Page 54 of A Nantucket Wedding

“Noah says hehasto be at Ingrid’s cookout. He says it will be a perfect time to network with his employees on a personal basis.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. That’s why I called you.”

Jane laughed. “Yes, because I’m such a wizard in the marriage department.”

“Wait, tell me more about you.”

“Well, guess what. Scott won’t go to Nantucket for the Fourth, either. We’ve always gone to the summer home of one of the partners of his firm, and he’s insisting he’ll go there even if he has to go without me. We had a major fight. I’m really angry, Felicity. I’m angry enough to end this.”

“Oh, Jane, no. You and Scott are so perfect for each other.Witheach other.”

“I thought we were,” Jane said sadly. “I’m not so sure anymore.”

The sisters were quiet for a long moment, deep in thought.

“Well, Filly, this ought to put your Independence Day picnic in perspective,” Jane said with a wry laugh.

“Actually, it does. You’ll be going to Nantucket, won’t you?”

“You bet I am. And I hope that yummy Ethan is there, too.”

“What? Why? Oh, Jane, don’t be a fool.”

“Why not? Ethan’s handsome and sexy and willing.”

“Don’t even. You know Ethan’s just a serial flirt. What you have with Scott is profound. You don’t want to muddy your marriage with some stupid flirtation.”

“Don’t worry, Felicity, if I muddy my marriage, as you say, I’ll be sure it’s more than flirtation.”

“Jane!” Felicity burst into tears. “Infidelity is nothing to joke about!”

“Oh, silly Filly, don’t cry. I’m not going to sleep with him. I’m just hoping Scott isn’t drowning his sorrows with one of the female lawyers in his firm.”

“Scott wouldn’t do that.”

“No, I don’t think he would. He might want to, but he takes all his vows seriously.”

“So do I,” Felicity said, her voice thoughtful, forlorn.

“You’re thinking Noah doesn’t?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think he’s having a…sexual…affair with Ingrid, but I hate that he chooses her cookout over our family’s.” Felicity took a deep breath. “But I’m glad we talked. I’m going to give in and go to Ingrid’s party. With the kids. That will show Noah that I’m committed to helping him in his work. And it will remind Ingrid that Noah has a family.”

“Well, damn it,I’mgoing to Nantucket!”

“Jane, please. Be good.”

Jane snorted. “When have I ever been anything else?”

—

Alison was disappointed to learn that Felicity and her family weren’t coming for the holiday weekend. The fireworks, set off at Jetties Beach, were always spectacular.

Jane was coming for the full four days, without Scott. Ethan was coming, and Poppy and Patrick and their children. And most wonderfully, David would be there, and he promised not to talk about work. Alison did everything she could to get ready—stocking up on groceries and making breakfast casseroles and dinner stews she could freeze to go with the succulent veggies she’d buy fresh every day. The weather had skyrocketed into the eighties, with humidity swamping the air. The fireworks were to be held on Monday the third, if the island didn’t get the thick fog that often blew in. Alison’s resolution for this particular weekend was to be especially nice to Poppy, to get to know her better, to become, possibly, her friend.

But when Poppy and her family arrived on Saturday afternoon, Poppy huffed out a hostile-sounding hello before walking away from her. True, Poppy and Patrick were loaded down with suitcases and backpacks, and they were both trying to herd Daphne and Hunter upstairs to their rooms to unpack and change into bathing suits. David and Ethan didn’t see Poppy’s snub because they were outside, blowing up the rubber whale and hosing off some beach chairs.

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