Harbor of the Heart

by Katherine Spencer

  She liked the way he’d said “our future”—including her.

  She kissed his cheek in answer. “Yes. It’s a lot to get my mind around, the fact that by the fall, you’ll be a doctor again and not flying around the island in your truck anymore. It’s a little . . . disconcerting,” she admitted.

  “I know what you mean. It’s all going to be new. So we don’t know what to expect. Just that I won’t be flying around the island in my truck anymore. Not unless I set up a practice out here and do house calls,” he countered. “Which probably isn’t entirely out of the question . . . though I was thinking of spreading my wings a bit more.”

  Liza wasn’t sure what he meant by that, though she hoped he would work close enough to commute every day, so they wouldn’t have to deal with long separations.

  “I’ve loved living here,” he continued. “And working on these beautiful old houses. The island has changed so much since I first came here. It’s come back to life in a way. I’m glad I was a part of that. It will always be a special place for me, and I can never completely leave it. Not as long as you’re here,” he added.

  “I hope not,” she said with a small smile. She knew that he loved her, but with his entire life about to be turned upside down, she hoped their bond didn’t get lost in the shuffle.

  “If all goes well, life is going to be a lot different come September, even if I end up practicing in Essex or Newburyport. But this place was good for me. It taught me a lot. Most of all . . . humility,” Daniel admitted. “I think I’m going to be a much better doctor than I was before. I’m glad I’m not able to go back to emergency room medicine, too,” he added. “I think I’m more in tune with being a general practitioner now. Practicing family medicine and helping out in a range of cases. I can specialize again down the road if I want to,” he explained. “But it will be better to be a GP while I get my feet wet again. I think I’m going to like it.”

  Daniel had learned that it was a much longer process to be recertified as a specialist. But he was already qualified to practice general medicine. Working in the island’s medical clinic all these years had counted toward his reentry and put him on an easy track for general practice and family medicine.

  “You’re sure you won’t miss the excitement of the ER?” she asked.

  “Actually, I am sure,” he said, sounding slightly bemused by the admission. “I was a very good ER doc; one of the best on the staff. But I wasn’t very . . . warm and cuddly,” he confessed. “I think I can do better with my bedside manner this time around.”

  “Really? I think you’re very warm and cuddly,” she replied, nuzzling her head into his shoulder. “No complaints here.”

  “What can I say? You bring out the best in me, Liza. That’s why I have to keep you around. One reason, anyway.”

  He circled her with both arms and Liza leaned her head back against his shoulder. “What are the other reasons? I’m just curious,” she said casually, though she was really dying to hear his list.

  “Let’s see . . . You make me laugh. You argue with me when I’m wrong. Sometimes when I’m right, too . . . but that’s not too often.”

  “You know what Claire says; even a broken clock is right twice a day.”

  Daniel laughed and squeezed her very tight. “Very funny.”

  “Go on . . . Is that all?”

  “Hardly got started yet . . . You’re very smart and kind. And generous to a fault . . . And very pretty. I can’t forget that.”

  “Please don’t . . . especially when you have to stay in Boston two weeks at a time. I know there are lots of attractive women in your class. You just won’t admit it.”

  “I already told you, I haven’t seen one,” he said with a convincing face.

  Liza wasn’t sure she really believed him. “Well, I like your list. Do you want to hear mine?”

  “Absolutely . . . Wait, I need to get a pen and paper. I want to write this down. So I can read it back when I’m studying too much and feeling lonely and blue.” Daniel reached into his back pocket, then looked at Liza with surprise. “Hey, what’s this?”

  He pulled out a small velvet box and held it out to her.

  Liza stared at the offering and nearly gasped out loud. She could hardly dare raise her gaze to meet his.

  “I think it’s a ring.” He snapped the box open and showed it to her.

  It was a ring—a large, round diamond in a beautiful antique setting. Exactly the style she loved best.

  He carefully removed it and held it out to her. “Elizabeth Grace Martin . . . I loved you since the first minute I set eyes on you. I know it’s taken me a while to get my act together . . . and it’s not quite together yet. But with you by my side, I know I can do anything. I promise to love you and cherish you until the last breath leaves my body. Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

  Liza sat with her mouth hanging open, then flung her arms around his shoulders. “Yes . . . yes . . . absolutely. Yes!”

  Then Daniel kissed her and it felt as if all the stars in the sky were spinning around in her head. Or as if they had been lifted up together into the heavens.

  When they parted they were both laughing and crying a little, and Daniel slipped the ring on her finger. She held it out in front of her to admire the design of the antique gold setting.

  “It was my grandmother’s. I went home last weekend to get it,” he admitted. “I wasn’t really studying. If you don’t like the setting, we can have it changed. My feelings won’t be hurt. I just want you to love it.”

  “I do love it, just the way it is. It’s perfect. Just what I would have picked out.” Liza looked up at him again. “So you had this all planned?”

  He nodded. “Are you surprised?”

  “Shocked speechless is more like it,” she admitted.

  He leaned over and kissed her forehead, then smoothed her hair back. The damp sea breeze had whipped it into a mass of dark curls. But Liza didn’t mind; she gathered it in one hand and pulled it over her shoulder.

  “I was going to wait until I got the test results back—so you’d know what you were getting into. But I couldn’t. I want to marry you, come what may. I love you with all my heart, Liza.”

  “I love you with all my heart, too, Daniel. And all my soul . . . and all my . . . everything.” She laughed. “You’re my soul mate and my best friend. You’re the smartest, handsomest, sweetest man alive. From the minute I met you, you had me hooked. I want to share my life with you. I know I’ll always be happy if we’re together.”

  “I do, too,” Daniel agreed quietly. He kissed her again and held her close. Just as her eyes opened, she saw a shooting star over his shoulder. “Look, it’s starting. The meteor shower . . .”

  He sat with his arm around her shoulder and they tipped their heads back, staring at the sky. Moments later, streaks of glowing light arced across the dark blue velvet heavens. Liza could never guess where the next one would appear. Some sped by so quickly, she could only catch the last seconds of their flare.

  But there were many stars to watch and they oohed! and ahhed! out loud, as if watching a fireworks display.

  “Don’t forget to close your eyes and make a wish,” he re-minded her.

  Liza had forgotten to wish, she’d been so excited. But when she spotted the next star streak across the sky, she did make a wish. And hoped with all her heart it would come true.

  “I did it,” she said, opening her eyes. “Did you?”

  He nodded. “I did . . . What did you wish for?”

  “I can’t tell you. It won’t come true.”

  He smiled. “That’s right. I forgot. But I think I can guess . . .” He leaned closer and kissed her, and Liza forgot all about the meteor shower, lost in the heaven she had found in Daniel’s arms.

  * * *

  LATER, when they went back up to the inn, Liza not
iced the lights on in the front parlor and heard Claire and Nolan talking. It sounded as if they were playing a game, as they often did in the evenings now.

  Daniel heard them, too. “Let’s go tell them the news.”

  Claire and Nolan were playing Scrabble, totally focused on the board between them, which was filled with tiles, Liza noticed. Some of the words were amazingly long, too.

  Liza wondered who was winning, then easily guessed from their expressions. Claire looked cheerful, laying down her tiles.

  “E-Q-U-I-N-O-X, and on triple-word score square,” she pointed out.

  Nolan looked glum, calculating the score on a pad and mumbling to himself.

  They both turned to look at Liza and Daniel as they approached. Claire met Liza’s gaze with a curious look.

  “How was the meteor shower? Did you see anything?” Nolan asked.

  “We did. It was amazing.” Liza glanced at Daniel. Then she held out her hand so they could see the ring. “Look what fell out of the sky—and landed on my finger.”

  Claire looked puzzled at first, then saw the diamond. She jumped up and clapped her hands together, nearly knocking the table over.

  “Good heavens! You’re engaged! How wonderful! When did that happen?”

  “Just now. Out on the beach. Daniel proposed to me right before the shooting stars came.”

  “How lovely . . . What a beautiful memory you’ll always have of this night,” Claire said.

  “Nice work, Daniel, arranging the celestial entertainment,” Nolan teased him.

  Daniel laughed. “It wasn’t easy, believe me.”

  Claire jumped up and hugged Liza, and then hugged Daniel, too. “My heart is so full of joy for you both. I had a feeling this happy day was on its way, but I had no idea it would come so soon.”

  Nolan rose and shook Daniel’s hand. Then he gave Liza a hug. “From the minute I met you two, I knew you were meant for each other. It doesn’t take a scientist to see that,” he quipped. “Though I’m happy to be here and share your good news. All my best wishes for a wonderful future.”

  “Yes, absolutely. God bless every step of this beautiful journey,” Claire added.

  Liza and Daniel glowed under the shower of good wishes. Claire suddenly remembered a bottle of champagne in the refrigerator and quickly bustled off to fetch it. Nolan followed, offering his help. Edison was sleeping under the game table, but rose to trot after them. First, though, he stopped to pant happily up at Liza and Daniel and lick Liza’s hand.

  “Well, they seem happy for us. Even Edison. Our engagement is a national holiday around here,” Daniel said with a quiet laugh. “Are you sure that dog didn’t lick off your diamond?”

  Liza stuck out her hand and showed him the ring, still intact. “Don’t worry. It was just his way of saying, ‘Congratulations,’ and, ‘I knew it all along.’”

  “Were we that obvious?” Daniel asked.

  “I guess so. Everyone seemed to know it was going to happen before me.” Liza laughed, gazing down at the sparkling ring again. “I still can’t believe it. It feels . . . like a dream.”

  “Believe it, my love. The best is yet to come.” Daniel met her gaze and squeezed her hand. “Let’s go out on the porch and see if there are any more stars. I still have a wish or two left.”

  He led Liza out to the porch, and they settled in their favorite perch—the wooden swing.

  Claire soon arrived, carrying a tray with crystal glasses. Nolan had charge of the champagne bucket. He wiggled the cork loose, and it shot out of the bottle with a loud pop. They soon raised their glasses in a joyous toast.

  Liza was so happy, she felt as if she were walking on air. It had to be the happiest night of her life, and she knew at least one of her wishes had finally come true.

  They sat and sipped the sparkling drink, catching their breath from the excitement.

  “Have you given any thought to the wedding?” Claire asked after a few moments. “I suppose not,” she added. “It’s much too soon for that.”

  “I have,” Daniel announced. “I’d like a small wedding, just our closest friends and family.” He glanced at Liza to gauge her reaction.

  “Oh, I’d like that, too. Very intimate . . . but nice,” she added quickly. “I’d like Reverend Ben to marry us. What do you think, Daniel?”

  “I wouldn’t ask anyone but Reverend Ben,” he seconded. “Unless you want to run down to Cape Light village hall tomorrow and have Mayor Warwick marry us?”

  He was teasing, she knew. “I don’t think the village hall is open on Saturday. And I’d like to have a little time to plan it. I’ve planned so many weddings here for so many brides, I’ve always imagined how my own would be,” she confessed. “I’d love to have the reception at the inn.”

  Daniel smiled indulgently. “That would be perfect. This is where we met, where we fell in love . . . As long as my bride isn’t fried to a crisp before she walks down the aisle. I know how you get running those events. But you’re the bride this time. Maybe the inn isn’t the best idea.” He sounded as if he hadn’t considered the drawbacks. And now that he did, he was wary.

  “I agree,” Claire said at once. “Liza is the bride this time, and we can’t let her get all stressed and harried. But it would be so fitting to see you married here. I can’t imagine the celebration anyplace else. I think if we hire some extra help, a wedding planner, maybe . . . Or Molly Willoughby? She can do everything for you; everything you always do for the bride.”

  “Excellent suggestion, Claire,” Daniel said. He turned to Liza. “What do you think? It might be hard to hand over the reins. Do you think you could let Molly do the heavy lifting?”

  “Molly has catered a lot of parties here. Once she gets involved, she takes over anyway. So I’ll just step back and let her do her thing.”

  “She does a wonderful job, too. She does excellent parties, and her food is delicious . . . though I’d like to make a few dishes,” Claire quickly added. “And perhaps the cake?”

  “That would be very meaningful to us, Claire. Thank you,” Liza said sincerely.

  “Well, this is pretty easy. Why do people complain so much about planning a wedding?” Daniel asked.

  Liza rolled her eyes and glanced at Claire. “Men just don’t have a clue sometimes, do they? He thinks all we have to do now is rent a tux and order some flowers.”

  “Exactly,” Daniel said. “So how about September? By then I’ll know if I passed the test, and we’ll be free to figure out our next steps.”

  Our next steps. Liza liked the sound of that. But September? He was being very unrealistic—in a typical male way, she thought.

  She took his hand in hers. “Daniel, I can’t plan a nice wedding that quickly. It’s much too fast.”

  “It’s more than a month. You already said you’ve been thinking of what you’d like for a long time,” he reminded her. “And Molly is a powerhouse. She could probably put it together in two weeks.”

  “Whoa . . . two weeks? Let’s go back to September . . . late September . . . early October?” Liza negotiated with him. “I still have guests booked after Labor Day,” she reminded him. “It’s still a busy time for me.”

  That was true, too. Though summer unofficially ended on Labor Day, many visitors who didn’t have to worry about getting their children back to school found September an ideal time to stay on the island. The weather was usually wonderful, too, cooler and drier than the hot, humid days of the summer.

  It was a nice time of year for a wedding, too, Liza thought. Though her husband-to-be had proposed a tight deadline.

  “All right. Let’s look at the calendar tomorrow and at your reservations,” Daniel conceded. “We’ll see where we can fit in our wedding,” he teased her. “We do want to have some rooms free for family and friends. I’m starting to see a weekend-long party at the Inn at Angel Island.”r />
  Claire laughed. “I am, too, truth be told. I can’t think of an event more fitting for one, either.”

  “In many other cultures, weddings are celebrated over several days—India, for instance, and even parts of Eastern Europe,” Nolan offered.

  “Several days? I’m lucky if I can plan one party,” Liza told the others. “But it will be wonderful, I can promise you that.”

  Daniel leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. “Anytime or anyplace that we get married will be wonderful. That’s just a given.”

  “Yes, it is,” she agreed. Her mind went back to the shooting stars streaking across the night sky. Only an hour had passed since they’d seen them, and already so many of her most cherished wishes were coming true.

  * * *

  WHEN Liza woke up the next morning, she could hardly believe that the diamond ring on her left hand really belonged to her. That Daniel had finally asked her to marry him. It still seemed like a dream.

  But wedding talk the rest of the weekend convinced her. She somehow managed to take care of her guests in between wedding plans. Daniel was over bright and early, with a stack of books he needed to study and a calendar. While Daniel argued for September, Liza managed to push the date off into October, pointing out all the reservations she still had booked after Labor Day.

  They finally picked Sunday, October sixth, as their wedding day. It wasn’t as soon as Daniel had hoped, and not as much time to prepare as she wanted, but Liza found the week clear of reservations, and blocked off all the rooms for her wedding guests from the prior Tuesday on, so they would have enough time to get the inn ready for the wedding.

  She would probably hire some cleaning help for that week, so she and Claire could attend to more important matters. She hoped Nolan planned on staying at his job that long. His boat repairs were progressing, but he never mentioned when they would be done or when he expected to leave. Even though the inn would be comparatively quiet after Labor Day, she did need his help. When she thought about it, she had grown so fond of Nolan and Edison the last few weeks that she really wanted to see them at the wedding. And she knew Claire did, too.