We are lying on the teak deck of the boat Suzanne's husband chartered, staying out of the way of the two men working on the engines. Our bodies contour the sides of the boat, and our heads meet at the bow, creating a V. I'm port; Suzanne is starboard. I'm learning boat lingo fast.

Ringo keeps coming over and licking my face to let me know he has an eye on me. He's been hanging out with me more these days. I kind of like the constant company of Jack's pup.

Suzanne lifts her head and squints at Ringo. "He doesn't let you out of his sight."

"Jack asked me to watch him when he went to a meeting stateside. Although, I think it's the other way around." I open my eyes and see Ringo, in his shark fin life jacket, lying in the shade by the cabin. It's nice to have a protector.

"I really think he likes you."

"Ringo? He's a very sweet dog. Jack rescued him from the side of the road. They have been best friends ever since. It's helpful Ringo likes me too so I can watch him for Jack."

"No, I think Jack really likes you." Suzanne rolls onto her side so we are face to face. "I can tell he is in love with you."

"I really doubt he's in love with me. We're just friends. I don't think either of us are looking for a relationship. I definitely don't think I'm ready."

"I'm telling you. Jack doesn't take his eyes off you when you guys are together. And look. He is entrusting you with his best friend. You said he takes Ringo with him when he travels, and now he's left him with you." The statement is more of a question, Suzanne's voice rising with gentle accusation at the end.

"That's ridiculous." I laugh, but Suzanne is right. I have noticed Jack's stares, and Jack leaving Ringo with me? With someone he met only two weeks ago? I've found myself thinking more and more about Jack lately. I do like him looking at me. "I'm getting hot. Let's go for a swim."
I stand up and dive into the crystal-clear water. Once I surface, I yell to Suzanne, "Jump in! it's so nice!" Ringo takes that as his cue and, barking, jumps off the boat to join me.

Just as Suzanne hits the water, her bikini top falls off. I swim over to shield her from the workers on the boat while she retrieves her top. "Don't want to give any free shows!" I say to break the tension. I'd be mortified if it happened to me.

Suzanne seems annoyed by my efforts to help. "Anyone who wears a bikini top knows there's a high chance of it falling off when they jump into the water," she says. "Besides, I wasn't planning to get wet today."

I envy Ringo, paddling circles around us, having fun with his shark fin. Why spend all day on the water when you could be in the water instead?

We swim over to a sandbar where it is shallow enough to stand. Ringo keeps up with us, splashing. Suzanne starts in. "What have you been doing for the past ten years?" She wouldn't know about Ben and the divorce. She wouldn't know about Luke and Cole.

"Well"—I hesitate, not wanting to feel the pain of remembering—"I got married, and it didn't work out the way I hoped it would."

Suzanne's eyes widen. "Really? Isa, you were married? To who? Anyone I know?"
"I don't know if you know him. He's from South Portland." I really don't like talking about Ben. I hope Suzanne will lose interest in this.

"Oh? I've been to parties in South Portland."

Maine seems so far away. I'm standing on a sandbar seventeen-hundred miles from the chaos I was in a few weeks ago. Then, I was living a completely different life. I was a mother to two beautiful boys.

"Ben Cushing," I say, acid filling my throat at the thought of all the years I wasted with him.

"Ooh! I know who he is! But I didn't think he was married. I must have met him after you guys got divorced."

"Why?"

"Well, last summer, I was out with some friends in Kennebunkport and I ran into him at a bar," Suzanne says, excitement warming her tone, but then she sobers. "He was really drunk. Isa, I think he was hitting on me." She's quiet for a moment, then she smiles. "Nope, he was definitely hitting on me. And when I turned him down, he just moved on to the next girl."

"Next girl?" I'm not actually surprised.

"He basically hit on every girl at the bar until he got takers. And he definitely got takers."

"Takers? More than one?"

"Oh yes, he left there with a couple of girls. I think they were friends, but whatever. I didn't want anything to do with him."

"We were still married," I say flatly. I remember last summer when Ben had to work late and ended up sleeping in the back room of the restaurant. Or so he said.

My arms are suddenly full of wet dog as an exhausted Ringo tries to climb up on me. I step back to regain my balance, and sharp pain shoots through my left foot.

I hop back to get away from the pain, but that only makes it worse.

"Ouch! What the hell did I step on?"

I lift my foot in front of me. Two black spines are sticking through the top of my foot, and a black spiny sea urchin is hanging from the bottom. My foot is on fire.

Suzanne is quickly by my side to keep me upright and balanced on my right foot. "Hey, guys!" She waves her arms to get their attention. "We need help over here!"

Ringo barks as if to add his voice to the call.

The chaos around me blurs as the pain commands my focus. Shaking my foot does nothing to dislodge the urchin. Must not overreact, I remind myself, and try to stay calm.

The salty air gives way to the pungent smell of gasoline, and I look up. The two mechanics have powered their skiff over to us. Leaving the outboard idling, the man with the blue shirt and sun-bleached hair jumps into the water and helps lift me into the skiff.

Once I'm in, the other man pulls the urchin off my foot and tosses it back into the water. Unfortunately, a lot of dark spines are still stuck in my instep. The first man helps Suzanne and Ringo into the boat and then pulls himself aboard.

"Thanks, Blondie." My voice is thready as I breathe through the pain.

Blondie laughs. "Cute nickname. I'm Reed. And those urchins are nasty, nasty creatures. They cause a lot of problems to a lot of feet. Let's get you to the clinic."

"I hope you don't have to pee on my foot." That would be absolutely gross.

Blondie laughs again. "No, that would be for jellyfish stings. Completely different animal."

Shame washes over me. How ignorant must he think I am? I grit my teeth and keep silent. Suzanne is crying enough for both of us. A cold nose pokes my arm, and I look down. Ringo, with his shark fin, looked so sad and soon I had a lap full of wet dog licking my tears.

The second guy, whose sunglasses reflect the ocean, opens up the skiff's motor and we're at the dock in no time. I looked over and Suzanne was crying too.

"Thanks, Sunny, for getting us to shore." I'm grateful they were there to help and pleased with myself for giving the driver an appropriate nickname too.

Sunny jumped out on the dock and tied the skiff off. Blondie picked me up with no effort and climbed out of the boat and to their truck with little effort. He straightened my leg out so my heel was resting on the dash and the bottom of my foot didn't touch anything.

"Keep it elevated I'll be right back." Sunny instructed. Blondie was already behind the wheel with the engine started.

Sunny ran over to a couple of nearby trees with some low hanging fruit and picked some and ran back to the truck. "Hold on, I got these for you." He holds out two mangos to show me.

"Thanks but no thanks, I'm not very hungry right now." I just want to get this ticking time bomb out of my foot before it explodes.

"They aren't to eat, I'm going to squeeze the juice on to your foot. It will help with the getting rid of the spines."

​"You really think Mangos will help?" I'm very skeptical about squeezing tropical fruit into my open wounds, especially when I have eaten it every day since I landed here.

​"It's not mango, it's papaya. It helps, trust me."

​"Okay, you can squeeze it on, but I would still like to see the doctor."

​Sunny takes out his pocket knife and cuts a slice of papaya and squeezes over the spines that are stuck throughout my foot. At least it doesn't hurt. Sonny proceeds to squeeze the juice of both papayas onto my foot before climbing in the truck.

"How far is the clinic?" I ask Blondie as Suzanne slides into the backseat full of tools.

"The clinic is less than a mile away. There are some dry towels back there." Suzanne wraps herself in one and opens another for me.

My foot is throbbing, and I start breathing like they taught us in birthing classes. Hee hee, hoo. It doesn't relieve the pain, but it gives me something to focus on as we drive over bumpy roads to the clinic.

At the main entrance, Blondie parks and carries me into the lobby. Suzanne follows us, sobbing. My tears have stopped, but the throb has begun to pound.

A doctor meet us and direct Blondie to take me into the examining room behind the front desk, and our ragtag group traipses behind her.

After Reed helps me onto the exam table, he leaves. Suzanne takes Ringo's shark fin off and places him next to me.

"Looks like you met one of our sea urchins."

I cringe as Dr. Easton examines my foot. "Yeah, a mean one." Not that urchins are mean at all, but they cause a mean injury.

Dr. Easton gives Ringo a little scratch on his head and goes over to wash up. I guess comfort dogs are welcome here.

"Jack told me to make sure nothing happens to you, and now look." Suzanne sniffles. She is starting to calm down now that the doctor is looking after me.

"You met a nasty urchin! I need to remove the spines and clean the wound to prevent infection and cellulitis."

Then, I'm overcome with pain as Dr. Easton uses a pliers to pull out the spines one by one. I cry out and Suzanne squeezes my hand as her tears start to fall again.

"Looks like about fifteen or sixteen spines, maybe more. I want to take X-rays to locate any spines that may have broken off in your foot. Any chance you could be pregnant?"

"What? No! I don't think so."

"Do you mind if I run a quick test?"

"Do what you need to do. It hurts so much; I just want it to stop." My left foot is swollen to twice its size.

Dr. Easton nods. "I'll be right back."

A nurse walked in the open door and pulled a curtain that hangs from the ceiling around me, Ringo and Suzanne. "Are you able to get up to use the restroom?" I nod yes and she helps me up. With Suzanne on one side and the nurse on the other, they get me into the bathroom attached to the examining room and sit me down on the toilet. I keep my leg straight and resting on the heel.

The nurse opens a cabinet and hands me a plastic jar with a lid. "Here you go, leave it on the counter when you're done and give me a shout so I can help you back into the bed."

"Do you need help, Isa?" Suzanne asks.

"No thanks, I'm good." Suzanne looks the other way so I can be done with this. I pull my bathing suit off to the side and fill the cup halfway before snapping my suit back into place.

The nurse helps me back to the exam table, then takes my sample from the bathroom.

"This shouldn't take too long."

Several minutes later, she returns. "Looks like we're going to have to do this the hard way."

"What do you mean?" Any way she takes care of my foot will be a hard way.

"Looks like you're pregnant. No X-rays. No good painkillers. Nope, nothing," Dr. Easton says, looking down at his clipboard that must contain my results. "We can do a little lidocaine, but that's about it."

"I'm what?" I blurt as Suzanne asks, "She's what?"

"Oh yes. We can discuss that later. Let's take care of your foot first."

All I can think of is Ben the night before the divorce. Oh my God, I can't be pregnant. The pain in my foot fades as dread curdles my stomach.

Suzanne grabbed hold of my arm when she saw how scared I am.

"Please don't say anything. Please don't tell anybody." I reach for Ringo and run my fingers anxiously through his short, damp fur.

"I won't say a word." Suzanne assures me and wipes a tear running down her face.

Dr. Easton dug through my foot removing all the spines he could see. "I hope I got it all. The nurse will come in and bandage you up and give you a tetanus shot. Tomorrow, I want you to soak your foot in warm water with a little bit of vinegar. The vinegar will help neutralize any venom and break down any pieces I may have missed. And, take Tylenol for the pain and elevate your foot to keep swelling down." Dr. Easton smiles. "And stay off it for a week or so. I'll lend you some crutches. Are you a tourist?"

Suzanne chimes in, "She's visiting. She's Jack Kendall's girlfriend"

Dr. Easton smiles. "Oh? How's Jack doing?"

"He's doing great. Can I go home now?"

"You're good to go. Please keep an eye on it to make sure it does not become infected. And, take care of your little one. It would be good for you to see an OB to make sure everybody is okay."

I nod as the nurse comes in with some crutches and starts to show me how to use them.

"Thank you for everything." I say, although my foot is throbbing and I'm pregnant.

When we go out the front door, Sarah is waiting for us. "A half mile of dirt is a little too long for someone just starting out on crutches," Sarah says with a smile. Suzanne has stopped crying now that the drama is over for the day.

"Hi Sarah. Aren't you supposed to be behind the bar tonight?"

"Suzanne called me. Let's get you to your villa."

The girls help me get me back to my villa.

"Where are all your clothes?" Suzanne asks looking at the duffle bag I brought to the island. She picks up a t-shirt that is wearing thin and makes a disapproving face. "We seriously need to go shopping." She brings it over and helps me into it.

"I just found out I'm pregnant." I break the news to Sarah and Suzanne gives me a little hug. Sarah doesn't look surprised.

"What are you going to do? When does Jack get back?" Sarah asks. "Are you going to tell him?"

I look at Ringo, who's staying right by my side. "I have no idea. I have absolutely no idea."

***
Buzz-Buzz-Buzz

Between the throbbing of my foot and being a side sleeper who is forced to sleep on her back,
I just fell asleep. And now my phone is going off.

Buzz-Buzz-Buzz

The sun isn't quite up yet. Who could be texting me?

Eyes glued closed, I feel the bedside table until I find my phone. My eyes unstick enough to be blinded by the brightness of the screen, and I immediately turn down. I can see that there are eight texts from Jack. That and It's 6am.

11:04pm
Isa Jane Cushing? Are you OK? How is your foot?

2:43am
Isa Willa Cushing? You are worrying ME! Are you OK???

2:45am
Isa Mia Cushing I am so worried! I'm flying home now to see you.

3:15am
I just took off I'll be there soon.

3:16am
Pilot says we should land at STT around 5:30

4:30
Isa Ivy Cushing, I can't wait to see you!

5:25
Landed! Headed your way!

5:55
On The Island

The knock at the door seems a little too soon. I look terrible! "Shit!"

"Isa!" Jack calls from the porch.

"The key is out there somewhere." I yell to him. He rummages through the items on the porch and then it's quiet as door is unlocked and pushed open.
Jack, backlit by the rising sun, rushes across the threshold to my bedside.

"Oh my God, Isa, are you okay?" He bends over and hugs me and doesn't let go. Ringo is wagging his tail and stays next to me.

"I'm not dying, Jack, but I do have to go pee."

"Let me help you up." Jack is careful of my wrapped foot and hands me the crutches on loan from the clinic.

"Give me a few minutes to freshen up." And I hop over to the bathroom and close the door.

I have to tell Jack I am headed back to Maine. I can't stay here, not in this condition. Not with someone else's baby. Not with Ben's baby. I came here to figure out what to do, but now my future is already figured out for me.

I open the door and head over to a chair to sit. Looking down I see one foot and loaf of bread. The swelling hasn't gone down very much so I take some Tylenol.

"I've rushed home as fast as I could, I've been so worried about you. I cut my meetings short so I could come back. I don't want to be away from you." He drags a chair over so he can sit in front of me.

"You didn't have to do that." I know I can't continue whatever this may turn into with him.

"The thing is, I wanted to. I've never wanted to put my career aside before for anything or anybody, especially a woman. But you." Jack brushes my slept-in hair off my face and tucks it behind my ear, "You have swept me off my feet. Isa. You have come into my life at the exact time when I am at a crossroad that I didn't even know I was at."

"What? What crossroad? Don't you have Google Maps?"

"Isa, I'm serious. A crossroad in my life. I didn't realize it until I left the island. Until I left you here. I want to quit my business, or at least slow it down. I want to focus on me and you. I want to live the things I sing about not just sing about them."

"Jack, I'm pregnant." I just said it, monotone. No enthusiasm. No excitement. "I'm going to be leaving soon."

I expect to be yelled at or called some kind of name. Of course, Jack knew the baby couldn't be his. He had that taken care of that a long time ago by getting a vasectomy. I'm sure whatever island fairytale he conjured up of me an him living happily ever after disintegrated in front of him.

Looking down to hide the fact that I have lived this before. I've been in this position where all I want to do is leave. I know I can't fix a shattered dream, especially someone else's shattered dream. "I'm sorry." I whisper afraid of his response. "I know the baby isn't yours."

"Oh, Isa!" Bending forward, Jack hugs me. His fingers gently pinch my chin and move my face so we are eye to eye. Jack's voice takes on a serious tone, "I want to help. Please let me help you. I don't want to lose you."

"Jack, I don't know what to say." I broke the promise I made myself to stay strong and no more crying as I allow myself to be wrapped in his arms to keep from falling apart. "I don't know what I'm going to do."

"It will be okay. Let me make it okay." One hand is brushing my hair back and his other is gently wiping the tears from the sides of my cheeks. "Give me a chance, I won't disappoint. I don't want you to have to worry about anything except getting better and making sure your little one is healthy." Jack flashes his bright smile and I soak it right in. He feels good and maybe this is right.

"I don't know, I feel like I spent all my life putting everything I have into my music and touring. I never had any desire to settle down with anybody, let alone start a family. I could never see myself with one person." I pull away so I can watch his eyes while I listen.

"It's not that I'm selfish or anything, I don't think I am. I just think I'm honest. I wouldn't expect anyone to put up with a schedule like what I keep when they me to be a fulltime husband or father. I couldn't do it. It wouldn't be fair to anyone." As Jack spoke, he lost the sparkle in his eyes, "And now, I'm 49, I've led an amazing life so far, now I would like to sit back and enjoy my accomplishments. Slow down. Just relax and enjoy what I sing about. Now I will have time to be a boyfriend and maybe a husband or even a father."

Sometimes pieces to a puzzle fit the first time you try to them. It doesn't happen often, especially if you are not very good at puzzles and you are constantly trying all the wrong pieces. My whole life, I have been trying the wrong pieces and they never fit. So far, Jack and I fit in every way He's kind and gracious and he makes sure I know that he is thinking about me, in a good way. I love his voice and his words. And to top it off, physically, we fit together perfect.

I am at the point, right now, where I need to make the decision. I need to put the puzzle piece into the puzzle.

Jack traced my lips with his tear-dampened finger preparing them for his soft kiss. My eyes jolted open, shocked that his gentle kiss felt so me intense. As if every cell in my body was about to faint. Ringo jumped off the bed and ran over to remind us he needed to go out.

"Hi, Buddy." Jack jumped up, out of breath and opened the door for Ringo. "You look famished. Would you like to come up to my house for some breakfast? We can talk some more there?"

"Yes." I whisper, "Let's talk at your house."

"I'll grab some of your things and help you get some shorts on, although I don't mind you going short-less." Jack quickly grabs the bag I've been using for the beach and threw some clothes in it before going into the bathroom to grab a few of my toiletries.

"Are you expecting me to spend the night?" I ask with a girlish grin and being completely ok with Jack packing an overnight bag for me.

"I thought you may want to brush your teeth when you get to my house. That's it. No pressure." Jack's sparkle is back in his eyes as he slings my bag over his shoulder, helps me stand and step into some shorts so he can load me into his beater Jeep.

But to my surprise, when he opened the door to my villa, there was a brand-new black Ford Expedition, with doors and everything. "Whose is this?"

Looking at me smiling, Jack shrugged, "They left it for me at the airport so I could get home in the middle of the night."

"They?"

"My security." He sounded embarrassed and quickly changed the subject. "At least you'll be comfortable." Jack helped me hop to the passenger side and slide into the oversized black leather seat.

As Jack raced around to the driver's side, I fastened my seatbelt. Jack started it up. "It's so quite compared to what you normally drive. We don't have to scream. And I don't feel like I'm going to get thrown out of the vehicle at any given moment."

Putting the Expedition in gear, "you'll be much more comfortable in this." The air conditioning immediately started blowing cool air, and a county music song started playing mid-song from high quality speakers whose sound was complimented by the luxe sound proofing of the interior.

We glided out onto the road that when we were in the Jeep we bounced on every bump. We drove for a mile until we came to small driveway up a hill. Halfway up, a gate of silver bars adorned with starfish. There was a security camera mounted on a pole facing the gate and a keypad off to the side. Jack rolled his window down and typed in a code and the gate swung open to allow us to drive through.

We drove up along a palm tree lined driveway to the front of an enormous traditional island home. I was in awe. I knew he had some money, but not this. Nothing like this. Nothing as jaw-dropping extravagant as this.

"You live here?"

"Yes."