“We’re too different,” she shot back, feeling something like panic.

“What are you afraid of, Camille? That you’ll never find a love like that again? Because I’m here to tell you, you’re absolutely right.”

“Then why—”

“You will never find a love like that again. That love is over. But if you’d give yourself half a chance, you might just find something brand-new with me. I’m asking you, why is that such a scary thing? What are you afraid of?”

“What am I afraid of?” she asked. Maybe I’m afraid because I already have found something with you. The thought filled her with wonder . . . and dread. “That it won’t work, and we’ll hurt each other, and Julie will get hurt, too.”

“I’m not going to hurt you, Camille. I’d never do that.”

“I appreciate your concern,” she said, her throat thick with tears. “But it’s time for us to go.”

He stared at her for a moment, stone cold. She tried not to remember the moments in his arms, the dark, sweet pleasure of their lovemaking. He strode away and took a dossier from his car. “I’ve been working on the paratrooper angle for you. I narrowed the list down to three reconnaissance men who were lost while doing advance scouting for the August invasion. Three men were unaccounted for in the operation in the summer of 1944.” He handed over the files. “You can take it from here.”

Twenty

Home at last in Bethany Bay, Camille found that the world looked different. Having been gone, she appreciated her hometown in a new way. It was quite a privilege to live in a place where people came for vacation, to appreciate the sea breezes, the ocean and scenery. The shop was thriving, and the items she’d acquired in France over the summer were selling briskly. Her mother had curated a collection of art prints from the work of both Lisette and Camille herself, and customers seemed fascinated by the recovered images.

She sighed and opened a few windows, savoring the light breeze from the ocean. Home at last. The trip had passed in a blur of mixed emotions. She surprised herself by realizing she wasn’t afraid of flying anymore. The fear came from something else—she was afraid of leaving. She might have left a new shot at happiness.

Fear was a relative thing. The fear of risking her heart was more powerful than her fear of flying.

To keep from missing Finn like crazy, she reminded herself of the good things that had happened over the summer. It had been transformative in many ways for Julie, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. Not so long ago, Julie had been angry and hurt, soothing herself by overeating and passing sedentary hours staring at her phone or tablet screen. Now she looked different, having thrived on a season outdoors, getting into athletics, honing her French—and her self-confidence.

“I have a bottle of prosecco, and I know how to use it.” Billy Church came into the kitchen without knocking. He set down the chilled bottle and enfolded Camille in a bear hug. “Welcome home,” he said. “Long time no see. I want to hear everything.”