“I think you must’ve done every single thing that could be done, but there was much that couldn’t be.” She tugged on Lily’s hand, and Lily followed her across the clearing, up onto the porch, and inside. “This summer you’re supposed to be getting away from all of that, and when you do, you’ll see it more clearly.”

Lily drew in an audible breath. “Yes. I didn’t consciously think of it that way, but this summer is a chance to find my perspective again.”

“So doing something totally different is just what you need.”

Lily laughed. “I think so far I’m succeeding in that.”

“Hold on for a second.” Chase found the propane lantern on the small table next to the door and turned it on.

Lily laughed, and the lightness that had returned to her voice made Chase’s heart swell. “No electricity?”

“There’s a generator out back for when I need power. The freezer is solar powered. Most everything I actually need in the way of food is canned or dry goods. Plus fresh, in season.”

“I don’t suppose any of those necessities include a bottle of wine?”

“As a matter fact, they do. I think the only thing I’ve got is red, though.”

“Red would be perfect.” Lily glanced past Chase’s shoulder to take in the rest of the cabin—a large main room with a stone fireplace at one end taking up most of the wall, a neat stack of cut lumber piled beside it, and a sofa facing it. A low pine table sat in front of that, and off to the left, a galley kitchen with a few cabinets above a sink and two-burner stove, counters to either side, and a plain round wooden table with two chairs in front of a window. On the far side facing the door they’d come through, an open door to a bedroom and another to the bath.

In the flickering light of the propane lantern, she couldn’t make out the details, but a number of landscape paintings hung on the walls.

Chase must’ve followed her gaze. “My mother painted. Those are hers.”

“I can’t wait to see them in the daylight,” Lily said.

“Make yourself comfortable on the sofa. I’ll get the wine. I’ve also got some crackers and a vacuum-packed container of cheese. As I recall, now that I think of it, we didn’t have any dinner.”

“I’m not actually hungry, but the food is probably a good idea with the wine, if you don’t want me seducing you after a glass or so.”

Chase shot her a look. “I don’t think you’d hear me complaining, but I’d rather you not regret it in the morning.”