Page 76 of Homecoming

“That’s no way to keep the ladies happy,” Dan said. “Although, if I had two?—”

“Donotfinish that thought in front of my grandmother and uncle.”

Buster released a genuine laugh that pleased Dan no end. “Typical guy.”

“You know it,” Kara said.

“She loves the one I do have. Just thought I’d mention that.”

“You need to quit before you get grounded, Torrington.”

Buster opened the door to a compartment, and a foul smell hit Dan the likes of which he’d never experienced—and never wanted to again. “What in theactual hellis that?”

“Bait,” Buster said, his lips twisting into his version of a grin.

“Oh my God.” It was all he could do not to heave over the side as Buster brought a fetid-smelling bait bag to his mother so she could put it in the trap.

Dan looked back at Kara, who was laughing her ass off. “You could’ve warned me!”

“And missed you turning green? No way.”

It took a Herculean effort not to embarrass himself by tossing his cookies as the smell mixed with the motion of the ocean turned his stomach and threatened to bring the delicious egg sandwich Bertha had made for him right back up. He focused on the sight of eightysomething Bertha hauling a heavy lobster trap like it was weightless as Buster prepared to return it to the water.

“Stand back,” Bertha said. “This is the dangerous part.”

As the trap was sent back to the deep, Dan saw why it was hazardous as the whole thing happened in a whir of movement.

“The most injuries and deaths happen with setting traps,” Bertha said. “We lose someone every couple of years.”

“That’s how Ellery’s husband, Pete, lost a finger. Got it stuck in the rigging at the worst possible time.”

Dan winced as he imagined such a gruesome injury.

“He’s doing much better these days,” Bertha said. “Saw him just a few days ago on the water.”

“Ellery said he’s doing great.”

“It took him some time to figure out how to work without the index finger on his dominant hand, but he’s got it now,” Bertha said.

“I’m so relieved for them. She was afraid for a time that he wouldn’t be able to go back to work at all.”

“You should have the girls and their families over for dinner while you’re home,” Bertha said as she returned to the helm to move on to the next trap. “We can do a lobster bake in the yard.”

“Oh, that’d be fun. I want them to meet Dan in person. I found out they’re kind of annoyed with me for staying away so long.”

“Seriously?” Bertha asked, eyes wide.

“That was my question, too,” Dan said.

Bertha frowned. “They were there. They know exactly why you stayed gone. I can’t believe they’d hold that against you. I sure as hell don’t.”

“Well, maybe you should, because they’re right that I let two people who did me dirty keep me away from all the other people I love.”

“That’s not what happened,” Bertha said fiercely. “You ventured into the world, found yourself a whole new life and went out of your way to keep in close touch with all of us here. You don’t owe anyone anything, Kara, so don’t let them lay a guilt trip on you.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Dan said.

“While I appreciate both of you,” Kara said, “I’m going to come home more often to see my loved ones here. And I want all of you to visit us, too.”

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