vacation (5)

She wondered what his story was—people like him didn’t end up in remote coastal towns without some kind of baggage. But he didn’t offer, and she didn’t ask. The sun slipped lower, brushing the clouds in lavender and gold.

Rachel raised her camera again, caught the light catching Caleb’s face just right. Without thinking, she clicked. He blinked. “Was that me?” “I’ll delete it.” He shrugged. “Don’t. Maybe I needed to be captured.”

She turned the camera off. “You ever lose someone?” Caleb’s gaze dropped to the sand. “Yeah.” “Sibling? “Wife.” The word landed like a stone. Rachel winced.