“What if I try it and it doesn’t work out? What if I start to go stir-crazy halfway through the winter?”

Maddie thought about that for a minute. “I suppose you’d have to deal with that if—and when—it happens.”

“I’m afraid I’ll turn his life upside down—again—if I move out here only to decide later it doesn’t work for me.”

“No one says the only place you and he can be together is here.”

“His whole life is here. He has an amazing side business restoring boats. Did you know that?”

Maddie nodded. “I’ve been out on the Chris-Craft he did for Mr. McCarthy. It’s gorgeous. I’m always so afraid Mac is going to crash it or scratch it or something.”

“Luke does beautiful work, that’s for sure.”

“And there’s no reason he couldn’t do that same beautiful work on the mainland.”

“That’s true.”

Maddie reached over to squeeze her hand. “You’re getting ahead of yourself worrying about what might happen. All you can do is try it and see what it’s like. If you don’t like it, you don’t like it. I’m sure he wants you to be happy, and if it ends up that he has to move, then I’m sure he would.”

“But that would make him unhappy.”

“If you ask me, you’re what makes him happy, and he couldn’t care less where he has to live to be with you. Remember what Joe did to be with Janey. He rearranged his entire life, and he’s blissfully happy. He loves her, so he did what had to be done so they could be together.”

“He hasn’t said it, but I know Luke loves me.”

“How do you feel?”

“Of course I love him, too. How could I not love him? He’s such a great guy.”

“Have you told him that?”

“Not yet.” Sydney fiddled with one of the catalogs. “I want to say it, but I get to the moment, and I just can’t get it out. I guess some part of me knows I’ll be making a commitment when I say those words, so I want to be sure, you know?”

“I can see that, but I think you should relax about the details and just go with it. See where it takes you. If anything good has come out of all you’ve been through, you have the freedom to do whatever you want. If being here with Luke for now feels good, then stay.”