Ethan gestured toward the stone wall where they’d watched the sun rise—where things felt as though they’d ended. He hated that such a beautiful spot would be stuck with such a negative memory. Maybe it could be remembered as the place for second chances. “Let’s sit over there and talk.”

They moved to the wall and took a seat. They weren’t the only ones enjoying the beach. There were a number of people walking along the water’s edge.

He raked his fingers through his hair. “I’m not sure where to begin.”

“At the beginning usually works best.”

He nodded as he stared out at the ocean, watching the swells of water. “When I left here, I didn’t know if I was still the same man I was before the accident. I know that I dealt with the fire at the farm, but it wasn’t quite the same. I needed to know if I’d lost my nerve. I needed to know that I’d finally and fully conquered the ghosts of my past.” He turned to her. “I hope you understand.”

She gazed at him and nodded. “I have some idea. I had to prove to myself that I could open this bakery. I know it’s not the same thing, but I had to prove to myself that I could see my dream through just like my brother and sister had done.”

He reached out to squeeze her hand but then hesitated and placed his hand back in his lap. “You did it. You made your dream come true.”

“And what about you? How did it go back in New York?”

“I did it. I…” He hesitated. For starters, he’d been able to rescue a child from a horrific car accident, helped clean up a dangerous fuel spill from an overturned tanker, and walked into an apartment fire to make a rescue.

“You what?”

“Never mind.”

“No. I want to know.”

He turned his head and stared into her eyes. “Do you want to know? Because I know my profession makes you uncomfortable.”

She sighed. “Since you’ve been gone, I’ve learned that I was holding onto some lingering anger about my father’s death. It was easier to be angry than to deal with the pain. And instead of being angry with my father, I aimed all of that pain at the fire department. I shouldn’t have done it. It was wrong.”

“It wasn’t wrong. There’s no right way to grieve. You lost someone close to you and it’s not something you get over. I know that Aunt Birdie still loves Uncle Gil and misses him every day.”

“My…my mother is moving on with Chief Campbell.”

“And how does that make you feel?”

She shrugged. “I thought I would be upset. I never imagined my mother with anyone other than my father, but then I saw her with Chief Campbell and she’s happy. Truly happy. Why would I want to take that from her? If she’s happy then I’m happy.” She turned her head so their gazes could meet. “So tell me about New York.”