The next morning they all went out on the boat on a tour of the island. The sun beat down warm and reflected back from the sparkling turquoise sea creating blinding prisms of light.

Derek took the helm with Pete and Mac standing by to shoot the breeze and critique his boating abilities. Brenna and Becca sprawled out across the seats of the starboard side while Tammi and Isabelle occupied the cushions across the way.

Brenna had to admit the sea breeze felt amazing whipping through her hair as they skimmed across the water. She and the other girls had dressed for a day on the water in bathing suits and were shiny with oil. After another argument with Tammi she'd eventually foregone her usual t-shirt she used to hide her scars.

These days the scars didn't bother her anymore. After she'd gotten her tattoo she'd even felt like they were beautiful with the intricate pattern of the tree and the bright vibrant colors. Her intention had been to remind herself that not only would she continue on in this world but also that, while gone, Greg still continued on as well.

She'd come to a level of acceptance with the damage done to her body. She was grateful that it still functioned as well as it did and she had no lasting physical pain. Others, however, found the scars to be disturbing and she hated being the cause of someone else's discomfort. It hadn't happened often but occasionally someone would be horrified or disgusted and the looks on their faces cut her to the bone.

Tammi had been right though, it was much too hot to wear the shirt. She didn't necessarily agree with the rest of the sentence in which she'd all but demanded Brenna flaunt her fit body.

"Girl, you work hard for that body! You deserve to wear whatever the hell you want! And look damn good in it." she'd exclaimed while tossing the shirt across the room. "Isabelle isn't really bothered by your scars. She's really just jealous of you."

Brenna couldn't think of any reason why someone, least of all Isabelle, would be jealous her. She'd been a little self conscious climbing onto the boat but after a small sneer from Isabelle no one else seemed to care, including Mac who hadn't seen her scars before.

She was well on her way to a great, relaxing day when they stopped at a beautiful cream colored, sand beach for lunch. Carefully she passed the wicker hampers of food that she'd made that morning to Mac and Pete before hopping to the dock herself.

They spread a giant blanket across the sand and she set to work removing the food and other items from the hampers.

"Alright guys we have chicken salad, ham and Jarlsberg, smoked turkey with sundried tomato and provolone or artichoke and parmesan salad sandwiches, " she waved toward the large insulated tub she'd placed on the blanket. "There are chips and veggie sticks over there, drinks are in the cooler and there are lemon creme custard or strawberry shortcake kabobs for dessert."

"Question?" Mac grabbed both a chicken salad and turkey sandwich and stacked them on his plate. "How did you become a hose monkey when you are obviously an amazing chef? You should be working in a restaurant or catering or some celebrity's personal chef or something."

Brenna could feel her face heat up. Reego left Mac and sat down by her side with his face in her lap.

"He's the one with the food you goofy fur ball," she gave him a good scratch behind the ears. "I don't know. I pretty much decided I wouldn't like being told what and when to cook. I just like doing it however and whenever I want. It relaxes me. I love the fire service. I don't run into the burning buildings anymore, but I find just as much joy figuring out how the fire got started and catching the ones that were done on purpose."

Mac nodded as he chewed. Seeing that everyone had dished up Brenna got up and grabbed an artichoke sandwich and Dr. Pepper for herself and a ham sandwich for Reego.

She placed the sandwich on the blanket and watched the dog nip delicately at the edge.

"So polite!" she cooed.

The conversation drifted here and there for a while as lunch was polished off. Eventually the boys pulled out the map of the island.

"So here is where we saw the really big older style houses on the cliffs, then we passed the resort on that bay there. So we are on this beach here." He traced their route on the map.

"So we are in the Punta Sur Park," Derek read aloud. "It says this park is best known for its efforts toward protecting the nests and birthing of sea turtles. We can actually schedule with them to come out on the beach at night and watch them be born."

"Awwwww...." the girls chorused in unison.

"Well that was pathetic." Pete announced and earned himself a handful of sand thrown at him in retribution. "Well there aren't any baby turtles here now. So how does it sound to hang here a bit and play on the beach and then head out?"

All were in favor. Isabelle promptly stretched herself out on the blanket and began to add more oil to her already brown and slick skin. Dark sunglasses in place she showed no desire to move from her location.

"Let's go see what's on the other side of that rock cove. Reego wants to know." Brenna got to her feet and Reego followed suite with tail wagging.

"Sounds good." Mac got up as well and the group walked toward the large rock formation down the beach. Becca and Pete drifted a little behind the others holding hands and talking quietly together.

Taking the cue Derek pulled Tammi apart as well.

"I hope this isn't too awkward for you but it's really good for those guys to have some time. I know it's gotta be hard for them to find time together these days."

"No! Never." Brenna stated emphatically. "I don't begrudge other couples that are still together. I think it's beautiful and I love them all like family. I'm really happy they have this time."

"I meant getting stuck with me and fur face here," he laughed and she blushed once more realizing she'd misinterpreted his meaning.

"I like fur face just fine. He's sweet."

"Well then you can make his day," he handed her a piece of driftwood. "Throw this and say 'Hol!'"

She practiced the command a couple times and then at his nod threw the stick for the dog wiggling and dancing at her side.

In a flash he was back with the wood in his mouth.

"Do I have to keep saying it?"

"Nope, now you just keep throwing the stick until your arm falls off." She glanced at him and saw his face light up with a huge smile. It made him look boyish. "It's his favorite game. He'll play until he's ready to pass out from exhaustion if you let him."

They both explored the tide pools created by the rocks along the shore while Brenna continued to throw the stick for Reego. A few minutes later she turned to Mac again.

"You weren't kidding were you?" Reego brought the stick, now quite damp and covered in sand, back again.

"Nope, here put the stick on the ground," she did. "Sitz!" He commanded the dog. Reego promptly placed his butt on the sand and sat at atention with his ears cocked forward waiting for his handler's next command.

"Guter hund. Entspann dich." Mac moved his hand slightly and Reego stood up tail wagging and tongue lolling.

"What did you tell him?" Brenna asked.

"That he was a good dog and to be at ease." Mac kept walking letting the water wash over his feet and flip flops.

"Did you know German before or did you just learn the commands to train dogs?"

"Es ist einfach mit dir zureden." He looked at her for a moment before returning his eyes to the tide pools.

"What does that mean?"

"You are easy to talk to. I took four years of German between high school and college. I have a hard time remembering it most days, but I think i could putter myself about the country if I had to."

"I am impressed!"

Mac nodded and gave a partial bow.

Just then a loud piercing whistle came from the shore behind them. Pete was waving and arm trying to catch their attention.

"Looks like it's time to move along." Mac made a gesture for her to walk ahead of him.

Suddenly her insecurity flared and she paused.

"Afraid I'm only pretending to be a gentleman and have an ulterior motive like looking at your butt?" he winked as he teased her.

"No, my butt would be one of the safer things to look at." she mumbled not quite low enough but started walking all the same.

"So you mean the scars? You are worried about me seeing them?"

Her head swiveled around. Most people weren't so direct. They were afraid of offending her or creating some awkward moment. Mac apparently had no such fears and she found she liked him for it.

"I've seen them, but I find myself much more distracted by the colors and lines of the tattoo. It's really beautiful. I saw them first the other night when we were dancing and asked Pete and Derek about them. I hope you don't mind?"

She shook her head. It was only natural that people wondered. Curiosity didn't bother her, only ridicule and cruelty.

"You've got nothing to worry or be ashamed about. They don't detract from you at all. You are still a gorgeous woman and from what I've seen you are also funny, warm and a great cook. No one who has eaten your food could care a speck about damaged skin," he smiled gently when she looked at him from the corner of her eye. "No really, the hair, eyes and smile package are absolutely captivating and make it hard to notice anything else."

She had no idea what to say. Part of her thought he was maybe flirting with her but the other part told her he was just trying to be nice and put her at ease. Either way, butterflies kicked up a little in the pit of her stomach.

Thankfully, they'd reached the boat and the others before she had to decide what had just occurred between them. The next time she was brave enough to take a peek at him he was helping Reego into the large Bayliner.

Pete pulled the tether free as the deep throated engines took them back out to sea. Leaning back into her seat she told herself not to over analyze the moment. To just enjoy the day but when she looked up there were a pair of very dark eyes staring at her.