Harbor of the Heart

by Katherine Spencer

  “That’s right. That’s the myth exactly.” Nolan nodded, suddenly looking very much like a teacher impressed by a student who had surprised him with her intelligence.

  Perhaps he’d underestimated Claire, Liza thought. Many people did, because of her quiet, modest manner and her position as a cook and housekeeper. But Liza had made that mistake years ago. If Nolan stayed much longer, he would soon see that first impressions about Claire North were quite misleading.

  “There’s a labyrinth here, on the island,” Claire added. “Though hardly the same kind that’s in the legend. It’s more of a stone path. But it serves its own purpose. Anyway . . . please go on with your story, Nolan. I’m sorry I interrupted. You were telling us about your workshop?”

  “Yes . . . a perfect little workshop where I could concentrate, and carry out my research undisturbed. I miss that refuge the most of all. The lab and—” He suddenly stopped himself and didn’t finish the sentence. He looked around the table and shook his head. “Let’s just say my life was overturned. Capsized in a stormy sea, the way you found me today. But at least I still had my boat. So I set out with Edison a few weeks ago. Mainly due to necessity. I thought a long sail would clear my head and help me figure out my next move.” Nolan shook his head, looking sick at heart. “But I didn’t figure out a thing, and now my boat’s gone, too.”

  “If you built it, Nolan, you can fix it,” Daniel assured him.

  “Perhaps . . . if I had the materials and a place to work,” Nolan replied.

  He seemed like such a nice man. Life had handed him a few rough turns recently, Liza thought. She didn’t like to see him distressed and downhearted. “You’re welcome to stay here until you sort it out, Nolan. For as long as you need to,” she added.

  “It’s a lot to think about at once. And you’re just back on your feet,” Daniel noted. “Take it easy tonight. We’ll help you tomorrow and go down to the boat as early as you like.”

  Nolan offered Liza a small smile, looking surprised at her offer. He looked over at Daniel, too. “Well, that’s a plan. The first step is having one, I always say. I’ve always been an early bird . . . And believe it or not, I’m normally not the type to burden strangers with my problems. I do believe everyone has to take full responsibility for their actions, good or bad. I’ve landed at this lovely inn through sheer luck, but I’d never take advantage of your gracious hospitality.”

  “Liza and I are happy to help you. That’s what we’re here for,” Claire said, meeting Nolan’s glance. “Have you ever heard the Scripture ‘Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares’?”

  Nolan laughed. “I’m no angel . . . far from it. With all due respect, Claire, I know you’re suggesting that God, or some divine power, is at work. But I’m a scientist first and foremost. The universe is a very random place. I’ve ended up here purely by chance. This time the wheel of fortune has stopped at a lucky space for me, but I easily could have ended up at the bottom of the ocean today. What possible plan could there be?”

  Liza was about to taste another forkful of the flounder, but paused and glanced at Daniel a moment. She’d seen Claire challenged like this before and was always impressed by her artful rebuttals—neither proselytizing nor apologetic.

  “Oh, I certainly don’t know the answer to that,” Claire replied. “But I’m sure it will become apparent by and by. I do know you’ve been given a second chance for a good reason, Nolan. And you should make the most of it.”

  Nolan politely dipped his head. “Good advice. Though we come from opposite sides of the faith spectrum, I will say that the closest thing I’ve ever known to a pure, sweet spirit and unconditional love is Edison.” He glanced under the table, where his dog lay patiently at his feet.

  Claire just smiled. “I’m sure that’s true. Didn’t you ever notice that the word ‘dog’ is ‘God’ spelled backward?”

  She delivered this volley with a twinkle in her eye. Nolan laughed, and so did Liza and Daniel. It was clear that while Nolan did not share Claire’s views about the universe, he did enjoy talking to her.

  The conversation soon moved to lighter topics. Nolan was very interested in learning about the island—its history, topography, and population. He had the keen curiosity of a true scientist, and they all took turns answering his many questions.

  The dinner concluded with a dessert of buttery shortcake covered with strawberries from the inn’s garden, and fluffy whipped cream. Afterward, Liza was practically too full to move from the table.

  Nolan rose first, clearing up the dishes and carrying them to the counter near the sink.

  “Oh, you don’t have to bother with that. Why don’t you sit out on the porch and get some air?” Claire encouraged him.

  “No bother. I’m happy to help. Makes me feel I’m earning my keep just a little,” he said cheerfully. “That wonderful dinner revived me. Would you like me to wash those pots in the sink?”

  Claire didn’t answer for a moment. “If you really want to. The soap and scrub pads are on the left. I’ll load the dishwasher.”

  Liza and Daniel began helping, too. But Claire was such an organized cook that, after a few moments, there wasn’t much to do.

  Claire looked over at them. “We don’t need everyone in here to clean a few pots. Daniel’s been working outside on the water all day. He’s definitely exempt.”

  “Yes, he is. I’ll take charge of him,” Liza agreed. She took his arm and led him away from the sink. “I think the clouds have finally cleared. Let’s sit out on the porch. Maybe we can go over that repair list,” she suggested.

  Daniel laughed. “Good idea . . . how romantic.”

  Liza didn’t reply. He knew she was teasing him . . . and she knew he was teasing her back.

  Out on the porch, the air was cool and dry, and the night sky was spread out like a dark blue velvet blanket covered with bits of sparkling diamond stars. The moon, almost full, hovered over the dark ocean, casting a shimmering light on the gently rolling waves.

  Liza stood at the porch rail. “What a night. It’s hard to believe the weather was so wild this morning . . . Or that we rescued a man from drowning.”

  Daniel stood behind her and put his arms around her waist, resting his cheek against her hair. “And just had some very lively dinner conversation with him. It has been a long, eventful day,” he agreed. “Let’s sit on the porch swing. I’ve hardly spent any time with you.”

  He had seen her much of the day. But Liza knew what he meant. They hadn’t spent a moment alone together. It was all action—most of it having to do with Nolan.

  Sitting by Liza’s side on the swing, Daniel put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. Liza didn’t speak. She didn’t have to. It felt so good to be together this way, close and warm, with her cheek resting on Daniel’s strong shoulder as she stared out at the sea and stars. It gave her a limitless feeling in her heart, a glimpse of infinity. It made her feel hopeful, as if anything were possible.

  “Poor Nolan,” Daniel said finally. “He’s got a sad story to tell.”

  “He seems like such a nice man, and so intelligent. I bet he’s a wonderful teacher. He’s very interesting to talk to. He’s hit a rough patch right now, but maybe we can help him in some way.”

  “You’re certainly helping him by offering a room for as long as he likes.”

  “What else can I do? It sounds as if he doesn’t have more than the clothes on his back. Which are actually your clothes, come to think of it.”

  “I know . . . I just hope you don’t get too involved. It’s slow at the inn right now. But you might need that room for paying customers in a week or two.”

  “It’s all right. He can move to a smaller room on the third floor. We hardly ever rent those out. Jamie’s old room would be good for him.”

  Daniel shook his head and laughed. “You
and Claire are always taking in strays.”

  Liza knew what he meant. Jamie Carter had been their helper last summer. Claire had actually known him years before, when he was just a boy and she had worked in Boston at a settlement house. She had tried to help him then, but hadn’t been able to. Then, last summer when he showed up on the island, he still needed help, even though he was in his early twenties.

  “This was exactly the right place for Jamie,” Liza said. “He’s doing very well now . . . after some rough sledding. We can help Nolan, too,” she added. “You helped him more than anyone. You fished him out of the water and got him breathing again.”

  “I did what I could,” Daniel said. He smiled at her. “It’s really not that extraordinary. Lots of people know how to perform mouth-to-mouth and CPR and all sorts of emergency procedures, thank goodness.”

  “I know. But when I saw you working on Nolan this morning, you just looked . . . I don’t know, different. Totally in tune with who you are and what you’re meant to do in the world. Totally . . . in a zone. Did it feel that way?”

  Daniel didn’t respond at first, then slowly nodded. “Yes. I felt . . . right. Though that doesn’t describe it exactly. I enjoy carpentry. I like to build things or fix things. But the feeling I get from practicing medicine is different. It’s satisfying in a deeper way. A more . . . solemn way, or something.”

  “Do you ever miss it?” Liza asked. “Do you miss being a doctor and having that feeling all the time?”

  “I did today,” he admitted. “And lots of times, when I help patients at the clinic, I miss doing more for them. What a real doctor does. Not just crisis intervention, patching them up and sending them to a hospital. But at least I’m still in touch with it.”

  “You are in touch,” she agreed. “I just wondered if you ever thought of going back to it. As a career again.”

  They had skirted around the edges of this subject from time to time. But Liza had never asked Daniel so directly how he felt now about the medical career he had abandoned years ago. Maybe because the subject had always seemed so difficult for him. But for some reason, watching him today with Nolan and hearing his frank answers to her questions, she thought he might finally be ready to talk about it.

  Daniel looked out at the sea and sky and smiled just a little. “Yes. From time to time, I have thought about it. But I’m not sure trying to pick up where I left off is the right thing to do. It’s hard to retrace your steps in life and correct something that went wrong. It’s hard to go back when you failed, Liza.”

  “I know what you mean,” Liza said. “But you didn’t fail, Daniel. You made one mistake, one misjudgment. No one said you couldn’t be a doctor anymore.”

  “I know that,” he said quietly. “I’m the one who chose to stop practicing. I blamed myself. And that was enough. But quitting medicine ultimately led me here, where I’ve had a chance to work things out. I believe now that God forgives me,” he added. “So I guess I have to let myself off the hook.”

  “Yes, you do,” Liza agreed. She felt as if she had been waiting for him to come to that conclusion for a very long time.

  He studied her for a moment, and when he spoke again his voice was both serious and amused. “And what makes you so certain?”

  “It’s just that when I see that look on your face, the way you looked today helping Nolan,” she continued, “I know that you’re doing exactly what you were meant to do in the world. That’s a rare thing, to find something you truly love to do and be so good at it. And I can’t help but wonder if you would be happier going back to it.” When he didn’t answer, she added, “I wonder because I love you, Daniel, and I want you to be happy. Really happy.”

  “I am really happy.” He squeezed her closer and kissed the top of her head. “I’m happy on this island, and being with you. I’m happy with my life just the way it is. Are you trying to tell me that patching a hole in the roof of this old place doesn’t satisfy my soul?”

  “Come on, Daniel. Be serious.”

  “I am being serious. Well, almost . . . I’m absolutely and totally happy with you. Is that serious enough?”

  Liza felt herself blush and was grateful for the dim light. She could hardly object to that answer, or help smiling. “I like hearing that. But are you trying to get me off the subject?”

  “I’m just answering your questions, thinking this through. I’d never want to move away if you were here. And as long as you run the inn, you’re pretty much tied to this island.”

  It was true. As long as she owned the inn, she wasn’t free to pick up and move wherever she wanted. She could barely get away to spend a day or two in Boston. “I am tied to the inn. But you could practice in the area . . .”

  We wouldn’t have to be apart is what she meant to say. But that was as far as she could go. They never spoke much about their future. Though she felt totally loved and secure in Daniel’s commitment, neither of them had ever mentioned the word “marriage.” It was definitely not the night to talk about that, too, she realized.

  But Daniel picked up her meaning, as he usually did. “Being a doctor is hard on relationships, Liza. It broke up my last one.”

  Liza remembered that. He had told her once how his fiancée had felt ignored and underappreciated, and how she broke off their engagement, claiming Daniel was selfish and already married—to his work.

  “I wouldn’t be that way,” she assured him. “I would never be that immature and demanding.”

  Daniel laughed and rubbed her shoulder. “You could never be anything like that. But the pressure—and the long hours—are real. That’s something to consider.”

  Liza turned her head and caught his eye. “What else are you considering?”

  Daniel shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know . . . I’ve probably been away from real medicine too long and forgotten everything important.”

  “You passed all your tests once. You could study again,” she said simply.

  “Hey, I was a lot younger. With a lot more brainpower and more neurons firing.” He smiled his charming, handsome smile and tapped his temple with an index finger. “All the fumes from the paint and wood stain have burned them out.”

  Liza knew that wasn’t true. Daniel was as intelligent and sharp as anyone she had ever met. But maybe he was frightened. He’d made a huge error in judgment and had ordered the wrong procedures for an accident victim he’d been called in to the ER to treat. Daniel still held himself responsible for the man’s coma and loss of faculties afterward.

  Turning his back on medicine, Daniel had retreated to Angel Island, where he had spent summers as a boy. Here on the island, he immersed himself in building, painting, and carpentry, skills he had learned while working his way through school.

  She glanced at him. “Well, aside from getting that flabby old brain back in shape, what else would you have to do?”

  “Good question. I don’t really know . . . I’ve never looked into it. I guess I could find out easily enough. There must be some place I can call, some certification board.”

  “I bet you could look it up on the Internet. It seems you can find the answer to anything if you just search the right question.” When he didn’t reply, she added, “How many years has it been? I forget.”

  “It was six years in May,” he answered quickly, leading Liza to believe he thought of it far more than he would ever admit—and may have even known how many weeks and days. “I’d been living on the island for three years when you arrived. My lucky day.”

  “Mine, too. The day you walked into the inn and introduced yourself . . . and caught me looking like a dog’s breakfast.”

  He laughed at her description. She had been cleaning the inn, from the attic to the basement, and looked a complete wreck. It was a wonder he hadn’t turned and run straight out the door.

  “A dog’s gourmet breakfast,” he corrected her kindly. Liza reached u
p and gently slugged his arm, and he laughed even louder.

  “Ouch! That hurt—and was quite unnecessary, since you know I fell for you at first sight . . . And you always look beautiful to me.”

  Liza smiled slowly, feeling a bit penitent for her reaction. “Much better. Just what I like to hear.”

  He turned so that they were face-to-face and smiled into her eyes. “You know how to keep me in line, sweetheart. What would I ever do without you?”

  Before Liza could say another word, Daniel pulled her close for a deep, sweet kiss.

  Chapter Three

  THE next morning, everyone was up early, even before the sun had burned away the smoky wisps of fog that drifted over the inn and the meadow next door, where the small, graceful goats of the Gilroys’ farm were already out grazing.

  Liza heard voices and activity downstairs as she dressed. She found Claire and Nolan in the kitchen, finishing a breakfast of hot coffee and warm blueberry muffins. She grabbed a muffin and filled a travel mug with coffee just as Daniel came through the back door.

  He glanced over at the women. “Are you both coming to look at the boat?”

  “Are you kidding? We’re almost as curious as Nolan,” Liza told him. “Besides, maybe we can help.”

  “All right . . . I guess we can all go in the truck if someone is willing to ride in the bed.”

  “I will,” Nolan quickly volunteered. “I’ll ride back there with Edison. He likes the open air.”

  Edison is coming as well? Liza nearly said that aloud, but from Nolan’s serious expression, she could tell he wouldn’t consider leaving the dog behind. He probably dreaded what he would find, and having his good friend with him was a comfort.

  Daniel seemed to realize that, too. “It’s a short ride. You can sit on some tarps. You’ll be fine.”

  * * *

  LIZA sat next to Daniel and glanced out the window at the sea as they drove down the main road to the dock. The fog was burning away, revealing a deep blue sky as the sun rose over the sea, promising a perfect summer day. No sign of foul weather marred the clear skies as long, smooth waves gently rolled toward the beach, breaking almost soundlessly.