Page 112 of The Summer We Started Over

“I know,” Dinah purred. “That makes the name special to me. To us.”

“You and Dad are anus?” Eddie asked.

William, aka Bill, spoke up. “Dinah and I have become very close. We’ve decided to work on a book together.”

Dinah leaned against him. “Yes, a book about romance.”

Their father explained. “Dinah is talking aboutromance. That doesn’t mean we’re not also talking about love.”

“And I’ve rather fallen in love with Nantucket,” Dinah declared. “I’ve bought a house. My next few books will be a series of historical novels. I’m doing research at the Nantucket Historical Association, and I’ve already composed a timeline. Also, I’ll be working with Bill onourbook.”

Eddie clutched the arm of her chair. “What about New York?”

“I’ll keep the apartment. We’ll probably go there occasionally to see the theater and so on.”

“Bywe,you mean Dad, right?” Eddie clarified.

“Yes,” Dinah replied sweetly. “Although you can use the apartment whenever you want to have a little city time. As for Nantucket, I’ve started the paperwork for the house. Eddie, you can live with me, or you can remain here with your family.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Eddie looked to her sister for help.

“I’m stunned,” Barrett said. “Does that mean Dad will be living here sometimes?”

“Yes,” their father said. “But this house is your house, and Eddie’s house, and eventually, Bobby’s house, and of course, Dove is invited to stay here as long as she wants.”

“Have you spoken with Dove about this?” Eddie asked.

“Not yet. I know things are complicated for her.”

“More than complicated, Dad. She’s dying. She’s asked us to adopt Bobby—”

William interrupted. “Byus,who do you mean?”

“So many us-es,” Dinah interjected lightly.

Eddie began, “She means me and Jeff, because Jeff and I are getting married.”

Dinah clapped her hands. “How wonderful, Eddie! I’m so happy for you. And hasn’t it worked out well that I’ll be here on the island, if you still want to work part-time for me.”

Barrett held out her hands in apausegesture. “You guys. This is a lot. And I haven’t been able to talk with Dove about the future.”

Eddie turned to Barrett. “We’re not leaving you out, Bare. We want you to be with us, to help figure things out, but we know you need to be in your shop. Like yesterday was the first time Dove and I have gotten down to the real stuff, and we did that at Miacomet, and you couldn’t come because of your shop. I’m not complaining, just stating facts.”

“I get it,” Barrett said. “I know it’s difficult for us to get together. I’m always working, and now Janny has quit because I dumped Drew. I mean, I did it nicely, and things weren’t serious between us anyway.”

Dinah leaned forward, which gave everyone a lovely view of the pillowy tops of her breasts. “I think you are very serious about your shop, Barrett. Am I correct?”

Do they thinking I’ve been playing?Barrett wondered. She said, “You’re right. I’mveryserious about my shop. I don’t have all the figures yet, and the summer isn’t over, but I’m making an extremely healthy profit. And…” She paused dramatically. “Cape Cod Lifemagazine is going to do a feature article on me.”

Eddie, William, and Dinah burst into such loud congratulations that Duke jumped up and ran around in a circle, barking. Duchess galloped up to the fence, whinnied, and raced away.

When everyone settled down, Eddie asked, “When is the interview?”

“Monday. Olivia Jayce is coming over from the Cape.”

“What are you going to wear?” Dinah asked.

Barrett laughed. “I haven’t even thought about that. I don’t evenknow if I should keep the shop open when she’s here. I won’t want to lose customers, but I’ll want to concentrate on the interview…”

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