On Lucy’s end a woman rattled out a street address.

“Wait,” Lucy said, her voice muffled. “Summer Harbor?”

“No, honey. Portland.”

“Portland . . . ?” Lucy asked. “Portland, Oregon?”

“What? No. Maine. Portland, Maine.”

Ah, for the love of— Zac poked his fingers into his eye sockets. “Lucy.” More shuffling. “Lucy.”

“I’m right here. Zac, I’m in—”

“I heard.” He gave a quiet growl. He shouldn’t even be thinking about doing this. She was gone from his life. He was finally over her.

Sure you are. That’s why you’re going to rush to her rescue.

He’d always been so weak where Lucy was concerned. She’d had him in the palm of her hand since the day she’d walked into the Roadhouse. Right up until she stomped all over his heart with her fancy pointy-toed heels.

“This better not be some trick, Lucy.”

“Why would I even do that?” Her voice was a mixture of outrage and hurt.

He huffed. Like he’d ever been able to figure her out.

“Please, Zac. I’m truly desperate.”

His resolve crumbled at the sound of tears in her voice. Aw, dang it. He’d never be able to live with himself if something happened to her. He ran his palm over his face as resolve settled over him.

“Sit tight. I’ll be there in a few hours.”

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Lucy stared out at the bustling harbor. Her backside was numb from the wooden bench she’d been sitting on since her call to Zac. After she’d hung up she’d been eager to escape the glowering manager, curious patrons, and nauseating smells coming from the kitchen. She’d hiked up her skirts and crossed the street, relieved to find an out-of-the-way bench where she could ruminate in private.

She’d had hours to think, or so it seemed, and she’d reached a disturbing conclusion. She’d definitely lost a month of her life. There was no getting around it. She wasn’t sure why she was in Portland or why Zac was in Summer Harbor, but she had to face it—her brain wasn’t operating at optimum capacity.

She felt mildly dizzy, and her vision was slightly blurred no matter how hard she tried to blink it away. The sunlight glinting off the water felt like knife blades jabbing her in the eyes. She closed them against the pain and focused on breathing.

While the headache and dizziness were disorienting, the anxiety roiling in her gut was even worse. What was wrong with her? Were the memories of the past month gone forever? Did she have a serious injury? How long would this befuddled state last? What if it never went away?

She watched a lobster boat coming in off the water, the men quitting for the day. What time was it? What was taking Zac so long?

What if he didn’t come?

Ridiculous. Of course he’d come. He loved her.