“He’s pretty smart.” Parker did another scan as she spoke. “I’m already in love with this place.”

“God, me, too. The views, the air, the sounds. And the house itself—it’s incredible. How much will you change?”

“Not much. Tweak more than change.” She walked to a window. Voices and laughter floated in on the breeze. “That’s a good sound. I bet it’s beautiful here, even in the winter.”

“You read my mind. I was thinking how we almost always have that slow period, a week or so after the holidays.”

“Yeah, I had that thought. Maybe. Del looks so happy. Part of that’s you.”

Laurel’s hands stilled. “Do you think?”

“Yes, I do. And I’m standing here watching him man the grill while you put things together in here. It’s nice.” She glanced back. “It makes me happy, Laurel, the same way hearing the voices carry inside makes me happy.”

“I feel the same way.”

“Good. It’s good from someone who loves you both. So.” She turned back from the window. “Are we eating in or out?”

“An evening like this? Out, definitely.”

“I’ll start setting the table.”

Later, they walked off the meal along the beach, wading in the surf, watching the lights of faraway ships that cruised through the night. As the air cooled, Laurel gave some thought to a long bath in the flicker of the fireplace.

But the challenge went out; the game room called. The quiet flipped into the arcade cacophony of pings and whistles.

Jack and Del battled in what looked like a pinball death match when she decided she had to throw in the towel. She left them to it to wander back to the bedroom, and indulged in that long soak. When she’d slipped on a nightshirt to step out on the deck, she realized she hadn’t looked at her watch in hours.

Now that was vacation.

“I wondered where you’d gone off to.”

She glanced back at Del. “I have to get in some serious practice before I take on you or Jack. I had the most incredible bath, in firelight while I looked out at the ocean. I feel like the heroine of my own novel.”

“If I’d known, I’d have taken one with you, and we’d have written a love scene.” He put his arms around her so her head rested on his shoulder. “Good day?”

“Pretty much the best. This place, these views, this air, good friends.”

“As soon as I saw it, I knew. This is what we need.”

Not I need, she noted. Not Del. Del was wired for we.

“I never asked Parker, but I always wondered why the two of you sold the house in East Hampton.”

“We could never sell the house in Greenwich—our house. It’s home. But the other ... We both knew we could never unwind there or enjoy it. Remembering Mom and Dad at home, that’s ... important and there’s some comfort in it. But the place we had at the beach? We just couldn’t go there anymore. This place is new, and we’ll make other memories here.”

“And you needed to wait to do it. A little time and space first.”

“I guess we did. This is a good place, and it feels like the right time.”

“She loves it already. I know that matters to you. She told me, but even if she hadn’t, I could see it. We all do. So thanks for finding the right place and the right time.”

“You’re welcome.” He pressed his lips to the side of her neck. “You smell really good,” he murmured.

“I feel really good, too.” She smiled when his hand stroked down her back. “See?” She tipped up her face, brushed her lips over his. “I think we should write that love scene.”

“Good idea.”With a flourish, he swept her up into his arms. “I think we should open it like this.”

“It’s a classic for a reason.”

THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A MORE PERFECT SPOT AND A MORE PERFECT time and a more perfect mood, but Laurel couldn’t imagine it. Her stubborn internal clock woke her before dawn, but she snuggled into the luxury of knowing she didn’t have to roll out, but could stay just as she was, curled up with Del with the sound of the sea serenading.

She drifted in and out for a time, and even that was perfect. As was the sunrise over the water to the east. She thought it spread its pinks and gold just for her as she stood on the deck with the filmy curtains fluttering behind her.

Inspired, she tugged on a tank and shorts, then jogged down the outside steps. Parker stood at the base, in a tank and shorts, her deep brown hair caught back in a long tail under a sassy white cap.

“You’re up, too.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Laurel lifted her hands. “What’s wrong with us?”

“Not a thing. Everyone else is sleeping through vacation. We’re wringing every drop out of it.”

“Damn right. That beach calls for a run, as previously discussed.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

They warmed up on the walkway, then set off at an easy pace on the sand. They didn’t need to talk, but simply matched gaits, followed the shoreline with the surf foaming beside them.

Birds took wing or strutted in the foam. Carter would likely know what they were, Laurel thought, but it was enough just to have them there, soaring, calling, pecking while the rising sun sparkled on the water.

When they turned back, they kept up the same steady pace until the house came into view again. Laurel reached over to touch Parker’s arm as she slowed.

“Just look at it. That’s where we’re going.”

“Don’t hate me, but it makes me think, wow, what a fabulous place for casual beach weddings.”

“I may have to hurt you.”

“I can’t help it. It is a fabulous place.”

“How many calls have you taken since we got here?”

“Only two. Okay three, but all easily handled. And I got a sunrise run on the beach and am now seriously jonesing for coffee. In fact ... last one there makes it.”

She took off in a sprint. Laurel was quick off the mark, but she already knew she’d be making the coffee. Parker ran like a damn cheetah.

Once she made the deck, she leaned over, hands on knees to catch her breath. “I was going to make the coffee anyway.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I hate that you’re barely winded, but I’ll still make the coffee, and egg-white omelettes.”