scowl lifted to a bright smile.
âItâs you!â he called out, pointing to Taylor.
Taylor turned and grinned at seeing the boy. âItâs me!â
Nate hurried to his side but stopped a few feet in front of him, his arms at his side, eyes wide and appealing. âDid you bring your games?â
âSorry, pal. Not this time.â
Nate scrunched up his face in disappointment.
âHow are you?â Taylor asked.
âGood.â
âMe, too.â
Nate tilted his head, curious. âSo what are you doing here?â
âIâm here to see Carson.â
Nate considered this. âAre you going to marry Aunt Carson?â
Carson barked out a laugh.
Harper swung her head around.
Taylor took the question in his stride. âWhy would you think that?â
âOn account of sheâs going to have a baby and I was wondering if youâre here to be the daddy.â
Taylorâs gaze slid to Carson.
Carson slipped her palm on her cheek, speechless.
âYouâre having a baby?â
Carson dropped her hand and shrugged. âYep.â
Harper watched Taylor digest this news and was relieved to see him smile in genuine pleasure. âCongratulations.â
âThanks. Iâm just getting used to the idea,â Carson said breezily. Then she launched into the story of how sheâd been in the pool with Delphine and how the dolphin had been persistently echolocating on her belly.
âYou were diagnosed by a dolphin?â Taylor summed up with a short laugh. âClassic.â
âI know, right? Gotta admit itâs a great story. I can use it at parties for decades.â
Nate tugged Taylorâs shirt. âIs Thor here?â
âSure is. Heâs out on the porch.â
âCan I go see him?â
âHeâd like that.â
âWill he remember me?â
âSure. Heâll be glad to see you again. Go on out and keep him company.â
âOkay.â Nate took off like a shot.
Carson smiled. âA boy and a dog. Another classic.â
âIced teaâs ready,â Harper called out. She set out a tray with two tall glasses of sweet tea, lemons, and sugar cookies.
âThanks,â Taylor said, trying to catch her gaze.
Carson said, âLetâs go out to the porch. Thereâs no place to sit in here.â
Taylor turned to Harper. âAre you coming?â
Harper smiled, pleased at his invitation. âIf Iâm not interrupting . . .â
âYouâre not interrupting!â Carson exclaimed. âThe more the merrier.â
They were just leaving when Mamaw entered the room.
âGirls!â she sang out in a high voice reserved for guests. âLook whoâs come by for a visit.â
Mamaw stepped aside and everyone fell silent as a smilingâand then suddenly very confused-lookingâBlake followed Mamaw into the kitchen.
Chapter Four
B lake!â Carson sounded astonished. Harper could understand her sisterâs surprise: Blake had not been to Sea Breeze in weeks, though he lived on the same island. Their breakup had not been amicable. Glancing furtively at Taylor, Harper thought this couldnât be more awkward.
âHey, Carson.â Blake stepped hesitantly into the room filled with people. He was wearing a NOAA polo shirt and carried a computer bag. He glanced around, spotted Harper, and nodded with a quick smile of recognition. âHarper.â
âHey, Blake.â Harper glanced quickly to Carson, who stood still and silent, her eyes haunted.
Mamaw instinctively moved in to smooth the awkwardness. âMy, but thereâs a party in here!â she exclaimed, arms outstretched. âHow wonderful.â She zeroed in on Taylor. âHarper, dear, you have a friend.â She walked toward Taylor. âWe havenât been introduced.â
Harper stepped forward as years of training clicked in. âMamaw, Iâd like to present
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