Page 30 of Big Island Summer
Fern just nodded, unable to think up an excuse for them to stay.
“I’ll be in touch…” Ethan looked around like he had lost something. “My backpack?”
“Oh, right! It’s still in the bedroom. I’ll get it.”
“You don’t have to–,” he started, but she was down the hall before he could finish his sentence. She zipped up the backpack, picked it up, and brought it back into the kitchen.
“Here you go,” she said, handing it to him. Then she pulled Theodore’s teether out of her pocket and handed it to him. “And this is for you, little man.”
When she looked away from the baby, she found Ethan’s eyes on her. He hadn’t looked at her for more than a split second so far, and now he was almost staring.
“I’ll, um,” she cleared her throat, “walk you down, shall I?”
He blinked and turned away. “Sure. Thank you.”
They were halfway down the stairs when a shiny red Honda pulled up the driveway and parked in front of the house. Ninety minutes early for their dinner date, her friend Shanice popped out of the car and waved.
“Hey girl!” she shouted up. “I know I’m early, but I come bearing gifts.”
“What gifts?” Fern asked when she reached the bottom of the stairs.
“Thai food!” She hefted two big plastic bags. “Andtea, if you know what I mean.”
“It was good to meet you,” Ethan said to Fern.
“Yes, good to meet you too.”
Shanice leaned to one side for a better look at Ethan and Theodore. “Well, hello! Who isthis?”
“I was just leaving,” Ethan said, heading for the car he’d borrowed from Emma. “You ladies enjoy your evening.”
He’s gorgeous,she mouthed as soon as his back was turned.
Fern snorted a laugh and whispered, “Stop it.”
“Whowasthat?” Shanice asked as she followed her around the corner of the house.
“My new tenant.”
“No way. Just him and the baby?”
“Yep.”
“Good for you, girl.”
“The baby’s very cute.”
“Yeah, okay. Thebabyis gorgeous.”
“Shanice, stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“His wifejustdied.”
“So he’s on the rebound.”
Fern snorted again. “Stop it!”
