“You don’t cook anymore?”
“I—yes, of course I cook. But proper food.” She stumbled. “Nutritious—er—things. Are your parents here this summer?”
The question knocked him off balance.
So she didn’t know.
Sadness washed over him. It came and went like the tide over the sand.
The years opened up like a gulf. So many changes. So many life events he and Fliss should have shared and weathered together. Instead they’d done it apart.
“My father died. Ten months ago. Heart attack. No warning. It was very sudden.”
“Oh, Seth—” Her reaction was as spontaneous as it was genuine. Her hand came out and she touched his arm for a few seconds before snatching it back. “I’m truly sorry.”
“Yeah, it’s been tough. We’re selling Ocean View.” And he was still getting his head around that, trying to untangle his own wishes from those of his mother. Trying to work out what his father would have wanted him to do. And in a way that was easy. His father would have wanted him to do whatever made his mother happiest.
Which meant he was selling the house.
“That’s why you’re here? Because you need to sell the house?”
“No. I’m here because this is my home.” So that was something else she didn’t know. “I live here.”
“But you said—”
“I bought a house close to Sag Harbor. It’s near the beach and the nature preserve. It needed some work, but it’s nearly finished.”
“You’re saying you’re here permanently?”
Was he imagining it or did he see panic? He had to be imagining it. “Yes. I run Coastal Vets, on the edge of town.”
“Oh. Well, that’s great.” Her tone told him it was anything but great.
He studied her face intently, searching for answers. “How are things with you, Harriet?”
“Good! Fliss and I run a dog-walking business in Manhattan. The Bark Rangers. We’re doing well. A bit too well. Fliss wants to expand—you know what she’s like.”
He didn’t know. Not anymore. But he wanted to. Had she changed? Was she still impulsive? Did she still kick her shoes off at every opportunity? Did she still hide her feelings?
He had an urge to ask a million questions but held himself back.
He was pleased, but not at all surprised, that Fliss had set up and was running a successful business.
“So if your grandmother has fallen, you’re going to be here for a w
hile. How will Fliss manage the business without you?”
“We have an army of reliable dog walkers, and I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“So we’re going to be neighbors. I’d like to help in any way I can.”
The look of panic was back. “That’s not necessary! I’m sure we’ll be fine, and I wouldn’t want to bother you.”
“It’s no bother. Everyone in my family is fond of your grandmother, myself included. She brings Charlie to the clinic for checks, as do all her friends. And she has many. She’s been part of this community as long as any of us can remember. My mother would never forgive me if I didn’t help out.” He looked at her for a long moment and decided to test a theory. “How is Fliss?”
“Fliss? She’s so happy. Doing really well. She’s built the business up from nothing, and now she’s so busy she barely has time to breathe. It’s an exciting time. All good.”
It didn’t tell him anything he wanted to know, but that was because he hadn’t asked the right questions, of course. Is she seeing someone? Is she married? Why did she get as far as the door of the vet clinic and then turn around? Why is she avoiding me?