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no ideas. I see what’s on yer mind. She’s pretty . . . but you don’t want none a that!”
    â€œYou don’t see what’s on my mind,” Liam said with a grin.
    â€œOh, yes, I do,” Coop said, shaking his head, “and that girl’s nothin’ but trouble.”
    â€œHow do you know?”
    â€œCuz I just spent fifteen minutes with her arrogant father—who thinks Clay’s asking too much for his sailboat . . . and I speak from experience.”
    â€œI’d like to hear about your experience,” Liam teased.
    â€œYer not old enough.”
    â€œHow old were you? ”
    â€œOld enough to know better!”
    Liam laughed, knowing his uncle was never going to share his boyhood escapades.
    â€œA word from the wise, kiddo—the summer girls’ll break your heart.”
    â€œMaybe,” Liam said, sipping his Coke and breathing in the sweet, fresh fragrance that still lingered around him.

Chapter 4
    L iam tossed the last bite of his breakfast sandwich to Tuck, who snatched it from the air with the dexterity of an NFL receiver. Then he wiped his hands on his jeans, carefully tore the ad out of the newspaper, and tacked it to the shelf above the workbench. The opening for Levi Knox’s art show was Sunday!
    â€œHey, stranger,” a voice bellowed and Liam looked up. Tuck pulled himself off the floor and hurried over to greet the newcomer.
    A smile spread across Liam’s face. “Oh, man,” he said, shaking his head. “If it isn’t Jack Regan, legendary leader of Hell’s Kitchen platoon!” The two old friends hugged and slapped each other on the back.
    â€œWho’s this big fella?” Jack asked, kneeling down.
    â€œThat’s Tucket—my fearless watchdog.”
    Jack laughed. “We have a golden too. His name’s Boomer, and about the only thing he’d be good at is watching while the robbers clean out the house.”
    â€œYep,” Liam said with a nod. “That’s what Tuck would do too.” He watched as his friend rubbed the big dog’s ears. “So what brings you out here?”
    â€œThe little missus, of course,” Jack said with a grin.
    â€œHow is Tracey?”
    â€œOh, she’s fine . . . fine.”
    Liam shook his head again. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
    â€œI can’t either,” Jack said, standing. “How the hell’ve ya been?”
    Liam smiled. “Oh, you know, same old shit.”
    Jack looked around. “This place hasn’t changed.” He turned back. “I was real sorry to hear ’bout Coop.”
    Liam nodded. “Thanks. It may look the same, but it’s definitely not.”
    Jack nodded. “I hear ya. My ole man passed last year and life just isn’t the same . . . and we weren’t even close like you and Coop.”
    â€œSo Tracey dragged you out here?”
    â€œYeah, but she didn’t have to drag too hard cuz I knew I’d see you.” He paused. “It’s been too long.”
    Liam nodded. “It has.”
    â€œOn the way over I was trying to remember the last time—it had to be ’96 or ’7.”
    â€œOur tour ended in ’94, so that must be about right, but it wasn’t the last time we saw each other. I did come to your wedding.”
    â€œYeah,” Jack teased, “you came all the way to Chatham.”
    Liam laughed. “It was a stretch . . . but it’s not every day you get asked to be someone’s best man. How long ago was that?”
    Jack squeezed his eyes shut. “Let’s see,” he said, trying to remember how long he’d been married. “Fourteen years?”
    Liam gave a low whistle. “Fourteen! Where’d the time go?”
    â€œI don’t know, but it’s your fault—we’ve invited you to Vermont countless times, but you refuse to leave this damn island.”
    â€œI know. I know.