“It’s no big deal,” I say, even though the truth is that the cross creeps me out. “It’s just that when I first found the clearing, I saw a cross stuck in the dirt in front of a tree. I chucked the cross into the woods, but when I went back there today, the cross had reappeared.” I hear how ridiculous it sounds as soon as it’s out of my mouth.

He frowns. “Weird.”

“Whatever; just forget about it. I’m sure it’s nothing,” I say, worried he’s going to think I’m some nutcase going on about crosses in the woods.

“Maybe just put up some ‘no trespassing’ signs?” he suggests.

“Good idea,” I say, then quickly move the conversation on to new things.

We use the time to get caught up. I learn that he runs a cottage maintenance business just like his father did, Keen Cottage Maintenance. That he lives in the apartment above the boathouse of his childhood home so that he can take care of his mom without living in the same house. I learn that he’s a university graduate but did it all online so that he could run his business and be there for Willa. That he had a husky named Salinger but had to give him away because his mom mistook the dog for a wolf one too many times, which caused her to have episodes.

I learn that he likes books more than TV and that he listens to podcasts about music while working and music in the car. He drinks only craft beer and would one day like to open his own brewery or maybe a retreat for troubled youth on one of the islands up here.

By the time dinner is on the table, I feel as though no time at all has passed and we’re right back where we left off. I open a bottle of red to go with the steak, and we settle in the dining room with the back doors open and only candles to see by. My mother would have been very proud—dinner with a handsome man by candlelight.

“You were pretty hungry?” Ezra says when we finish. I look at what remains and realize I’ve eaten an entire steak and half the loaf of bread.

“I haven’t eaten that well in a long time. Thank you.” I bow my head in gratitude, wonderfully full from the meal and perched on the right side of tipsy.

I clear the table and do the small collection of dirty dishes, and Ezra goes into the living room to put a record on. Already we have that nice rhythm back to our time together—natural and easy.