Page 101 of The Summer We Started Over

“Yourquest?” William sank down on the end of one of the double beds, as if his legs wouldn’t support him any longer.

To Eddie’s shock, Dinah settled on the end of the bed next to William. She touched his arm lightly. “It’s all right. It’s wonderful. Knights of yore aren’t the only people who can have quests. Living people can have quests, too.” Dinah smiled at William and Eddie. “You see, I’m just fine. It won’t take me more than an hour to sign the books. Eddie, you can go, but I’d love it if William could stay here with me and open each book to its title page, and then pass it to John to put back in a box. It would go more quickly that way.”

“I can do that,” William said.

“Thank you!” John held out his hand to William. “That will be a big help.”

William smiled slightly. Rising, he shook John Henderson’s hand.

Dinah sat at the desk. “Well, my dears, let’s get started!”

“I’ll go visit Barrett at Nantucket Blues,” Eddie said. “I can walk down. Give me a call when you’re ready to go home.”

The best part of today, Eddie thought, would be telling her sister about everything.

eighteen

Barrett was finishing an online order when Eddie burst in, bright-eyed and laughing.

“You won’t believe this!” she told Barrett.

“Lock the door,” Barrett said.

Eddie locked the door and followed Barrett into the back room.

“So. First of all, Dad,our father,went all Sir Galahad on Dinah.” Eddie found two paper plates and set pastries on them as she described that morning’s amazing adventures. Her father rushing to rescue Dinah from her stalker. Actually tailing her like a stalker himself, and then practically breaking into the hotel room to find Dinah and John Henderson, who had traveled all the way to the island with two suitcases of books for Dinah to sign so that John could give them to his wife.

“That is the sweetest story I’ve ever heard,” Barrett said.

“Yeah,” Eddie said, “almost as sweet as our father bursting into he-man mode to rescue Dinah.”

“Eddie! It does seem like Dad is…interestedin Dinah. And she seems to be attracted to him.”

“I know. But don’t get too excited yet. She flirts with any male within sight.” Eddie waved her hand. “Listen. Let’s forget about Dad for a minute. Forget about Dove and Bobby.”

“Forget about Dinah?” Barrett challenged.

“Yes! Forget about Dinah!” Eddie grinned. “I want to tell you about me. About me and Jeff. Barrett—we’re in love. I’m going to stay on the island.”

Barrett frowned. “Oh, Eddie. Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. He showed me the house he’s been building for us. And we’re going to be Bobby’s family if…if necessary.”

Barrett studied Eddie’s face. “Are you kidding me? You run away to live a fancy, fabulous life, and you think I’ll believe you’re giving allthatup to stay here on this little island?”

“I love Nantucket. And I loveJeff,Barrett. Maybe I had to leavehim to learn just how much I love him. How much I want to be with him.”

Barrett fretted. “Well, then, what about Dinah? You’ll have to tell her to hire another assistant. She won’t want you to leave her. She’ll offer you a zillion dollars, and you won’t be able to turn that down, and you’ll break Jeff’s heart again and Dad’s, too, and mine, too, not that you care about me.”

Eddie slid off the stool and stood face-to-face with Barrett. “Where is all this coming from? I thought you’d be happy for me. Happy that I’m going to stay.”

Barrett nibbled her lip, wondering how to phrase it. “I don’t know if I can trust you. And what about Bobby? What if Dove really does…die? How do I know you won’t leave again?”

Eddie reached out, trying to pull Barrett into her arms.

“Barrett, honey, I’m not going to do that. I’m not going to leave Bobby, or you, or Dad, or Jeff. I promise.”

Barrett leaned on Eddie’s shoulder. “Why are things so messy?”

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