To be sure, the cornices and stone fronts are pocked with saltwater decay up and down the broad way. Jim and Kate are dead center in the neck of the island, several blocks from the shore, but being surrounded round about by water leaves its indelible mark on everything.

Kate breathes deep, eyes shining when she turns to answer.

"Well, of course. Y'didn't think I'd stepped out of the pages of a book, did you?"