“But would you have stayed here? If not for Cooper?”

“I wanted to stay at least another year. That was mostly for Landon, so he could finish high school without moving for his senior year, but the thought of leaving really bothered me. I had made friends. I had a wonderful man in my life. The Coast Guard definitely pushed my decision, but I’m completely happy with it. Everyone is family.”

“I grew up in a small town,” Peyton said. “Sometimes too much family is too much.”

Sarah laughed. “That’s true anywhere, I think. This town is no exception. People get very nosy. That takes getting used to. But if you’re ever in trouble, in need of help, this is a good place to be.”

“I remember that, as well,” Peyton said. Indeed, so often it seemed like too much family. But then when the sheep needed to be sheared, the potatoes and fruit harvested, butchering to be done, not only did the Lacoumette family gather en masse, there were folks from neighboring farms, townsfolk the Lacoumette family had aided, present to lend a hand. They helped on each other’s farms, put out fires, gave shelter to friends in need, congregated to build and assembled to party.

The baby squirmed a little. “Is she hungry yet?” Peyton asked.

“Well, she’s hungry most of the time, but she had a bottle a couple of hours ago.”

Peyton gazed at the baby. She had held every single niece and nephew and a multitude of other infants. They always felt secure in her arms; she had always felt confident holding them. She’d started holding babies when she was a baby herself—her younger brother and sister, George and Ginny, twins, had come along when she was two. She had never longed for one of her own until the past few years. She was over thirty before it occurred to her that a child of her own might feel slightly different, somewhat more precious. And now she supposed she’d never have one. She had known better than to add one more to Ted’s tumultuous horde. And not only did Scott have his children already, childbirth might have cost him his wife.

When Cooper returned, she passed over the baby and went to sit with Scott and his children.

“I thought you were avoiding me,” he said, putting his arm around her.

“Not at all. I was visiting people.”

“Having a good time?”

“How could anyone not have a good time?”

Before long, Gabby and Charles said their goodbyes and ambled across the beach, headed for home. Soon after they left, Spencer was at their table. “I’ve got a dilemma,” he said to Scott. “I’ve got a few football players who are uninsured, and their families find the cost of a sports physical pretty steep. There might be as many as five or six, a couple of whom might not go out for the team because of the requirements. They can get their school physicals at a free clinic, but, as you know, we need something a little more thorough than just a student physical, and we need it done before practice starts.”

“No problem, Spence. Send ’em by the clinic.”

“I don’t know if everything will be covered by state aid, but before these boys play for me, I have to be sure their health is sound. I have a few issues with the team because of the income of some of the families in the area.”

“Issues like what?” Peyton asked.

“Well, some of them won’t get enough balance in their diet during the season. I’ve gotten in the habit of bringing some high-octane fiber and heavy duty vitamins as well as a lot of beef jerky that I get wholesale. They not only have to have the stamina for football, they have to build muscle if they’re going to go up against those inland farm boys. Some of ’em are already big and muscled from working with their families on the fishing boats and eating a ton of solid fish. These boys get a lot of pasta—white pasta. The carbs keep ’em going, but they need muscle and brain food. I have a protein drink I give them during training. You’d be amazed how big and healthy I can get these kids if I concentrate.” Then he smiled with satisfaction.

“And does the school pay for that?” Peyton asked, though she was pretty sure she knew the answer.

“Nah. But teachers have been known to bring supplies to schools for years. This is just as important as pencils, believe me. Some of our families live close to the poverty line. Like the Russell boys, before Al took over as their foster father. You know what I’m talking about. And these guys need things like sports and academics for scholarships or they won’t get to go to college. Everything we do now changes the face of this town for the future.”

“I have an idea,” Scott said. “Pick a practice day early in the schedule. Tell the boys we’re doing physicals at the gym. Tell them if they have insurance information to bring it, and if they don’t, don’t worry about it.”

“That’d be great, Scott. I’ll help shoulder the cost of that,” Spencer said.

“Nah, don’t worry about it,” Scott said. “I’ll do blood draws and urine tests, and if we find anything hinky, FHIAP will step up to the plate for low income families.”

“FHIAP?” he asked.

“Family Health Insurance Assistance Program,” Peyton explained. “If they’re sick, that is. They don’t provide football physicals, but it’s one of the best ways to find out if they’re sick. I’ll come with Scott. How many boys on the team?” she asked.

“Thirty,” Spencer said. “Sometimes we get thirty-five.”

“We’ll clear appointments for a morning,” she said. “What time of day do you start practice?”

“Early. Six-thirty.”

“Awww...” she whined. “You’re as bad as a farm! My dad wasn’t happy unless everyone was out of bed at five!”

Scott laughed. “I’ll be there and Miss Slug-abed can catch up.”

“I’ll be there,” she groaned. “I can help. And since Scott is pretty incompetent at paperwork, I’ll help keep that straight so Devon doesn’t eat him alive. Too bad hunting season is so late in the fall—we get some amazing venison jerky off the farm.”

Scott covered her hand. “Every time I’m at the store, I’ll throw some jerky in the cart for Spencer.”

“Daddy, I have to go to the bathroom,” Jenny said, tugging at Scott’s sleeve.

“The house is unlocked,” Spencer said. “I better find Mercy and make sure she’s under control. Thanks, you guys! On behalf of the team, I owe you one.”

Scott talked Will into making a bathroom run at the same time, Spencer left in search of his family, and suddenly Peyton was there alone. What just happened here? she wondered. We’re not just a clinic. We’re propping up our neighbors. We’re feeding the hungry kids, making sacrifices to be sure they’re educated, all for one, one for all. Everything was a community project.

It was a lot like being at home.

Ted had given to charitable causes. He’d usually done so in a tux, writing a check. But checks were important, too. Very important. And he’d taken on the occasional patient who couldn’t meet the cost of the best cardiologist in the state, but it just didn’t feel the same as this. He didn’t ever get his hands dirty.

She looked around the beach. The volleyball net had gone up. Al, the foster father, was having a beer and laughing with his lady friend, Ray Anne the Realtor, while his boys were playing in the game. One of the boys was helping young Austin watch for the ball and position his hands so he could bump the ball. Over at Cooper’s area, Landon was holding his baby niece, rocking her against his shoulder while Ham repeatedly nudged him in the waist. Rawley was having some dessert with Carrie. Mac and Gina were surrounded by family—a bunch of kids, Mac’s aunt Lou and her husband, Joe. All her new friends were here.