Driftwood Lane (Nantucket #4)(57)

“It’s very admirable of you, but—”

“You’d be a wonderful father, Stephen.”

“I’m not ready for that.”

The words, so pointedly spoken, made her reel. He hadn’t gotten upset, wasn’t yelling. He was calm and cool like always, but he wasn’t budging.

“What am I supposed to do then, Stephen?” Even after three deep breaths, after closing her eyes and counting backward from ten, she wasn’t ready for his response.

“I guess you have a choice to make.”





Thirty-one

Mrs. Goldman made one last adjustment to the daffodil wreath and stepped back. Meridith surveyed the decorated Galaxie. The aqua finish gleamed under the April sky, having been washed and waxed by Ben and Jake. The color set off the garland of yellow daffodils and the spray fanning from a yellow bow above the license plate.

“It’ll be the best one!” Ben said. Piper licked his hand, then sat at his side, tongue lolling sideways from her mouth.

“Thanks, Mrs. Goldman,” Noelle said.

“Oh, honey, I look forward to this every year. So much fun. I’ll be watching for it in the parade, but I have to go wake Mr. Goldman now, or he’ll sleep right through the festivities.” The woman scooted back into the house, her gray wispy hair and yellow tunic fluttering in the wind.

The wind chimes jangled, making a riot of noise.

Meridith checked her watch. “We should get the show on the road, kids.”

“Wait, I have to get something.” Noelle sprinted into the house.

“Me too,” Max said.

Ben rubbed Piper behind the ears, and the dog gazed up at him with half-lidded ecstasy. “I wish she could be in the Daffy Dog Parade.”

“Me too, honey,” Meridith said. “When’s the last time you tried to take her from the yard?”

Ben shrugged.

“Why don’t we try again? Maybe she’s outgrown her fear.”

“Okay.” Ben retrieved Piper’s lead from the garage while Meridith removed Piper’s computer collar and walked to the street. Piper stopped at her boundary line.

Ben returned with the lead. “Sit, Piper!” When the dog complied, Ben attached the lead. “Okay, let’s go!” He pulled the leash and started walking, but Piper resisted the tug. “Let’s go, Piper!” Ben tugged again.

Piper didn’t look like she was having fun. Her eyebrows scrunched up, and she wouldn’t look at them.

Meridith squatted at the edge of the street. “Come on, girl!”

“Let’s go for a walk!” Ben said.

Piper squirmed, her tail almost wagging.

“She wants to come,” Meridith said.

Ben tried pulling the dog with his hands. Piper’s front paws dug into the ground, her back legs braced against the forward momentum. It would’ve been amusing if it weren’t so pitiful.

“I don’t think it’s going to work, Ben.”

“Dumb dog.” Ben sighed.

“She’s not dumb, she’s just well trained. The last time she tried to leave she experienced pain, and she doesn’t want to repeat it.” Meridith replaced Piper’s collar. “We’ll work with her later, when we have more time.”

The screen door slammed, and Jake appeared in jeans and a T-shirt. He padded down the steps and appraised the Galaxie. Piper ran to meet him.

“Not bad,” Jake said when they neared.

But when Meridith looked at him, he was staring at her. His eyes still looked sleepy, his hair poking up at odd angles. She ran her hand down the length of her own hair.

Max and Noelle trotted down the porch steps. Noelle climbed into the convertible and hung a gold cross necklace from the rearview mirror.

“Mom’s necklace,” Ben said.

Max climbed in the other side and looped his dad’s ball cap over the mirror. “And Dad’s hat,” he said.

Noelle fingered the cross. “They should get to come too.”

Meridith swallowed around a knot in her throat. Jake was watching the kids with an expression she’d never seen. His tenderheartedness surprised her.

She cleared her throat, blinking against the ache behind her eyes. “That’s a wonderful idea.”

The kids piled into the car while Meridith retrieved her purse and the picnic basket. Jake was watching from the porch as she stowed it in the trunk.

“Can Jake come too?” Max said. “There’s room.”

Meridith was searching for an excuse when Jake jumped in. “Can’t, guys. Haven’t showered yet. I’ll keep my eye out for you in the parade, though.”

By the time they arrived at the car staging area, there were dozens of antique and classic cars in line. Once they had a spot, the children got out and found friends to talk with as they walked around checking out the decorations.

Meridith stayed in the Galaxie, surveying the festivities. Mrs. Goldman had told her Daffodil Weekend was a big deal, but Meridith hadn’t anticipated the huge crowd, or the overwhelming sight of so many daffodils.

When her phone rang, she saw Rita’s name on the screen. “Rita, hello.”

“Good morning, honey!”

Meridith couldn’t help but smile in response to her friend’s sunshiny attitude.