A Nantucket Affair (Nantucket Beach Plum Cove #4)(45)

Sue laughed. “You mean you?”

“Yep. They don’t really go out often enough. I’m always happy to watch Natalie if I’m available.”





Beth and Chase were standing around a cocktail table with Angela and Philippe. Philippe looked very theatrical with his dark hair and black tie with deep purple accents. Angela was the opposite, understated and elegant in a long, cream strapless cocktail dress with a double strand of milky pearls.

Beth looked around for Lauren, but didn’t see her anywhere yet. Beth knew she was likely on her way, though, if she wasn’t already here. She finally spotted Lauren about twenty minutes later. She was hard to miss.

Lauren was in the highest heels Beth had ever seen. Walking looked dangerous. Her dress was beautiful and daring. All white, it had a boat neck top in the front and an almost backless back. With her very blonde hair, Lauren stood out. She waved when she saw them, but didn’t come their way for almost an hour. And when she did, she looked excited.

“Chase, Beth, can I talk to you two for a minute?”

They told the others they’d be right back and followed Lauren to an empty high-top table.

“Okay, as I said might happen, we have multiple offers. All good offers. The first two are within five thousand of each other, both right at asking price. So, that’s great. They both need financing.”

Chase and Beth glanced at each other. Neither was keen for a repeat of what had just happened. Though they knew it was unlikely to happen again quite like that.

“And then we have one cash offer, from the same couple that offered before.”

“I thought they bought something else?” Beth said.

“They did. But it was a contingency sale. Their seller had another property fall through, so they backed out.”

“Did they offer same as before?” Chase looked somewhat dubious now that they had three offers on the table.

“No. They knew there were three bidders and they were disappointed that they missed out before. They offered the price you counter offered, so twenty thousand higher than before. They really want the house.”

Chase grinned. “Well, I have no hesitations, then. Beth, what do you think?”

“I’m thinking it’s time for some champagne. Congrats to all of us!”





Kristen and Tyler were at a cocktail table with Kate and Jack. Kristen stood close to Tyler, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. It was their first night out on the town since Tyler came home from rehab. She’d worried a little that so many people, mostly all drinking, might be stressful for him, but he assured her that he’d be fine. And to look at him now he looked positively zen, and was content people-watching and enjoying the weather and good food.

“I took a spin by the silent auction table about ten minutes ago. Your painting has a lot of bids. I’m not surprised. That’s one of my favorites.” Kristen had donated one of her paintings for the silent auction. It was a seascape inspired by the coffee-table book of photographs that Tyler had given her.

All proceeds went to the event charity, so it was for a good cause. Plus, as Andrew pointed out, it was also excellent advertising for her show at his gallery tomorrow. He predicted that lots of people that saw the painting, and especially those that bid and lost, might stop by the gallery to see what else was available. The winners of the silent auction items were going to be announced after the fireworks, which would begin as soon as it got dark.

Kristen smiled as she looked at her twin sister. Kate and Jack looked like they had been together forever. For the first time, Kristen couldn’t find one wrong thing with one of Kate’s boyfriends. Everyone liked Jack, and they’d known him forever. Although she’d felt awful for her sister at the time, Kristen was glad that Kate lost that job at the Boston fashion magazine. She liked having Kate back on the island and now that she and Jack were together, Kristen didn’t think she had to worry about Kate moving back to Boston anytime soon.

The fireworks were spectacular. There were soft breezes blowing over the beach and the skies were clear. When they finished, everyone cheered and clapped, and then Jack surprised all of them by pulling a small box out of his pocket and getting down on one knee. Kate looked completely shocked. It was clear she had no idea this might happen tonight.

It was still just the four of them standing there, and Jack looked around the table at all of them before continuing.

“Kate, in front of the people we both love and on the most beautiful night, I thought it was appropriate to tell you how I really feel. I love you, Kate Hodges, more than I thought I could love anyone. You’re my best friend and the woman I want to grow old with. Will you marry me, Kate?”

He opened the box and the diamond inside was so pretty. Kristen guessed that maybe it had been his grandmother’s. The setting was vintage filigree, and the stone was a lovely oval shape. By the look in Kate’s eyes, she liked it too.

“Jack, I did not see this coming. Yes, of course I’ll marry you!”

Jack slid the ring on her finger and after a happy kiss, Kate led the way to go find the others. Kristen and Tyler followed along, and they found the whole family gathered near the silent auction tables.

Kate walked over to her mother and the rest of the family and just lifted up her hand and waved it slowly. Screaming and congratulations followed.