He swung his head. “You’re kidding. It’s a hardware store. Like Lowe’s or Menards?”

“Never been there, either. Not even Sears.”

His gaze was disbelieving. “That’s almost un-American,” he teased.

“Have you ever been in a Saks? Or a Neiman Marcus?”

He laughed, conceding. “Point taken. Well, you’re in for a treat. You should hightail it to the hardware store of your choice and pick out the color you want for the walls.” He picked up one of Dora’s papers. “Or, here’s the address of a paint store that’s close. It’ll be easier for you to deal with than a hardware store. It’s smaller and the guy will help you out.” Holding out the sheet, he added, “I’m guessing this’ll be a first for you, too?”

She nodded with a sheepish grin as he shook his head in disbelief. The difference in their worlds was clear. And she was intrigued.

He released the paper with a wiseacre grin, then turned to cross the room to the sink. As he rinsed the paintbrush, he looked at her over his shoulder. “Tell them you want samples of paint. Don’t buy gallons.”

“Okay, boss.” She was sure she would have brought the gallon buckets if he hadn’t warned her. “I’ll be right back.”

She was beginning to feel a camaraderie between them. Being friends was good, she resolved. No preening or positioning. No clever repartee. Just comfortable honesty. Before leaving, she glanced over her shoulder to see Taylor stretching his arms out to remove a cabinet door. Sighing, she turned away, her fluttering heart betraying her resolve.

Dora showered and changed into clean clothes, her eye on the clock. Devlin would be pulling up at the dock shortly with his boat. He was so excited about the day, had made all the plans, eager to bond with Nate. Dora had permitted Devlin to meet Nate a few weeks back, but this would be the first time they’d be spending any significant amount of time together, and Dora’s heart squeezed as she realized how much Devlin wanted everything to go perfectly.

She slipped a broad-brimmed hat on her head, then hurried to Nate’s room down the hall, feeling the tension that accompanied an appointment scheduled with Nate. Always in the back of her mind was the fear of a meltdown. She knew the next week would be a big challenge for her son as he started a new school. She so very much wanted this day to be fun for him.

Outside his bedroom door she said a quick prayer, then gently pushed it open. Nate was sitting on the floor, fully dressed in his soft shorts and a T-shirt, playing with his Legos. His head was bent and his blond bangs covered his eyes. Her expression softened and her heart surged with love.

“Ready to go fishing?”

Nate’s head swung around at the sound of her voice. He nodded and leaped to his feet. “I’m ready!” He went to collect the cherry-red fishing rod Mamaw had given him in May, the one that had once been his great-grandfather Edward’s.

Dora’s gaze devoured her son, noting how he’d filled out this summer and how his usually pale skin glowed from time in the sun.

Since he’d returned from Florida, Dora had made a point of trying to be more a fun mother than a strict one. She took him on outings, whereas before she had always talked herself out of it for fear of one of Nate’s meltdowns. Their favorite thing was to kayak in the Cove. Together they’d explored the local parks, walked the beach in search of turtle tracks. Best of all, her little boy had let go of his guilt about Delphine’s accident and picked up his fishing rod again.

“Can we go now?” he asked in the tone of someone who’d already waited far too long.

“Aye, aye, Captain.”

About an hour later, Devlin guided the Boston Whaler through the winding waterway with the peacock pride of the captain of a beautiful boat. He grandly gestured as he pointed out new and expensive houses or spotted a great blue heron or some other shorebird searching out a meal. It was lovely out on the water that mirrored the blue sky, though they were one of only a few boats out today as summer wound down. Dora leaned back against the cushion, sipping her fizzy water, and felt as if she were the queen of the Nile. On this hot day she enjoyed the occasional splash of water when the boat bounced on a wave.

As lovely as the scenery was, Dora much more enjoyed the sight of Dev and Nate at the wheel. Dev stood a few paces behind Nate as the boy took a turn to steer. She could tell by Nate’s rigid stance that he was taking his task seriously. And having the time of his life. It was an easy thing to offer, yet something Cal never allowed his son. Her heart expanded with gratitude to Devlin.

He was a fine figure of a man, she thought, sprinkling drops of cool water on her face. She thought back to when she and Dev were young and rode along these same waters. They’d drop anchor and jump without a thought into the water for a swim. Ah, youth, she thought with chagrin. No way she’d do that today. Age brought reason, and she knew how fast a boat could come speeding out of nowhere.

Devlin pointed to a small creek ahead. “That’s where we turn off. It’s my secret spot, and, man, oh, man, we’re gonna catch us some fish!”

“When school starts, does that mean I can’t go fishing no more?” Nate asked.

“Anymore,” Dora corrected automatically. “Of course not. You can go fishing all year round, if you can bear the cold.”

“Then I’m gonna,” he replied, picking up Devlin’s speech. “I don’t mind the cold. Fishing is my most favorite thing in the world.”

Devlin met Dora’s eye and smiled before he called back to Nate, “That makes two of us.” Then Devlin turned the engine low. “Okay, son, I best take over here. You keep an eye out on the edges. Call if I get too close.”

Devlin veered off into a narrow creek that looked to Dora like all the other small creeks they’d passed. She always marveled at how Devlin could navigate these backwater creeks and never get lost. She’d heard stories of less confident captains getting lost and then stuck in the mudflats when the fickle tide turned. Once stuck, they’d have to wait hours until the tide returned.

A soft wind swayed the spartina. Dora listened to the rhythmic scraping of the salt-grass stems and in the distance heard the loud hyena cackle of an unseen bird.

“Look!” Nate exclaimed.

Dora turned to see Nate leaning over the edge of the boat, pointing.

“Someone’s found out your secret spot!” Nate exclaimed, offended. “Can they do that?”