Page 9 of A Nantucket Wedding

Alison smiled. “Outside of town, off on a quiet road, there’s the poshest hotel on the island. The Wauwinet. It fronts a gorgeous beach and the end of Nantucket harbor, so it’s very private.”

As she talked, Alison picked up the remote control and a video of the venue drifted across the wide screen. “They’ve got an amazing restaurant, Topper’s, and if any guests want to take a drive around the island, they’ve got BMWs we can use, and kayaks and a gorgeous boat to take us on a tour of the island. So David and I made up our guest list, and he’s taken the hotel for the second weekend in September. The weather will still be won—”

Felicity frowned. “What exactly do you mean, ‘he’s taken the hotel for the weekend’?”

“Well, sweetie, I think it’s pretty clear. He’s reserved all the rooms and the restaurant and hotel property for the weekend. Friday through Sunday nights.”

Felicity looked wide-eyed at her sister. “Jane, David must be rich.”

Jane said, “He is. I know.”

“How do you know?” Felicity looked suspiciously at her mother and Jane, as if they’d been keeping a secret from her.

“I googled him,” Jane said.

“Smart.” Felicity brightened.

“I know.” Jane straightened. This was her element. “David Gladstone’s parents came from England when David was a boy. They built a successful business from making and packaging British-named soaps and lotions: English Garden Creams. They supply the most elite hotels and department stores with face, hand, and body lotions and anti-aging creams and lip balms, all beautifully packaged. David Gladstone, I’m sorry to say, is not a billionaire. But he is a millionaire several times over. He has substantial holdings in real estate all over the country. He pays his taxes on time. He is widowed and has two grown children, Ethan and Poppy. Poppy is married and has two children. Both Poppy and her husband, Patrick, work in the corporate offices in Boston. Ethan is divorced, with a nine-year-old daughter. He lives on a large property in central Vermont where he manages a staff who keep horses and hens, hold summer camps for city kids, and grows, among other things, flowers to be used in researching new products for English Garden Creams.”

“Goodness,” Felicity said. “You’re certainly thorough.”

“And you girls can relax. No worries, as everyone says now. Heather will be taking care of most of the details. She’s sent Save the Date cards to our friends, and she’s working with Brie at the hotel about the food, the flowers, that sort of thing. And she’s on island often to personally check on things. She and her husband have a house on Nantucket.”

“Wow,” Jane said softly. “How posh, Mom.”

“It’s not because we’re too busy or not interested in it all, we are,” Alison said. “But David is still managing his company, and I want to put all my energies into creating a perfectly wonderful summer for you and for David’s children. And our grandchildren, of course. I want to focus on making everyone happy. I want to make this house so welcoming, so warm, that my family and David’s get to know each other. So we can be, really, one big happy family. I want to sit on the deck with an iced tea and watch Alice and Luke play with Daphne and Hunter. I want to watch Noah and Scott and Patrick and Ethan play poker here on a rainy day. I want you girls and David’s daughter, Poppy, to watch silly romantic movies with me, all snuggled together on the sofa.”

“That’s so sweet, Mom,” Jane said, adding, “and maybe a bit unrealistic?”

Felicity asked, “Okay, but what about your wedding gown? And our gowns? We are attendants, aren’t we? Could Alice be your flower girl? Luke could be the ring bearer!”

“We’ll have to talk. Poppy has little ones, too,” Alison said. “I’ve chosen my gown, and I’ve got a computer file of possibilities for you two to study. When you’ve decided on one, we’ll have Anya fly in with the dresses and make all the necessary alterations.”

“So you’re not exactly following a normal wedding planner calendar,” Jane said.

“No, I’m not,” Alison replied smoothly. “Why should I? David and I are doing it the way we want to.”

“I can’t believe you live like this,” Felicity said.

“David has worked very hard for his financial success,” Alison reminded her daughters. “We’re old enough to want to spend our time the way we want. So! Let’s look at the possibilities for your dresses.”

Jane expected to see gowns on hangers, but no, models wore the gowns, turning at a click of the remote to display the back and sides. Alison’s gown came first, a strapless bodice of ivory satin with a knee-length ruched satin skirt and a lace shrug she could take off later for dancing.

“Wow, Mom, that’s so—wow!” Jane exclaimed.

Alison laughed. “I know. Not like my usual under-the-radar style.”

“This is so weird, Mom,” Felicity said. “It should be the mother helping the bride pick her dress.”

“Well, darling,mymother is dead. You’re so busy with the children, and I didn’t want to make Jane travel from New York just to watch me try on clothes.” With a level glance at Felicity, Alison said, “Anyway, I don’t think you and I would have the same taste. And I knew what I wanted—a short skirt, because I’ve still got good legs—”

“You’ve got killer legs,” Jane agreed.

“And the color makes it not so virgin-bride-ish, and the ruched skirt adds a bit of fabulous, don’t you think?”

“You’ll look amazing,” Felicity agreed.

“Now let me show you what I’m thinking for you two.”

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