Driftwood Lane (Nantucket #4)(79)

She hadn’t told the children about them yet, and he seemed to be on the same page. Meridith didn’t know if she was trying to protect them or wanting to keep their relationship private awhile.

They’d have to tell them soon. It was too hard hiding it, restraining herself. Her thoughts flashed back to earlier this morning, when he’d pulled her into the darkness of the back staircase and kissed her socks off. Even now her heart fluttered like butterfly wings.

Meridith turned up the heat and gave the soup another stir. The fragrant herbs wafted upward. She heard Jake greeting Noelle, heard a bag rattle as he set it on the island, felt his breath on her neck.

“Hello, beautiful.”

“Shhhh.”

He kissed her neck, then turned to empty the contents of his bag just in time for Noelle’s entry.

Meridith unwrapped the salad. “Did they have everything you need?” she asked Jake.

He caught her eye. “Almost,” he said, winking.

Meridith’s gaze swung to Noelle, but she was busy pulling silverware from the drawer.

She shot Jake a look as the phone pealed. The extension was missing from its base.

“Noelle, would you mind grabbing the other phone?”

The silver clattered as the girl set it down. “Turn down the heat, set the table, answer the phone . . .” she grumbled playfully.

As soon as Noelle left the room, Jake pulled Meridith close. “You just wanted to be alone with me.”

She thought of denying it, but then she looked into his eyes. Oh, who was she kidding?

He brushed his lips across hers. Heaven.

She heard Noelle’s muted answer from the other room. “Summer Place, may I help you?”

Jake deepened the kiss and Meridith slid her arms around his waist.

“Hi, Rita,” Noelle continued. “Yeah, she’s here. Just a minute.”

Meridith forced herself to push Jake away. “Naughty boy,” she whispered.

She dragged her eyes from his and retrieved the salad dressing, trying to gather her wits before Noelle entered.

“It’s Rita,” Noelle said.

Meridith took the phone. “Hey, Rita.” She watched Jake return to his hardware goodies.

“Hey, Meridith. Sorry to call at dinnertime, but this is important.”

“What is it?”

Jake looked up at her tone.

“I ran into Dee Whittier in town awhile ago.”

“Who?”

“She owns a sporting shop and is on the chamber of commerce with me. She’s also Max and Ben’s soccer coach.”

“Okay . . .”

“Well, she called and told me she saw the kids’ uncle in town this afternoon.”

“What?” Meridith caught Jake’s eye, then flickered a look toward Noelle.

“She recognized him because he goes to the boys’ games sometimes and, well, according to her he’s a total stud, and she’s single, so . . . you haven’t heard from him yet?”

“No.”

“I thought you’d want to know.”

“Yes, I—thanks, Rita. Forewarned is forearmed, right?”

A scream pierced the line. “Brandon, leave your sister alone!” Rita yelled. “Listen, I gotta run.”

“Thanks for calling,” Meridith said absently.

“What’s wrong?” Jake asked.

He would be coming soon. Surely it wouldn’t take long for him to discover his sister had passed away. She felt a moment’s pity at the thought, then remembered he’d gone over three months without checking in.

“You okay?” Jake asked again.

Noelle entered the room and grabbed a stack of napkins from the island drawer.

“Noelle, your uncle hasn’t called or e-mailed, has he?”

Noelle’s hand froze, a stack of napkins clutched in her fist. Her lips parted. Her eyes darted to Jake, then back to Meridith. “Why?”

“Rita said someone named Dee saw him in town today.”

Noelle closed the drawer slowly. “Oh. Uh . . . no.”

Meridith turned to the soup. Thick broth bubbles popped and spewed. She turned down the heat again and stirred. “Well, I guess he’s back. You’ll be seeing him soon.” She tried to inject enthusiasm in her voice, tried to be happy for the children. A piece of familiarity, a renewed bond, a living reminder of their mother. It would be good for them.

And yet.

What if he wanted them once he found out what had happened to Eva and T. J.? What if he fought her for them and won? Her stomach bottomed out. She loved the children now. They were her siblings. Her family.

She remembered coming to the island with every intention of handing them over like unwanted baggage. What she’d once wanted most was now a potential reality. Only now she didn’t want it at all.

Dinner was a silent affair. Jake did all he could to keep the conversation casual, but it wasn’t easy when he knew what was coming. The kids, obviously apprehensive, alternated between staring at their plates and shooting him panicked glances.

Watching Meridith was even harder. She wore a brave smile, trying to convince the kids she was happy they’d see their uncle soon.

Her fake smile fooled no one, least of all him.

He recognized fear when he saw it. It settled in the furrow of her brows, crouched in the shadows of her eyes. She felt threatened by the uncle—by him. He had to tell her after dinner. Couldn’t stand to see her suffer any more.