Page 13 of Chasing the Horizon

“She’s this thirty-two-year-old professional,” Victor said. “I respect her credentials, and I respect her on paper, and I respect her in theory, but I can’t help but think, you know…” He put his hands on his hips. He knew if Esme heard him right now, she would not be happy.

“You can’t help but think you’re Victor Sutton and you’ve been there, done that?” his brother teased.

“I wouldn’t put it like that,” Victor said.

“But I’m close,” his brother said.

“Yes. Okay. You’re close. I know that makes me an arrogant son of a gun.”

They were on a beautiful walk along the southernmost tip of the island. A morning of rainfall had left a bright and blue-skied afternoon, and they were telling themselves they would walk for at least a few hours to “earn” a meal at Rebecca’s restaurant and a glass of wine at the reading afterward. Julia, Victor and Valerie’s supposed new “editor,” was going to be there because the writer performing the reading was one of her clients. It was a schmoozing event more than anything. But it was also a night out with his family.

Victor needed to remember to appreciate every minute. He needed to stop being so upset all the time, both with himself and those around him. (Mostly with himself, he knew.)

“If you were the couples therapist, what would you tell yourself?” Victor’s brother asked him, tilting his head in a way that made Victor feel decades younger.

Like they were playing a game.

“You mean if I was my own patient?”

“Exactly,” his brother said.

Victor rolled his eyes and then closed them. His head throbbed.

“I guess I’d tell myself to give it more time. I’d tell myself that therapy requires patience.”

His brother snapped his fingers. “There you have it.”

“But what if it doesn’t work?” Victor asked.

“Something always works,” his brother said. “It’s all about finding a new way through.”

After that, his brother confessed that his dogs were barking and that he was ready for the glass of wine Victor had promised him. Victor laughed and headed back toward the car, wondering about the night ahead, hoping that he and Valerie would impress Julia enough to seal the deal on the publishing contract. Julia had said she “adored” the proposal but wanted to meet Valerie before everything went forward. Victor might have told Juliathat she would adore Valerie just as much or even more than the proposal. Everyone did.

Victor’s stomach churned with sorrow at how the other night had gone. Valerie had come over to start writing the novel, and when she’d tried to show him her notes, his eyes had blurred with annoyance. He’d thought,She’s never written a book before. What does she know?

He decided not to tell his brother about that just yet.

Victor drove them back to the Sutton Book Club and parked around the corner, closer than he’d been able to during tourist season. They underwent a big trade-off year after year: colder weather and an emptier island or warmer weather and a population explosion. Victor had sort of forgotten about it. He’d sort of forgotten how magical autumn could be.

Victor and Aaron entered the Sutton Book Club to air spiced with basil, oregano, and thyme. They mounted the stairs to the second-floor restaurant, where they found Esme and Bethany bent over what looked like a list of today’s reservations. Rebecca and her boyfriend were in the kitchen, dancing around with wooden spoons and singing an ABBA song.

“What’s happening in here?” Aaron asked joyfully. “Who told you all you could be so happy?”

Bethany snapped to her feet, hurrying to hug her uncle.

“Welcome! Welcome!” Esme waved him over. “Let me get you something to drink?”

Her eyes danced over to Victor and promptly dimmed. Victor couldn’t help but think,Oh, she’s still angry with me.

It was true she’d been rather cold since the therapy session, and when he turned over in bed to say hello to her, she only murmured hello back.

He couldn’t let that get to him. He had to take responsibility for his actions. Victor pushed himself to approach her. He kissed her on the cheek and said, “You look stunning, my dear.”

Esme melted just the slightest bit. “You’re glowing, Victor Sutton. Where have you been?”

Victor said that he and Aaron had been out for a beach hike. Esme’s lips flickered into a smile. “You worked up an appetite, I hope?”

“When have I not had an appetite?” Victor asked.

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