Page 94 of A Nantucket Wedding

They’redogs, Alison thought, and then in a rush of comprehension, she realized that the organized Heather was as eccentric as everyone else. “How nice!” She held the door open while Heather and the two dogs filed into the house.

A buoyant, irrational joy filled her as she walked with Heather, Cecil, and the dogs into the living room.

—

Dinner was over. The table was cleared and the dishes were done. Heather and Cecil and the dogs had gone home. The family was more or less collapsed in the den, which, Alison decided, might need more furniture so that everyone could gather comfortably. As it was, the adults were all seated on sofas and fat, comfortable chairs, but the four children were sprawled on the floor. Oh, well, Alison thought, children liked to sprawl on the floor.

Since everyone was here, David suggested they discuss the rehearsal dinner and other details of the wedding. But they were all relaxed after the enormous meal and the conversation and laughter.

Alison made an effort. “All right, everyone. Let’s go over a few things. Heather and Cecil are giving us the rehearsal dinner at their house. Reverend Murray Kenny is flying down from Boston to officiate at the wedding. When everyone is seated, Reverend Kenny will accompany the groom—that’s David—from a side door to the right of the altar.”

Poppy interrupted, “I think we know the drill.”

“Well, uh, good. Okay,” Alison continued, “the rehearsal dinner.”

“Mom,” Jane interrupted. “I heard a car in the driveway.”

“Yeah,” Felicity agreed. “I think someone’s knocking on the front door.”

“I’ll go,” Poppy said, rising awkwardly, and carrying her belly before her like a ship in full sail, she left the room.

Alison heard voices. A child’s voice. A woman’s voice. Then, light running footsteps, and a little girl with straight black hair and huge brown eyes flew into the room. “Granddad!” she cried, throwing herself on David.

A moment later, Sofia Vergara stood in the doorway. Wait, Alison thought, no, that wasn’t Sofia Vergara, this woman was younger than the actress. Her dress was light brown, almost exactly the color of her skin, which made her look nude, maybe the woman’s intention. Her black hair was swooped up into a formal chignon. Her eyes were as black as night, her face exquisite, her figure voluptuous, her earrings emerald.

She was a goddess.

“Esmeralda,” Ethan said, rising to his feet, his face pale with surprise. “What are you doing here?”

When Esmeralda spoke, her voice was deep and husky. “Darling, we flew in and I rented a car at the airport.”

Her rental is probably a chariot drawn by four white horses,Alison thought giddily.

“Butwhy?” Ethan persisted.

“I’m here for the wedding, of course. David did invite me.”

“But I thought you weren’t coming!” Poppy said, scowling.

Jane and Felicity flashed each other an unspoken message:Looks like Poppy is not Esmeralda’s biggest fan.

Esmeralda smirked. “I wasn’t going to come, but Canny begged me. How could I resist?”

Felicity leaned over to Noah and whispered, “Close your mouth. You’re about to drool on your shirt.”

Shocked, Ethan said, “But you told me you absolutely couldn’t come.”

Esmeralda smiled sweetly. “Canny’s longing to take part in the ceremony. She wants to be the flower girl. We’ve even brought her dress.”

From the floor, Daphne spoke up. “Alice and I are the flower girls. But I guess we can always have one more.”

Alison stood up. Jane glanced at Felicity, wondering if her sister noticed their mother’s bare feet and white shorts and the old white cotton shirt that had once belonged to David and now was silky soft from wearing. Alison wore no makeup; she seldom did when she was on the island, and the tan she’d acquired over the summer complemented her. Jane thought they were all aware of the contrast between Alison and the exotic Esmeralda. Esmeralda glittered. Alisonglowed. Maybe that was what the passing years and all the challenges caused, a deepening of the light you could shine for others.

“Esmeralda, hello! I’m Alison, David’s fiancée. I’m so pleased to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” She held out her hand.

Esmeralda’s handshake was brief. “Soyouare Alison. How very interesting.” She didn’t smile. Her long thick eyelashes accentuated her gleaming black eyes.

“Well,” Alison sputtered, “I hope it’s interesting in a good way.”

---