Page 5 of A Nantucket Wedding

“Mom?” Felicity called.

“Probably not,” someone said, and then a tall and inordinately handsome man walked into the room.

Both sisters gawked. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a look of easy strength. Blond-haired, blue-eyed, he had a smile that would charm the birds off the trees. He wore jeans and a navy-blue and white striped rugby shirt and carried a duffel bag.

“You must be Jane and Felicity. I’m Ethan Gladstone, David’s son.”

“Golly,” Felicity blurted. “You’re handsome! And I can say that because I’m an old married woman.”

Jane shot her a wry glance, knowing that Felicity expected Ethan Gladstone to reply that she didn’t look old enough to be married. If a male was around, Felicity flirted.

Jane stepped forward, holding out her hand. “Hi, Ethan. I’m Jane, and my old married sister here is Felicity.”

Ethan shook her hand.

Lightning streaked up Jane’s arm, sparking through her torso.

What wasthat? Surprised and embarrassed—of course no one could see what she felt, but her body had just gone radioactive—Jane pulled her hand away, saying defensively, “And I’m an old married woman, too.”

Ethan’s mouth quirked in a sideways smile. “Ah, too bad. Because I’m a free man.”

Behind Jane, Felicity sighed. “Of course you are,” she said.

“Does Alison know you’re here?” Jane asked. She couldn’t help herself, she was speaking in her lawyer voice, her instinctive protection against all sorts of weaknesses. She tried to tone it down a notch. “I mean, I don’t think David will be down for the weekend.”

“I know. I didn’t plan to come, but a friend called. He’s putting his boat in the water and wants me to help. So here I am, and don’t worry, I won’t be in your way. I’ll sleep here, but the only sustenance I’ll ask for is a cup of coffee in the morning, and I know Alison makes great coffee.”

“Um, is one of the bedrooms yours?” Felicity asked.

Bed,Jane thought.Ethan in a bed. She knew her face was now fire-engine crimson.

“Not really. We all just pile in wherever we can. You two should take the rooms with the water view. I’ve seen it plenty of times.”

“Oh, that’s so nice of you,” Felicity gushed.

Ethan tossed Felicity a careless smile and turned to leave the room. “I’ll put my bag in one of the bedrooms, and then I’m off for the day and most of the evening. See you all later.” He shot a glance at Jane and did not smile. Instead, he looked curious, questioning. Then he shook his head and left the room.

The sisters heard him whistling as he went up the stairs two at a time.

“Good grief,” Felicity whispered.

“You’re married,” Jane reminded her sister.

“And so are you!” Felicity shot back.

“We can’t just stand here drooling.”

“I know, but seriously, wow.”

Jane tried to collect her thoughts. “You’re going to take a nap, right?”

“I don’t know,” Felicity said, hugging herself. “I don’t think I could sleep now with him here. In a bedroom. Near my bedroom.”

“Well, we’ve got todosomething,” Jane insisted in a whisper. “What would we be doing if he hadn’t arrived?”

“Arguing, of course,” Felicity teased with a grin.

“Oh, ha-ha.” Jane’s emotions were all over the place.

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