Jamie had met them at the door, pointed out that baking such a frivolous cake used precious energy better preserved for future generations. When she saw Luna, she informed them the dog might kill the rare fowl in the area and should be kept penned.

Kellen and Rae had retreated.

Five weeks later, Kellen had occasionally seen Jamie bringing the food basket to Olympia, and once she’d caught a glimpse of someone who looked like her on the second floor of the mansion. But when Kellen called her, Jamie had rounded a corner and vanished. Into a secret passage, Kellen supposed. But why would Jamie be inside and upstairs? When she visited to ask, Jamie explained in contemptuous tones that with so many people now living in the mansion, someone had to check the condition of the water tower on the roof. She managed to make it sound as if Kellen had deliberately made work for her, and when Kellen offered to take over that duty, Jamie had brusquely dismissed her.

Odd. The woman was just odd.

Dylan, when intoxicated, was far too friendly. And he was always intoxicated.

At the low end of the island, Kellen passed the dock where the SkinnySail was moored. She slowed, then stopped. Arm raised, she held her hat firmly on her head, protecting it from the constant breeze, and smiled at the memories.

Max wrapped his arms around Kellen’s shoulders and pointed at the SkinnySail, waiting at the waterline. “Isn’t she a beauty? Want to go out with me? I can teach you to sail.”

Kellen knew nothing about boats or boating; she left that for Max and other enthused family members. To her eyes, this boat was small, sleek, with a mast and a motor. What the motor said to her was, Sailing doesn’t always work and sometimes you have to be saved. “No, that’s fine. You teach Rae. I’ll stay on the beach and read.”

“It’s big enough for the three of us.”

“If one of us wasn’t a former football player, maybe. You weigh a ton! Add me and Rae and the whole thing will founder.”

“Maybe. Then it’s time for swimming lessons.” He laughed at Kellen’s expression, kissed her on the mouth and then yelled, “Come on, Rae, let’s sail!”

Before he finished speaking, Rae prepared the sail to be raised and together, she and Max pushed the boat into the waves.

Kellen watched Max haul out the oars and gesture Rae to her place by the motor. She was going to steer them out beyond the breakers and into open water.

Living at Yearning Sands Resort had taught the child all the things they had hoped when they moved there: she biked, she sailed, she could survive in the wilderness. She had taught adults how to make a fire and tie a rope. Her confidence was as blinding as her smile.

Max cast off.