“Sarah’s grandmother left her some money, and we bought this land a year before she got sick. We were going to build a weekend place up here eventually. She made me promise I’d use the money to build the house. When I failed to drink myself to death, I didn’t know what else to do, so I came up here and built this place. I had planned to sell it when it was done.”

“How come?”

“I figured it’d be too painful to be here without her, but we hadn’t spent much time together here, and no one in town knew her. By the time the house was finished, I’d started to feel at home. I did a few construction jobs on the side, and before long word got out that I knew what I was doing. I had a business and a house, so I stayed put. The only person here who knows I was once a doctor and that I lost my wife and son is Bea. She’s been a good friend, but even she doesn’t know the whole story.”

“Thank you for telling me. I’m so terribly sorry for all that you lost.”

He kissed her hand. “I’m sorry I lied to you when I said I’ve never been married. I feel so disloyal to Sarah when I tell people that, but it’s easier than talking about it. After all these years, the lie just comes so easily. When I lied to you, though, it was the first time it ever felt wrong. Forgive me?”

Clare reached out to hug him. “There’s nothing to forgive.”

He held on to her, seeming to need the comfort she offered after sharing his painful story.

“You must be getting tired,” he said after a long period of quiet. “Let’s get you back to bed.” He took her hand to help her up and lead her upstairs.

She made it to the first landing before dizziness forced her to grip the railing.

Aidan picked her up and carried her the rest of the way. “You still need to take it easy,” he said as he helped her into bed.

“I can probably go home, though. I’ve put you out enough.”

“I like having you here. I probably shouldn’t tell you that you’re the first woman who’s ever been here.”

She smiled. “Really?”

“As you would say, don’t let it go to your fat head,” he said with a weak grin that was in sharp contrast to his earlier sorrow.

“Too late.”

He got into bed and rolled over to face her. “Stay here for a while. Until you feel stronger.”