An Invincible Summer (Wyndham Beach) Read online

  He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “This is nice. It feels almost like we’re a normal couple.”

  “Are you implying there’s something abnormal about us?” she teased.

  “I just meant it doesn’t feel like we’ve been apart for forty years.”

  “It’s more like thirty-six.”

  “Still, that’s a long time. Lot of water went over that dam in thirty-six years. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact we’re here, we’re together again, and Joe’s with us. We have grandkids together.” He shook his head. “How did this happen?”

  “Just lucky, I guess. Blessed.” She rested against him, and they swayed together slightly. “Back then, when we were young, this is exactly where I thought we’d be at this stage of our lives. Celebrating a big holiday in Wyndham Beach with our family and our friends.”

  “It’s different from the way we thought it would be, but it can still be good, right?” There was just a tinge of worry in his voice.

  “It can be very good.” She leaned into him. “It will be very good.”

  “I like the sound of that.” He kissed her on the cheek and reached for the door handle.

  “You go on out,” she told him. “I’m going to put coffee on. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  She watched him cross the patio and join the others, who were toasting marshmallows.

  She caught Liddy’s eye and held up her left arm to show off her tattoo.

  Liddy grinned and returned the gesture.

  Friendship is complicated, Maggie thought. Families are complicated. Love is complicated.

  But still and always, waves of the same sea.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Huge thanks to my readers, who have stuck with me from my early contemporary romance days through my suspense days to my current works of women’s fiction. Thanks to my Facebook family and friends—you’ve been so much fun and so helpful in so many ways. When I was searching for just the right tattoo for Maggie, Liddy, and Emma in this book, you rallied and offered some fabulous suggestions. Special thanks to Paul Bellefeuille, who gave me the idea for the tattoo my characters get on their trip to Charlotte—I never would have thought of it myself, but it’s perfect and, by the way, looks great on you! I want to give a shout-out to Betsy Meehan-Bittner and her daughter, Kate, who helped me out when I had questions about tattoos in general.

  To the editors I’ve had over the years who have taught me so much, especially Lauren McKenna—much love and many thanks. And to the Montlake editors who worked with me on this book—Maria Gomez and Holly Ingraham—so many thanks to you both for putting so much time and thought into my story and my characters. The copyeditor (James!) and the proofreader (Jill!) cleaned up my errors, helped tighten up my story, and pointed out all those little inconsistencies that drive readers insane. Many thanks to you both. Thanks to Lauren Grange, production manager, for keeping it all on track.

  My family is my best reason for doing, well, everything—my husband Bill, who is facing down a dragon with resolve and determination and his characteristic good humor; our daughters, Kathryn and Rebecca; their husbands, Mike and David, respectively; and the five incredible, amazing, adorable little people they’ve brought into this world.

  (Update: Make that six incredible, amazing, adorable little people to include the latest: Gethin Peter William Jones!)

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Photo © 2016 Nicole Leigh

  Mariah Stewart is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of several series, including The Chesapeake Diaries and The Hudson Sisters, as well as stand-alone novels, novellas, and short stories. A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives with her husband and two rambunctious rescue dogs amid the rolling hills of Chester County, Pennsylvania, where she savors country life, tends her gardens, and works on her next novel. She’s the proud mama of two fabulous daughters who—along with her equally fabulous sons-in-law—have gifted her with six adorable (and yes, fabulous) granddarlings. For more information visit www.mariahstewart.com.