As he approached, she stood, and he saw she was tall and strikingly pretty with curly dark hair that fell to her shoulders. As he drew closer, he could see that she was older than she’d first appeared.

“Mr. McCarthy?”

“I’m one of them, but this is my brother’s home. I’m Frank McCarthy.”

She shook his outstretched hand. “Betsy Jacobson. I was hoping to see Mr. or Mrs. McCarthy.”

“I could give them a call for you, if you’d like.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

He stepped around her and climbed the stairs. “Come on in.”

“Are you sure they won’t mind?”

“I’m positive.” Frank held the screen door for her and gestured for her to go into the house.

“They don’t lock their doors?” Betsy asked.

“No one does around here. Gansett is the safest place in the world.”

“Not always,” Betsy said.

Frank wasn’t sure what to make of her comment, so he went ahead and placed calls to Mac and Linda, who both said they’d be home in a few minutes.

“Can I get you something?” Frank asked while they waited in somewhat awkward silence.

“A glass of water would be great.”

“Coming right up.” Frank had spent enough time here to know where the glasses were kept and poured ice water for both of them.

Betsy wandered over to the sliding doors that led the expansive deck. “They have quite a view.”

“One of the best on the island.” Frank joined her at the doors. “That’s their marina down there and their hotel.” He was surprised to hear a sniffle of what might’ve been tears from her. “Are you all right?” When he looked over at her, she was staring at the marina.

“My son Steve was killed—”

“Oh God.” Frank hadn’t made the connection to her last name and the young man who’d been killed in the accident that had nearly claimed three of his nephews. “Your son was the captain.”

“Yes.”

“I’m so very sorry for your loss.”

She wiped away tears. “Thank you. Seeing the marina where he stayed…”

Frank wasn’t sure if it was appropriate, but he reached out to pat her shoulder.

“I wanted to meet the McCarthys and to maybe hear more about what happened from their sons, since they were there.”

“I’m sure they’ll do anything they can for you.”

“You’re very kind. Thank you.”

Linda came rushing in a few minutes later and came right over to Betsy. The two women embraced as if they’d always known each other. Watching them, tears filled Frank’s eyes. He didn’t even want to imagine what Betsy had been through losing her son so suddenly and tragically.

“I’m so glad you came,” Linda said, patting Betsy’s back. “I’ve thought of you constantly.”