“That’s okay; you’re grieving,” Lindsey said. “It’s perfectly normal to feel angry, scared, sad, all of that.”

She reached out and hugged her friend around the tub of cookies. Charlene gave her a firm squeeze back, and Lindsey pressed the tub into Charlene’s arms.

“How are the kids? Are they doing all right?” she asked.

A squeal of laughter sounded from the open window of the cabin, and Charlene glanced over her shoulder at the house.

“Yes, I haven’t really told them anything,” Charlene said in a low voice. “I’ve been waiting.”

“Kids are tougher than people think,” Charlie said. “They’ll be okay.”

“Maybe,” Charlene said. “How are you doing, Lindsey?”

“Me?” Lindsey asked.

“Yes, I know that you and Robbie seemed to really hit it off,” she said.

“Oh, I—” Lindsey glanced at Charlie and saw his outraged look. He had been very clear over the past few months that he fully expected her and Sully to get back together.

“Explain,” he said.

“Well, Robbie certainly was a charmer. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t flattered to be noticed by him and I was very sad about, well—” Lindsey’s throat got tight and she realized she didn’t even want to utter the words that he was gone. She shook her head. She had a purpose here more than just to check on her friend.

“You cared for him a lot, didn’t you?” Charlene asked.

“Yeah,” Lindsey admitted, ignoring Charlie’s huff of indignation.

“I understand,” Charlene said. Her voice was so sympathetic that Lindsey was afraid she would burst into tears.

“Look, I don’t want to keep you,” she said. “I’m sure the kids must be getting ready for bed, but I feel better now that I’ve seen you. Will you please call me if you need anything?”

“I will absolutely,” Charlene said. She took Lindsey’s hand and squeezed it in hers. “You’re a good friend.”

“Thanks,” Lindsey said. She turned to Charlie and Heathcliff, who was busily sniffing all of the corners of the deck. “Charlie, why don’t you take Heathcliff down to the boat? I’ll be right there.”

“All right,” he said. “Good night, Charlene, and I’m sorry for your loss.”

Charlene gave him a small smile. “Thank you, Charlie.”

Lindsey waited until they had started down the stairs before she turned back to Charlene.

“What is it, Lindsey?” Charlene asked. “What’s on your mind?”

“Charlene, did you know that Robbie fathered a child?” she asked.

Charlene’s eyes went wide and she blew out a breath. “Did Robbie tell you that?”

Lindsey lowered her head. “No, I was reading some old articles about him and it was mentioned in an old Times interview.”

Charlene put the tub of pumpkin squares on the table and crossed her arms over her chest. She did not look happy.