Driftwood Lane (Nantucket #4)(55)

“I don’t think he meant to—to attack me that way. We stumbled, and he fell on me.”

“You’re wearing evidence that says otherwise.”

He had a point. And the night before, sand grinding into her back, she’d been convinced she was in danger.

“Don’t like the idea of you and the kids here alone.”

“Aren’t you the one who thought the partitions were silly?”

“Never said that.”

“Didn’t have to.” She gave a wry smile. She was pretty good at reading people. Like just now, he was thinking she was right.

“Maybe I did.” He leaned a shoulder on the shingled wall, looking every bit as cocky as he had that first day he’d turned up on her doorstep.

It didn’t bother her just this minute. “I know I said I was done with the repairs, but what would you think of finishing the ones that aren’t too costly?”

His gaze intensified. “Really?”

Meridith collected a basket and began filling it with shells. “You mentioned the fireplace. I’d like to get it working again. We have tree branches hitting the house, a couple trees that a stiff wind would blow over—if you do that kind of work. Not to mention the other things on the list.”

Jake walked to the railing, staring out to sea. When Piper joined him, Jake ruffled her fur.

Maybe he didn’t want to stay now. Maybe having the kids underfoot all week had been a pain. Maybe he’d been offended at the way she’d confronted him about being alone with Noelle—a notion that now seemed ludicrous in light of the way he’d come to her rescue.

“I mean, if you can’t, that’s all right. You probably have other work lined up.” It was only a couple months. They’d be safe that long, right? She saw Sean’s hardened face, heard the bitter slur of his words, and shuddered.

“I’ll stay.”

“Are you sure?” Her words rushed out.

“Glad to.”

She smiled. “All right then.”

He straightened, winked, and she felt it down to her bones.

“Back to the fuse box. The electric will be off awhile today, that okay?”

“Sure, fine.”

She watched him go, a new appreciation for those sturdy shoulders and thick arms. Now she wouldn’t have anything to worry about.

But something stirred inside at the sight of him walking away that made Meridith wonder if she’d only exchanged one set of worries for another.

Meridith pulled the sliding door and settled at the patio table with Rita. With the electricity off at Summer Place, she’d welcomed her new friend’s invitation. The unseasonably warm weather had spurred the Lawsons to fill their pool early, and the kids had jumped at the chance to swim in the heated pool.

The smell of chlorine and sunscreen filled the air. Squeals of laughter and the splashing of water as Max did a cannonball made Meridith smile. Noelle sat on the curled ledge kicking water at Rita’s fourteen-year-old son.

“The kids seem to be doing well lately,” Rita said. “I think Brandon’s flirting with Noelle. Look at that.”

“Noelle’s flirting right back.” After worrying about a crush on Jake, Meridith was relieved to see Noelle interested in a boy her own age. Yet another part of her knew that would only make leaving the island harder.

“Brandon and I are singing in church Sunday. I think he’s nervous. Who am I kidding? I’m the nervous one.”

“I’m sure you’ll do great. I’m looking forward to hearing you.” She’d noticed Rita singing during the service. “You really love church,” Meridith said. “Yours is a lot different from mine back home.”

“I love church because I love God, you know? He’s so good to me.”

“Of course. We’re very blessed.”

“It wasn’t always like that for me. When I met Lee, I was stuck in a rut. It was all just head knowledge.”

“What do you mean?”

Rita sipped her Diet Coke. “Oh, you know. I believed in God, I knew Jesus was God’s Son, knew I was a sinner. I knew it here.” She pointed to her temple. “But I didn’t know it here.” She placed her hand on her heart.

Meridith watched Ben backstroke across the width of the shallow end. His arm seemed good as new. He wiped water from his face, smiled at her. Meridith gave him a thumbs-up.

“It’s like you and your siblings. Before you came here you knew about them, right? Knew they existed?”

Meridith nodded. “Sure.”

“But you didn’t know them. There’s a vast difference. I see the way you look at them.”

“They’re good kids.”

“That they are. Ellie!” She turned her attention to her daughter. “Look before you jump. You almost landed on Max.”

Meridith pulled her wrap more tightly around her.

“Go on in,” Rita said, “The water’s warm.”

“Aren’t you swimming?”

Rita chortled. “Oh, honey, my bathing suit days are long gone.”

“I might get in later. I’m too comfortable to get up. How’s your gallery doing?”

“It’s slow. But it’ll pick up soon. The festival weekend is usually busy. How are things with your fiancé—Stephen, is it? Must be hard to be apart.”