Page 18 of Love Conquers All

Graham cupped his hand to keep his whisper directly in Sylvie’s ear. “She’s one of the wealthiest people on the island. Her mother was Isabella Helin?”

Sylvie couldn’t believe it. “The actress?”

“And her daughter is Ingrid Helin,” Graham said. “But that isn’t why I know her. She donated millions of dollars to a cause I was involved with a few years back. This was a national park thing out in California. It turns out she had memories of going back decades at the park. I’d read she lived here now, but I didn’t think she’d ever leave her compound.”

Sylvie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Why is she at my father’s wake?”

“I don’t know.” Graham straightened his spine. “I’m going to go talk to her.”

Now, Sylvie really didn’t know what to say. This was her big catch-up with her big ex. The last thing she wanted was for some uber wealthy celebrity daughter to interrupt it.

But Graham was already getting up and beckoning Sylvie to accompany him.

“No!” Sylvie mouthed.

But Graham gave her a look that meantcome on! What do you have to lose?

Sylvie felt as though she were fifteen again, running through the mess of life with the boy she was falling in love with. She felt like they’d never been apart.

When they reached Hilary Salt’s table, she raised her chin to look at them. Her smile was sensational—genetically similar to her mother’s and daughter’s. The kind of smile that could stop you in your tracks. Sylvie’s mouth was dry.

“Ms. Salt, I’m terribly sorry to bother you,” Graham said. “But…”

Hilary was already on her feet. “I know who you are. Graham Ellis, right?” She snapped her hand out to shake his. “All thoseyears ago, I remember you said you were from Nantucket. You said you were never coming back!”

Graham’s eyes were alight. Sylvie’s gut swirled.

“I said a lot of things,” Graham offered.

“We all do,” Hilary said. “I’m wrong about something new every few months. It’s what getting older is, I suppose.”

Hilary’s eyes shifted to Sylvie, who wanted to melt on the spot.

“You must be Sylvie Bruckson,” Hilary said softly.

Sylvie hadn’t expected that.

“I’m sorry for your loss.” Hilary raised her cocktail.

Sylvie stuttered. “Did you know my father?”

It seemed unlikely that her sour and volatile father had ever had a single conversation with the iconic Hilary Salt.

“I had the good fortune of meeting him last year,” Hilary said.

Good fortune? Sylvie’s ears rang.

“Oh. Where did you meet?” Sylvie’s feet were asleep.

“James hired my fiancé to do some handiwork around The House on Nantucket,” Hilary said. “We had him over to our place a few times.”

Fiancé! Sylvie sighed with relief. Although Hilary was a good deal older than she and Graham, she had the prowess and beauty that could allure any man.

Not that I want Graham all to myself,Sylvie reminded herself.Old habits die hard.

“Oh. Wow.” Sylvie sipped her wine, feeling out of her depths.

“He talked about you a great deal,” Hilary said. “His remarkable, brilliant journalist daughter. Fighting the good fight for environmentalism.”

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