Laura’s fiancé Owen Lawry came in from the porch, carrying his guitar like a backpack. “I finished my set, babe. Want to get something to eat? Oh, hey, Adam. What’s up, man?”

Adam greeted his old friend with a hug. “Just looking for my wayward brother.”

“Which one?”

“Grant.”

“Haven’t seen him today. Did you look at Sam’s? Or Celtica?”

Adam nodded. “Checked all the usual places. No one’s seen him, and he’s not answering his phone.”

Owen and Laura exchanged glances.

“What?” Adam asked, as a sinking feeling attacked his stomach.

“He’s been…kinda off since the accident,” Owen said. “Definitely not himself.”

“So I’ve heard and seen for myself. If you see him, give me a call, will you?”

“Sure,” Owen said. “Will do.”

“You don’t think he’s with Abby, do you?” Laura asked softly.

Thunderstruck, Adam stared at his cousin. The thought had never occurred to him. “As far as I know, he doesn’t even know she’s home.”

“Still,” Laura said, “might be worth checking.”

“I’ll do that.”

“While you’re home,” Laura said, “I could use your expertise with our reservation system. It’s giving us fits.”

“I’d be happy to take a look.”

“Thanks.” Laura covered her mouth and braced a hand on her desk.

Owen stepped closer to her, gripping her shoulder. “Babe? What’s wrong?”

“Nauseous. Again.”

“Ugh, that damned flu is hanging on. Let’s get you upstairs. I’ll get Holden from my mom, and she can come down to cover for you here.”

“She’s got a date with Charlie tonight.” For Adam’s benefit, she added, “She’s been seeing Stephanie’s stepdad.”

“Sounds like an outbreak of romance around here. Good for them.”

“We think so, too,” Owen said, as he held out a hand to Laura.

“I’ll watch the desk until Sarah comes down,” Adam said.

“Thank you.” Laura gave him another quick hug. “So nice to have you home, cousin.”

“Good to be here. Feel better.” As Adam watched Laura and Owen go up the stairs arm in arm, he experienced a pang of yearning. He’d had that—or so he’d thought. Watching his cousin and friend together, so obviously in love, made Adam long for what they had, to have what each of his siblings had found with their partners in the last few years.

Growing up in a family of five kids, surrounded by cousins and friends, there hadn’t been much opportunity to be lonely, and he’d been too damned busy building his business over the last fourteen years to have time for loneliness. But now, leaning against the reception desk at the Sand & Surf, Adam felt more alone than he had in a long time.

“Here I come, Adam!” Sarah Lawry called a few minutes later as she came down the stairs.