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“To second chances,” Kaitlin finished, clinking her glass against theirs.

The late afternoon sun of the unseasonably warm day cast shadows from the pines on the cottage lane as Kaitlin drove slowly back from Marissa’s house, her mind working through her next steps. The afternoon with her newfound family had been wonderful, filled with laughter and shared stories that helped fill decades of gaps. But now, alone in her rental car, reality pressed in around her.

What came next? The question had been lurking at the edges of her consciousness for weeks, but after today’s conversation about Thanksgiving and Christmas plans, it demanded an answer. Her savings account balance flashed through her mind, dwindling with each passing day on the island. The extended research trip that had stretched far beyond her original budget had only been made possible by the free lodging and work at the mansion.

London felt like a foreign country now, despite having been her home for all her years. Her flat would be cold and empty, the plants on her windowsill long dead from neglect. A few acquaintances who might remember to invite her for drinks if they thought of it. No family, no job prospects beyond the temporary research positions that barely paid enough to survive.

Here, she had Marissa’s warm smile across the lunch table, Ryan’s easy acceptance of a sister he’d never known existed. The possibility of a Christmas morning with people who shared her DNA.

But she also had no income, no long-term housing, and a budding relationship with the island’s sheriff that had imploded spectacularly. Matt hadn’t spoken to her personally since the night he’d discovered her deception. Even during Agent Cook’s arrest, his concern for her had been fleeting.

The mansion loomed ahead through the trees, its weathered stone catching the golden light. Soon the renovation would be complete, Amy’s wellness retreat would open, and there would be no reason for a British researcher to remain on Widow’s Point Island.

As she rounded the bend toward her cottage, movement on Amy’s porch caught her attention. Amy sat in one of her weathered Adirondack chairs, a wine bottle and two glasses on the small table beside her, waving enthusiastically. Ollie’s bark accentuating his master’s efforts.

“Kaitlin! Perfect timing,” Amy called out. “I was just thinking this sunset deserved company and a proper toast.”

Kaitlin pulled into Amy’s driveway, grateful for the distraction from her spiraling thoughts. “That sounds lovely.”

Amy poured a generous glass of white wine and handed it over. “You look like you need this.”

“That obvious?” Kaitlin settled into the matching chair, accepting the wine gratefully.

“You have that deer-in-headlights expression I recognize from my own major life transitions.” Amy raised her glass.

“To surviving, period,” Kaitlin toasted, clinking glasses.

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the sun sink lower toward the horizon. The wine was crisp and cold, cutting through the warmth of the unseasonably mild evening.

It was then that Kaitlin decided Amy deserved the full truth. “I haven’t been entirely honest with you about why I came to the island.”

“The mysterious client who turned out to be yourself?” Amy’s tone held no judgment, only curiosity.

“You knew?”

“I suspected. Your investment in the research felt too personal for professional work.” Amy smiled. “Plus, Matt mentioned some inconsistencies in your story.”

“Matt.” Kaitlin’s stomach clenched at the name. “I suppose he told you what a liar I am.”

“He told me you were searching for your birth mother. And that you found her.” Amy’s voice softened. “Which explains everything, actually. The intensity, the secrecy, the way you handled those records like they held state secrets. Putting yourself in harm’s way to put out a fire!”

“I should have told you both from the beginning.”

“Maybe. But I understand why you didn’t. I mean you were right about people not trusting outsiders, and wanting to cover up secrets. I still can’t believe all this has happened.” Amy leaned back in her chair. “Have you spoken to your family yet?”

Kaitlin sighed. “We met for lunch today. It was wonderful. And terrifying. They welcomed me like I’d never been gone, like I’d always been part of their family.”

“But?”

“But what do I do with that? I’ve no family in London, no close friends. Here, I have a mother who wants to plan Christmas dinner and a brother who I’m just getting to know.” Kaitlin laughed, but it sounded shaky even to her own ears.

Amy nodded knowingly. “You need to belong somewhere.”

“Exactly.” Kaitlin was surprised by Amy’s understanding.

“Not terrible at all. I felt the same way when I talked Kelsey into coming to the island, laying down our roots, going into business together. Suddenly I wanted real stakes somewhere. Here in particular. And real happiness. I’m not there quite yet, but it will come… I hope.”

They both laughed. Amy refilled both their glasses. “I spent months second-guessing and going up against islanders who don’t trust outsiders.”