Blacke Harbor

Catherine gave a sharp nod and stood upright. She slid behind the wheel of the car and adjusted the mirrors.

Erik watched her collect herself and wondered if he should say something. This was not going to be, he realized, the carefree ride home she was expecting.

“Well,” she said, slipping the key into the ignition, “shall we head to the island, then?”

“Please forgive me for intruding,” Erik said. He threw a glance toward Jurgis, hoping for any signal that the sudden awkwardness was in his imagination. “Please. Don’t let me spoil your reunion.”

“You’re not spoiling anything, Son,” the old man said. “Catherine just gets all professional around patients, that’s all.”

“Grandfather!”

“You were saying it was hot?” It was a silly attempt at small talk, he knew, but Erik needed to say something.

“Catherine doesn’t do well in the heat.” Jurgis twisted in his seat to look back at him. “Between you and me I would have retired to Florida years ago but my little ice princess here refused.”

“Grandfather!” This time her voice was higher and sharper. She looked at Erik’s reflection in the car’s mirror and added, “Please excuse him.”

“Oh, Catherine, relax,” Jurgis said. This time when he looked back at Erik he gave a wink that seized Erik’s heart. “Don’t you worry, Son. I was joking before. She doesn’t really try to wind men around her little finger anymore.”