She shrugged. “You could try, but I’ll still leave you in the dust.”

“That’s my girl.” I held out a hand, and Zoe high fived me.

Crosby and I watched as Zoe and Ingrid loaded into her car and headed down the gravel lane. I leaned my head against Crosby’s shoulder. “I’m so glad I got to see Zo.”

“Me, too. She was worried about you.”

“I hate that. But I think she’s at ease now, don’t you?”

Crosby twirled a lock of my hair around his finger. “Definitely.” Pressing his lips to my temple, he asked, “Are you up for a stroll to the swing?”

I pulled back slightly. “You’re actually going to let me walk around outside?”

Crosby grimaced. “I’m not that bad.”

“You kind of are.” For the first week, he hadn’t even let me go to the bathroom alone. He walked me there and then sat outside the door, making me call out to him every thirty seconds that I was okay.

Crosby cupped my face in his hands. “I almost lost you. You can’t blame me for being a little extra-cautious.”

I melted at the mix of fear and love in his eyes. “I’m sorry.” I stretched up on my tiptoes and brushed my lips against his. “I love you. And I’m not going anywhere.”

“I’m counting on that.” Crosby led us slowly towards the swing that overlooked the water, one of my favorite places on the whole property.

By the time we reached the spot, I was a bit winded, but the fresh air had done me good. “I can’t believe this gets to be our home.”

“We’re pretty damn lucky.”

“We really are.”

Crosby and I sat in silence as we gently swung back and forth. Everything about the moment was perfect. The smell of the salt air, the sunshine wrapping around us, the peace and comfort of being with the one I loved.

Crosby lifted my hand to his lips, kissing the center of my palm. As he set it on his thigh, he began tracing nonsensical designs over my fingers. “I love you, Kenna. More than I ever thought possible.”

I looked up at Crosby, drinking in the emotion on his face. “I’m pretty glad about that.”

He chuckled, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Did I tell you that Harriet left me something in her will, too?”

I straightened on the swing. “No. What was it?” I loved that Harriet had thought to include Crosby. Their relationship had been special too, and I knew that whatever it was, he’d hold it dear.