"We're catchin' crabs!" Mack says, trying to lift the bucket higher and letting out a huff of frustration when water sloshes over the side. "We found a starfish, too," says Flo, "Wanna help?"

Walking Sam out of the water, I set her down on her feet near the twins so they can run off and play. "Stay close," I say to them, sinking down onto the corner of Mathias' towel and scratching behind Dexter's ears before he runs off to keep an eye on the girls.

Looking down at his cast, I bite down on a grin when I see the little pink heart with my name in it, scrawled neatly on dingy plaster.