Page 55 of Summer Light on Nantucket

Blythe walked to the club with Daphne and Holly who discussed with elaborate emotion what they would choose to eat for dinner that night. Holly remarked that the cheeseburgers weren’t as good as they used to be.

They entered the club’s dining room.

Holly eagerly announced, “The Greens are over there, Mom.”

Yes, Blythe saw the Greens sitting at a round table on the porch. And she saw that Nick was with them. She knew he would be, but even so, when their eyes met, heat flared through her.

At the table, she kissed Nick on the cheek, easily, one friend greeting another. He smelled delicious, suntanned skin, tart aftershave, warm man. He was so large and muscular and male, she wanted to press herself against him and kiss him properly. Or did she mean improperly?

Before one of her daughters could take the seat next to Nick, Blythe slid onto the chair, smiling, she hoped, innocently.

Sandy noticed. She widened her eyes at Blythe and nodded slightly, a secret acknowledgment of Blythe’s crush on Nick. Immediately, Sandy ran interference for Blythe.

“Holly, Daphne, sit next to me. Holly, what have you been up to?Oh, and Daphne, Hugh wanted to talk to you about joining a committee to prevent environmental pollution.”

Hugh had been studying the menu. Hearing Sandy’s words, he looked startled but began a conversation with Daphne.

Blythe gazed up at Nick. Why was she so happy to see his face? What was going on here? “Hello.”

“I think the secret’s out,” Nick said softly.

“The secret?”

“That I’m attracted to you.”

Blythe went warm all over. “Me, too. I mean, I’m attracted to you. Oh, good grief, I can’t believe I said that with my daughters so near.”

“Why? Will they disapprove?”

Flustered, Blythe replied, “I don’t think so. I don’t know. They haven’t seen me with any man other than my ex-husband. I mean, not like I’m with you. I don’t mean I amwith you,but…” Whatdidshe mean?

“I’d like it very much if you werewith me,” Nick said.

Under the table, his knee touched hers.

The waiter arrived to take their drink orders.

Blythe straightened and smiled at her daughters. Daphne returned to her conversation with Hugh Green, but Holly was watching Blythe like an alligator spying prey.

Blythe put on her public face. “How was your time in Boston?”

“It was great. Seth performed Elgar’s Cello Concerto with the symphony. He received a standing ovation.”

Before Blythe could speak, Holly piped up, “I want to learn to play the cello!”

Blythe was surprised. “You do?”

“Yes, very much.” Holly directed her words to Nick. “I have always been the musical one in the family. When I was younger, I learned to play the recorder. I considered the flute, but I prefer the lower notes, so the cello would be perfect for me.”

“Have you heard recordings of cello concertos?” Nick asked.

“I’ve seen videos. My favorite is the Piano Guys playing the theme from the movieFrozen.”

Blythe held her breath. So much was happening here. She didn’t know that her youngest daughter even knew what a cello was. Nick might think she was silly for liking the famed animated movie music.

Nick smiled. “I’ve watched that. It’s set in an ice cave, right?”

Holly lit up. “Yes! That’s the one! In many cello songs, the music is sad, but in the Piano Guys, it’s exciting, like horses galloping.”

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