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A moment later, music streamed from Dani’s phone, and she set it on the wide arm of her chair.

With her chin tucked against her chest, Sadie hummed the chorus of a pop song, then sang the last few remaining words.

“I didn’t know you could sing.” Asher spoke softly next to her.

Sadie’s head shot up, and her eyes connected with his. “I can’t.”

Dani gave her a playful swat on the shoulder. “That’s not true. You have an amazing voice.” Then she looked at Liam and Asher. “I’m trying to convince her to enter the talent show. We used to sing out here all summer long when you and Lauren visited. Remember? Maybe you should show off those singing chops again.”

“I’ve had enough humiliation in my life. I don’t need a stage to make it worse.” Blurry memories of belting out tunes with Dani came into focus.

A deep V formed between Asher’s brows, then a smile slid across his face. “I think you should do it.”

“Do what?”

“Enter the talent show.”

Sadie couldn’t shake her head hard enough. “No way.”

“Come on, Sade.” Dani turned up the volume as “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles played on the streaming station. “Remember this one? We used to sing it on your grandparents’front porch.” Pausing her phone, she threw off her blanket, stood in front of Sadie, and beckoned her to join her. “Sing with me.”

Pulling in a deep breath, Sadie glanced at the guys who watched her. She released the air slowly, then nodded. “One song, but I’m staying in my chair.”

Dani plopped back in her seat and wrapped herself in the blanket, then she tapped on the phone screen and increased the volume.

Sadie listened a moment as the music competed with the water lapping against the shoreline. She closed her eyes and allowed the lyrics the feel-good song to wash over her.

Almost forgetting where she was, she sang softly at first, then she filled her lungs with air, engaged her diaphragm, and sang the bridge with the same intensity she’d done as a teenager. Back when time stood still and her talented sister partnered with her.

Sadie savored the final words, drawing out the last note. Feeling like she was awakening from her own long winter, she opened her eyes. To her surprise, a tear trailed down her cheek. She wiped it away slowly, then ducked her head in the security of her blanket as heat stole across her cheeks.

“Sadie.” Asher’s voice, soft and deep, beckoned. “Look at me.”

She turned her face and peered at him with one eye. “I told you I couldn’t sing.”

Asher moved to the edge of his chair, reached under her blanket, and caught her hand. Then he shook his head as his mouth widened into a grin. Shadows danced across his face as the now-robust fire reflected in his eyes. “You were amazing.”

Her head jerked up, and the blanket fell off her shoulders. Then she half-laughed and shook her head. “What do you know about music?”

Asher’s face shuttered, and he released her hand. Pressing his back against the chair, he focused on the fire.

He did sing along to the song playing on Gramps’s old radio while fixing the sink in the bakery kitchen and had a very nice voice and practically perfect pitch.

She reached over and touched his arm. “Sorry. That wasn’t nice. Thank you for the compliment.”

“You have a gift.” His eyes, dark and serious, searched her face. “You got lost in the music. For a few minutes, none of us existed.”

Sadie’s face warmed again. Was it the fire, or the sincerity in Asher’s words?

“Sadie’s wanted to be a songwriter for as long as I’ve known her. Do you still have your journals of lyrics?”

Sadie’s attention swiveled to her friend. She glared at her. “Dani! You promised!”

Dani clamped a hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry! That was so long ago, I just thought?—”

“Promises don’t have expiration dates.” Sadie pushed to her feet and warmed her hands over the fire.

“I’m sorry, Sadie.”