The fifth house they looked at called to Mac on first sight. An angular contemporary situated on six acres, the house faced a grassy meadow and the ocean beyond. Set back far enough from the coast to be out of danger during hurricane season, the house was mostly glass and deck.

“It was built in 1990, but it’s been fully renovated,” Ned said. “New hardwood floors, granite countertops, thermal windows. Kitchen and bathrooms all redone.”

Mac gazed at the cathedral ceiling in the living room, the stone fireplace and the breathtaking views from every room and could picture himself living there with Maddie and Thomas. Excitement coursed through him. He couldn’t wait to show it to her.

“It’s perfect. Just what I wanted.”

“And ya don’t have to build it yerself.”

“Even better.” Mac ran a hand over sand-colored granite in the kitchen. “How’s a place like this even available?”

“Major real estate glut on the island since the economy went bust. A lot of these houses are second homes for rich folk in Connecticut and New York. When the market imploded, they had to sell fast. I snapped up some great deals, and I’ve been sitting on ’em, waiting for the market to recover. I’ll give ya this one for what I paid for it.” He rattled off a price that astounded Mac.

“It’s worth easily twice that.”

“I don’t need the money, and yer family to me,” Ned said gruffly. “Ya know I ain’t got no kids of my own. You and yers are mine, so don’t insult me by haggling ’bout it.”

Touched, Mac shook the other man’s hand. “Thank you.”

“I hope you and yer little family will be happy here.”

Mac took another long look around. “I know we will be.”

Ned dropped him at the top of the road that led to the marina. Filled with anticipation, Mac whistled as he walked toward the main building.

Big Mac stepped away from the Whiffle ball game he was playing with kids from the boats.

Mac stopped to wait for his father. “Wait ’til you see the house I found. It’s fantastic.”

“Son, Maddie was here. She’s real upset.

That stopped Mac cold. “What happened?”

“She saw today’s paper.”

Mac gasped. “It was already in?”

“Yeah.”

“Shit! I thought I had at least another week to talk to her about it.”

Big Mac’s normally amiable expression hardened. “Were you planning to tell me about what my son was involved in?”

“I figured it was up to Evan to tell you.”

“One of you could’ve given me—and your mother—a head’s up. She’s beside herself.”

“All that mattered to me was restoring Maddie’s reputation.”

Big Mac held up the keys to the SUV. “She said to give you these because she won’t need them anymore.”