Page 47 of The Summer We Started Over

“That’s a wonderful idea.” Eddie turned to study him. His face and hands were already tanned from working outside, and scars from working stitched across his hands.

Jeff caught her gaze. “So. Life in the big city.”

Eddie nodded. He was so near, she felt too hypnotized to speak.

“From time to time, while you were gone, I ran into Barrett. She told me what an exciting life you were living. Paris. London. Meeting novelists. You were moving in the fast lane.”

Eddie found her voice. “I was. I’ve had an amazing time. It’s what I’d always dreamed about.”

He studied her. “You think you want to live that way for the rest of your life?”

“I thought I did,” Eddie told him. “Now I’m not so sure.” She met Jeff’s eyes and the moment of honesty they shared took her breath away. She wanted him to kiss her like he had on the beach. After more than two years away, that was the kiss she remembered.

“Hi, kids!” Dinah swooped down on them, glittering with excitement. “A bunch of us are going to Le Languedoc for dinner. I called and made reservations. It’s getting late and Barrett is closing the shop. The boys have taken the goodies away. The champagne was completely gone, so we decided we should go, too. Come on!”

Well,Eddie thought,no chance of privacy with Dinah here.

And that was probably a good thing. Eddie was so close to embracing Jeff, kissing him like they’d kissed before, and promising things she’d regret.

She smiled at Jeff. “Come with us.”

Jeff stood up and addressed Eddie and Dinah at the same time. “Sorry, ladies, but I’ve got some work to do.”

“I understand, but we’ll miss having you,” Eddie said, trying to hide her disappointment.

The three trooped back to the shop. It was quiet on the wharf now, even though the sun hadn’t set. People were at dinner or enjoying cocktails.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Eddie said to Jeff, who saluted her and walked away.

“I’ll meet you there,” Dinah called to Eddie. She joined a group of brand-new friends and walked up toward town.

Barrett came out of her shop and carefully locked the door. Paul and Drew were gone. Their father had left as well.

The two sisters stood together in the sudden quiet.

“It’s happening,” Barrett whispered. She leaned against Eddie. “It’s really happening.”

“Congratulations, sis,” Eddie said. “You did it.”

“I’m doing it,” Barrett agreed. “And it’s a dream come true.”

nine

Memorial Day flew past in a blur of backyard barbecues, flags flying from shingled houses, a parade with veterans of past wars, people flocking to the beaches to start their summer tans and later, rushing to the pharmacies to buy ointment for their sunburns. The wind was mild, the sun was high, and during the clear nights people went to movies, plays, restaurants, and beach parties or sat on their porches to watch the stars in the summer sky.

For the next few days, Jeff and Paul dropped by for an hour or two to work on the book bins, shelves, and tables. Barrett worked in her shop. William was never around, leaving the house early, eating breakfast at the Downyflake, and working in the Atheneum in the middle of the town. In the mornings, Dinah wrote in her room, while Eddie culled books from the house. The horse ate the new green grass and raced around the field, obviously loving the new season. In the evenings, Dinah called an Uber and went into town, returning home late.

Dinah and William had met, officially. They’d shaken hands and used their best manners, but they never spent time together. Just the opposite. They seemed to be trying to avoid each other.

One afternoon, a storm with gale force wind swooped down, shrieking and bellowing and streaming rivers of rain. Jeff and Paul shut the wide barn doors and took off. Dinah lay on the living room sofa, calling her city friends, getting caught up on the gossip. Eddie made a beef stew and chocolate chip cookies, while singing along with her playlist.

Barrett closed her shop at five, because no one was daring to come out in the downpour. She was completely soaked from running from her shop to her car. The tide was high and flooding the island’s lower streets. Two boys were canoeing down Easy Street. She drove home through the torrent, glad for a break from work. She ran into thehouse, called hello, and raced upstairs to shower and dry her hair. She pulled on sweats and moccasins and joined Eddie and Dinah in the living room.

The three women were trying to decide which movie to stream when William came home.

They heard him remove his raincoat and cap—he’d checked the weather report that morning and been prepared. With his briefcase in hand, he walked into the living room.

Dinah was there, in leggings and a lilac-colored sweater. She was curled up at one end of the sofa, her toes with their pink polish flashing as she moved.

---