vaults.”

“It’s Slim Jackson. We’ve become friends, I guess you could say.”

“Good guy. Ya couldn’t ask fer better.”

“I’ll take that as a ringing endorsement, coming from you.”

Ned pulled up to the lighthouse and put the car in park. “You take care of yerself these next few weeks. ’Tis okay to be a bit melancholy, but don’t let it go too far. Ya hear?”

“I do,” she said, smiling at him. “And I appreciate your kind words.” With a twenty-dollar bill in hand, she reached over the seat.

“Yer money t’ain’t no good here, honey.”

“Thank you, Ned, for the ride and the words of wisdom.” She leaned over the seat to kiss his cheek, leaving him flustered as she got out of the car, dragging her crutches behind her. She was about as over them as she was the tears.

Ned turned the cab around and left with a toot of the horn.