Page 96 of The Summer We Started Over

“I think he might have a little crush on Dinah,” Barrett said. She stood up. “I’m going to bed. I’ve got to get up early tomorrow.”

“I’ll be up soon.” Eddie rose and stretched.

“We have a full house,” Barrett said.

“I know. The weird thing is, I like it.”

Barrett hugged Eddie. “I like it, too. I think you belong on Nantucket, Eddie.” She hurried away and up the stairs, before Eddie could disagree.

Eddie picked up the glasses and plates. She took them to the kitchen and set them in the dishwasher.

“Come on, Duke,” she said to the dog. “Last time.”

Duke wagged his tail and followed her out the kitchen door.

The day’s heat had lessened, and the air felt cool and dry. Eddie saton the top porch step and breathed in deeply. The moon was almost full, lazily rolling along in the sky, lighting up the fluffy clouds and showering the world in silver light. Duke sniffed around until he found the perfect bush. Duchess came to the fence and tossed her head. Honeysuckle trailed over the fence and the porch railing, sweetening the air. Eddie thought she could almost see those infinitesimal light particles called photons streaking down in their constant secret rain.

“Come on,” Eddie called the dog. “Bedtime.”

Duke padded along pleasantly up the steps and into the house. Eddie locked the kitchen door and checked that the front door was locked. Her family never locked the doors here on the island, but Eddie had adopted the habit when living in the city.

She got ready for bed and quietly peeked in at Bobby and Dove. They were both sleeping peacefully. The house was full of people, and the moon was high, lighting a path in the upstairs hall. Her journal waited for her on the desk in Barrett’s room, where Eddie would sleep after she wrote. Maybe she was where she belonged.

seventeen

Barrett had trouble concentrating on her customers that morning. Her mind raced.

When she’d left the house, Dove was still sleeping. Eddie was in the kitchen eating breakfast with Bobby.

Would Dinah and Eddie really stay on Nantucket until January? If they didn’t, who would run the Book Barn? It had solved one problem, and the house looked more civilized, more normal, but Barrett would have to close it on Labor Day. She couldn’t keep it open and run her shop, too, and her shop was more important. She had to talk to her father.Hehad to stop mooning around in his study, obsessing on a book he’d never finish.

AndPaul. She loved being with him, she might even be in love with him, but Nantucket Blues was her first priority. She’d been planning on this shop for years, and she had made it happen. She couldn’t give it up. But Paul wasn’t asking her to give it up. She’d read that nomatter the question, love was always the answer, but how far could love stretch?

But how would she feel if Eddie tried to take Bobby back to New York with her?

The door opened. Thank heavens, she thought. A customer. That would knock her thoughts out of their circular worry path.

But no. It was John Henderson.

“Good morning!” He took off his Kansas City Chiefs cap and held it in his hands, like an old-fashioned gentleman. “I wondered whether you managed to speak with Miss Lavender.”

“I did, actually. I gave her your name and phone number. She said she’ll try to get in touch with you today.”

“Thank you so much,” Henderson said. “That is very kind.” He took his phone from his pocket and checked. “She hasn’t called yet. I’ll wait at my hotel. Thank you again.”

Then two women entered the shop, cooing and raving over all the beautiful sweaters, statues, soaps, and jewelry.

John Henderson left.

Barrett breathed a huge sigh of relief and smiled at the women.

Still, after they left with bags full of purchases, Barrett was unsettled.

Barrett phoned Dinah, Eddie, and her father. She was sent to voicemail on all the numbers, so she left messages. Then she stood at her counter and worried. She had so many things to worry about.

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Eddie had brought her laptop down to write while the house was still sleeping. Barrett had already left for her shop. She thought she’d have half an hour before the others woke.

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