“He wants to scope it, doesn’t he?”

“Yes. At least. I’m going to have to be very careful because if I see him again, he’s going to recommend a total knee replacement. I’m over sixty, and I’m afraid I’ve been hard on my knees.”

“Well, yes, be very careful because even though you’re feeling better, you know how these knee injuries go. One minute you’re standing, and suddenly, without warning, you’re on the ground. You don’t want to hurt anything else.” Then Peyton had smiled. “Too bad my mom has a farm and ten grandchildren—she loves to cook. Your seaside deli might take on a slightly Basque appearance, however.”

“I would kill for some of her recipes,” Carrie had confided.

“Ah, that’s like asking for the Holy Grail. Family food is pretty sacred in Basque tradition. Next time I’m home for a big meal, I’ll bring you some things to taste.”

For a few days Ashley helped Carrie in the mornings, and when Gina was finished in the diner, she came over and helped in the afternoon. Carrie’s best friend, Lou McCain, did her shopping for her a couple of times. Of course, they were all more than happy to help, but Carrie was watching the money like a miser. Her sales were instantly down because she had to eliminate the dinners. And worse than that, she hated not being completely independent.

She was sitting at her desk in the deli, going over her ledgers on the computer yet again, when the door opened and in came Rawley Goode. “Well, hello, Rawley. Didn’t Ashley deliver your order?”

“Sure she did,” he said. “All taken care of. I had some time, so I came over to see what you need done.”

“Need done?”

“I’m sure there’s a good bit of chores that go hard on that knee. Trash? Clean up? Move things around? Deliveries? And I’m a fair cook, long as someone either tells me what to do or gives me real careful instructions.”

“Rawley, I can’t accept your help. You’re a customer!”

“Every one of your neighbors is a customer sometimes.”

“Besides, I can’t just let people in to cook and bake....”

“I can bake. I used to make my dad sugar-free deserts. Not easy, neither. Then I made ’em for Mercy when they stayed with me. Got so she liked ’em, too.”

“Listen, it’s a business. It’s licensed. Before a person can prepare food, he has to—”

Rawley pulled out his wallet and opened it. “Has to have one of these?” he asked, showing her his food handler’s card. “Why, Miss Carrie, did you think Cooper and me were just hoping no one would ever stop by and ask? Even Sarah and Landon have their cards. I went to the health department for mine when Ben was still alive, but now you get it off the computer. Simple as pie. Now, why don’t I start by emptying trash and checking the dishwasher? Then, if you’re inclined, why don’t you tell me how to make something? Start with something easy. I’m partial to your meat loaf.”

“Rawley...”

“Cooper’s got the store out there at the beach. Landon’s got cleanup and boat and board rentals.”

Carrie shifted her weight. Just standing for a few minutes bothered her. “Did Ashley say something about me needing help?”

“No, ma’am. She did mention that she made most of the wraps and sandwiches, but some of your other stuff would just have to wait on your knee. It got me thinking... One plate of those crab balls and Cooper might give me a bonus. Now what say we get started?”

She just shook her head in wonder. “Of all the people in the world I might expect to come to my aid, you are certainly the last, Mr. Goode.”

“Now that doesn’t speak well of me at all, Miss James.”

* * *

It took Peyton a few days to get her head together after the news of Ted’s engagement and pending fatherhood. Her struggle didn’t show, especially at the clinic. Other than a quick, “How are you doing?” from Scott, nothing was said. After a few days, she felt less obsessive, though she thought it might take her years to think back on her time with Ted and the way it ended without feeling hurt and resentment. But that’s what people dealt with. Relationships could be real messy—one of her brothers was divorced, and he was still pretty pissed off about it, though it looked as if he was better off.

That’s all she wanted at the moment—for it to look as if she was okay. She knew her deeper emotions were bound to catch up. Eventually.

Scott, she had to grudgingly admit, had been a real find in every way. Not only had he given her a nice place to work, to rest while she got her life back together, but he’d been very supportive. He was a nice guy, there was no question. He wasn’t like Ted, not in any way. He was good-looking and sexy, but Scott didn’t seem to know it. His shoulders and forearms spoke of strength, yet he handled little old ladies and small children with such gentle care. His smile could be mesmerizing while his eyes drew a person closer. And he had a very cute butt in those jeans. But most of all, if you were with Scott, whether as a coworker, patient or friend, you felt secure.

And never mind all that—it was his integrity that Peyton appreciated. She was very grateful for that. She believed they were going to be very good friends.

She had been eavesdropping in the clinic and figured out that Scott was camping on the beach with the kids tonight. The July night was warm and clear with a cool breeze off the water. Scott’s sitter had been back in town for a few days, so in the morning she would take the kids and Scott could go to work. She had heard him explaining it to Devon. “I’d better get this camping trip over with. Will won’t shut up about it.”

Peyton packed up a thermos and cups in a beach tote, parked at the marina and walked across the beach to the site where a small, yellow tent was pitched. The tent was glowing from a dim light inside. There was still a bit of a fire, and as far as she could tell, there were no other people on the beach. He was close to the hill just below Devon’s house, and there was a light on outside Devon’s lower floor.

As she drew closer she could just make out Scott sitting right outside the tent’s zippered opening. He was cross-legged on a towel beside the fire. “Ahoy,” she said quietly, drawing near.

“I thought that was you,” he said. “What are you doing out here so late?”