"I have to ask you something. Do you ever dream about Jake?"

"Oh, no! You, too?"

"You do?"

"Oh, Paddy, I conjure him, that's what it is. I miss him. I'm going to miss him for a long time-probably long after I'm over him! So you see him, too?"

"I'm not convinced I conjure him. What does he say to you?"

"It's all memory stuff. It's private moments. And sometimes he tells me I'm pretty. The thing that disappoints me and makes me cry and know that it's my conjuring-he never talks about Daniel and he was gaga for his son. What does he tell you?"

He took a breath. Better to be honest. "To take care of you and Daniel."

"Aw, how sweet is that! And I know you'll always be there for me, Paddy."

"I'll be there in less than a week. When do you close on that house?"

"Within thirty days. We're putting a rush on the closing to see if I can get the keys right away. I was hoping that just after Christmas I could get moving on the interior. Listen, I can't wait to show you, but I completely understand if you want to reconsider spending Christmas here in a little motel down the street from my parents."

He was quiet for a moment before he said, "I'm looking forward to seeing you, Marie. I miss you."

"And, Paddy, I miss you, too! I just don't want to take you away from your family."

"You don't know the half of it," he muttered, thinking of Maureen and George.

"Say, how's it going with that little girl? Did you work out the surgery thing?" Marie asked.

"I told you about that?"

She laughed. "In detail. I donated to the cause."

"You did?"

"Absolutely! I don't know if you even realize it, but the way you talked about that young woman, Angie, it was with such tenderness, such respect and admiration. I really hope you don't lose track of her. She might be just the kind of woman you should stay in touch with. Did the little girl get enough funding for the surgery?"

"I'm standing outside the surgical hospital now, waiting for the operation to be over."

"Oh, that's wonderful! You've made my day!"

"Marie, how much money did you give the cause?" he asked.

"It's not important, Patrick. Just a little something from Jake."

"Jake?"

"There was a widow's benefit and life insurance. I put some of it in a college fund, some down on the house and I thought-this is important to Paddy, Jake would approve. I admire you, Patrick. What a great way to spend some leave. Spreading some goodwill, paying it forward."

"I have to get back to Charleston soon."

"Of course-but you'll find out your new a.s.signment soon, right? I know there's no big gray boat in Oklahoma City, but maybe you'll get something awesome, like Hawaii. I wouldn't mind visiting Hawaii."

"Marie..."

"What?"

He took a deep breath. "Listen, we should be together. Me and you. If you can't do any more Navy, I get that-it's not your fault. Let's mull this over a little. We'll talk about it at Christmas and decide. I can get out of the Navy."

"Paddy, are you thinking this way because of Jake?"

"No, I-I mean, maybe part of it has to do with Jake. But I really want to be close to you and Daniel. I want to be able to look after you properly."

"And I don't know what I'd do without you, but..."

"Is there any possibility you could live in Charleston again?" he asked. "Because I admit, I want the best of both worlds. I want you and Daniel and I want the Navy and that d.a.m.ned plane. Marie, I really care about you."

"And I really care about you," she said. "Listen, Patrick, it's too soon for me to think about the next man. Probably years too soon. Right now I feel like there can never be another man for me. As much as I love you, you're my best friend, Paddy. I don't want to go back to Charleston with you. The memories there..."

"It's too soon, I know. You need time. But think, Marie-this is sensible. Practical. Logical. We're in sync, you and I. I want to do the right thing for us. That's all."

"Sometimes I forget," she said quietly. "You suffered a grave loss, as well. But that doesn't make us destined to be together, Paddy. Listen, will you do something for me? Will you text me when the little girl is out of post-op, when the doctor says the surgery was successful?"

"I'll call you," he said.

"Sure, just let me know."

"I'll call you," he repeated.

"Then we'll talk soon. You're wonderful to help with the surgery. You're almost the most wonderful man in the world."

"Almost?" he asked with a laugh.

"It's good if you keep trying for perfection! Goodbye, Paddy."

Fifteen

By just after lunch Megan was settled in a queen-size bed in a Marriott in Davis. Her nurse was with her, as was her mother, but it was Angie she wanted to speak to. "You saw it?" she asked. "All of it?"

"I did," Angie said. "It was amazing. Once the swelling and bruising is gone it's going to look wonderful. I think you're going to be very happy."

Later that day, Angie sat cross-legged on her hotel bed with Patrick's cell phone in her hand. He had gone out for sandwiches while she used his phone to give Mel an update. She told her all about the surgery and her front-row view.

"How did you like that?" Mel asked.

"I loved it," she said, her voice quiet. "It got me thinking..."