Watching the exchange, Sydney saw her father looking at Luke with newfound respect. Right in that moment, she got why he hadn’t told her. He hadn’t wanted it to matter to her the same way it clearly mattered to her dad.

Sydney’s heart ached as she understood how worried he was that she would leave him again—or that she would stay for the wrong reasons. Everything became crystal clear to her as she studied his adorably handsome face across the table. The minute they were alone, she would put his mind at ease. There was nowhere else she wanted to be than with him. Why bother to fight it anymore?

The phone rang, and her mother got up to answer it, returning a moment later, her face ashen and her eyes large. “Allan, Simone has had a mild heart attack.”

“Oh God. Is she. . .”

“She’s at Mass General, but she’s okay.”

Her father took a deep rattling breath.

“My aunt,” Sydney said to Luke.

“I need to go there.” Allan checked his watch. “Oh, we won’t make the last boat.”

“I’ll call Slim,” Luke said. “The McCarthy’s pilot friend. He’ll fly you over if he can.”

“Oh, thank you, Luke,” Mary Alice said.

While Luke went to make the call, Sydney gave her dad a hug. “Simone is still young and strong, Dad. She’ll get through this. I know it.”

He nodded, but his entire body was rigid with worry over his younger sister.

Luke hobbled back into the room. “Slim said he’ll meet you at the airport in thirty minutes.”

“Thank you so much, Luke,” Mary Alice said. “Come on, Allen. Let’s go pack. I’m sorry about dinner.”

“Don’t worry about it, Mom. Go get ready.” Her parents went upstairs, and Sydney turned to Luke. “Thank you.”

“Happy to help.” Propped on his crutches, he drew her toward him. “I’m sorry about your aunt. If you want to go with them, I’ll take care of Buddy. Grant can help me move him to my house.”

Sydney rested her head on his chest. “I’ll stay for now and see what tomorrow brings, but thanks for the offer.”

“What I said before—it came out all wrong.”

“No, it didn’t. We’ll talk about it after they leave.”

Her parents departed a few minutes later in a flurry of hugs and promises to call as soon as they knew more about her aunt’s condition.

From his pillow on the floor, Buddy watched the goings on. He’d been up and around a little more that day and was able to go outside when he needed to but was still weak and easily tired.