Page 99 of The Summer We Started Over

“Look, Eddie. She came here because she was afraid of her stalker. Are you telling me not to worry? Because I’m confused.”

Eddie cocked her head sideways and scrutinized her father. “What do you care, anyway, Dad?”

Her father ignored her. “I think they’re coming out, I think…look. She’s getting in his car.”

“He doesn’t look dangerous,” Eddie muttered, but now she was worried, too. Why would Dinah goanywherewith this man?

William started the car and cursed under his breath as he tried to angle out of the small space without hitting the other cars.

“Watch where they go!” he shouted.

“I’m watching.” Eddie didn’t know whether to burst into hysterical laughter or to scream. “He’s going down Broad Street. He’s turning left onto South Beach.”

The traffic was crazy. People were leaving the beaches because of the erratic wind, and driving into the small town to eat or visit museums. The intersection at Broad and Centre was especially bad, with lines of cars rushing forward only to slam to a stop as a gaggle of giggling tweens idled across the street, unaware of the cars.

“Watch out, Dad,” Eddie said. “There’s a family on bikes.” As herfather slowly drove past the mother, father, and two children, Eddie zipped down her window, stuck out her head, and yelled, “HELMETS! You should all be wearing helmets!”

The father glared at them and almost lost his balance.

William chuckled. “I would think you were used to congested traffic after living in New York.”

“This is Nantucket,” Eddie told him. “And it’s reckless to bike anywhere without a helmet.”

John Henderson turned right onto Easton Street and then left into the parking lot for the White Elephant. William slowly drove past the hotel. Eddie unclipped her seatbelt so she could turn around and watch where the couple went.

The hair at the back of Eddie’s neck stood on end. “They’ve gone into the hotel, Dad.”

William swerved into another open spot on the street and parked. “Hurry.”

“Don’t run,” Eddie advised. “We’ll get all sweaty.”

They crossed the circle drive, walked up the steps, and entered the hotel.

At the reception desk, they waited impatiently for the clerk to finish speaking with another couple. Eddie checked the name on the clerk’s badge.

“Deep breaths, Dad,” Eddie whispered. “Don’t have a heart attack.”

Finally, the clerk turned to them. “How may I help?”

“What room is John Henderson in?” William demanded.

Eddie slid in front of her father. “Hi, Lisa, it’s so cool to see you again!” Eddie had never seen her before, but with a constantly changing summer workforce, it could be true.

“Oh, hey.” Lisa clearly didn’t remember Eddie, but politely tried to fake it. “How are you?”

“I’m good,” Eddie answered. She spotted the large engagement ring on Lisa’s fingers. “Are you still with…oh, gosh, I’ve forgotten his name.”

“Andy Gardner!” Lisa held out her hand. “We’re engaged!”

“That’sawesome! Congratulations!” Eddie took Lisa’s hand and gazed at the ring. “It’s so beautiful.”

William cut in. “Excuse me, but we’d like John Henderson’s room number, please.”

“Oh.” Lisa retrieved her hand and blinked. “We don’t usually give…but since it’syou…” She glanced at her computer. “He’s in Room 201.”

“Thank you,” William said.

“When is the wedding?” Eddie asked.

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