"Oh, I'm so glad. You absolutely deserve it, Maryanne," he insisted, accepting her second hug with a grin. "Thank you. I really do consider this island to be my home, now. I'm grateful every day," he assured her. Not that he had a home to go back to, anymore, but he couldn't imagine wanting to even if he could.
"Absolutely. Enjoy the moment. We can't predict what this place will throw at us next, but whatever it is, you know I've got your back," he insisted with a nod. "You and everyone you call family," he added, although he was sure it had never been in question.