John lifted Flo into his arms as gently and easily as he would a child. Linnea realized she probably weighed as little. She followed with the light as he carried Flo out from the shelter of the bridge, smiling down at her with kindly affection. The rain had mercifully slowed to a drizzly mist and the worst of the wind had already blown offshore.

Suddenly Flo looked out toward the sea, and a beautiful smile transformed her face. She arched in John’s arms and reached out to wave enthusiastically. Linnea turned, but there was nothing there but the pitch black of sea and sky.

“Hello! Hello, Lovie!” Flo called out. Her face was filled with childlike joy as she waved.

John’s and Linnea’s gazes met, first with worry, then with wonder as they realized they were witnessing something neither of them could understand.

Other voices called out, this time coming from behind them along the beach path. “Linnea? John?”

“Over here!” Linnea called out, and ran to the edge of the bridge. She waved her flashlight to guide them. Figures made their way down the beach path from the parking lot in single file. David was first, carrying a large lantern that lit up the area. He was followed closely by Cara carrying blankets, and then Emmi.

Flo saw them and clutched John in fear, burying her head in his shoulder.

“It’s okay, Flo,” he said softly. “Look. It’s Emmi. And Cara. They’ve come to take you home.”

chapter sixteen

Every day is meant to be lived. Fully. With our eyes wide open.

Our senses on full alert. Not wasted. Or squandered in doubt or self-pity.

THE FAST-MOVING STORM had left the coast drenched. The sand was deep and soft and difficult for walking as John carried Florence up the steep incline over the dunes to the parking lot. Emmi and Cara guided Flo into the backseat of David’s Range Rover. Her eyes had closed and her head fell on Emmi’s shoulder.

Linnea and John, wrapped in blankets, stood quietly watching. From this distance, Linnea couldn’t tell if Flo was resting, had fallen asleep, or passed out. The old woman was still trembling, even under her blanket. Linnea whipped off her blanket and handed it to Cara.

“Cover her with this one too. She’s still cold.”

Cara’s eyes gleamed with gratitude. “Darling girl,” she murmured as she took it and placed it over Flo.

“There’s room for one more,” David called from the front seat.

“You take it,” John told Linnea.

“I’m not going without you.”

“You go ahead,” John called out to David. “It’s only a few blocks. Get Flo home. We’ll walk.”

The big car pulled away from the curb and Linnea watched the red taillights disappear into the mist. John moved his blanket so that it covered both their heads. Under the blanket it smelled of wet wool, which was oddly comforting. They walked hip to hip, her arm around his waist, in lockstep.