"Don't bother about making lunch today," Cristina told Joyce at breakfast. "Owen and I are going into town today for lunch."

"What?" Owen said, surprised. "We're going to town?"

"Yes," Cristina said. "Just part of my plan to get you back out there. We're going to drive into town and take a walk and then go to Mrs. Gerrity's place to have lobster rolls and fries and wash it down with some lovely iced tea."

"How do you know about Mrs. Gerrity's?" Owen asked. "That was one of my favorite places before the accident."

"Well, Joyce told me about it," she said. "Best lobster rolls in a 25-mile radius, Joyce said."

"Yes, they are," Owen said. "You'll see. I haven't had those lobster rolls in a long time. I am getting excited."

"Since you guys are going to town," Joyce piped up. "Could you go to the greengrocers and get me these vegetables and fruits? It would save me a trip." She came across and handed the list to Cristina. "Sure, no problem, Joyce," Cristina said. She tucked the list in her pocket. They continued with their breakfast, with Owen telling Cristina about all of the little shops in town.

When it was about 11.30 am., Cristina said, "I think it is time to go to town," she said. "We don't want to get there in the middle of the lunchtime rush. Are you ready, Owen?"

"As ready as I will ever be," he said. He got up and she handed him his cane. "While I will be holding your hand, you will be using your cane to feel your way on the ground. I don't want you tripping or hurting yourself."

"I know you will be there to protect me," he said, laughing.

"Well, yes, I will be," she said. "But you still have to be careful, out there." As they left the house, Cristina picked up the reusable grocery bags and yelled to Joyce, "We're leaving now. We should be back in about two hours." Joyce yelled back her acknowledgement.

Cristina led Owen to the car, opened the car door on the passenger side and let him get in, before she closed the door. She went and sat on the driver's side. "Don't forget to buckle up," she said. "Oh, yes," Owen said, as he felt for the seatbelt and then, the clasp before he could buckle himself in. It would have been quicker if she had buckled him in but she waited the extra time, so he could do it himself. "So, here we go," she said.

As they drove, she described everything that was happening around them – if there were other cars, animals or people around. It was a scenic drive and he closed his eyes and imagined it, as she spoke. It was on this very road that he had got into his accident. It only took them about 15 minutes to get to the town. Cristina parked the car, put a lot of coins in the meter and took Owen's hand as they headed down the sidewalk. It was one of those very picturesque coastal towns with lots of small businesses that catered to the tourists who came to enjoy the few months of warm weather. Owen could tell there were lots of people around but they gave him a wide berth when they saw him with the cane.

"It is like parting of the Red Sea," Cristina said. "People don't want to get smacked by your cane, so they are giving you a lot of room."

"So we are at an advantage with my cane," he said.

"I guess so," Cristina said. "So here we are at Mrs. Gerrity's. There is one step up. Feel it with your cane and go up." He did as she was told and stepped inside the establishment.

"Oh, my God, Owen Hunt," he heard a familiar voice say.

"Mrs. Gerrity?" he asked, a little bit unsure.

"Yes, it is me, honey," the older, grey-haired woman said. She gave him a hug and a kiss. "It has been so long since I have seen you in here. I am so sorry to hear about the accident." Mrs. Gerrity observed that Owen looked straight ahead. She had heard that he had gone blind, after the accident. She was sad to hear that. "I am going to put you at your favorite table in the corner so you and the young lady will have it a little bit on the quiet side."

"Oh, this is Cristina, she is an editorial assistant sent by the publishers to help me finish my latest book," Owen said. "She is from New York." Mrs. Gerrity nodded at Cristina and they shook hands.

"Ah, good, does that mean I am going to have the latest adventure of Alex Newland by Christmas?" Mrs. Gerrity asked.

"I hope so," Owen said. "Cristina and I have been working every day on the book. We're just taking a break to come here." Mrs. Gerrity handed Cristina the menu.

"Oh, we wouldn't need that," Cristina said. "We know exactly what we want."

"Lobster rolls," Owen said. "She was told that you have the best lobster rolls in a 25-mile radius."

"Yes, that is so true, even though I don't like to toot my own horn," Mrs. Gerrity said. "Why don't we start off with the soup of the day. It is a seafood bisque and then, you can have the lobster roll with potato wedges or a salad."

"That sounds good," Cristina said. "I will have the salad while I am sure that Owen will have the wedges, right?"

"Yup," Owen said. "Can I also have a beer? I am not driving." He laughed at his own joke.

"I will have iced tea," Cristina said. "I am the one driving." Mrs. Gerrity smiled and nodded. "Do you like the place?" Owen asked Cristina.

"Yes, it has a very beachy feel to it," Cristina said. "Lots of light and we have got a wonderful view."

"Yeah, that is why I always loved this particular table," Owen said. "Even though I can't see the view, anymore."

"I can see why you like this place so much," she said. Mrs. Gerrity returned with the soup. They stopped talking to take in the goodness of the soup. "You weren't kidding that the food here is good," Cristina said. She slurped a bit. "Oops," she said. He laughed. "At least I know you're enjoying it."

She really wished her mom and her son could come to Maine and enjoy the beach. She looked across at Owen and wondered if she could ask him if they could come. He seemed to be in a particularly good mood.

"Owen, can I ask you a favor?" she decided to broach the topic.

"Yeah, sure, anything, Cristina," he said. "You know you could ask me anything."

"Well, I was wondering whether my family could come for a visit. I haven't seen them in a couple of weeks and they would just love it here, being so near the beach," she said.

"Yeah, sure, why not?" he said. "I would like to meet them."

"Thanks, it won't be too much trouble because they would only stay a weekend," she said. "I know we have deadlines with the book and I don't want to take too much time away from that."

"Oh, that's fine. We need a break, anyway. One weekend won't hurt our deadlines," he said.

"Thank you so much, Owen," she said. "My mom loves to paint and she would love all of the seaside landscapes to paint. And my s-." She was going to say that her son would love to go to collect seashells on the beach but she was interrupted by the return of Mrs. Gerrity with the lobster rolls. "Ah, here are the famous Gerrity lobster rolls. I do think that they are pretty darn good. I made these two myself," she said. "I hope you do enjoy, especially you, Cristina, since you never tasted them before. Owen, I know, swears by them."

"Thank you, Mrs. Gerrity," Owen said. "Take a bite, Cristina." She took her first bite. The blend of the sauce on the lobster roll was spectacular, she had to admit. "That is delicious, Mrs. Gerrity," she said, before taking another big bite.

"I told you so, Cristina," Owen said. They enjoyed the rest of their meal in relative silence. After paying and leaving a generous tip, they then drove to the greengrocers to pick up Joyce's fruits and vegetables. Owen enjoyed all of the scents of the fresh fruits and vegetables. Since he lost his sight, all of his other senses had become sharpened, especially his sense of smell and hearing. As they left the greengrocers, Owen remarked, "I enjoyed coming into town and having lunch. We should do this more often."

"Yes, we should, but you must remember my time here is limited. I am only going to be here for a couple more weeks and then I am gone," she said. "We have to think of some long-term solutions for you."

"Long term solutions?" he repeated. He really didn't want to think about the time when Cristina would leave and go back to New York. He had greatly enjoyed her being there with him. It would make him terribly sad, he knew. He would miss her greatly, especially since he was developing feelings for her. He wondered if there was a way he could persuade her to stay.

"Yes, I was thinking maybe you can get a service dog," she said. "He can help you get around the town and also, when you go to New York, which you will eventually have to do because of your book. Plus service dogs can get in practically, anywhere."

He always liked dogs. "Can you look into that for me?" he asked.

"Yes, I will," she said. "I don't want you trapped in the house, when I leave. I would like to think of you and your dog walking along the beach and he taking you back to the house."

They drove back home and they went back to work in the study. Later that evening, after dinner, Cristina said she had to make a phone call. She ran to her room to tell her mother that she and Logan could come for a visit.

"Mom, mom," she said, when her mother answered. "I have some awesome news. Owen said the two of you can come for a visit for a weekend. So we have to plan it."

"Really? That is great. Logan would love to come. He hasn't seen you in a couple of weeks," Helen said.

"Yes, and he is going to have such fun, when he comes," Cristina said. "Let me talk to my baby."

Logan came on the phone and started saying, "Mommy, mommy, mommy."

"Logan, you are going to come visit Mommy in about a week or so," Cristina said. "I miss you so much."

"Beach?" Logan asked. He had heard that there was a beach where his mommy was.

"Yes, Logan, you can go to the beach and we will collect shells to decorate your room," Cristina said. The little boy giggled.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Joyce had brought out some ice cream for Owen.

"It's a pity she's not down here," Joyce said. "I did make some homemade ice cream for dessert."

"I will take up to her, after I finish my own," Owen said. "I want to thank for her taking me into town, today." He finished off the ice cream by licking the spoon clean. "I am ready to take hers up, now."

"Okay, but be careful going up those stairs," Joyce said. She handed him the ice cream and he headed up the stairs. He held on to the railing with one hand and balanced the cup of ice cream in the other.

Cristina's door was slightly ajar, since she had not closed it properly, when she ran into the room to make her call, so Owen could hear her clearly speaking on the phone. He decided to wait until she was through before he knocked on her door. She was giggling and laughing, then he heard her say something that he totally did not expect. "I love you, Logan," she said. "Goodbye."

Owen nearly dropped the cup of ice cream. He was flabbergasted by this, so he went straight to his room. "Who is Logan?" he said, aloud. Cristina had said that she did not have a boyfriend. Had she been lying to him? Had she been preying on his affections? She was already involved with someone named Logan. Why would she lie to him? He was saddened because he knew he had feelings for her. To comfort himself, he ate all of the ice cream.

A/N Please leave your thoughts and comments. Thanks for taking the time to do so. It helps to know what you all think.