Rocky Point Reunion by Barbara McMahon

becoming a major part of her business on the weekends. The weather for the next few days was expected to be clear and warm. Another boon to encourage tourism.
    She had briefed her manager before returning home early to shower, change and be ready when Zack and Jenny picked her up. Having a few minutes to spare, she called her father. No answer. She left a quick message, wondering where he was. If he’d gone fishing today, he would have stopped before now. The best time was morning, he always said.
    Promptly at four came a knock on her door. When Marcie opened it Jenny bounded in and gave her a hug. “I’m so glad you’re coming. Sally Anne and I have been planning this forever. It’ll be so much fun. Uncle Zack bought hot dogs and we’ll cook them on a fire on the beach. He said he and Daddy used to do that all the time when they were kids.”
    Marcie smiled. Memories rose of the evenings she’d shared with the Kincaids, and the campfires in the cove beneath their home. The surrounding rock seemed to reflect the heat and they were able to stay out far longer than usual in the cool Maine nights.
    Taking a deep breath, Marcie grabbed her jacket and purse and the bag of brownies she was bringing to thefeast. She was ready. She was merely chaperoning two young girls. But when she saw Zack leaning against the truck, arms folded across his chest, feet crossed at the ankle, she almost tripped off the steps. He looked amazing, all broad shoulders and masculine stance. His dark eyes watched her, bringing a self-consciousness that unnerved her. Thankfully, Jenny said something about going to pick up Sally Anne at that moment and broke her focus.
    â€œHi,” she said when she reached the truck, her thoughts in a jumble.
    â€œHi, yourself. Ready? We have to get Sally Anne.” He opened the door and tilted the seat forward so Jenny could scramble into the jump seat in the back, then pushed the seat back so Marcie could get in. She brushed past him and climbed in, keeping busy settling herself and pulling on her seat belt so she wouldn’t look at him. Okay, this had been a mistake. She was so very aware of every move he made. How would she last the evening?
    She should not have worried. Once Sally Anne joined them, the two girls kept a running conversation, including both adults as they jumped from one topic to another.
    When they reached the Kincaid house, the girls dashed to the edge of the bluff and waited impatiently for Zack and Marcie.
    â€œThis isn’t exactly Disneyland,” he murmured as they walked across the grassy expanse.
    â€œBut enough out of the ordinary to bring excitement. Jenny told me Joe’s never had a fire on the beach. She thinks this is amazing.”
    â€œWhat’s amazing to me is that he hasn’t. We did it all the time, it seems like.” Zack remembered his mom and dad directing everything, letting the boys do the work. Marcie had been part of their beach picnics more times than not those last few years before his parents died. Atthe time, he’d taken it for granted. Now the memories were bittersweet. Great to have, sad to know he’d never share with his parents again.
    â€œBut not at Jenny’s age, I bet. Until Gillian came, Joe was very overprotective of his daughter. She’s only now allowed to do things other girls have been allowed to do for a while. Doesn’t it make you feel special to be the one to introduce her to the joys of cooking hot dogs on the beach?”
    He nodded. “Being with her makes me feel special. She sees me as some lost hero.”
    â€œLost?”
    â€œShe told me she and her father prayed for me to find my way home, so to her that made me lost.”
    â€œSo she knows God answers prayers.”
    â€œDoes He?” Zack asked softly.
    Before Marcie could answer, they reached the girls.
    â€œI want to go down first, Uncle Zack,” Jenny said, dancing around at the top of the steep