Page 159 of Renewal After Dark

“We haven’t told too many people yet, but I’m expecting another baby, so I’ll need some help with the business. I want to be able to focus on the part that’s fun for me while someone else makes sure the taxes get paid.”

“I can certainly help with that, and congrats on the new baby.”

“It’s a very special time for me. I’m sure you’ll hear this from someone before too long, but I lost my first husband and our two children in a drunk-driving accident several years ago.”

“Oh my God, Sydney. I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you.” She reached for a framed photo on a side table. “That’s Seth, Malena and Max.”

“They were beautiful.”

“Yes, they were, and it took me a long time to be able to even consider moving on with a new life, but then I came here, reunited with my first love, and now we’ve got our precious Lily with another on the way.” She retrieved a second photo of a handsome dark-haired man holding Lily. “That’s my Luke.”

“I give you so much credit for what you’ve overcome.”

“I survived the accident that took them from me. I had no choice but to figure out a new life for myself.”

“A lot of people wouldn’t have made the effort. I don’t know that I could’ve.” The thought of losing Jax was too big for her to even consider.

“It’s amazing what you can do when life gives you no choice.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

“Did Jax’s dad come out to the island with you?”

“No, he’s not in the picture.” She shared the details of what’d happened with Eric.

“Come on,” Sydney said. “What iswrongwith people?”

McKenzie laughed. “So many things. But we’re doing okay. My grandmother left me her cottage here, which is how we ended up coming to Gansett in the first place. Then the storm hit, the cottage collapsed, Blaine Taylor rescued me, and then Duke Sullivan offered me a place to stay in his garage apartment. And now I seem to be falling in love with him… So yeah, things happen for a reason, I guess.”

“That’s quite a story, and for what it’s worth, I love hearing you’re with Duke. He’s the best.”

“That’s what everyone says. My grandmother adored him.”

“Who was your grandmother?”

“Rosemary Enders.”

“Oh, no way! I knew her back in the day when I scooped ice cream in town. She came in almost every day.”

“That sounds about right. She used to say if only she could figure out which of her teeth was the sweet one, she’d have it pulled.”

“Yes! I remember that. She used to say that all the time when she was justifying her ‘daily scoop,’ as she called it. She was a lovely lady.”

“I miss her.”

Sydney insisted she stay for lunch, which was a delicious salad with grilled chicken. She had cereal and baby food for Jax and fed Lily with cheese, crackers and apple slices while Jax ate in Lily’s high chair.

“This was so nice. Thank you for feeding us. You didn’t have to do that.”

“We enjoyed it very much, didn’t we, Lily?”

“Jax.”

“Yes, that’s your new friend Jax.”

“We’ve made so many friends here. More than I’ve ever had in my life.”

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