A Nantucket Wedding(28)

“I’m not so sure. For some adventures money is necessary. But some of our best adventures money can’t buy.”

Jane waved a hand at the ocean. “True.”

“Or this.” Ethan stopped her, taking her shoulders in his hands and turning her to face him.

Jane tried to pull away…but she didn’t try hard. Still, she said, “I can’t. We can’t.”

He pulled her closer. “If it were just you and me and the beach and the ocean, tell me you wouldn’t want me to touch you and hold you and kiss you and make love to you.”

Jane put her hands on his chest to push him away, but the contact sent desire racing through her. “We’re not alone on a desert island.”

“Well, we are on an island,” Ethan pointed out. “And right now, we’re alone.”

He kissed her then, wrapping his arms around her, sliding his lips gently against hers so that she felt his breath and the silk of his skin. He was taller than she was, just the perfect height to meet her upturned mouth, and as he kissed her, he pulled her against him, so she felt his body all up and down, pressed against hers.

    He drew her down to her knees. He was on his knees, kissing her, and the cool night surf swept up and swirled around them.

I can’t do this, Jane thought, but she had never wanted anything more.

Abruptly, Ethan dropped his arms and stood up. “Damn.”

Jane almost toppled into the water. Ethan caught her by the shoulders and helped her to her feet.

“Look,” he whispered.

She turned. Bars of glowing green light were advancing toward them—Daphne, the tallest, in the lead, the other children behind her, and a grown-up, they couldn’t quite make out just who, taking up the rear.

“The joys of a large family,” Ethan said.

“Uncle Ethan! Uncle Ethan! Wait for us!” Daphne called.

The children raced up to them, waving their glow sticks and shouting. Felicity sauntered behind, keeping her eye on the little ones, but taking a moment to telegraph a message to Jane: I saw you kissing him.





ten


Sunday morning, Alison woke to the tapping of raindrops against the window.

“Oh, no,” she moaned, turning over and burying her head beneath a pillow. David had planned to take them all sailing over to Coatue for a picnic, but it wouldn’t be much fun in the rain. David had warned her that on Nantucket even June days could be too cool for the beach. “Does the weather forecaster ever get it right for this island?”

“Can’t count on it.” David lifted a corner of her pillow. “We’ll take them to the Whaling Museum,” he said, as if he read her mind.

“Oh, David, you’re a genius!” She tossed the pillow aside so she could give him a long, enthusiastic smooch.

After she showered and dressed, Alison went downstairs. Ethan was in the kitchen, making pancakes.

    “Good morning, Ethan! Oh, heaven, you’ve made coffee. Is anyone else up?”

“All the kids, of course. They’re still in their pajamas, all watching cartoons in the den. I told them I’d call when breakfast is ready.”

Alison poured herself a large mug of coffee, added milk, and took a fortifying sip. She leaned against the counter, watching Ethan work at the stove. “Felicity and Noah don’t let their kids watch television.”

“That’s harsh,” Ethan said.

“I agree. But I don’t interfere when I visit them. And I think here on the island we all should abide by David’s and my rules, and for heaven’s sake, it’s raining, so they can watch television all day if they want.”

“I agree.” Ethan lightly flipped some pancakes on to a pan and set them into the oven to keep warm. He poured more batter into the skillet.

“David said we can take everyone to the Whaling Museum today.”

“Good idea. The kids will love it.”

Alison opened the refrigerator door. “Have we got enough bacon…yes. I’ll start microwaving it. I prefer doing it this way because the fat soaks into the paper towel…”

“Good morning.” Jane came into the room, wearing a slightly frayed yacht club sweatshirt. “I hope you don’t mind. I found this on a hook and I’m freezing. I didn’t think to bring warm clothes.”

“We’ve got plenty of sweaters and warm clothes here,” Alison said. “Help yourself.”

“Hi, Jane,” Ethan said. “How did you sleep?”

“Beautifully, thanks,” Jane told him as she poured herself a mug of coffee. “I love sleeping with the ocean breezes drifting through the windows. It’s like sliding into a dream. How did you sleep, Ethan?”

“Okay, once I settled down.” Ethan flipped the pancakes.

Alison kept her eyes on the bacon she was laying out on the paper towel–covered plate. Was she crazy to think there was some kind of undertone, some sort of playful almost flirtation in Ethan’s and Jane’s voices? Well, she couldn’t blame Jane. Ethan was gorgeous, and funny and smart, too. And it was a pleasure to hear a kind of mischief in her older daughter’s voice. Jane lived such a serious, grown-up life. It would do her a world of good to be flirted with by Ethan. Alison knew Jane was far too responsible to take it any further.