Mike's mind was no longer on the fish. In fact, his dad and Bryan were the only ones into the whole adventure. Tim was feeling nauseous and Mike just didn't have the patience. Whenever he was idle, his mind went into overdrive. He liked to come to Maine and pretend that he had no problems in Turner. The divide against him was being fueled under the guise of supporting the pedophile but was actually the effort of one of his crew to get his job. The problem was fire crews relied on trust and teamwork to keep themselves safe.

When Turner wasn't burdening him, he worried about Anna. He liked the prospect of having her child be part of their lives. He was using all his willpower not to influence her.

The only time his mind was content was when he was with Mari. Going for that late night walk was a huge step. What Amy did for her today was another one. He was proud of Mari for trusting Amy. Mari didn't trust easy. Mike suspected that there was more to her fears than just the burns. When he first learned about the fire she shut down his questions about responsibility for the sealed windows. He never pushed, but it nagged at the back of his mind.

They finally returned to the marina with plenty of fish for dinner and for Bryan to freeze. He wanted to sprint off to see Mari, but he had to wait for the others. The plan was showers and then to meet up at Bryan's.

Poor Tim was definitely glad to be back on shore. With the emotions in play this weekend, Mike didn't dare tease his brother for barfing over the side of the boat.

Bryan said, "Dan, you failed to raise fishermen."

"Oh well, they're still good boys."

He smiled, but it had more to do with arriving at Mari's than his father's compliment. He sprinted up the stairs and found her in her office. Leaning against the doorjamb, he said, "Hey."

She turned and smiled. He walked over to look at her up close. He always told her that her scars were not that noticeable, but the makeup hid them well. The scarf over her damaged ear worked perfectly. He wanted to kiss her but, stopped when Tim shouted.

"First dibs on the shower."

"Yeah, go ahead." Quietly he said, "He may have puke on him."

Mari laughed, then her face turned serious. "I think I want to go on a walk before dark. Will you take me?"

He smiled. "People may talk about us. We'll be outing ourselves."

Mari laughed again. "Your mother and sister-in-law already figured there was something between us."

"Is that why she did this?"

"Did I knock your socks off?"

"Absolutely."

"Do you want to walk to Bryan's? You know almost everyone."

"I was thinking Lana's. She'll be so proud."

"Of course. I need a shower."

She wrinkled her nose. "I noticed."

Mari was afraid, but she looked in the mirror and told herself she could do it. Anna walked over to her house when she was afraid and she was still a child. If she ever had a chance with Mike, she had to leave the house.

When Nancy and Amy came back with the coffee, Nancy had asked what was going on between her and Mike. She had told her nothing could go on between them because he lived in Ohio.

Nancy said, "There is nothing keeping him in Turner, especially not now."

Mari argued. "Anna's mother."

"She gave up her rights to Anna. She can afford to travel to see her."

"Anna told me her mother's boyfriend would pay her college tuition if she gives the baby up. If Anna stays, she might change her mind."

Amy spoke up. "If Anna gives us her baby, we'll pay her tuition for her."

Mike would never want her if she was broken. She had to fix herself.

He appeared. "Are you ready to take a walk." He stood behind her in the mirror. His aftershave filled her nose. "We look good. People will stare."

She laughed. "Who's vain?"

"Hey, I heard Lana, she said I was hot and your stepsister said I was handsome."

"You will never forget that."

He shook his head.

Mari's feet felt heavy, as Mike led her to the front door.

"I can carry you. She's just around the corner."

Mari didn't think she could handle having her legs wrapped around his waist in the daylight. They would definitely make a scene and attract attention. Instead, he put his arm around her and held her tight.

He started talking about when Anna was little and she got into some paint in his father's garage and painted the dog. She was laughing and asked about the dog and he told her he was a mutt. "A blue mutt for a while."

She looked up, and they had passed the fish market and were turning on Osprey Lane. She could see Lana's house. She started to feel nervous about knocking on the door.

"Come on, you made it this far."

Mike rapped on the door and Ryan opened the door and told Mike the kids were in the pool.

"Is Lana in the pool?" Mari found her voice.

Before he could answer, she heard Lana call out. "Who is it? It sounded like... Oh my God Mari! Look at you! You're beautiful! Come in." They entered and the cottage was as beautiful inside. "Rye, this is Mari."

The poor man looked confused. He had obviously heard about her.

Mari said, "Mike's sister-in-law gave me a makeover."

"And Ohio took you for a walk."

Mari smiled at Mike.

Mike looked onto the deck and saw his daughter by the pool. He walked out and called, "Anna."

Surprised she asked, "Dad, what are you doing here?"

"You have a friend inside. Before you go see, I want you to know that Aunt Amy did it."

"Did what?"

"Go see."

Anna walked into Lana's house and at first it confused her to see the back of someone with long hair. Then she heard a southern accent that she recognized. Mouth gaped open, she walked around the sofa and came face to face with Mari without her hood. She was beautiful.

"Mari, where are your burns?"

"They're here under some makeup and this scarf." She answered with a smile.

"You are beautiful. You don't need to hide."

She felt overwhelmed. Mari had been hiding for almost two years and Amy was here a day and she performed some kind of magic. It wasn't the makeup as much as she showed Mari that she wasn't ugly.

Anna started crying. Mari and Lana jumped up and rushed to her side.

Ryan scoffed. "Hormones."

She realized at that moment just how special a person her aunt was. She loved her uncle, but she didn't know her aunt. Doing this for Mari showed her heart.

She looked from her dad to Mari and back to her dad. "I decided. She gave Mari happiness. She deserves her own."

Suddenly both Lana and Mari were crying. Her dad was smiling and Ryan repeated, "Hormones."

Ryan 🤣😂🤣❤❤❤