‘‘That’s where you went wrong. Not in taking love when it was offered but in not trusting it for the long haul. You disappoint me, Ethan.’’

It was a slap. The kind that both knew would sting the most. Because it did, Ethan stared hard at the thirsty little pansies going leggy beside the steps. ‘‘I tried to do what I thought was right.’’

‘‘For whom? For a woman who wanted to share your life, wherever that would take you? For the children you may or may not have. You’re on dangerous ground when you second-guess God.’’

Annoyed, Ethan slanted a narrow look at his father’s face. ‘‘Is there?’’

‘‘Is there what?’’

‘‘Is there a God? I figure you ought to know, seeing as you’ve been dead the last few months.’’

Ray threw back his big head, let out his wonderful rolling laugh. ‘‘Ethan, I’ve always appreciated your understated wit, and I wish I could discuss the mysteries of the universe with you, but time’s passing.’’

Munching on nuts, he studied Ethan’s face, and as he did, Ray’s wickedly amused grin softened, warmed. ‘‘Watching you grow into a man was one of the greatest pleasures of my life. You’ve got a heart as big as your Bay. I hope you’ll trust it. I want you to be happy. There’ll be trouble coming for all of you.’’

‘‘Seth?’’

‘‘He’ll need his family. All his family,’’ Ray added in a murmur, then shook his head. ‘‘There’s too much misery in the short time we spend living, Ethan, to turn away happiness. You remember to value your joys.’’ Then his eyes twinkled. ‘‘I’d brace myself, son. Your thinking time’s over.’’

Ethan heard Grace’s car, glanced toward the road. He knew without looking that his father was no longer beside him.

When Grace saw Ethan sitting on her front porch steps she wanted to lay her head on the steering wheel. She wasn’t sure her heart could handle yet another trip through an emotional wringer.

Instead, she climbed out of the car and went around to unstrap the sleeping Aubrey from her car seat. With Aubrey’s head heavy on her shoulder, she walked to the house and watched Ethan unfold his long legs and rise.

‘‘I’m not willing to go through another round with you, Ethan.’’

‘‘I brought your purse by. You left it at the house.’’

Startled, she frowned when he held it out to her. It showed just how jumbled her mind had been that she hadn’t even realized she’d been without it. ‘‘Thank you.’’

‘‘I need to talk to you, Grace.’’

‘‘I’m sorry. I have to put Aubrey to bed.’’

‘‘I’ll wait.’’

‘‘I said I’m not willing to talk about this again.’’

‘‘I said I need to talk to you. I’ll wait.’’