“I can’t turn you in if you haven’t done anything – that I know about,” he said, throwing the boat into reverse and slowly exiting the harbor. “The truth is, if anything has happened, I know my beautiful wife probably had a hand in it.”

“Excuse me, Mr. Kowalski,” Margie said, hands on her hips. “Why would you assume it’s my fault?”

He laughed. “I didn’t say it was your fault. Just that you might’ve had a hand in it. There’s nothing that happens on these islands that you don’t know about – usually long before I do.”

She considered this for a moment and let out a little laugh. “Maybe people tell me things because I’m such a good listener.”

He beamed. “That must be it.”

Claire stared at them, watching this exchange. There was once a time when she thought she could do the same thing that Margie had done – that she could move to the islands, start a new business, and forge a new place in the world.

She’d never admit this to anyone, but she’d also hoped she’d get the chance to fall in love, too. It seemed silly, even immature to hope that. Her love life had always been disappointing in one way or another. There was no reason it would change because she moved.

Claire thought there might have been something between her and Chip, that they understood each other, that they had something…unique.

That, too, was silly.

As it turned out, Claire was the opposite of Margie. Instead of inspiring confidence and joy, Claire brought ruin to all. Instead of falling in love with a charming guy, she drove him away.

Claire sunk into her seat and focused on fighting the nausea.

They sailed on, Margie filling the conversation with stories about recent clients she’d had at Saltwater Cove. Hank added some details Margie left out, and Claire sat silently, listening.

When they reached Anacortes, Hank gave Margie a kiss and told her to be careful.

“I’m always careful,” she said.

He smiled. “Right. Claire, keep an eye on her. Let me know if you need a ride back. I’ll be waiting for your call.”

Margie smiled at him and squeezed his hand. “Thanks sweetie.”

Waiting on her call. Claire had never had a guy wait on her call. More pathetically, she’d always waited on theirs. Perhaps romance wasn’t meant for everyone. It certainly wasn’t meant for her.

They took a taxi from the dock to the car rental office. Margie had already arranged for a car, and it was waiting for them when they arrived.

“Do you want me to drive?” Margie asked. “I’m sure you’re still quite shaken up.”

Claire nodded. “That would be nice.”