A Nantucket Affair (Nantucket Beach Plum Cove #4)(6)

Lauren called them later that evening, as Beth and Chase were sharing a pizza at home and watching a movie on Netflix. Lauren’s voice was so loud and excited that Beth could hear everything she was saying to Chase.

“Congratulations! The house is yours. And they’re thrilled it’s a cash deal. We can close in two-and-a-half weeks.”

“That’s great news, thanks.” Chase hung up and lifted his glass of water. “Cheers! We got it.”

Beth tapped her glass of water against his and couldn’t stop smiling. “I didn’t think we’d hear so quickly. I’m really excited for this one.”

Chase chuckled. “You’re always excited for them.”

“Oh, I know. But I have a really good feeling about this one. I can’t wait to see how the kitchen remodel turns out.”

“It’s a good time of year, too. Summer is right around the corner and if we do it right, this could sell quickly.”

Beth grinned. “And then it will be time to find another house to flip!” She quoted the line that ended every episode of one their favorite HGTV house flipping shows.





Chapter 4





“What do you think about an early September wedding on the beach?” Lisa topped off both her and Rhett’s glasses with a little more cabernet and set the bottle on the kitchen island. They had been snacking on cheese and crackers. The kitchen smelled heavenly as a big pot of meatballs and homemade sauce simmered on the stove. Neither one of them was in a hurry to eat, though. It was nice to just catch up. Rhett had been gone for almost a week, the longest amount of time that they’d been apart since she’d met him. And while she didn’t mind an occasional break, she’d missed him more than she expected to. The house felt empty without him, and so much nicer now that he was home.

“Sure, that sounds fine to me. You know I’m okay with whatever you want to do.” Rhett reached for a slice of cheddar and popped it in his mouth.

“I know, thanks. I don’t want anything big, as we’ve both already done that. But I thought maybe a small gathering, just close friends and family. It’s so nice here in September, after Labor Day, when the weather is still gorgeous and the crowds are gone.”

“Works for me.”

“I thought I could get Kate and Abby to help me organize it all. They’re both really good with all the details.” Kate worked at home as a writer, doing occasional freelance articles for the magazine she used to work for and also writing mysteries. She also handled the marketing for the inn and did an amazing job of it. Thanks to Kate’s expertise with Facebook ads and other internet marketing, the inn stayed steady with bookings.

“That sounds like a good plan,” Rhett agreed.

“Well, I think Abby might be ready for a project. Jeff doesn’t want her to go back to work. She wants to stay home with the baby, too, but it can be a little isolating. She does such a good job coordinating the food pantry events.”

“Mm.” Rhett reached for more cheese and Lisa laughed. He was obviously hungrier than she’d realized.

“Are you ready for meatballs and pasta?”

He smiled. “I could eat.”

She fixed bowls of pasta and meatballs and set them on the island, along with a hunk of parmesan cheese and a grater.

“Oh, I have bread, too, if you want it.”

She went to get up, but Rhett shook his head. “I’m good. I got on the scale this morning and let’s just say I should skip the bread for a while.”

He looked absolutely fine to her. But she also knew how it felt when an extra five pounds crept on.

“I think you look fine, but I understand. Sue was just telling me that Curt has dropped twenty pounds recently by cutting out bread, all carbs apparently. She said he’s not eating much at all and the weight is falling off fast.”

Rhett grated a pile of cheese onto his pasta. “Good for him. I wouldn’t go that far, though. I actually saw him earlier today getting coffee downtown. He looks like he’s been on vacation. Did they go away somewhere?”

Lisa laughed. “No. Sue said he’s been using the tanning bed at the gym. Thinks it makes him look thinner.”

Rhett raised his eyebrows. “Maybe I should try that?”

Lisa was pretty sure he was kidding. “Don’t you dare!”

He chuckled. “I thought you knew me better than that.”

“I can’t imagine you in a tanning bed.”

“Neither can I. So, what else did I miss while I was gone? Anything new with the kids?”

“Yes, Chase and Beth found another house to flip. It’s a fixer-upper on Bayberry Road.”

Rhett thought for a minute. “Is it the one right on the corner, blue with a porch?”

“I think so. Do you know it?”

“I’ve driven by it a few times and it stuck out like a sore thumb. Looks like it’s neglected and needs a lot of work.”

Lisa worried for a minute that maybe they’d taken too much of a risk, but then dismissed the thought.

“I’m sure it’s fine. Chase knows construction and Beth, too. They wouldn’t have bought it if they weren’t sure it would be a good investment.”

“I’m sure you’re right. I just had some friends that used to do a lot of that kind of thing, and now and then they got in over their heads and ended up under water, taking a loss. But, like you said, they know what they’re doing.”