Page 6 of Trick of Light

“We watched that video, Nick, because we wanted to learn to be better surgeons. Together.” She grimaced, realizing she’d made a grave error. In helping him, she reminded him again that she’d gotten the promotion he wanted. That she had the career he’d been meant to have. That he’d married the woman who’d bested him.

It didn’t take long for Nick to retire to bed. It was late, and the kids weren’t coming back till tomorrow. Bethany remained awake downstairs and clicked through her phone, looking at photos she’d taken in Nantucket—photos of her mother and her sisters, of the churning Nantucket Sound, even one of her father raising a single eyebrow in a way that made her chuckle sadly.

How she ached to see them again!

It was bizarre to be home, to feel the sinister black cloud of Nick’s mood awaiting her in bed. When she slid in beside him, she could tell he was awake and considered saying something. Maybe she should apologize for being a know-it-all? Perhaps she should tell him she loved him?

But instead, she remembered what Nick had said to her when he’d learned about her promotion. “You know it’s just because you’re a woman, right? The hospital’s woke culture is out of control.”

He’d apologized later, of course. But by then, the metaphorical knife of his words had been too deep to pull out.

He respected her, and she knew that. He respected her enough to have her carry his three children and name. But he didn’t respect her enough in the medical world—the space in which they’d met, studied alongside one another, and fought to make the world a better place. And perhaps he would resent her forever.

Was she willing to live like that? She didn’t know. All she knew was that in returning to Nantucket, she’d remembered a side of herself she thought she’d never return to. And that side of herself would never have allowed this kind of emotional abuse.

Chapter Three

Rod never imagined he’d have a college degree. That was the sort of thing other people—smarter people, organized people—were allowed to have, not him. It was surreal, now, to slide the framed college diploma over the nail in his study and step back to make sure it hung straight. Was this his life? His heart swelled with pride.

Just two months ago, he’d graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in social work. By mid-May, he’d been offered his first job in the field—and starting this week, he was making use of it all over Nantucket Island. He met with struggling parents, recovering drug addicts, angry married couples, and veterans, helping them inch through their problems and the day-to-day minutiae that often felt that much heavier when emotional or family problems swallowed their concentration.

It was surreal to be back on Nantucket after three years away. He’d enjoyed his time at the university, endless studying, and concentration. But nothing was like stepping out the front door of his home and breathing in that fresh island air.

It was surreal, too, to have his house back. His daughter had lived there with his grandson while he’d studied, and he’d visited frequently on weekends to ensure she had the help she needed. He hadn’t wanted to lose touch with island life completely. But now, his daughter and grandson had officially moved into a place on their own. And Rod was back in the home he’d raised her in—an older man, ready for the next phase of his life. A man who’d seen things and had to swallow his pride and grow up very quickly.

Rod drove his pickup across the island to the coastal home of veterans Doug and Ben. Doug was in his nineties, a veteran of World War I, while Ben was in his forties, a veteran of Afghanistan. A chance encounter at the Sutton Book Club had ultimately brought the two of them together. Ben had been Doug’s carer ever since, but rumor had it they’d nearly lost their home recently.

Rod was friendly with them but didn’t know them well. He was apprehensive as he mounted their porch steps and rang the bell. When Ben opened the door to let him in, Rod was surprised to see that the downstairs was fresh looking, with new wood and bright paint. Where had they gotten the money?

“Morning!” Ben said, beckoning for him to join. “Doug’s still getting ready. Can I get you something? Coffee? Tea?”

Rod stuttered nervously. This was one of his first house calls, and he wanted to appear brave and sturdy like the sort of man people like Doug and Ben could trust.

“I’d love a cup of coffee,” Rod said finally. “Thank you.”

Rod followed Ben to the kitchen, which was sparkling clean. Rod had trouble understanding why he’d been hired to attend to Ben and Doug. They seemed to be doing all right on their own.

Ben didn’t wait long to confirm this. “When I asked for help, I had no idea that God was already answering my prayers,” he explained as he passed the cup of coffee over the counter.

“It looks remarkable in here,” Rod said.

Ben smiled, and his eyes were dreamy. He suddenly looked much younger than his forty-something years.

“Have you heard of the Sutton family?”

Rod’s throat tightened. “Yes. I was raised here and knew all the Suttons before they moved away.”

“You haven’t heard? They came back.”

Rod set his mug on the counter and gaped at Ben. Was he dreaming?

“They were all here,” Ben explained, “because Esme went missing after Larry died.”

“Esme is missing?” Rod was flabbergasted. In the midst of his personal chaos—moving back to the island and focusing on his career—he’d missed a great deal.

“She’s back,” Ben assured him with a wave of his hand. “But Victor and Rebecca were looking for her like crazy. They didn’t know what to do.”

Rod’s heart beat too quickly, and he felt frantic. “Victor was here?”

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