Page 5 of The Summer that Changed Everything

He dug his toes deeper in the sand. He was still wearing the khaki shorts and golf shirt he’d arrived in. He’d been so eager to set foot on the beach he’d dropped his luggage as soon as heentered the house, kicked off his shoes and padded down the stairs off the deck. “Among other data-driven things.”

“Why would you take time off to renovate a house?”

Because he needed to do something different, something therapeutic, and for him that included working with his hands. By the end of each day, he planned to be too exhausted to think. “I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

“Have you ever been involved in construction?”

“No. But it isn’t rocket science. I’ll figure it out.”

Chet clicked his tongue. “If anyone can do it, you can.”

“And if I can’t, I’ll just hire a sub.”

“Some of the faces around here have changed. Let me give you my number. If you need help, I should be able to steer you to the right person—if I can’t lend a hand myself.”

“I appreciate that.”

They exchanged contact information. Then Chet called his dog one final time, put him on a leash and lifted a hand to wave. “We’ll figure out a date to have you over for dinner,” he said as he started to walk away.

“I appreciate that. It’s nice to run into a friendly face.”

“I might’ve given you the wrong impression. You should still know quite a few people. The old guard never seems to change.” Chet retraced the steps he’d just taken in anticipation of leaving, a serious expression on his face. “Matter of fact, I was just at the barber’s, where I heard that Lucy is back for the summer.”

“You mean... Lucy McBride? The one whose father...”

Chet’s mouth twisted. “Killed that old couple? And Aurora? Yes.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Nope. Only she goes by Sinclair now.”

“So she’s married...”

“According to the Clarks, she isn’t.”

“How would they know?” he asked.

Chet shrugged. “You got me. She’s rented the Smoot cottage—where that spinster librarian lived?”

“Lived?What happened to Ms. Smoot? Don’t tell me she passed away—”

“No, she’s in a home these days. Fell and broke her hip, so Dahlia’s taking care of the place while her aunt recuperates.”

He remembered Dahlia. She hadn’t hung out with his group, either, but he’d seen her around quite a bit. “And she rented it to Lucy?”

“Now you’re catching on. Aurora Clark’s parents are furious about it.”

Ford could see why, but... He scratched his neck. He thought of Lucy every now and then—more often than he wanted to—and felt bad for how he and the rest of the community had treated her. At the time, everyone had been so shocked and horrified they could think only of their own loss and anger. No one had been looking out for the daughter Mick McBride would leave behind when he went to prison, even though she was only seventeen at the time.

That seemed pretty harsh now. He’d wondered over the years how she’d gotten by on her own, what she’d been doing and how she’d turned out. She’d been smart. Savvy. He knew that from the time he’d spent with her. Had she gone to college? “What’s she been doing since she left?” he asked.

“No idea,” Chet replied. “I don’t think she stayed in touch with anyone.”

That didn’t come as any surprise. “Then... what in the world would bring her back?”

“That’s what we’d all like to know.”

“When will she be here?”

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