An Invincible Summer (Wyndham Beach #1)(113)
“Dad!” she’d cried when she spotted Brett on the sidelines. “Check it out!”
Maggie watched Brett hug his daughter and admire her small trophy engraved with the date. He put an arm around her and crossed the field to join Maggie and the others.
“Some runners in this family,” he grinned as he high-fived Lulu, and she beamed under his praise.
Maggie noticed Jamey kick the ground with the toe of his sneaker, a frown on his face. He was clearly distancing himself, and she wished she knew how to pull him in, but she’d only had daughters, who’d always been pretty vocal in how they felt. She didn’t know Jamey at all and wondered if he’d ever permit her to. She watched Joe’s face as he leaned over and spoke to his son. He gave the boy’s shoulder a squeeze before turning his face back to the crowd as the last race lined up.
After the field activities, they walked farther into the park to witness the unveiling of the carousel. Maggie remembered it well, her memories of having ridden on the hand-painted mounts throughout her childhood and her teen years still vivid.
“Hey, remember when . . .” Brett slipped up behind her and whispered.
“I was just thinking about that.” She smiled at the memory. Once they’d ridden side by side. Every time the ride’s circular motion had hid them from view, he’d leaned over and kissed her. “We were sixteen.”
“Maybe we can hitch a ride on one of those ponies later,” he said, his eyebrows wiggling up and down suggestively.
“The ride will be back in its barn by the time you’re off duty tonight, Chief. But I cherish the memory.”
“Maybe we can catch a few moments alone.” His eyes met hers, and she detected a touch of veiled amusement.
“Doubtful. I suspect we’ll still have a full house by then.”
“Looks like things are going pretty well.” He tilted his head in the direction of Joe, Grace, and Natalie, who were engaged in conversation.
“Better than I’d hoped. It seems Joe and Grace share a love of detective novels’ first editions. There just might be a bit of sibling rivalry brewing, though. They apparently covet the same authors. He has a signed first edition of The Maltese Falcon she’d kill for. She has a copy of Mickey Spillane’s I, the Jury I suspect he may be willing to trade for his firstborn.”
“It’s a good start.”
“It is. Alexis has been great entertaining Daisy and Lulu. The only one I’m concerned about is Jamey. He’s not given an inch since he got here. Doesn’t want to talk to anyone, didn’t want to run in the race, doesn’t show any interest in anything or anyone.”
Brett watched the boy from a distance. His body language reinforced Maggie’s assessment. “Everyone and everything is new. He doesn’t know how he’s supposed to feel about all these people who are supposed to be related to him and who seem to assume he’s going to like them. He’ll be all right once he figures out his place.”
“I hope so. He hasn’t said a word to me all day.” Maggie fell into an old habit of biting the cuticle of her left thumb. Brett pulled her hand away from her mouth.
“Stop that. You’re not fifteen,” he teased. “Don’t be upset. It’s going to work out. I promise. Trust me. Jamey just needs time.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I was a twelve-year-old boy myself once.” He gave her hand one last squeeze. “I need to make my rounds here. Lots of people to see and greet. I’ll see you after the fireworks.”
Maggie watched him walk away, watched as people stopped him for a handshake or a pat on the back. It was obvious he was well liked and respected in Wyndham Beach, and she felt no small amount of pride in him. He was still that same sweet boy she’d met in homeroom sophomore year. Despite the years and the unexpected turns his life had taken, he was still the Brett she’d known and fallen in love with back then. She had a feeling history might repeat itself.
Sometimes life did move in circles.
Maggie noticed Emma talking to the tall man with the receding hairline and wire-rimmed glasses she recognized from the art center. Owen Harrison had promised to deliver the carousel and had. Someone walked past and handed her a brochure with a picture of the carousel on the front, and Maggie skimmed the text describing the history of the Wyndham Beach amusement. Purchased and brought to Wyndham Beach by Jasper Harrison II in 1905, the horses had been hand carved by one of the two greatest artists of the carousel world, Marcus Illions.
“There are two other Illions carousels I know are still in operation,” Owen was telling Emma when Maggie approached them. “One’s here in Massachusetts, in Springfield, and another in the Columbus Zoo in Ohio. Not sure if others survived.”
“The workmanship is just glorious.” Emma moved closer to the ride.
“Oh, yes. Illions was known for the flamboyance of his creations. He was truly an artist.”
Owen took Emma’s elbow and walked along with her. For as long as Maggie could recall, Emma had shown no real interest in any man who’d shown an interest in her, and there’d been more than a few since Harry’s death. Yet here was Emma being guided along, apparently deeply fascinated with carousel horses. Will wonders never cease?
She thought the shake of her head was unnoticeable. Liddy apparently noticed.