The Things We Knew by Catherine West

and almost had him believing life was good. Nick checked out the water and thought about hauling his Sunfish overboard later. He hadn’t been for a sail in a while.
    Once he reached Jetties Beach, he spun the Jeep around and headed back toward town.
    It was time.
    He turned down Washington and coasted to a stop when a memory kicked in. He wasn’t sure he would remember the place, hadn’t been here since he was a kid, but there it was. The small gray-shingled house with blue shutters sat pretty in a neat little garden, boxed in by a white picket fence. Pink roses were in bloom, filling the air with heady perfume. Nick parked and got out, stood a moment, debating with himself.
    “Nicholas Cooper, get on up here!” Cecily Johnson stood in the doorway before he reached it, her gleaming smile taking over half her dark face. “Shoot! Look at you. It’s been an age.” She opened her arms and Nick slipped into them with a grin. It had been years since he’d seen her, but when she’d worked for the Carlisles, she’d looked after him like he was family.
    “Hey, Cecily.” Her hugs always made him feel like a million bucks.
    “I nearly fell off my stool when you called. Well, come on in.” She pulled him inside, and the aroma of coffee and something baking wafted through the tiny hall.
    Banana bread if his nose was any good. He followed her through to a warm kitchen and sat at an old oak table. “Lynnie said I should come see you. I mean . . . I was planning on it anyway.”
    “Sure you were.” She chuckled good-naturedly. “Spending time with an old woman like me probably isn’t all that high on your to-do list.”
    “Ce-ce, you’re hardly old. Lynnie says you’re keeping busy, huh?”
    “Oh, yes. Always busy.” Cecily bustled around, throwing questions at him as she poured the coffee. “You been home long? Seems like you’ve found your way back to the house next door.”
    Nick shoved his car keys into his pocket. “Not exactly. Lynette came to see me at the bank.”
    She set a steaming banana-cranberry loaf in front of him, cut into generous buttered slices, along with a cup of strong coffee. Nick reached for a slice and munched, giving a long groan of appreciation.
    Cecily beamed and handed him a paper napkin. “Better than you remembered?”
    “It’s amazing.”
    “Good. Don’t wait so long between visits next time.”
    “Sorry.” Nick finished his piece of heaven and sat back, waiting for the coffee to cool. He glanced around the small room. A child’s artwork decorated the refrigerator and a box of toys sat in one corner. “Guess your grandson must be getting big?”
    “You wouldn’t believe the size of him. He’s off to kindergarten in the fall. Out fishing with his granddaddy today. The two of them are like peas in a pod.”
    “Can’t believe you’re a grandmother. You’re looking younger and more beautiful than ever.” Nick winked and grabbed another piece of the warm loaf.
    Cecily shook with laughter. “You always were a charmer, Nicholas. I can’t complain. The good Lord keeps me healthy and busy. We get by.”
    “I heard you’re not with the Carlisles anymore.”
    “No.” A sigh rumbled through her as she drank her coffee. “I stayed as long as I could, but my husband, he wouldn’t have it. Said I had to make some money or may as well stay home and look after young Tyson for my daughter.” Her brow furrowed. “How they getting on over there?”
    Nick relayed the events of the past few weeks and shared his concern over Drake.
    Cecily dabbed at her eyes and shook her head. “I guess Lynnie still can’t get him to the doctor. What happens when she’s at work?” Her eyes formed thin slits, her lips pinched in disapproval.
    “Gets help where she can, I suppose. She mentioned a neighbor popping in.”
    “That poor man hasn’t been the same since Mrs. Diana passed on, that’s for sure.”
    “Lynette said he’s not drinking anymore. Is that true?”
    Cecily nodded, her