Except I couldn’t do it today. Not with everything going on with Caro. However, if I was to stay in Alnster for another three months, it might be better for both Roane’s and my hearts if we saw each other a little less.

The mere thought made me feel panicked and restless.

Thirteen

With tourists descending upon the Northumberland Coast in higher numbers now that it was summer, I’d asked Viola to call her mom to reserve a table at the pub. It was a good thing too. Viola had left just before dinnertime to help her parents out, and when we walked in later that night, the place was packed. Viola and Milly waved at us from behind the bar at the exact same time, in the exact same way, making me smile.

“Usual table,” Milly called to us, and I let Roane steer us through the heaving dining room to a table near the unlit fireplace. There was a couple seated at the one closest to it, but Shadow didn’t care. Even without a fire in the grate, Shadow promptly took his place sprawled in front of it, making the couple laugh.

I smiled at Roane, who just rolled his eyes as he, Caro, and I took our seats at the larger table against the back wall.

It had been a weird day.

After Roane had returned to the apartment with me and he and Caro had disappeared into her bedroom for a chat, things were easier between the cousins. However, Roane had work to do and took off for a few hours. He’d left Shadow with us since the dog was offering so much comfort to Caro, and Viola and I sought to find a way to distract our friend from the magnitude of the day.

Since Roane insisted I should have a lesson on driving here before I attempted it, I’d taken his advice not to rent a car just yet. Both Viola and Caro could drive, so Viola had us climb into her Fiat 500 to take Shadow for a long walk down the beach. Considering the dog took up most of the back seat, it was kind of hilarious and just what Caro needed.

We didn’t travel far, just fifteen miles north to Low Newton-by-the-Sea, a small village with a beautiful stretch of coastline. We struggled to find a place to park because it was so busy. Once on the soft sand, we whiled away the hours walking and playing with Shadow, and generally not talking about the emotional morning Caro had had.

“At least people aren’t looking,” Caro muttered, glancing shyly around The Anchor.

“No one knows you left Helena,” Roane assured her. “Those of us who do aren’t going to say anything.”

“There’s going to be gossip eventually.”

He rubbed her shoulder in comfort. “And you’ll get through it.”

“Roane!”