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thing.”
    Well, she didn’t say exactly the same thing.
    Lexie sat on the toilet seat and bit her nails as Beth scrubbed the tub and delivered her thoughts on the subject.
    â€œFor the love of God, Lexie, why doesn’t he get off his ass and get a job? He’s a freeloader. He’ll suck you dry if you’re not careful. Don’t you read Anne Landers? Columns are full of stupid women who wonder if some guy’s taken advantage of them and the answer is always ‘duh.’”
    â€œYou don’t know him. He’s very sweet.”
    â€œThey’re always sweet.” Beth’s rear end moved to the rhythm of her scrubbing. She finally sat back on her haunches, and wiped the hair out of her face.
    â€œLexie, listen to me. A stranger walked into your life—what, six weeks ago? He lives in your house with no job, no family, and no friends. You know nothing about him. He doesn’t tell you anything. You’re not a dumb broad Lexie, so don’t act like one.” She turned back to the tub.
    â€œI think he needs help. I think he’s in some kind of trouble.”
    â€œWonderful. He’s lazy and crazy.”
    â€œBeth, don’t be mean. I’m serious. I asked him the other day what his favourite memory was and he said the best memories are the ones you can’t remember. Isn’t that scary?”
    Beth threw her sponge. “Yes, that is scary, you blithering idiot. And I’ll tell you why. That means he’s running from something. And for all you know, it might be the law. And if that’s the case then you’ll be an accessory after the fact, for keeping him hidden.”
    â€œOh, don’t be so dramatic.”
    Her sister got to her feet. “Fine. When I find you dead in your bed one night, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    Beth’s words stuck in Lexie’s craw. She knew Beth was right, but it ticked her off anyway and her need to defend Adrian was troubling. There was nothing for it. She was going to ask Adrian point blank if he was in trouble.
    She didn’t have to wait long for an opportunity to do so.
    The next day was a Saturday. Lexie was curled up in her chair with a huge mug of coffee, reading a new P. D. James novel, when she heard Adrian come down the stairs.
    â€œI’m off for a walk, Lexie. I’ll be back later.”
    Now the last thing she wanted to do was to haul her bum out of her comfy spot, but this was a chance to tag along.
    She threw her book aside and hurried into the hall. “Do you mind if I join you?”
    â€œNot at all. I’ll wait.”
    She dressed quickly and joined him outside. She realized it wasn’t the best day to accompany him. The wind, which blew from the northeast and was biting cold, whipped her hair and made her eyes water.
    They walked in silence to Dominion Beach. When they reached the sand, Lexie stopped and looked around while Adrian continued down to the shoreline. She saw him pick up a flat rock and fling it sideways into the waves. It skipped twice before it disappeared. He didn’t throw any more.
    She took a deep breath of clean, fishy air. She could taste the salt on her tongue. The beach was covered with reddish brown seaweed, thanks to the churning ocean. It was mucky to walk through and her boots sank into the sand as she squelched her way over to Adrian. She stood beside him as he looked out over the water.
    â€œFor some reason the ocean always looks more menacing in the winter, more powerful,” she mused. “Like it’s going to jump right out of the depths and swallow you whole.”
    He nodded.
    â€œI’m afraid of tidal waves. Which is kind of strange, since I love living beside the ocean. Sort of Freudian.”
    He nodded again.
    She was getting nowhere fast. She cleared her throat.
    â€œDo you like the ocean? You seem to spend a lot of time here.”
    â€œI do.”
    She pointed out over the water.