Page 66 of A Nantucket Wedding

“It’s conservation land,” Ethan said, as if reading her thoughts. “No buildings allowed here. Only deer, birds, and mice inhabit this area. Maybe a few feral cats. Over there”—he pointed—“is a spot where we pick wild blueberries. The purest taste in the world.” He turned again, driving off the road and onto a small grassy area tucked beneath overhanging trees.

He cut the engine. For a moment, they sat in silence, letting the night air, the night sky, the few small night noises, encompass them.

“Jane.” Ethan pulled her face to his and bent to kiss her.

Oh, his mouth was sweet. The night air was slightly cool, and his arms were warm as he embraced her. He took a moment to slide his seat and hers back as far as they would go, and then she reclined and he moved over her, still kissing, still warm and sweet. He was in no hurry. He smelled like sunshine and gin, and his body was strong and muscular. When he put his hand on her breast, Jane gasped. A honeyed longing surged through her body, and when he put his knee between her legs, she almost bit Ethan’s mouth from the sheer rush of desire.

Ethan put his hand under her dress and slid it up to her waist. Jane twisted beneath him. At the same time, in the back of her mind, which mostly was molten with need, a small, clear voice said:Are you really going to do this?

“Ethan,” she said, her voice husky and low. Gently she pushed him away.

Flash.A blinding white light illuminated Ethan’s face, the dashboard of the car, Jane’s hands, and the greenery around them.

“I don’t believe this,” Ethan muttered.

Quickly he returned to his own seat, but he couldn’t get the back fully raised before a man in a brown uniform with a badge sayingRANGERon the pocket appeared at the driver’s side. As Jane struggled to raise her own seat, she looked back at the source of the blinding light and saw a large four-wheel-drive parked behind them, a spotlight on the dashboard.

“Good evening,” the ranger said politely. “How are you folks doing?”

“We’re okay, thanks.” Ethan glanced at Jane, his expression unreadable.

“I guess you’re not aware that this area is closed at night.”

“Ah. No. Was not aware.” Ethan nodded, staring straight ahead.

“So I’ll have to ask you all to move along.”

“Okay. We’ll do that.”

Ethan’s voice was strange, Jane thought. Was he mumbling? She was completely alert, mortified, and also oddly proud of herself. The good Jane who never caused a problem in high school had been caught making out in a secretive off-limits-after-dark spot and ordered to move along by an official in a uniform. She kind of wanted to take her phone out and snap a shot of the ranger.

The ranger returned to his truck. The spotlight went out, and the truck backed up and around a corner. And then it stayed there. Waiting.

Ethan started the car and pulled out onto the dirt road, slowly retracing their path to the main paved road. He didn’t speak, but after they were headed toward town and the ranger’s truck was no longer behind them, Ethan burst out laughing.

“I’m sorry, Jane,” he said. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Hey, it was a thrill! A completely new experience.”

“I know, right? I wanted to ask the ranger not to tell my parents, but he might not have thought that was as funny as I did.” Reaching over, he took Jane’s hand. “I’m sorry. I had no idea the moors were closed after dark. Man, what a shock that spotlight was! Worked better than a cold shower.”

Jane laughed. “Arewe going to tell our parents? Or anyone?”

“Not my father, for sure, and not Poppy. She’s out of sorts these days. Not your mother, I hope, although that’s your decision. But I’m sure she’d tell my father.”

“I might tell Felicity,” Jane said. “She can keep a secret and I know she’d see the humor in it.” Jane’s voice trailed off. What, exactly, wasit? They didn’t make love, but Jane and Ethan most obviously had been on the brink. What was she thinking?

When they reached David’s house, Jane hurried straight up the stairs to her room, afraid her lipstick was smeared all over her face.

And afraid of what she had almost done.

twenty

From: Jane

To: Felicity

Subject: You won’t even

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