Page 109 of Unexpected Entanglement

“Not so bad,” he said.

“Meredith, remember Greg?” Rowan prompted. “We all used to swim at the quarry when we were kids.”

“Yes! Greg, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Meredith replied. “What are you up to these days?”

“He’s who you call when you have a plumbing problem. He’s the best in town,” Rowan said.

Did Greg blush a little?

“Though you haven’t called me much since your fiancé arrived on the island,” Greg said.

“Knock on wood. We haven’t had many plumbing issues,” Rowan said neutrally.

“I hope not. I don’t want plumbing issues ruining my wedding weekend,” Meredith quipped.

“It’s your wedding. Congratulations,” Greg said. “I’m sure everything will be fine. Rowan has worked hard on the inn.”

Rowan didn’t expect the compliment. “Thank you, Greg. That’s nice to hear.”

“I think my uncle is giving you too much of a hard time,” Greg said. “I’ll try asking him to back off.”

“You’re a good man, Greg. Thank you.” Rowan was so moved that she went and gave the big teddy bear a hug.

Obviously surprised by the gesture, Greg patted Rowan on the back. “Many of us want to see the inn reopen. You can count on my support. Anyway, I gotta split to Mrs. Foley’s house. Septic issue. Not something I want to deal with, but work is work.”

“Good luck with that,” Meredith said.

Greg crossed the street and hopped into his van. Meredith and Rowan waved at him as he drove away. When they resumed their walk back to the nail salon, Rowan felt the hair on her neck stand as if someone was watching her.

She looked back and scanned the street. A few day-tourists went in and out of the stores, but none stood out.

“What are you doing? Come on. We should get back,” Meredith said. “I want to freshen up before the rehearsal.”

“Your mom and Daphne should be done by now.”

Rowan followed her cousin, but she couldn’t help but turn her head back as the prickly feeling still plagued her.

“Rowan?” Meredith called.

“Coming!” Rowan shook off the feeling and hurried to catch up with Meredith.

thirty-five

Chris stood away from the small crowd on the beach where the clam bake was taking place. Alex and her team took center stage as she directed cooking, serving, and entertaining the guests. Everybody looked like they were having a blast, enjoying seafood, corn, and potatoes steamed in a large pit on the beach.

The preparation for this old-fashioned New England tradition had taken all day. Chris remembered his parents throwing huge clam bake parties at their Cape Cod house. They’d been fancier, with ceramic plates, silverware, linen napkins, and flowing wine and champagne, but they’d kept the tradition of gathering stones and driftwood from the beach. Though the staff mostly had done the hard work, his mom had walked the beach with him to pick up a few stones, and they’d watched the digging of the pit.

Alex and her team had lined the pit they’d dug with rocks and built a fire to heat the stones. Then they’d gathered rockweed—a type of seaweed with sacks full of seawater—easily found on the shore and laid them on the sizzling hot rocks. Covered with burlap sacks, soaked with seawater, the salty steam from the rockweed cooked the clams, mussels, lobsters, and everything else they’d put in the pit.

Chris’ mouth watered as he inhaled the mix aroma of food and the fresh evening ocean air. But he simply watched with eagle eyes, making sure everyone’s needs were met. Amid her family, Rowan was laughing at whatever Meredith’s grandma had told her. She replied something, and the whole group joined in the laughter.

Kieran approached him with two bottles of beer. He offered one to Chris.

“Thanks, but I’m working.” Chris smiled at the other man.

“You’re a guest, man. Have a beer with me and grab a plate.”

“Maybe later, when everyone’s satisfactorily fed.”

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