Page 98 of The Summer We Started Over

William came into the room smelling of the racy aftershave he’d started wearing after Dinah arrived. For once he wasn’t carrying a book. Bobby was prancing along behind him.

“Those eggs look delicious,” William said. “Hello, young man. Can you eat those eggs? Good. Fist bump.” William held out his fist and Bobby bumped it with his own small fist, giggling with delight.

Eddie scrambled more eggs. Dove and Bobby went upstairs. Soon they were noisily returning down the stairs, Bobby wearing a swimsuit and T-shirt. They had towels thrown over their shoulders, beach bags in their hands. Eddie handed out sandwiches and water bottles and tried to kiss Bobby goodbye, but he was too excited to stand still. He pattered barefoot to the door.

“Mommy! Come on!”

Dove waved at Eddie and left with her son.

Dinah came into the kitchen. She wore the most modest sundress Eddie had ever seen on the writer. “John Henderson called,” she announced. “I’m going into town to have coffee with him.”

“What? Dinah,” Eddie said, “don’t be silly. This guy could be your stalker.”

“I think he very well might be. He said he was trying to find me in New York earlier in the year. He said he contacted my publisher but they wouldn’t give him my number. He has a very important task he needs my help with. It involves books. He wasn’t actually clear when he spoke—his voice shook. He sounds very nice. He was so grateful that I said I’d meet him. He said his wife loves my books.” Dinah returned to the hall and critiqued herself in the hall mirror. She put on more lipstick and fluffed her hair.

Eddie said, “I’ll go with you.”

Dinah shook her head. “You don’t need to, Eddie. Really. I’ll be back this afternoon. I want to get some writing done.” She walked away, then did an about-face and put her hand on Eddie’s cheek. “You’re sweet to worry about me. But I know I’ll be fine. And I need to grow up a little, don’t you think?”

“You’ll call me if you need help?” William asked. “You should be careful.”

“You worry too much,” Dinah told him with a smile.

“Even so,” William retorted.

“No one talks like that anymore.” Dinah laughed.

What is going on with them?Eddie wondered.

“I’ll definitely call you, whatever happens,” Dinah promised.

Dinah went out the door. They heard her silver Mercedes convertible purr as she steered it out of their drive.

“I’m going to follow her,” William announced. “Eddie, come with me.”

“Dad, that’s crazy. Dinah’s right. She’ll be fine. She’ll be in the middle of town.”

“Well, I’m going whether you come with me or not.”

“Oh, Dad!”

Exasperated, she followed him out to his car. As he drove into town, she had a quick text conversation with her sister.

They’re meeting at Born & Bread,Eddie texted.Dad insisted we follow.

Good luck!Barrett replied.Gotta go. Customers.

“There she goes, into the café!” William leaned toward the windshield, as if being a few inches closer gave him long distance vision.

“Dad.” Eddie gently hit her head against the back of her seat.

“There’s a parking spot!” William announced, swerving sideways toward the curb. He squeezed between two cars in three jerky motions. “Come on.”

“Slow down, Sherlock.” Eddie put her hand on her father’s arm. “Give it a minute.”

“Fine. But be ready to jump out of the car.”

“Stop with the drama,” Eddie begged. “Dad, I’ve lived with the woman for two years. I know she’ll be on red alert, and I knowsheknows what she’s doing.”

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