The Summer We Started Over, page 24
Jeff went down a dirt road and arrived at a house. Two-story, gray shingled, with a chimney at one end and a cupola at the top, it was perfect New England architecture.
“You have a cupola,” Eddie said.
“Yeah. Come see.”
Jeff led her through the patchy grass, up the steps to the front door, and into the house, which was finished inside with hardwood floors and six-over-six windows. They went up the stairs to the second floor, and up another, steeper set of stairs. The top step widened to become the floor of the small, six-sided space with a floor large enough to sit on and walls tall enough to stand by, and six windows.
“Jeff!” Eddie was breathless. “You can see the ocean from here!”
He nodded. “Nice, right? I looked at architectural designs and chose this one because it would make a perfect hideout for a kid.”
Eddie turned away from him, pierced through with longing and regret. She composed herself. “Show me the rest of the house.”
“Sure.” Jeff started down the steep steps. “You have to go down backward.”
Back on the second floor, Eddie strolled through the three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
“Look at all the closets!” She sighed.
The primary bedroom had a fireplace with an elegant carved wooden surround and a marble mantel.
“Does the fireplace work?” she asked.
“It does.”
Jeff stood behind her. She could feel his breath on her neck. Every cell of her being longed for him. He put his hands on her shoulders. She leaned back against him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.
She knew she belonged here, in this house, with Jeff. Her very soul was at home here.
She thought of Bobby, and she pulled away.
“Jeff…please.” Tears streamed down her face. “I do want this. I love you. I love this house. But, my God, we would be taking such a risk.” She wiped her cheeks with her hands. “I need to think of Bobby.”
Jeff said simply, “Bobby could live with us.”
* * *
—
Nantucket Blues was busy. Janny and Barrett were both waiting on customers until five, when Janny took off and customers disappeared for drinks and dinner.
Barrett walked around her shop, putting things where they belonged. She went to the back room to open a new shipment of hair accessories.
She heard her door open. She smoothed her hair and went to the front counter. “May I help you?”
“Just looking,” the man said.
Her new customer was tall, lean, and good-looking. He wore board shorts, a Kansas City Chiefs baseball cap backward over curly dark hair, and a short-sleeved shirt in a gaudy Hawaiian flower print. He wore a heavy gold link bracelet on one wrist and what seemed to be a Rolex on the other. He kept his hands in his pockets and constantly jiggled the change, at the same time whistling tunelessly. He didn’t have a tan, so he didn’t look like a summer person. She couldn’t figure him out.
When her phone buzzed, she answered.
“Hey,” Paul said. “What are you up to in your air-conditioned paradise?”
“You can join me anytime,” Barrett told him.
The man slipped an expensive bracelet off the display and, holding it with both hands, brought it close to his eyes to study it.
“Paul, I have to take care of a customer now. Let’s talk later.”
Barrett ended the call and gave all her attention to her customer. She didn’t get many men in her shop, but usually they bought a nice present for a woman. This bracelet was really nice.
The man set it back, gently, on the counter. “How much?”
“It’s six hundred dollars,” Barrett told the man. “Tanzanite is a rare gemstone, and the bracelet is made of gold.”
“It’s small. Do you have something bigger?”
“How do you mean? Wider? A bigger stone?”
“Yes, I guess.”
“We’re not a fine jewelry shop. I suggest you go to Jewel in the Sea for something more spectacular. They’re an excellent shop, beautiful stones, reasonable prices. Just up the street.”
“No, I like it. I’ll take it.” He pulled out his credit card.
Barrett smiled and bent down to take a small white gift box from the lower shelf.
“Hey, do you know this writer woman who lives around here?” the man asked.
Barrett froze. Could this guy be Dinah’s stalker?
She tried to relax her face as she stood up. His credit card was on the counter. She ran it through the machine, noting that his name was John Henderson.
“I’ll just put it in this box.” Her voice and hands shook slightly as she handed him his card. “Would you like this gift wrapped?”
“That would be great. Thanks.”
Barrett carefully packaged the bracelet in a small white box and tied blue ribbon around it, adding a bow. “Here you are.”
“About that writer. I think I’ve seen her come in here.”
“We have several well-known women writers on the island,” Barrett said as pleasantly as she could.
“Her name is Dinah Lavender.” He looked uncomfortable. “Odd last name, Lavender.”
Warily, Barrett said, “Why, yes, she’s been in. I think she bought a scarf. If you’d like to leave your name with me, I could tell her if I see her again.”
The man frowned. “I really need to see her. In person.”
Barrett stood her ground. “If you give me your name, I’ll give it to her if she comes into my shop again.”
“It’s important.”
“Yes, I understand.”
He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a business card. Heavy stock, dark print. He was John Henderson, of Henderson Brokerage, Wichita, Kansas.
Barrett smiled. “Mr. Henderson. Wow, you’ve come a long way from home.”
“As I said, it’s important.”
“I promise that if she comes into the shop, I’ll give her your card and tell her you stopped in asking about her. Will you be on the island long?”
“I’m staying at the White Elephant,” he said, mentioning an upscale hotel. “I’ll be here as long as I have to.”
“Okay, then,” Barrett said. “If I see her, I’ll tell her.”
John Henderson looked as if he were going to cry.
“And I’ll pass the word along. I’ll tell other shopkeepers to look for her.”
“That’s very kind,” John Henderson said. “Thank you.”
* * *
—
In large letters, Eddie wrote: Make your own dinner. Sandwiches inside. She stuck it to the refrigerator with magnets. She asked Bobby to help her by putting the magnets on the bottom of the sign. He liked trying them in different configurations and shapes, and that kept him busy while Eddie set a light dinner out for her and Bobby and Dove.
Bobby finished with his magnet art and sat at the table long enough to eat a cheese sandwich and seedless grapes. Dove slowly ate some of her tuna salad.
Barrett called. “Is Dinah there?”
“Out on the porch, talking with Dad. Why?”
“I think I met her stalker today.”
Bobby accidentally knocked his glass of milk over.
“Bare—we’re eating dinner. Tell me when you get home.” As she talked, Eddie picked up a dish towel and mopped up the milk.
“I’m sowwy,” Bobby said.
“That’s okay,” Dove told her son. “I knock things over sometimes, too, don’t I?”
“Me, too,” Eddie said as she poured Bobby another glass of milk. She could see how Dove was struggling to sit up in her chair, and her heart ached.
Eddie really wanted a nice cold beer or a glass of dry white wine, but she didn’t want to drink around Dove. She could tell that Dove was tiring, and soon she helped Dove upstairs to undress and slip into bed.
Afterward, Eddie took Bobby’s hand and led him outside to run off his energy while she organized and closed the Book Barn. The sun was dropping behind cotton ball clouds, making every color imaginable streak the sky.
The horse came to the fence and nickered at them. Bobby climbed on a rail and reached over to scratch her nose.
“Why is she named Duchess?” Bobby asked.
“Because she acts like she thinks she’s royalty.”
Her explanation seemed to make sense to Bobby. Eddie moved close to the boy, ready to catch him if he fell off the rail. The evening light made the child’s face glow. His perfect skin. His bright eyes. His quick smile.
She could love this little boy. Maybe she already did. Could she love him enough to accept whatever pain that love might bring?
“What would you name the horse?” she asked Bobby.
“Duchess is a good name,” Bobby said at once. “Because she’s so bossy and she acts like she’s better than everyone else.”
The horse snorted, tossed her head, and raced to the other end of the field.
* * *
—
It was almost dark when Eddie took Bobby into the house for a quick bath and a bedtime story. Dove was still slumbering, her face as fragile and innocent as a little girl’s. Bobby fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow, a talent Eddie envied. She tucked the covers around him, turned off the light, and quietly left the room.
She found Barrett waiting expectantly in the living room.
“We have to talk,” Barrett said.
“Wait for us,” Dinah called.
Dinah came into the living room, slipped off her sandals, and curled up on the sofa. Their father sat next to her. What? Eddie thought. When did they start sitting near each other?
Barrett perched on the ottoman. “Listen, guys. A man named John Henderson came in to the shop today, looking for Dinah. He asked specifically for Dinah Lavender. He gave me his card and told me to pass it along if I saw her.”
Barrett handed the card to Dinah. Dinah read it, with William peering over her shoulder.
“He’s from Kansas?” Dinah asked, shaking her head. “I don’t know anyone from Kansas or recognize this name.”
“Could he be your stalker?” Barrett suggested.
William looked alarmed. “He’s still on the island?”
Dinah put a calming hand on his arm.
Barrett flinched in surprise. Dinah touched Barrett’s father so easily. Barrett never touched her father so easily.
“Maybe,” Dinah told William. “But probably not. Since I’ve been here, I haven’t seen any signs of anyone following me. I’m fairly sure this Henderson fellow isn’t the stalker.”
“Well, why is he looking for you?” William growled.
Barrett laughed. “Dad. Come on. She’s Dinah.”
William turned, muttered, and looked the other way.
Dinah said, “In my own way, I’m famous, William. A little bit famous.” She read the card aloud.
“John Henderson,” Dinah read. “Henderson Brokerage.”
“Let me see it.” William slipped the card from Dinah’s hand and read it. “I don’t like this at all,” he muttered.
“What should we do?” Barrett asked Dinah.
“I’ll call him and make plans to meet him for coffee tomorrow,” Dinah said. “I’m sure I’ll be safe at a restaurant in town with so many people around.”
“Would you like me to accompany you?” William asked.
“Thank you, William. I don’t think that will be necessary. You should keep working on your book.”
William looked crestfallen.
Eddie laughed. “Dinah, I think you’re collecting material for a new book.”
“Of course I am,” Dinah agreed with a toss of her head. “I like living with a group of people. I feel safe here, with you all so close. I feel safe enough to sleep at night.” She cast her beautiful gaze at William. “It would be even better if I didn’t have to sleep alone.”
Their father blushed a deep crimson.
“I think I’ll go up.” Dinah rose, and in a rather Scarlett O’Hara move, sashayed to the door, stopped, and looked back over her shoulder. “Please don’t worry about this man. I’m sure I’ll be fine.” With a swish of her skirt, she walked away.
“I’m going into my office for a while.” William stood up and left the room.
Eddie and Barrett stared at each other, both of them covering their mouths with their hands to hide their laughter.
“What is going on with Dad?” Eddie whispered.
“I think he might have a little crush on Dinah,” Barrett said. She stood up. “I’m going to bed. I’ve got to get up early tomorrow.”
“I’ll be up soon.” Eddie rose and stretched.
“We have a full house,” Barrett said.
“I know. The weird thing is, I like it.”
Barrett hugged Eddie. “I like it, too. I think you belong on Nantucket, Eddie.” She hurried away and up the stairs, before Eddie could disagree.
Eddie picked up the glasses and plates. She took them to the kitchen and set them in the dishwasher.
“Come on, Duke,” she said to the dog. “Last time.”
Duke wagged his tail and followed her out the kitchen door.
The day’s heat had lessened, and the air felt cool and dry. Eddie sat on the top porch step and breathed in deeply. The moon was almost full, lazily rolling along in the sky, lighting up the fluffy clouds and showering the world in silver light. Duke sniffed around until he found the perfect bush. Duchess came to the fence and tossed her head. Honeysuckle trailed over the fence and the porch railing, sweetening the air. Eddie thought she could almost see those infinitesimal light particles called photons streaking down in their constant secret rain.
“Come on,” Eddie called the dog. “Bedtime.”
Duke padded along pleasantly up the steps and into the house. Eddie locked the kitchen door and checked that the front door was locked. Her family never locked the doors here on the island, but Eddie had adopted the habit when living in the city.
She got ready for bed and quietly peeked in at Bobby and Dove. They were both sleeping peacefully. The house was full of people, and the moon was high, lighting a path in the upstairs hall. Her journal waited for her on the desk in Barrett’s room, where Eddie would sleep after she wrote. Maybe she was where she belonged.
seventeen
Barrett had trouble concentrating on her customers that morning. Her mind raced.
When she’d left the house, Dove was still sleeping. Eddie was in the kitchen eating breakfast with Bobby.
Would Dinah and Eddie really stay on Nantucket until January? If they didn’t, who would run the Book Barn? It had solved one problem, and the house looked more civilized, more normal, but Barrett would have to close it on Labor Day. She couldn’t keep it open and run her shop, too, and her shop was more important. She had to talk to her father. He had to stop mooning around in his study, obsessing on a book he’d never finish.
And Paul. She loved being with him, she might even be in love with him, but Nantucket Blues was her first priority. She’d been planning on this shop for years, and she had made it happen. She couldn’t give it up. But Paul wasn’t asking her to give it up. She’d read that no matter the question, love was always the answer, but how far could love stretch?
But how would she feel if Eddie tried to take Bobby back to New York with her?
The door opened. Thank heavens, she thought. A customer. That would knock her thoughts out of their circular worry path.
But no. It was John Henderson.
“Good morning!” He took off his Kansas City Chiefs cap and held it in his hands, like an old-fashioned gentleman. “I wondered whether you managed to speak with Miss Lavender.”
“I did, actually. I gave her your name and phone number. She said she’ll try to get in touch with you today.”
“Thank you so much,” Henderson said. “That is very kind.” He took his phone from his pocket and checked. “She hasn’t called yet. I’ll wait at my hotel. Thank you again.”
Then two women entered the shop, cooing and raving over all the beautiful sweaters, statues, soaps, and jewelry.
John Henderson left.
Barrett breathed a huge sigh of relief and smiled at the women.
Still, after they left with bags full of purchases, Barrett was unsettled.
Barrett phoned Dinah, Eddie, and her father. She was sent to voicemail on all the numbers, so she left messages. Then she stood at her counter and worried. She had so many things to worry about.
* * *
—
Eddie had brought her laptop down to write while the house was still sleeping. Barrett had already left for her shop. She thought she’d have half an hour before the others woke.
Bobby finished his breakfast and asked Eddie if he could watch TV.
“Fifteen minutes,” Eddie told him, her mind focused on her journal. She closed her laptop.
Then, surprisingly, Dove showed up. She’d showered, and dressed in a swimsuit and beach cover-up.
“You look good,” Eddie told her.
“I feel good.” Dove kissed Eddie’s cheek. “I had such a good sleep.”
“I scrambled you a couple of eggs for breakfast,” Eddie said.
“Thanks, Eddie.” Dove sat at the place nearest the stove and carefully nibbled at the buttery yellow eggs. “Oh. Delicious. Yum.”
Eddie put a glass of water next to Dove. “What are your plans for the day?”
Dove carefully chewed and swallowed before answering. “I’m taking Bobby to a special beach.”
“Want me to pack some snacks for you?” Eddie asked.
