Connie sat down beside him. “It’s beautiful out here,” she said. “Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to live in such an incredibly lovely place.”
“I wish more people appreciated the Chesapeake and would do their part to make sure it stays that way,” he said with real regret.
He noticed that the young woman’s eyes lit up at his comment.
“Actually, I’d hoped to talk to you about that today,” she admitted. “I heard your talk when you and Shanna organized that fundraiser last year. I bought several of the books you recommended, and I’d love to figure out some way I could be involved. I don’t know that I have any of the skills you might find helpful, but I’m willing to do whatever you need. Stuff envelopes, make calls, anything like that.”
Thomas regarded her with surprise. “You’re really interested in volunteering? Am I remembering correctly that you’re a single mom and that you work for Jake? Do you have the time?”
“Actually my daughter will be going off to college in the fall, so I’m thinking ahead to what it’s going to be like once she’s gone. I need to develop some outside interests, and preserving the bay really matters to me.”
Thomas never turned down an eager volunteer. The fact that this one was in Chesapeake Shores was even better. He’d been toying with an idea ever since he’d done that talk for Shanna. Perhaps this was the perfect time to implement it.
“How are your organizational skills?” he asked.
Connie laughed, which put a sparkle in her dark brown eyes. “You said it yourself, I’m a single mom with a job. I’m very good at juggling things.”
“Get along with Shanna?”
“Sure.”
“What would you think about the two of you putting together some more of those events like the one we had here? I’ll talk, she’ll sell books, and we’ll try to raise not only money, but awareness of the cause. I’d like to do maybe a half-dozen of them during the summer in small towns all along the bay.”
“It’s a fantastic idea!” Connie said at once. “I’d love to work on it. Do you think I could come to the foundation’s headquarters sometime so you could bring me up to speed on all the research that’s being done? And I’d love to go out on the boat when you’re working on one of your studies. I think I’ll be more effective if I actually know what I’m talking about.”
Thomas was pleased by both her enthusiasm and her businesslike approach. “Just call whenever you have the time and we’ll make it happen. You, Shanna and I should get together soon, too, to talk about all this. I’ve mentioned it to her, but I could see she was a little overwhelmed by the thought of doing this all on her own. And Kevin would kill me if I stole too much of his new wife’s attention.”
“Shanna and I can handle this, no problem,” Connie said eagerly. “And I’ll put my daughter to work on it, too, until she leaves for college. It’ll be good for her to think about something other than boys this summer.”
Thomas laughed. “I doubt you can stop a teenage girl from thinking about boys for even a minute.”
Connie sighed. “But I can dream, can’t I?”
“Of course you can,” he said. “Seems to me that not nearly enough dreaming goes on these days.” He gestured around. “After all, it was Mick’s dreaming that created this town. Shanna’s bookstore is her dream, and that new quilt shop is Heather’s. Even Megan has fulfilled a dream with that art gallery of hers.” He studied Connie. “Other than trying to keep your daughter out of mischief with boys, what’s your dream?”
Her expression sobered, and the light in her eyes died. “I gave up on those kinds of dreams a long time ago,” she said quietly.
There was no self-pity in her voice, just a hint of regret that nearly broke his heart.
“One of these days maybe you’ll tell me about those long-ago dreams of yours,” he said kindly. “You see, the thing about dreams is that it’s never really too late to make them come true.”
Connie shook her head. “Sometimes it is.” She forced a smile and waved off the gloomy moment. “Enough of that. Not only have I had a lovely day with family today, but I have something exciting and worthwhile to look forward to. I’ll be in touch with you soon about that visit.”
Thomas nodded. “I’ll look forward to it.”
To his surprise, as she walked away, he realized it was the first time in ages he’d looked forward to something besides work. Of course, a case could be made that this was work, too, but it didn’t feel that way. It felt hopeful, as if he’d just met a kindred spirit under very unlikely circumstances.
* * *
Heather wasn’t entirely surprised when she opened her door and found Connor on her doorstep. She’d been half-expecting his arrival ever since she’d left the O’Briens’ Easter celebration.
“I wanted to stop by before I head back to Baltimore to make sure you’re okay,” he said.
She folded her arms around her middle. “I’m fine.”
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
“No.”
Ready to step inside, Connor regarded her with shock as her refusal registered. “Why not? Do you have someone in there you don’t want me to meet?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
He frowned. “Well, what am I supposed to think? People don’t just turn away friends for no reason.”
“Friends don’t embarrass friends in front of other people, either.”
“So, you are ticked off about the kiss,” he concluded. “I figured as much.”
“Connor, why would you do such a thing in front of your family?” she asked, thoroughly exasperated with him. “It’s hard enough
