Driftwood Lane (Nantucket #4)(73)



“You gonna let your fears dictate your life, Meridith?” he called after her.

But she didn’t stop. Didn’t stop until she’d made it up the stairs, to her room, to her bed, where she slipped under the covers and let herself cry.





Thirty-eight

Jake took three steps after her and stopped. She was already to the porch, then inside the house in a matter of seconds.

He forked his fingers through his hair, clutching fistfuls until his scalp tightened. He’d been confused until she’d looked at him, until he’d seen the look in her eyes. And then he knew.

She was afraid.

Afraid because he made her feel things, things she hadn’t felt with Stephen or probably anyone else, because this was real love. Not some tepid, watered-down version.

But Meridith wanted tepid. She wanted safe.

His scalp burning, he lowered his hands. Something nudged his leg. Piper stared up at him, and Jake set a hand on her head, absently rubbed her ear.

He wondered what part of Meridith’s childhood had left her afraid of something as natural and necessary as love. Was it her mother’s mental illness? T. J.’s leaving her?

If she’d only open up to him, maybe he could help her sort it out. He was a patient man. He’d wait her out, love her until she realized he was safe.

But she was unwilling to try. Wanted to run as far and fast as she could from what he offered. What was he supposed to do? He couldn’t make her try, force her to shed her fears. If only he could make her see what she was missing.

But he was running out of time. He was nearly finished with the house, had two weeks, tops, if she didn’t kick him out first. And soon after that she was leaving the island.

And she still didn’t know who he was.

Jake kicked the ground, sending a spray of sand into the air, then started down the beach steps. He had to get away from here, breathe some fresh air, think. Piper barked as she jogged along the property line, keeping pace with him.

Why did Meridith have to be so stubborn? Why couldn’t she just give him a chance? He knew they’d be amazing together. She’d opened her heart to the kids, admirably so. It couldn’t have been easy accepting her father’s other children, but she’d done it.

Why couldn’t she open her heart to him? Jake retrieved a shell and hurled it into the ocean. He needed to throw about a hundred more before he even began to work off the excess steam.

Piper barked and whined, having reached the property’s edge. He’d take off her collar and bring her along, but the dog was afraid to leave the yard.

Piper barked louder, almost squealing. Jake stopped, then walked toward the dog. He slugged through the thick sand, up the grassy incline.

Piper wagged her tail at his approach.

All right, Piper.

He leaned down, released Piper’s collar, and tossed it on the lawn. Backing away, he called her.

She stared back, wagging her tail.

“Come on, Piper!” He called again over the wind, patting his leg.

She danced around, her paws at the edge of the property. She let loose a sharp bark.

Jake retreated farther, down the incline to the sand. “Come on, girl!”

Piper whined, then sat, wiggling restlessly in the grass. The wind ruffled her fur.

“Piper, let’s go!” Stupid dog. Didn’t she know she was free? Jake glared at her.

Piper lifted her nose to the air, then lowered her head, nose to the ground. She looked up at Jake soulfully.

Jake marched toward her, up the slope, through the sea oats. He gathered Piper in his arms, a tense bundle of fur, carried her down the hill, and deposited her on the sand.

He walked away. “Come on!” A dozen steps later he turned. She was huddled in a circle, unmoving.

“What is wrong with you?” He gestured down the shoreline. “You have the whole beach, the whole world! You’re free!”

And yet she cowered in the sand, afraid to move.

Jake glared at the dog, catching his breath. Why wouldn’t she move? If she’d only try, she’d see it was safe.

Piper was frozen in place, her head down, her front legs half bent. Her ears lay flat, and her tail curled protectively around her body.

Just try.

But Jake could see that wasn’t going to happen. She was locked in place, helpless to move.

Jake settled his hands on his hips, staring at her. She looked pitiful cowering on the beach. A tremor passed through her body.

As quickly as the anger rose, it drained away. Jake gave a hard sigh, then walked back.

Piper lifted her eyes, watching his approach, her brows lifting, though her nose nearly touched the sand.

Jake sank beside her on the sand. He wanted to help her, wanted to fix the problem, but there was nothing he could do, was there?

Piper timidly sniffed his shirt, darted a glance at Jake. A moment later she rested her head on his leg and gave a deep sigh.

Jake set his hand on her side. “I know, girl. Believe me, I know.”





Thirty-nine

Meridith curled her fist and rapped on the door. Her eyes ached from lack of sleep. She was stifling a yawn when the door opened.

“Meridith! What a lovely surprise!” Rita’s wide smile and big hug were just what the doctor ordered.

“Sorry to drop in on you.”

“Nonsense.” Rita held up her rubber-gloved hands. “You’ve saved me from the dishes. Come in.”

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