Page 35 of A Nantucket Wedding

“We’re back!” David strode in the front door and down the hall.

Jane tore herself away from Ethan. “We’re in here starting the laundry.”

“Thanks for doing that,” David called. “I want to catch the end of the Red Sox game.”

“I’ve got to finish packing and get to the airport,” Jane said, not meeting Ethan’s eyes.

She hurried up the stairs to her bedroom and quickly tossed her belongings into her suitcase.

When she came down, her mother and Ethan were in the front hall.

“Felicity and Poppy are off. I returned your rental car. I’ll drive you and Ethan to the airport.” Alison checked her watch. “If we go now, I can get back in time forMasterpiece Theatre.” She beckoned to Jane and Ethan.

“Come along, children,” she said teasingly.

If you only knew how R-rated we’ve been acting this evening,Jane thought. She was glad to let Ethan, with his long legs, sit in the front of the Jeep while she sat in the back, too far away for him to touch. At this point in her life, she wasn’t sure she could resist him. She wasn’t sure she wanted to.

eleven

By eight o’clock Sunday evening, they had all gone.

The house was peaceful.

“I’m beat,” David confessed. “Why is running a company easier than spending time with one’s family?”

“You can’t fire your family,” Alison joked. “You were wonderful today, David, and it was a three-ring circus. WatchMasterpiece Theatrewith me.”

They settled side by side on the sofa. Alison loved that she and David were so comfortable with each other that they could admit they needed the zombie-mind that television provided. They needed to discuss this first gathering of their individual tribes, but they needed some downtime before they talked.

After the show was over, Alison went up to shower while David watched the news. She was in her lavender nightgown when David came up. Usually she slept in a T-shirt, but David seemed to appreciate seeing her in lace and silk, and she enjoyed every moment of his appreciation.

She heard him brushing his teeth, stripping down to his boxers, tossing his clothes in the laundry basket, all familiar sounds that gave her a sense of contentment, of being at home. When he slipped under the covers next to her, she turned to him, putting her hand on his chest.

“Who won the Red Sox game today?” she asked.

“The Sox. Like they always do, they came from behind to pull it out with a couple of home runs in the ninth inning.”

“Do you think they’ll make it to the World Series this year?”

“Too soon to say.”

Alison shifted positions, moving closer. To her surprise, David sat up, adjusting the pillows behind him.

“Ally, we need to talk about something.”

“I know.” She sat up, too, slanting to face him. “I think the weekend went well, don’t you? I know there were some difficult moments, but you know how it is with children, they’ll fight one minute and play with each other the next.”

David took Alison’s hand in hers and held it, tracing the lines of her palm. “The thing is, the video you sent Poppy of the bridesmaids’ gowns. Or whatever your attendants are called. Poppy doesn’t like them.”

Alison drew back in surprise. “Go on.”

“Well, you know, Poppy’s baby is due in November. She’ll be seven months pregnant in early September. She said this pregnancy, her third, is giving her terrible varicose veins. She’s embarrassed by them and doesn’t want to wear a short skirt like you and your girls want to wear. She wants to wear a long gown.” David paused. “That means all of you have to wear long gowns.”

“But, but—” Alison sputtered. She wanted to announce in no uncertain terms:Your daughter can’t dictate what kind of wedding dress I wear!She took a deep breath. “But, David, I’ve already chosen my dress. It’s been fitted and altered. And as soon as my girls agreed on their dresses, we emailed the links to Poppy. And Poppy has said nothing to me about this.” Alison tried to sound unruffled, but her blood pressure was spiking.

“Okay. That’s because only now, when she’s finishing her fourth month, is she noticing how the veins are sticking out on her legs. Did you spot them when she was here?”

Alison took a deep breath. This was only a wedding, not a world peace summit. “No, I can’t say I did. She looked lovely, and scarcely pregnant.”

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