Driftwood Lane (Nantucket #4)(20)

“My mom would let me.”

The air seemed to vibrate with tension. Jake realized his knife was still, flattened against the wall, and he reached for more mud. Noelle was glaring at Meridith, who’d turned, wielding a spatula. Was she going to blow it?

To her credit, the woman drew a deep breath, holding her temper. “Maybe Lexi could stay all night with you instead.”

“Well, wouldn’t that pose a problem for her family, since they don’t know you?”

Despite his irritation with Meridith, Jake’s lips twitched. Score one for Noelle.

“I suppose that would be up to her family.”

He heard Noelle’s cards hit the table, her chair screech across the floor as she stood. “Never mind.” She cast Meridith one final glare, then exited through the back door, closing it with a hearty slam.





Eleven

A week later Meridith ran her hand over the new door trim and surveyed the paint job. The sunny yellow matched the rest of the kitchen, and the finished wall was smooth as glass.

Ben touched the wall too. He hadn’t left her side since he finished his homework.

“It’s a beautiful day outside, Ben. Why don’t you go enjoy the fresh air?”

He shrugged.

“Max is outside. Maybe he’ll play Frisbee with you.”

Silently Ben ambled toward the door and slipped through it.

Meridith turned her attention to the new partition, stepping back. You couldn’t tell it was new. The trim had been painted white to match the old trim, and hard as she tried, she couldn’t find a paint run anywhere. Not bad.

“Everything okay?” Jake appeared at her side.

“Would you stop sneaking up on me?” she said, unwilling to admit that the insanely loud washing machine may have disguised his entrance.

He nodded toward the partition.

She forced her eyes from his. “It’s fine.” She wasn’t about to admit she’d been admiring his handiwork. He might raise his price. “How’s the gutter coming?”

It was falling off the back of the house, its angle leaving a small pond off the back porch steps when it rained.

“All done. Have to run to the store for a few things.” He placed his hands on his hips, just above his tool belt.

She checked her watch. “You might as well call it quits for the day.” She was ready to have the house back, at least until her guests arrived.

He nodded once. “Just let me gather my—”

A sharp cry split the air, then was silenced by a thud. Meridith was out the door the next second.

She crossed the porch and found Ben near the puddle on his side. He pulled his knees into his belly, bawling.

“Ben!” Meridith pushed Piper aside and squatted beside the boy, carefully rolling him over. “What happened?”

“He fell off the ladder!” Max dropped to his knees beside his brother.

“You left the ladder up?” Meridith glared at Jake, but he was running his hand over Ben’s head.

“Don’t feel any bumps.”

“My arm!” Ben wailed.

Jake reached toward it.

“Don’t touch it!” Meridith said. “Can you move it, Ben?” She touched his arm lightly.

“Nooooo . . .”

“What happened?” Noelle appeared at her side.

“He fell,” Meridith said. “I need to get him to the ER.” Then she remembered. “The guests . . .” How were they going to get in? Someone needed to greet them. She couldn’t think with Ben howling.

“It’s okay, honey,” she said. “We’ll get you taken care of.”

Jake gathered Ben in his arms. “I’ll drive you to the ER. Noelle, stay here and check the guests in. Max, you stay with her.”

A thirteen-year-old running the inn? She didn’t think so. “Call Rita and see if she can come,” she said, following Jake.

“I’ve checked in guests lots of times.”

Meridith tossed a look over her shoulder. “Call her.”

Noelle glared. “Fine.”

Meridith followed Jake around the house to his truck. Piper followed silently, head low as if sensing the trouble.

“You don’t have to do this,” Meridith said. “I can drive myself.”

“Get in,” Jake said.

Once she was settled on the cracked leather seat, Jake placed Ben on her lap. The boy curled into her, cradling his arm.

“He needs to be buckled in.”

“He’s fine.”

Jake hopped in the driver’s side and backed down the lane.

Ben had quieted, his breaths coming in shuddery spasms. She had a bad feeling his arm was broken.

“How you doing, little man?” Jake asked once they were on the main road.

“Fi—fine.” The word wobbled pitifully.

“How far’s the hospital?” Meridith asked.

“Seven, eight minutes.”

Meridith gripped the door as Jake took a corner fast. She nearly told him to slow down, but Ben’s whimpering stopped her. She hoped they’d give him something for the pain immediately.

It was nice of Jake to give them a ride, but she wondered how they’d get home. She’d have to call a cab or ask Rita to come after them.