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Chapter One

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Amanda stopped at the edge of the flagstone walk, considering.  She gazed around the side of the house, up the hill to the woods beyond, searching the foliage for – what?  She didn’t know.  But she had the distinct impression something was there, and it frightened her.  For several long moments she stood there, one hand on the gate as if ready to turn and fly; the other resting on her belly as if to protect the tiny life growing there.  He didn’t even know she was pregnant yet.  He wouldn’t be home for a week, but the larder was empty.  She had to get to town.

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Mentally she shook herself.  There was nothing to fear here, she told herself savagely, and resolutely she shut the gate and walked the rest of the way to the car.  Still, she let out a sigh when the door was shut and locked behind her.  Starting the little wagon and nosing it out the driveway, she sighed again.  She had to get a handle on this!

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Amanda and her husband Thomas had married in Boston ten months ago and visited Popponesset Beach on their honeymoon.  It was a magical, pristine Massachusetts hideaway on Nantucket Bay.  The weather tended to be rather harsh, given to strong winds and driving rain. But when the sun shone the pebbly beach sparkled like jewels, giving way to little eddies through the rocks that harbored all sorts of sea life and shells.  They spent a fortnight there in one of the quaint little rental cottages, and resolved to return when they got the chance.

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Their chance came sooner than they expected.  During their travels they found a beautiful well-kept cottage for sale, and on a whim called the realtor. Sixteen weeks later Thomas moved his blushing bride into their new home, tucked away on the edge of the woods within walking distance of Popponesset Beach.  Amanda was a writer and loved the beauty and solitude of the place, though she knew Thomas felt a bit out of his element there.  He was a city boy and rather missed the hustle and bustle of Boston.  So when his job sent him back to the big city for a two week sabbatical, he jumped at the chance.