Evan joined him in leaning against the rail. “He was her only child.”

“Christ,” Adam uttered.

“I guess she raised him alone after the dad split. She taught him how to sail, got him interested in the sport. And now…”

“She’s feeling guilty for encouraging him to do what he probably loved more than anything.”

“Something like that.”

“I can’t believe what happened to Grant out there.”

“The poor guy. No wonder why he’s been so messed up.”

“One of us should call Stephanie to clue her in to what’s going on.”

“Good idea. I’ll do it.”

Adam stood by Evan’s side as he placed the call to Stephanie and told her what Grant had finally confessed to them. “She’s on her way,” Evan said when he ended the call.

“It’ll take some time,” Adam said, “but he’ll get past this.”

“You think so?”

“You don’t?”

“I think it’ll haunt him for a long time.”

“We’ll take care of him. Stephanie will, too. We’ll get him past it. Somehow.”

Evan put an arm around Adam and gave him an awkward hug. Growing up, Adam and his younger brother had spent more time punching each other than hugging. But now he leaned into his brother’s embrace, thankful for the comfort.

“I’m glad you’re home,” Evan said. “I’m glad everyone is home.”

“Me, too.” There was, Adam thought, nowhere else he’d rather be.

Listening to Mac relay the tale of epic struggle to Steve Jacobson’s mother was among the most excruciating things Grant had ever been through. The poor woman wept throughout the telling, during which Mac’s voice never wavered from the soft, soothing tone he began with.

By the time he was finished, everyone in the room was in tears.

Uncle Frank slipped an arm around his brother, propping up Big Mac, who was taking the retelling of the story hard. It was equally hard for Grant to hear it again, but he was thankful to Mac for doing the talking for him. He didn’t think he could’ve gotten through it himself. But now he felt the need to say something to Steve’s mother.

“I’m sorry,” Grant said. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save them both.”

Betsy took a new tissue from Linda. “After the crash… When you were in the water, was Steve conscious?”

“No.”

“Is it possible he might’ve already been dead?”

“I don’t know,” Grant said. “I wish I could tell you what you need to know, but I wasn’t able to get to him to confirm that.”

“I ask because it would give me comfort to know he didn’t suffer, that perhaps he was killed on impact.”

“I suppose that’s possible.”