Driftwood Lane (Nantucket #4)(54)

It worked. One last look at Jake, and she was darting for the back stairs. He heard the lock click into place and the squawk of the stairs as she ascended. Then he was off to offer his services as personal escort.





Twenty-nine

Meridith pulled the cinnamon rolls from the oven, savoring the sweet spicy smell. She set the rolls on the stovetop to cool, flicked off the oven, and poured a cup of coffee. The kids were taking advantage of the break by sleeping late.

Even Meridith had woken later than usual, her eyes heavy, her body achy. When her eyes fluttered open earlier, she’d stared at the clock’s hands as the night before rushed back to mind. Her heart sped in response. She hadn’t felt fear like that in so long. Never wanted to feel it again. Though her mother had never hurt her, there were the sudden change of moods, the euphoria, the yelling.

The waiting.

She’d waited for things to settle down, but they never had. When change came, it brought a different sort of fear. From euphoria to depression, the worry her mom wouldn’t be there when she got home from school, would disappear just like her dad.

The night before she’d fought back futilely. Sean was so much stronger. The weight of him crushing her, leaving her breathless . . .

And then Jake arrived.

When Sean’s weight left her body, she’d been confused. Then she saw Jake. He’d protected her, held her, taken care of her.

The concept was foreign to her. It left her feeling . . . confused.

Meridith sipped the strong brew, breathing the rich aroma. The college guys were gone, Jake had seen to that, and now the house was quiet except for occasional noises from the basement. Jake.

He was leaving tonight, and the realization stirred a new anxiety. What if she were attacked again? What if it were one of the kids? She was glad for the door between the wings, but they couldn’t stay locked up there. And she couldn’t watch three children every moment—that much she’d learned.

What if last night’s scenario repeated itself—and Jake wasn’t there? What was she going to do the next month and a half? Even after that, while she waited for Summer Place to sell. She should put it on the market now. The repairs were as done as they were going to be. Nothing was stopping her.

Except she’d have to tell the kids. She wasn’t ready for that hurdle.

She sipped her coffee. Maybe she could kill two birds with one stone. If Jake stayed, they would be safe and the house would get finished. Plus, it would allow the children to bond with her before she broke the bad news.

When school let out in June, she’d tell them, then she’d put the house on the market.

Meridith drained her coffee, set the mug in the sink, then went to the garage to collect the summer decorations for the back porch. It was time to spruce up the exterior. She’d found boxes of chair cushions, conch shells, and knickknacks to decorate with.

She lugged the boxes to the back of the house, Piper wagging along behind her. Meridith beat the dust from the plaid cushions and set them in place along with the pillows.

Piper’s reddish-gold coat gleamed from the sunny spot where she’d settled. She watched Meridith for a moment, then laid her head on her paws with a heavy sigh.

Meridith rinsed the conch shells under the spigot, then placed them on the wicker table. Next she pulled out the long lantern strand. Dust rose, filling her nostrils, making her sneeze. She pulled a chair to the corner and began stringing the colorful lights.

The day was warming, no sign of a breeze, and Meridith was glad she’d chosen a short-sleeved top. Rounding the porch’s corner, she looped the wire over the hook and looked back on her work, making sure the strand was secure enough to withstand heavy wind.

The clack of the screen door started her. She spun, and the rickety chair wobbled.

“Sorry.” Jake rushed to steady her, but she’d already caught her balance.

He was always startling her, but how could she be mad after last night?

Jake scanned the porch appreciatively. “Nice.”

Piper, always eager for attention, came running at the sound of Jake’s voice.

Meridith stepped down from the chair and scooted it a few feet.

“Let me.” Jake took the string and looped it over the hooks one at a time. It took him two minutes to finish the porch.

“Show-off,” she said.

“Being tall has its benefits.”

And being strong. Words of gratitude formed in her mind, but it took a moment to order them. “I never thanked you last night.”

He scratched behind Piper’s ears. “No need.” He plugged the lights in the wall outlet, and they glowed dimly. “Hopefully there’s a wall switch inside.”

“I mean it, Jake. I don’t know what I would’ve done.” Heat worked into her cheeks. She pulled a cornflower blue pail from the box and set it on one of the tables.

“Your arms . . .”

She looked down, noticing the bruises. Brownish-gray blotches, Sean’s fingerprints on her skin. She rubbed the spots, wishing she could wipe them away. Seeing them there, she could almost feel Sean’s grip on her, feel the helplessness welling up.

“I should’ve beat the kid to a pulp.” Jake’s fists clenched.

“He’s long gone. That’s all that matters.”

“He should’ve been arrested.”