Chapter 1
Navy Lieutenant Thomas McCarthy stood at the bow of the noon ferry to Gansett, watching as the distinctive bluffs on the island’s north end came into view.
The morning fog had lifted to reveal the island where everyone he loved was waiting to greet him.
He couldn’t wait to see them all, but he was most excited to see one person, in particular.
The engagement ring he’d purchased weeks ago was zipped into a pocket of his backpack, ready for the next phase of his multi-year plan to marry the woman he loved.
First, though, he needed to talk to her parents.
Not because he felt like he needed their permission, but he’d like to have their blessing, especially in light of the orders he’d received two days ago that would take him and their daughter far from the remote island where they were raised.
Her parents love him as much as his parents love her.
That much he knew for certain, but telling devoted parents he’d like to take their precious daughter to another country for three long years was a big ask, and he wasn’t sure how that would go.
His stomach had been in knots for days, since he’d gotten his orders. He’d rehearsed what he wanted to say to them until he felt like he had it perfected.
He’d told no one of his new orders.
First, he had to tell her. If she didn’t want to go, then the rest was moot.
While he’d been blessed with an adventurous spirit, she was more of a homebody and had been eagerly anticipating graduating from college and finally going home to her parents and younger brothers.
She’d never stopped being homesick while she was in college, and he feared that asking her to go halfway around the world with only him for company would be more than she could handle.
She loves him, but does she love him that much? He is about to find out.
His phone vibrated with a text.
Is it me, or is the last hour the longest one of all?
Thomas smiled as he read it. Not just you. I’m about to jump overboard and swim for shore.
Don’t do that. There are sharks out there.
I’d do it to get to you sooner.
She sent a shark emoji. Easy, drama queen. LOL. Fifteen more minutes. The whole town has turned out to welcome you home.
Don’t get lost in the sea of people. I can’t wait to hug you.
Only hug me?!?
Stop! I’m in uniform.
Hahahahahahaha.
“Thank you for your service,” a lady standing next to him at the rail said.
“It’s an honor,” he replied, as he always did.
Thomas had wanted to be a naval officer from the first time he heard about the Naval Academy in Annapolis from a high school friend of his father’s, who’d talked it up during a visit home when Thomas was in sixth grade.
The man had made it sound so glamorous and fun.
Get a free college education, walk right into a career, see the world while serving your country. Sign him up for that.
Being away from his family had been challenging at times, especially as his younger siblings had grown up and left for college.
Hailey had graduated from college last year, Mac was going into his junior year, and the twins, Emma and Evey, had just finished their freshman year.
Everything was different from when he left two teens and two little girls eight years ago.
Thank goodness for texting and frequent FaceTime calls that had kept him in close touch with them and his parents and grandparents after he left home.
Everyone was home for the summer, and he had two weeks of leave to look forward to, during which he hoped to put his plans for the future into motion, while catching up with his parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and many, many close friends who lived on the island.
As the ferry drew closer to South Harbor, Thomas climbed the stairs to the bridge for a chat with his Uncle Joe and cousin PJ, who stood at the helm. At twenty-four, PJ was a newly licensed ferry boat captain but was still training with his dad.
“There you are,” Joe said with a smile. His uncle had gone almost completely gray in the last few years, but his face was as youthful as ever. “You’ve never outgrown your love of riding on the bow.”
“It’s second only to the bridge for the best view.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Joe said.
“How’s the new captain doing?” Thomas asked.
“He’s ready to have the training wheels removed,” PJ said, making a face at his father, who only laughed.
“You’re getting there, son. Before the summer’s out, you’ll be soloing.”
His younger cousin had been preparing to captain the boats for his whole life, going to work with his dad from the time he was barely walking, and had had his sights set on the family business ever since.
Joe and Janey had urged him to go to college to ensure he had a backup plan if needed.
PJ had reluctantly obtained a business degree that he stuck in a drawer while he’d framed the captain’s license he’d earned last year.
“What have you got planned for the time at home?” Joe asked.
“Oh, this and that,” Thomas said with a grin. “Looking forward to seeing the family and catching up with friends.”
“One friend in particular,” Joe said with a knowing grin.
“Yep.”
“Your mom has planned a big welcome home party for you.”
“I figured.” While he desperately wanted time alone with his love, the party would give him the chance to see everyone else, clearing the way for all the time he could get with her. They’d waited this long to be together again. What was a few more hours until they could be alone?
An eternity…