Page 85 of Summer Light on Nantucket

She heard the rustling of bushes growing next to the road, blocking out any sight of the pond on the other side.

“Wow,” he said. “I’m standing on the edge of a large pond filled with water lilies!”

“Oh, that’s my favorite pond. Isn’t it beautiful!”

“I’ve been reading about this island. The Wampanoag believed that whales could swim under the island and surface in these ponds.”

“I would love if that happened,” Blythe said.

“Did you come out here when you were younger?”

“I came out with my grandmother. She always made a delicious lunch and she put it in a wicker basket. When we found a good spot, she would open the basket and set out real china plates and teacups and silverware and napkins.”

“It sounds like lunching with Queen Elizabeth.”

Blythe laughed. “Itwaslike that.”

Nick said, “I’d like to pick a water lily for you, but I don’t know how deep this water is.”

“Don’t!” Blythe shrieked. “You’d be arrested by the conservation foundation.”

“Okay, I’ve shuffled back onto the dirt road. Which way should I go now?”

Blythe relaxed against her cushions and gave her own unique directions. It felt so good to make someone happy.

She’d just said goodbye to Nick when she heard footsteps.

“Mrs. Benedict?”

Blythe turned. Brooks stood a few feet away, and he looked nervous.

As well he should,Blythe thought.

“Hi, Brooks,” she replied, keeping her voice friendly. “If you haven’t had lunch yet—”

“I’ve had lunch, thank you. I wondered if I could speak with you a minute.”

“Of course. Sit.”

Brooks took a chair facing her. She didn’t smile.

Brooks bowed his head for a moment, then faced her full on. “I think I did something really stupid and Miranda is angry with me and I don’t know how to fix it.”

Blythe studied the beautiful creature sitting in front of her, a gorgeous young man with an adolescent mind. Some theorized that the male of the species never grew out of the adolescent mind. She thought there might be some truth to that.

She kept her voice level. “I don’t think Miranda is as angry as she is sad.” Blythe didn’t want to sayheartbroken. “Disappointed.”

He flinched. “She told you.”

“Yes. She was very upset.”

“I’m so sorry. I’m such an idiot. I want to apologize, but she won’t speak to me. I’ve texted and called her and she won’t answer. I don’t know when she leaves her room. I don’t want to sit outside her door and wait for her like a stalker.” His voice broke when he spoke. “I don’t know what to do.”

He was such a good guy, really, Blythe thought. Still, he had to figure it out himself. She didn’t write self-help columns.

“I can’t speak for Miranda,” she said. “But I’ve assured your mother that you’re welcome to stay here for the entire summer and that stands. You’re welcome to stay here and eat with us and all that.”

“That’s super nice, Mrs. Benedict. I’ll talk to Miranda…I’lltryto talk to her. I’m so sorry and I want to make it up to her.”

---