They went up the ramp to the main dock, where Dan dropped her hand and put his good arm around her, hugging her as close to him as he could get her. He kissed the top of her head and was delighted when he felt her arm curl around his waist, her fingers hooking into one of the belt loops on his jeans.

His body ached like a bastard, but his heart… His heart had never felt better.

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Abby dashed across the street to the Sand & Surf a little after seven. Inside Stephanie’s Bistro, she spotted the table full of women across the big dining room and headed over to join them, relieved that Janey had saved a seat for her. She was the one Abby knew best and felt most comfortable with. Since she planned to stay put on the island from now on, she was looking forward to getting to know the other women better.

In addition to Janey, the group consisted of Maddie, Tiffany, Sydney, Grace and Laura, as well as a blonde woman Abby hadn’t met before.

“Do you know everyone?” Janey asked after greeting Abby with a hug and kiss.

“Almost everyone,” Abby said glancing at the blonde.

“Jenny, I don’t think you’ve met my friend Abby Callahan. Abby, Jenny Wilks, our esteemed lighthouse keeper. We’ve got her to thank for organizing this girls’ night out.”

“Nice to meet you,” Abby said as she shook Jenny’s hand across the table. “Any excuse for a night out with the girls is fine by me.” When the waitress approached the table, Abby ordered a glass of Chardonnay. She was anxious to see if she liked it better than the pinot grigio.

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Abby. I’ve heard great things about the store you used to have.”

“She’s opening a new store right here in the Surf,” Laura said proudly.

“That’s great,” Maddie said. “Thomas misses the Attic something awful. Will the new store be like the old one?”

“Laura and I are still working out the details.”

“I told you to do whatever you want with the space,” Laura said.

“In that case,” Abby said, “it’ll be Abby’s Attic at The Surf, only a little smaller than its predecessor.”

“I love that!” Laura said.

“Thomas won’t care if it’s smaller, as long as there’re toys,” Maddie.

“I’ll be sure to consult with him before I place the order,” Abby said.

“So there was a method to my madness in organizing a girls’ night,” Jenny said, “and I’m afraid if I don’t put it out there right away, I’ll chicken out. And I promised myself I wouldn’t chicken out.”

Jenny had the full attention of every woman at the table.

“What is it, Jenny?” Sydney asked. “Is everything all right?”