throws it and it lands on top of her head. Her expression is priceless. Her eyes widen and cross as she looks at the seaweed dangling between her eyes.
“I’m gonna get you for that!” She grabs the slimy weed, like she wasn’t just freaking out about it touching her, and starts chasing after Gray.
I smile and watch two of my favorite people run around being silly.
Lincoln stops and bends down, picking up a shell and dropping it inside the little bucket he’s carrying.
“What are you going to make me?” I ask.
Even to this day, he still makes me things out of the seashells we find. I don’t get them as often as I used to because we don’t come to the beach as often, but I cherish each and every one. Lifting my hand, I finger the one I’ve worn for years. It’s the very first one he gave me.
He grins and shoots me a wink. “That’s for me to know and for you to find out later.”
I stick my tongue out at him. “You suck.”
He lifts my hand and kisses the back of it. “Maybe, but you love me anyway.”
“Always.”
“Forevermore,” he corrects with a smile.
“Forevermore,” I repeat.
“What time are we supposed to drop your parents off at the dock for their cruise next week?”
My brows drop, and I look up at him in confusion, having no clue what he’s talking about. “Cruise? What cruise?”
Pain tightens his features, and I don’t understand why. He stops us, turns to face me, and grabs my other hand.
“Your parents are going on a cruise next week,” he says slowly. “They’ve been planning it since your mom retired last year.”
“Wait. What?” Ringing starts in my ears, and a flush of warmth settles over my face. “Mom hasn’t retired. She’s still working at the post office.”
Lincoln closes his eyes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a devastated look on his face before. A tight fist wraps around my heart, squeezing it tight. I loathe that look on his face.
In the next minute, I’m yanked forward, and my face lands in his chest. He hugs me so tight he almost takes my breath away. His own ragged breathing hits my ear.
“Lincoln,” I croak. “I don’t—” I stop abruptly when the memory of me talking to Mom yesterday hits me. I stutter out a breath and close my eyes. “Ten in the morning,” I rasp. “We drop them off at the dock at ten o’clock in the morning.”
We stay in each other’s embrace for several long minutes, neither wanting to let the other go.
Pulling in a lungful of air, I let it out slowly and pull my head away from Lincoln’s chest. I lick my lips and look up at him. His eyes glisten in the fading sun, making my own pain double.
I clear my throat, opting to ignore my mishap. “I actually had to threaten Mom with bodily harm for them to still go. She wanted to cancel and go another time.”
It takes him several seconds to respond, and I know he’s trying to get control of his own emotions.
“Go easy on her,” he says gravelly. “I don’t want to give up any time I have with you either. You’re one of her babies. I can’t imagine how hard this is on her.”
“I know,” I say quietly. “But I don’t want her to give up something she’s been wanting to do for years. It’s not fair to her and Dad.”
“None of this is fair to anyone.”
He’s right. It’s not fair to anyone. Mom and Dad are going to lose a daughter. Lincoln is going to lose a wife. And Gray and Gemma are going to lose a mother.
I feel the spasm come on even before my legs stiffen. It starts in my calves and works its way quickly up the rest of my body. My hand tightens in Lincoln’s, and I come to a stop, hoping it will prevent me from falling. It’s no use. My legs buckle of their own accord. Lincoln, recognizing what’s happening, catches me before my knees can hit the sand. Instead of scooping me up like I expected him to do, he gently settles us both on the ground. I sit sideways between his spread legs. For some reason, my eyes settle on the tipped over sand bucket he dropped when he caught me and the seashells spilling out.
I feel defeated and sad. I can’t even walk on the beach with my family without being reminded of my illness. I