Driftwood Lane (Nantucket #4)(63)

“There’s some kind of festival going on, isn’t there? The traffic getting here was atrocious.”

“I hear it’s worse in the summer.”

He forked the lettuce and stuck it in his mouth. Meridith bit her lip. She shouldn’t have brought up summer. It was a reminder of the vast gulf separating them, the question of when she was returning and whether she’d have the children with her when she did.

But of course she’d have the children. She’d already told him so. And he was here; that must mean he was willing to give the readymade family a shot. She smiled.

The house was quiet, only the sound of Stephen’s jaw clicking as he munched on the salad. Strange that she’d forgotten that about him. Her ankle throbbed, and she set a pillow under it.

“I thought you could show me around the island tomorrow,” he said between bites.

Their first outing as a family. It was a good idea. “Maybe in the afternoon. I have to make breakfast first—we have guests here at the moment. The Goldmans are interested in buying Summer Place, but we can talk about that tomorrow. Then we have church. It’s a lot different from ours, but I think you’ll like it. When do you have to leave?”

“Monday morning, unfortunately. I was only able to get a long weekend.”

“After all the hours you worked?”

He shrugged. “I tried to come in last night, but the flights were booked. Because of the festival, I guess.”

“If I’d known you were here, I would’ve come home earlier.”

“I kept trying your cell.”

“It was noisy at the picnic, then it was dead by the time we reached the Lawsons’.”

“The Lawsons?”

Meridith smiled, thinking of Rita. “You’ll meet them at church. Rita’s so kind. I’d be lost here without her.”

“I doubt that. I don’t know anyone as capable as you, Meridith.”

“Thanks,” she said, smiling. But the word wasn’t the high compliment it used to be. She found herself wishing Stephen would say something else. You’re the most wonderful woman I know or You’re so beautiful, Meridith.

She shook her head. What was getting into her? She’d never cared about romantic declarations before. Stephen was a good fit. The best. Her aching ankle was making her irritable and critical. Meridith smothered another yawn as Stephen finished his salad and set his plate aside.

“It’s late,” Stephen said. “I should let you get to bed.”

“Oh, you need a room.” Meridith pulled her foot from the ottoman, already considering where to put him. The only room available in the family wing was Eva and T. J.’s., but she didn’t want to upset the children. She’d put him in the nautical room beside Jake’s.

“I can help get it ready.” Stephen stood and pulled her to her feet. They were toe to toe in the same spot where she’d stumbled while dancing with Jake.

“The room’s already made up.”

Stephen’s face was clean-shaven, his skin still pale from a long winter indoors. His baby-blue eyes smiled tenderly.

“I’ve missed you.” His arms circled her. “It’s so good to see you again. The phone just isn’t the same.” He kissed her, his lips moving slowly over hers. After a moment, he drew back with a smile, then turned toward the stairs and grabbed his suitcase.

Meridith’s mind whirled as she negotiated the steps. Whirled because the kiss she’d missed all these weeks, the one that had once left her content and satisfied, had only left her shaken this time—and for all the wrong reasons.





Thirty-three

Meridith was restless all night. Between the aggravation of keeping her foot elevated and the disturbing realization that Stephen’s kiss only stirred ambivalence, she found herself analyzing the relationship.

Was it the time apart? Their disagreement over the children? Or, more disturbing, her feelings for Jake? Maybe it was a combination of all three, a confusing cocktail that was even more unsettling.

By the time she drifted to sleep, she’d decided to put any reservations on hold and let tomorrow play out. Perhaps after a day together at least two of the issues would be moot.

Stephen had come to the island, wanted to be with her and get to know the children. That was all she could ask, and she knew the children would grow on him just as they had her.

When morning came, she pried open her eyes and forced herself to limp downstairs and fix breakfast. Her ankle felt worse, and she popped three Tylenol, hoping it would loosen.

Stephen kissed her good morning, his breath minty fresh, and helped her set the table. The Goldmans and Mowerys slept in, so Meridith put the food in the warmers and called the children down.

They trotted down the steps noisily and took a seat, so used to strangers at the table, they hardly noticed Stephen. Jake was conspicuously absent.

“Children,” Meridith said, taking her own seat. “This is Stephen, my fiancé. Stephen, this is Noelle, Max, and Ben.” She gestured toward each child.

“Hi.” Noelle eyed him suspiciously. Max nodded at him, more interested in a big scoop of scrambled eggs, and Ben looked quietly between Stephen and Meridith.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Stephen said.

“Are you coming to church with us?” Max asked.