A Nantucket Affair (Nantucket Beach Plum Cove #4)(29)

“I think I understand. How long will you be gone?”

“Almost a month. It’s a twenty-eight-day program.”

“What will it be like there? Did you look it up online?”

“I did. It looks nice enough. It’s a big house, and it’s all guys. I saw something about basketball and a few other sports, yoga even. Lots of fresh air, exercise and group sessions to talk stuff out.”

“That sounds good. Can you bring your laptop, too?”

“They said I could. It’s a structured day, but we get a few free hours in there, so I’ll be able to get some writing in, hopefully.”

As horrible as he felt about having let everyone down, he was also looking forward to going, he realized. The idea of having everything planned, a daily routine that he just had to follow along, was appealing. It was a break of sorts, from everything. And as much as he would miss Kristen, he wasn’t going to miss hiding his drinking from her. To think that he chose to have a drink over spending more time with her—he was deeply ashamed of that. And grateful that she hadn’t run screaming. He needed to get himself together, get back on track for himself. And for her, too.

“Well, if there’s anything you need. Anything I can do to help, just let me know.”

“Thank you. I promise you, I’ll be better after this.”

She pulled him in and gave him a sweet kiss goodbye.

“I know you will. And I’ll see you next weekend.”





Chapter 17





Rhett had jokingly warned Lisa that he snored when he moved in with her, but she had assured him that she was a sound sleeper so it wasn’t likely to be an issue. And it wasn’t. But what did get Lisa’s attention one night when she’d woken to use the bathroom and then climbed back into bed was how the snoring and Rhett’s breathing suddenly stopped. She was alarmed and was about to shake him awake when he started breathing again. He did it a few more times before she fell asleep again, and over coffee the next morning she asked him about it.

“Do you know that you stop breathing sometimes when you sleep?”

They were alone in the dining room. No one else had arrived yet for breakfast. Angela would be there any minute, and Kristen had texted her that she was stopping by for breakfast, too, which was a treat. Lisa always loved it when the girls dropped by and she hadn’t had a good chat with Kristen for a few weeks.

Rhett paused before taking another sip. “What are you talking about?”

“I woke in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and you were snoring as usual, but then you stopped snoring and breathing. I almost nudged you, but then you started up again. It wasn’t a one-time thing. You did it several more times that I was aware of.”

“Hm. Are you sure? That’s the first time I’ve ever heard that.”

“I know what I didn’t hear. You breathing. Maybe it’s sleep apnea. You should call your doctor.”

Rhett made a face. “Isn’t that where people wear masks?”

Lisa shot him a stern look. “Yes, but it saves their lives. Sleep apnea is a serious condition, from the little I know. Your doctor will probably order a sleep study and then you’ll know.”

Another thought occurred to her. “You know you have been complaining about being really tired lately. Maybe there’s a connection.”

“Hm. Okay, I’ll call my doctor.”





A few minutes later, Angela and Kristen walked in together along with Edith and Tom Henry, who had just checked in the day before. Lisa walked over to greet the Henrys.

“Help yourself to whatever you’d like. There’s cereal and bagels and fruit on the side bar, along with coffee, tea and juice. And today’s hot dish is a spinach and tomato frittata with white cheddar.”

When she returned to the table where she and Rhett had been sitting, he stood to leave.

“I’m heading out. Have a lot to do today.” He winked at her. “And an appointment to make.”

She smiled and gave him a quick kiss before sending him on his way. “Have a great day. Don’t forget, we have dinner tonight with Sue and Curt.”

“Oh, right. I’ll be back by then.”

She watched him go with a smile before sitting down and joining the girls, who were both eating a slice of the frittata. Angela always had a good appetite, but it surprised her to see Kristen eating something other than fruit.

“This is really good,” Kristen said. “I woke up starving today. Forgot to eat dinner last night.”

Lisa shook her head. “Thanks, honey. It always amazes me when you don’t think to stop to eat. That would never in a million years happen to me.”

Angela laughed. “Me, too. I’m always thinking about what I’m going to eat next. Okay, now that I’ve said that out loud it doesn’t sound very healthy, does it?”

“Oh, I’m the same way,” Lisa said. “So, what’s new with the two of you?”

“Nothing new for me. Just crazy busy with work, which is a good thing.”

Lisa smiled. “That is a very good thing.”

Kristen took the last bite of her frittata and set her food down.

“Well, I have something to share. Tyler relapsed. He left yesterday afternoon for a rehab in Falmouth.”