Page 46 of An Island Summer
Toby stiffened, clearly disbelieving.
“Let’s take the path down to the beach,” she said, removing her heels and letting them dangle from her fingers while leading Rupert, who was still gazing up at the night sky.
“I’m not sure we should take him onto the sand,” Toby said, striding up beside them. “He might be unsteady.”
“I remember taking you to the beach when you were unsteady,” Rupert said, addressing Toby. “You were three and you kept falling over.”
Toby stared at his grandfather, visibly in amazement that he’d said something coherent. “It’s good to see you,” Toby said, all his previous tension melting away, fondness in his words, and Meghan understood completely.
As Rupert looked back at his grandson, it was actually the two of them with nothing getting in the way. And she prayed that they could have more moments like these. It might be just enough to remind Toby who his grandfather was and change Toby’s life choices if the rumors were true.
“You coming or not?” Rupert asked Toby, pulling on Meghan and stepping down the path.
“Who’ve you got on your arm there, Gramps?” Toby asked, as if testing Rupert’s coherence, pacing along beside them.
“My nurse,” he answered.
Toby nodded, but Meghan wouldn’t allow Rupert’s misstep to deter her efforts. She was either going to prove that Rupert’s fantasies weren’t so far-fetched or she was going to convince Toby to be a better person—whichever reality was true, she was going to get to the bottom of it no matter how long it took.
They walked the path, the moonlight lighting their way, and the shushing of the waves like a distant lullaby. Rupert was quiet but smiling from ear to ear, and, regardless what had transpired between her and Toby, Meghan was glad that she’d come tonight.
“You two should have a drink,” Rupert suddenly said from between Meghan and Toby. He turned to his grandson. “You certainly could use one, and she’s a stunner.”
Meghan laughed out loud, despite the tension.
“Where didthatcome from, Gramps?” Toby asked.
“I just thought it was worth a mention.”
They stopped walking, the three of them standing at the opening to the beach, the waves crashing in silver sparkles onto the shore, the moonlight casting a long beam of white light out to the horizon. Gingerly, Rupert slipped off his loafers and sunk his feet into the sand.
“Be careful,” Toby said as his grandfather took a step, the gesture warming Meghan and giving her shattered heart a little bit of hope.
“It’s all right. I’ve got a hold of Hester,” Rupert replied, switching back to his fantasy again.
“Your nurses aren’t going to be happy with us if we let you fall,” Toby said, grabbing his arm carefully.
“I’m not going to be happy with you either if you let me fall.”
Toby really laughed, and it was the first time Meghan had heard it, the sound rushing through her chest like a surge of elation, their issues over things she’d heard about him seeming so far away in this moment. Toby reached out and took his grandfather’s hand, helping him across the sand.
Rupert took in a long, slow breath of beachy air. “Feel that?”
Meghan waited for his explanation.
“Calm,” Rupert said, and she felt an unexpected swell of emotion as she thought of that day on the water with Pappy. Tears brimmed in her eyes and she blinked them away. “I haven’t been here in…” Rupert continued. He looked up at Toby. “When was the last time?”
“A few years ago, we took you.”
“Who did?” Rupert asked, taking a step toward the water.
“I did. With… Mary.” His voice broke on the word.
Meghan kept her gaze forward, her pulse racing, her breath leaving her. What Rupert had said about Toby having a wife named Mary seemed very true. She wasn’t crazy. And neither was Rupert. He had more memories than anyone realized. Butshecould see it. She could feel it in her gut. This wasn’t some romantic thought at all. But what if both truths were real? What would that mean for her and Toby?
“I’m tired,” Rupert announced suddenly, his voice low.
Toby put an arm around his grandfather. “All right, then. We’ll get you back.”
