pedaled in reverse until they were away from the dock, and then turned toward Egret Island and pedaled at a relaxed pace.
Jay’s sandy hair blew gently in the breeze, his shadowy beard just visible enough to make him seem older than seventeen. “The lake’s tame today.”
“That can change on a dime.”
Jay looked up at the bluebird sky, a silly grin stretching his cheeks. “Oh, I’m sure there could be a thunderhead out there somewhere between here and Jamaica. Why are you always looking for trouble?”
“Just habit,” Abby said. “I was raised to be cautious.”
“Yeah,” he said knowingly. “Well, there’s no cause for worry out here. It’s just us, the birds, and the breeze, and the good Lord smiling down on us.”
Abby breathed in deeply and let it out. “Did you happen to catch the sunrise this morning?”
“I wasn’t up that early.”
“I got so caught up in it that I ran smack dab into that swinging door to the kitchen just as my mother was coming out. Made a huge mess. Not exactly a great beginning to an already-hard-enough day.”
“For both of you.”
“Mama keeps her feelings in check better than I do.” Abby shifted her gaze to the dragonfly that landed on the steering wheel. “Speaking of mothers, did yours ever decide when she’s getting married?”
“Soon. She and Number Four are flying to Vegas on Monday. Guess I’ll have to get used to the idea of her being Mrs. Richie Stump.” Jay shook his head. “I’m just glad I don’t have to change names every time she does.”
“I can’t believe this is the fourth time you’ve been through it. Has to be hard.”
“What’s hard is not having a close relationship with my real dad. We don’t have much in common.”
“You’re his son. How much more ‘in common’ can you get?”
Jay looked out toward the island, his gaze intense. “I don’t think he knows what to do with me. He’s remarried and has three other sons that are more like him, into macho stuff. I feel like the odd man out.”
“Do you get along with your stepbrothers?”
“I guess. I spend holidays with my dad’s family, but I don’t really belong. And Mom’s life is a revolving door. About the time I get attached to a new stepdad, he leaves. And when I spend time with my real dad, I get the feeling he’s just doing his duty.”
“Dads are important,” Abby said.
“I guess we both have a big void there.”
This was too heavy a subject. Especially today.
Abby pulled the sandwiches out of the bag and handed Jay his half. She unwrapped hers partway, said a silent prayer of thanksgiving, and took a bite. “I’m glad you thought of this.”
Jay tilted back his head and closed his eyes as if relishing the feel of the sun and breeze on his face. “There’s no one else I’d rather be with. You’re not like most girls.”
“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
“Yeah. I’m completely at ease with you. I don’t have to be a jock. Or good-looking. Or say the right thing. Or impress your girlfriends. There’s no real agenda, other than enjoying your company. Plus you’re a good listener. I can just be myself when I’m with you.”
“Same here. And we agreed not to spoil it by what?”
Jay laughed and opened his eyes. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to come on to you. I like things the way they are.”
Abby took a sip of Coke, glad she didn’t have to worry about the boy-girl thing complicating their friendship. But despite Jay’s welcome presence, the heaviness of the day hadn’t left her—neither had the selfish fear she couldn’t bring herself to tell anyone, not even him.
“You okay?” Jay said.
I doubt I’ll ever be okay. Abby nodded and looked out toward the island. “I just need to get through today.”
Chapter 4
The next day, just after noon, Abby parallel-parked her mother’s blue Honda Odyssey in front of Salisbury’s Supermarket. Foggy Ridge was bustling with activity. Neon signs had been turned on in shop windows. And the parking lots of eating establishments along Main Street were filled to overflowing with the after-church crowd.
Abby got out of the car, the words to “Above All” continuing to play in her head hours after she had attended the early-morning service at Praise Chapel. It hurt her to think of God’s Son “like a rose trampled on the ground.” It was that image that had softened her heart toward Him. It had been almost six months since she walked the aisle and made