Page 13 of April Flowers

He put a stiff smile on his face. “Sam! Derek. Hey.”

“Hey, Noah. How are you doing?” Sam put her hands on her hips and then let them fall.

“We’re just here to get some grub,” Noah said, then cursed himself for saying grub. How lame. But he carried on. “Avery’s back on Nantucket. I was just asking her how much she remembered.”

“Avery, it’s been ages,” Sam said. She knew better than to say what most others might have: you’re all grown up! She knew to speak to Avery as though she were an adult with respect.

Sam asked, “How have you been?”

Avery looked glum. It was clear she didn’t want to talk. But Sam had given her no reason to fault her, so she said, “Oh, fine. My mom died, and I ran away. But I guess the whole island already knows that.” She said it so simply, as though she were discussing the weather.

They let a beat of silence pass. Noah thought he might faint.

But Sam was as cool as a cucumber. Derek was, too.

“We were sorry to hear about your mom,” Derek said, eyeing Noah. “She was a wonderful woman. We loved her. Everyone in Nantucket did.”

Avery raised her shoulders and let them fall. “That’s the way it goes, I guess.”

Noah knew that Sam specialized in working with drug-addicted youths and was eager to know if Sam thought Avery was using. He made a mental note to call her later and beg her for answers.

What was he missing? What was his love for Avery obstructing?

But suddenly, Sam looked at him. “Noah, do you mind if I talk to you for a second?”

Noah’s tongue went dry.Sam sees something in Avery. She knows she isn’t right.

Avery gave him a hard look that meantyou will not talk about me behind my back.

“We can talk here,” he said to Sam, hoping this would get Avery on his side.

If Sam wanted to talk about Avery, they could do it later.

Sam glanced at Derek, and Derek shrugged as though to saywhatever you think is best.

“Can I sit for a second?” Sam asked.

Avery moved over, sliding her milkshake along with her. Sam sat where she’d been, and Derek joined Noah on his side of the booth. Suddenly, Noah and Avery looked as thoughthey belonged to more people than just themselves. It was a comforting feeling, although it was false.

Sam said, “I wanted to tell you before you ran into her. Margot’s coming back.”

All the blood drained from Noah’s face. He didn’t know what to say. He took a breath. “Why?”

“I had to call her last night,” Sam said. “I was at the nursing home the other day and talking to an older lady—Mary—who was always friends with Margot and Daniel’s mother, Lillian. You remember Lillian?”

Noah puffed out his cheeks.How could I ever forget Lillian Earnheart?

Sam chuckled, answering without Noah having to speak. “Right. I know. She’s difficult to forget.”

“Who is Lillian?” Avery asked.

But Noah was too lost in his head to answer. Avery shot him an annoyed look and took her spoon to her milkshake for easier access.

“Mary was telling me that Lillian was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” Sam said. “Apparently, it’s a big secret. Lillian doesn’t want anyone to know. She’s going to live at home alone for as long as she can. But if she’s already been diagnosed, how can she possibly live by herself? I got so frightened. I didn’t know what to do. I drove over to Lillian’s immediately, but she wouldn’t let me in! She accused me of breaking up my marriage. Whatever. So I called Daniel, but you know how Daniel is. He hates his mom even more than he hates me. Melissa and Henry weren’t any help, either. There’s so much bad blood in the Earnheart family. I’m a Coleman. I know all about bad blood. But these people take it to the extreme.”

Noah couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Over the years, he’d run into Melissa, Daniel, and Henry every now and then. Each time, all parties involved had eyed the nearest exits,eager to escape the painful awkwardness and the memories that bloomed between them. Of course, he knew Daniel had left the island but wasn’t sure about Melissa and Henry.

He asked.

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