The coastal property had been on the market for months, a beautiful stretch of land overlooking the Pacific, with enough space for a house, a studio, gardens, and room for the children to run and play. Emma had seen it once, on a whim, and hadn't been able to forget it.

"It's perfect," she told Robert, showing him the listing. "Private, but not isolated. Beautiful, but not ostentatious. Room for all of us, but not so much space that we feel lost."

"Then buy it," Robert said ...