She and Walter in bed together, a rumpled white comforter tangled between them. Sunrise filtered through Walter’s bedroom window, which faced east toward the river that, in turn, flowed right past her own house. She reclined sideways, her elbow bent with her head propped in her palm. Walter trailed his fingers along her neck and then down her body, his lips following. “You’re my family now,” he said.

“We’re a package deal,” she told him, the desire rising again. She folded her leg over his to pull him closer and closer still. “Do you realize that if we floated along the river from here, we’d end up right at my family’s dock? We’re tied together by water.”

“Meant to be,” he said.

She felt him hard against her thigh and again they made love with the fervor of those who believe they will never get enough of each other. Their bodies were the same as the river outside, drawing them together with every tide.

A bang of the back pub door and Colleen shook herself from the vivid remembrance. She hated him. She wanted him. She loved him. No, she didn’t. She hated him.

“Are you okay?” The voice startled Colleen and she stood quickly, becoming off balance and falling back to catch herself on Beckett’s arm. “What?”

“I saw you run out, and I thought . . .”

“You thought what?”

“That you didn’t look well.”

Colleen tried to smile. “Just needed to catch my breath.”

“Are you sick? Can I get you some water or something . . .” He reached for her hand and took it, lifted it to his lips to kiss her palm. So gentle; so sweet.

“It’s not the kind of sickness that can be helped with water.” She squeezed his hand.

“What is it then?”

“Memories,” she said. “A sickening memory that came alive and then walked through the door; one I’ve tried to forget.”

“Trying to forget never works.” He smiled at her as if they were in on a secret together.

“Well, isn’t that the hell of it all? My dad wants to remember and he can’t. I want to forget and I can’t.”

“I’m sorry. Whatever it is, I’m sorry.”

“So am I.” Colleen shook her head and let go of his hand. “So very sorry.”

“I know a great place to forget for a while, a place where we can see the stars. They give me perspective. Come with me?”

“If it means I don’t have to head back inside, then I’m good to go.”

The back pub door swung open again, spilling a funnel of light onto the gravel driveway as Walter and Hallie stepped onto the threshold. Hallie crossed her arms over her chest; he gesticulated wildly. What world had Colleen fallen into that she had to watch this now? She pressed herself against the dumpster and pulled Beckett toward her. “Shh . . .”