Saint and Charlotte travel slowly through the Outer Banks, moving past beach towns, marinas, and tourist stops while searching for Patch. Charlotte watches the shoreline and the water with quiet focus, and Saint lets herself hope that the clue has finally brought them to the right place.

Days pass without success. At the last harbor, Saint and Charlotte wait as the fishing boats begin returning at sunset. Charlotte stands in the water watching each vessel, while Saint stays back counting them, feeling Charlotte’s hope rise with each arrival and break again as the boats thin out.

When Charlotte turns away in tears, Saint is about to apologize for leading her there on uncertain faith. Then Saint notices a white sailboat approaching the berth at the end of a long jetty. As Saint studies the mast, she sees the small black pirate flag with a skull and crossbones and realizes the boat is Patch’s.

Patch sees Charlotte from the boat and jumps down, breaking into a run toward her. Charlotte moves toward Patch but hesitates when they are only steps apart. When Patch opens his arms, Charlotte finally steps into his embrace, completing the reunion Saint had feared might never happen.