（They laugh.）
An interview with Owen and Laura
When I think about the Gansett Island Series, one of the moments that stands out to me is Owen on the porch of the Sand & Surf watching that last ferry leave on Labor Day.
Owen: I think about that day a lot, and how I wondered then if I was doing the right thing.
Laura: What’s the verdict?
Owen: I’m still trying to decide.
(They laugh.)
Owen: Seriously, though, it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Life is a series of options, you know? We all get to decide what path we take. I thought I’d found my avenue until I met my Princess, and all my plans changed.
Laura: I’ll never forget the way you cared for me when I was pregnant with another man’s child, who you’ve raised as your own.
Owen: Holden is my best friend. We have so much fun together.
Laura: Owen has taught Holden to play the guitar, and they sing together, sometimes even in public when Holden gets over his shyness.
Owen: And he’s made me into a fisherman.
Laura: They spend hours casting off the jetty. I love watching them from the hotel.
Did you guys ever move out of the hotel?
Laura: We had good intentions but never got around to it.
We love being right there, and the kids like living in town.
Last year, we took one more room from the hotel to make some space for teenagers.
Holden is fourteen, and the twins are twelve.
Joanna is our rockstar student. She gets straight A’s, while her brothers are a little less studious.
Owen: Like I was. But both boys have lots of practical skills, thanks to me and their uncle Shane. We’ve had them swinging hammers since they were old enough to walk. JoJo loves working at the front desk, especially during check-in, so she can meet all the guests.
Laura: It takes a lot to keep this old building maintained and the hotel running smoothly. The kids love being part of it.
I want to ask about Adele and Russ…
Owen: Believe it or not, they’re as active as ever in their nineties.
They tell us they’re going to live forever, which is fine with us.
We can’t imagine life without them. The kids are very close to them and spend a lot of time with them.
Jon loves to listen to Russ’s stories, and he’s started recording videos of them, so we’ll always have them.
Laura: They’re delighted to have a third generation of their family actively involved with the hotel.
And how are your parents?
Laura: My dad and Betsy are world travelers.
They’ve been everywhere in recent years, which is so great for them.
We get to live vicariously through their travels.
One year, they went on a two-month cruise through the Mediterranean with Big Mac, Linda, Ned and Francine. They have a great time together.
I can picture them causing international incidents and Frank getting them out of trouble.
Laura: You’re not far off! My dad and Uncle Mac love to tease Uncle Kevin about raising a second family while they’re off having fun, but Kev loves his little ones—and his grandkids.
Owen: My mom and Charlie are homebodies.
They’ve done some traveling, but they prefer to be right here on Gansett, close to their families and their grandkids.
My father was released from prison about four years ago.
We have no idea where he is, and we like it that way.
As long as he stays far, far away from us, all is well.
Congratulations on the beautiful life you’ve created for yourselves.
Owen: Thank you!
These two… still entertaining us six books in…
“I’ll take a shower so fast I’ll be back before I’m gone.” Mac stole a quick kiss and headed for the stairs, stopping halfway up. “Where are my children?”
“With my mother and Ned until dinnertime.”
“God, I love you so much.”
Maddie laughed as he bolted up the remaining stairs and disappeared.
She thought about going upstairs to meet him after his shower but decided it would be far more fun to make him come after her.
Sure enough, he came flying down the stairs less than five minutes later, with a towel wrapped around his waist, his dripping-wet hair standing on end and a small spot of blood on his chin from where he’d nicked himself shaving.
“You’re a mess,” she said, laughing as she held out her arms to him.
Smelling of soap and sexy man, he came down on top of her and sighed with relief when she hugged him. “I know. I can’t help it. Waiting for this day has made me nuts.”
She combed her fingers through his hair, attempting to bring some order. “Good thing I love you even when you’re a messy nut case.”
That drew a smile from him. “So, what did David have to say?”
“Everything looks good.”
As she’d expected, he scowled darkly. “You’re damned right it looks good. I hate the idea of that guy having his face… there.”
Once again, she held back a laugh at his ridiculousness. “He’s a doctor. Seen one, seen them all.”
“That’s crap. Yours is way better than most. I should know. I did a lot of shopping before I bought.”
“Mac!” She sputtered with laughter as she smacked his shoulder. “Oh, my God! I can’t believe you said that! You’re outrageous. Don’t forget ‘that guy’ saved your daughter’s life.”
“I’ll never forget that, but it doesn’t mean I want his face in my wife’s hoo-ha.”
She squished his lips together before releasing them. “You really need to stop talking now.”
“Why? Is there something else you’d rather be doing?”
“Definitely.” She kissed him fully, deeply, letting him know exactly what she’d rather be doing.