Nantucket (25 page)

“D
o you remember when we were here at the end of the summer,” Tracey asked as they sat at the picnic table next to the boathouse, sipping their coffee, “and I said I had to drop Jack off at the airport, but I joked that I didn't really know where he was going?”

Liam nodded, trying to remember through the fog of the last two months, the conversation they'd had back in August.

“Well, even though I was joking at the time, I found out he really
didn't
have a business trip. He was going to California to spend time with the mother of his youngest child—at least
I think
he's the youngest.”

“How'd you find that out?”

“She called and left a message!”

“No!”

“Yes, she said something about not being able to meet him at the airport. She must've known we had caller ID. Everyone does these days.”

“I don't,” Liam said.

“
Why
am I not surprised?” Tracey teased, rolling her eyes. “Anyway, I think she wanted me to find out, so after I heard her message, I looked on Jack's Facebook page—to see if she was one of his friends—and there she was . . . and when I clicked on her page—which, of course, didn't have any security settings—I saw pictures of her with Jack and a little boy who looks just like T. J. That's when I lost it! Even though I've always wanted the kids to have a full-time dad, this was too much.

“I threw some stuff in a suitcase, loaded the kids and the dog in the car, and started driving. At first, I didn't know where we were going. I just needed to
go
. . . I needed to figure things out. We ended up driving all the way to my parents' house in Florida!

“I knew, right away, I couldn't stay there, though, so I asked them if I could use the house up here. My dad jumped at the idea—he doesn't like it just sitting here empty. So we drove back to Vermont, and when I knew Jack wouldn't be there, we picked up a few more things, and came out here.”

“Jack was here, you know. . . .” Liam said.

“He was?!”

“He was looking for you. In fact, we sat right here and talked.”

“I didn't know that,” Tracey said, shaking her head. “When was that? I mean, when in the midst of all that
you
were going through?”

“It was the night before Cadie and I got married.”

“Oh, I'm so sorry, Li,” she said apologetically.

“It's not your fault.”

“It is, in a way—if I hadn't left him . . . or if I'd at least answered my phone, he wouldn't've been looking for me.” She paused. “How was he?”

“Drunk . . . and self-absorbed.”

“What else is new?” Tracey said, her voice edged with sarcasm.

“Although he did ask, when he was leaving, if I'd ever found out if Cadie was related to Levi.”

“What'd you tell him?”

“I told him I hadn't.”

Tracey nodded, sipping her coffee. “It's so nice out today,” she said, taking off her fleece jacket. “I can't believe we had snow yesterday and it's in the seventies today. I also can't believe you clocked Cadie's father!”

“I know—it was really stupid . . . but it sure felt good,” he added with a grin.

“How's Aidan doing?”

“He seems okay. He misses her and gets teary at times—especially at bedtime.”

“Well, there's no one on earth who can better understand how he feels.”

“Having Tuck helps too,” Liam said, nodding to the big dog lying in the warm sunshine. “They're inseparable.”

Tracey smiled. “Dogs have a way of making the hard times more bearable. There was no way Jack was getting Boomer—I love him too much—he's such a big mush. In fact, we will have to get Tuck and Boom together—they'd have a great time!”

Liam smiled. “That would be fun.”

Tracey looked out at the landscape dotted with boats that had been pulled out of the water and winterized with heavy-duty plastic white covers. “Do you still have that runabout you had in high school?”

“I do,” Liam said with a smile.

“You do?! Where do you keep her?”

“In the barn,” he said, nodding over his shoulder.

“Do you know you've never given me a ride?”

“I haven't?!” Liam teased with an impish grin.

“No,” Tracey said, sounding wounded.

“Well, we'll just have to fix that.”

They were both quiet, each lost in their own thoughts, and then the comfortable silence between them was broken by the sound of “Love Shack” coming from Liam's pocket. Tracey watched in quiet amusement as Liam slipped the iPhone out of his pocket, glanced at the screen, and answered it. “Yes, this is he . . . Okay, thanks, Mrs. Polley, I'll be right there.”

He slid the phone back in his pocket. “I guess Aid's feeling a little out of sorts. Mrs. Polley said not to be alarmed—she just thinks he's feeling a little blue and maybe I should pick him up.”

“That's certainly understandable after all he's been through,” Tracey said. Then she smiled. “Nice ringtone!”

“Thanks,” Liam said, grinning as he stood up.

Tracey handed her empty cup to Liam. “I can't believe you're a dad!”

“I can't believe it either!”

“Married, widowed, cell-phone–carrying father of two! A lot has happened in the last six weeks!”

He nodded. “
And
we're getting a computer.”

“No!” she teased.

“Yup, Levi is bringing one out the next time he comes.”

“Well, I guess you're not an island anymore!”

“No,” he said slowly, surprised by her observation. “I guess I'm not.”

A
s soon as Liam walked into the school office, he saw Aidan sitting in a chair with his backpack at his feet, and the look on his face said it all. He scooped him into his arms. “Having a tough day, pal?”

Aidan nodded, gazing tearfully over Liam's shoulder. “I just miss her,” he said, “and I can't think about anything else.”

“I know how that is,” Liam said as they walked across the parking lot. “You should look over there, though,” he said, pointing to the truck. “Your pal's waitin' for you.”

Aidan looked—his cheeks still wet—and saw Tuck watching from the truck. Liam set Aidan down and he ran over and climbed up on the seat next to him, and Tuck immediately started licking his wet cheeks. “Hey,” Aidan said, giggling.

“He likes your salty tears.”

Aidan smiled and buried his face in Tuck's long, soft fur, drying his tears.

Ten minutes later, they pulled into the driveway, and Liam noticed the sky was slate gray and the air was eerily still. He rolled up the truck windows, and as they walked toward the house, thunder rumbled in the distance. Immediately, Tuck's ears flattened against his head and his flag of a tail sank between his legs.

“It's okay, Tuck,” Liam consoled, but when a cold gust of wind swept across the yard, swirling golden leaves into the dark sky, and a streak of white lightning split the heavens, Tuck raced toward the house.

“He really
doesn't
like storms,” Aidan said, watching the leaves chase him across the driveway.

“No, he doesn't,” Liam agreed, opening the door.

“It's okay, Tuck,” Aidan said, dropping his backpack next to the door and laying down next to him under the table. He draped his arm around Tuck's neck. “You don't need to be afraid. It's just a thunderstorm and it'll be over before you know it.”

Tuck looked up at Aidan and the tip of his tail wagged; then he put his big head on Aidan's lap and closed his eyes. A moment later, they were both sound asleep.

Liam turned on the stove light and filled the kettle with water, and while he waited for it to get hot, he listened to the rain hitting the windows—it was coming down sideways, and lightning was splitting the sky every few minutes, followed by long, low rolls of thunder. He looked under the table and couldn't believe his eyes. From the time Tuck was a pup, he had cowered under the table during storms, and no amount of coaxing would bring him out. But now—with Aidan next to him—he didn't even notice the storm rumbling outside.

The kettle started to sing and Liam poured hot water over his tea bag and let it steep. He rarely drank tea—coffee had always been his get-up-and-go drink; tea was more of a comfort thing, and at the moment—like Tuck—he needed a little comfort. He dunked the teabag a few more times and gave it a squeeze. Then he splashed a little milk into it, cupped his hands around the mug, and walked over to look out the window.

As he watched the rain coming down, he thought about Tracey's comment and realized it was true—after a lifetime of losing loved ones, he'd pulled away from the world and become a recluse—an island that no one could touch . . . or hurt . . . or love. And he'd been perfectly content living that way . . . until Cadie had swept into his life like a summer storm—full of love and life and faith . . . and the way she lived . . . and the way she died . . . had changed him. He
wasn't
an island anymore.

“Did it stop raining?” Aidan murmured sleepily.

“Yes,” Liam said.

He sat up, rubbing his eyes. “I've got your ball, Tuck,” he said softly. “Storm's over. . . .” He bounced it and Tuck opened one eye. “Want to play?”

Tuck thumped his tail and scrambled to his feet.

The late-day sun illuminated the tops of the trees, making the rusty golden colors shimmer like flames against the dark gray clouds and bathing the yard in a rosy hue. Raindrops sparkled from every surface, and as Liam watched, a female cardinal landed on the wall. Tuck was dancing on the wet grass, waiting for Aidan to throw the ball, and as soon as he did, he charged after it, scooped it up, raced back, and dropped it at Aidan's feet again. Smiling, Aidan picked up the soggy ball, hugged Tuck's noble head, and playfully whispered, “Are ya ready?”

Tuck began to dance again, waiting, and Liam smiled.

 

L
iam wiped down the mahogany surface with his favorite soft chamois and then pushed the 1955 Chris-Craft Sportsman—which had spent the last two weeks nestled on the marine railcar—out of the boathouse. The classic, old runabout edged toward the water, sunlight glinting off her newly varnished surface, and then Liam stopped the winch so Aidan could slip her Yacht Ensign into the socket on her transom. Liam walked back to the stern and stood next to him. “What do you think?” he asked.

“It's perfect!” Aidan said, admiring the new name that had been painted across her transom in elegant gold script:
Cadie-did!

They heard another vehicle pulling into the parking lot and looked up.

“Sally sent along blueberry muffins!” Tracey called as she opened the door for Boomer to hop out. Seeing him, Tuck raced over and the two dogs greeted each other, nose-to-nose, tails wagging. “I think they
must
be brothers,” T. J. said, laughing, as he lifted a beach bag and cooler out of the car.

Liam walked over to help and Tracey smiled. “She also sent a bottle of champagne so we can have a proper christening.”

“That's very thoughtful,” Liam said, shaking his head, “but she should know better—there's no way we're smashing a bottle on new varnish.”

“Well, we'll just have to drink it, then!” Tracey said with a grin.

“Hi, Aid,” Olivia and T. J. called as they trotted down the ramp.

“Your boat's beautiful,” T. J. said with an approving nod. “I'm gonna have a boat like this someday.”

“It's a
runabout,
” Aidan corrected, “and Cap's gonna help me restore one too.”

Tracey laughed. “Raisin' him right, I see.”

“Of course,” Liam said as he lifted their things into the back and walked up to the boathouse to start the winch. “We've already picked one out—a 1955 Barrel Back.”

“I always knew you'd make a good dad,” she said.

Liam smiled but didn't say anything as he waited for the runabout to float free. “Aid, grab the forward line and tie it to the dock cleat.”

T. J. and Olivia watched enviously as Aidan tied the knot.

“Jack called,” Tracey said softly.

“Yeah?” Liam said, closing the boathouse doors. “What'd
he
have to say?”

“He's moving to California. He said this part-time dad thing wasn't working out.”

“And just like that, he's leaving?”

“Just like that.”

Liam locked the doors and shook his head, and then, seeing the sad look in Tracey's eyes, wrapped his arms around her. “I'm sorry, Trace. I know you gave it your all—more than he deserved.” He kissed the top of her head. “If it's any consolation, I'm glad you're here,” he added with a smile.

Tracey smiled. “I'm glad I'm here too.”

“C'mon, Mom,” T. J. called.

“We're coming!”

The dogs moseyed down to the dock, and Liam lifted them into the back of the boat. “Hope you guys have your sea legs on,” he teased as he helped Tracey into the front and untied the line. “Are you all set?” he asked, checking their life jackets.

“We are, Captain,” they said, grinning.

Liam pushed the starter and the motor rumbled to life, water spitting from its tailpipe. He engaged the clutch and slowly pushed the throttle up with his thumb. Then he looked back and realized the dogs were leaning against the sides, their noses quivering.

As they made their way out of the cove, Liam saw a gorgeous eighteen-foot sloop cutting through the waves with her proud sail billowing. He pointed, and as they drew near, they waved and John Alden waved back.

Liam pushed the throttle higher, and as they sped across the water, he turned to check on the kids and then looked over at Tracey. Her white blouse made her early-summer tan look even darker—
it's all that olive oil she has running through her veins,
he thought, smiling to himself. She looked up, caught him looking at her, and smiled, her jade green eyes seeming to see right through him.

Ten minutes later, the outline of Tuckernuck Island came into view and Liam slowed down. He motioned for T. J. to come forward, lifted him over the back of the seat, and set him down behind the steering wheel. Tracey smiled as she watched Liam showing him how to use the throttle and, when the boat accelerated, letting him steer. Before they reached the island, Olivia and Aidan both had turns, too, but when they drew closer to the island, Liam took over again and asked Aidan to show T. J. and Olivia how to throw the fenders over the sides.

They slowly circled the island, waving to two boys who were fishing, and then they swung around to a secluded stretch of beach. Liam skillfully maneuvered the runabout up to a brand-new wooden dock and cut the engine. The dogs wiggled excitedly, anxious to jump out but Liam told them to sit, and they gazed forlornly at him as they sank down.

Liam looked at Aidan again and motioned for the two boys to hop out. They scrambled eagerly onto the dock and waited for Olivia to toss them the lines.

“Aid, do you remember how to tie a dock line?” he called.

Aidan nodded, catching Olivia's line.

“Can you show T. J.?”

He nodded again and the two boys huddled over the dock cleats.

When both lines were secure, Liam set the beach bags and coolers on the dock and lifted out the dogs. “Good job,” he said, inspecting their knots.

“Hi!” a voice called and they all turned. A huge smile spread across Aidan's face as he dropped his beach bag and sprinted toward Levi, just about knocking him over as he jumped into his arms. “Hey, Sport,” Levi said, giving him a hug. “It's good to see you too! Sheesh, you're getting heavy—what the heck have you been eating?!”

Aidan laughed and slid to the ground as everyone else greeted Levi too. “Em's got lunch all ready,” he said, taking a cooler from Tracey. “C'mon, she can't wait to see you.”

“How's the dock holding up?” Liam asked, surveying their handiwork.

“Pretty well,” Levi said as they walked toward the beach. “It's definitely easier than transferring everything to a skiff and rowing ashore. Can you imagine trying to lift these two dogs from the runabout to the skiff?”

Liam laughed. “Yeah, they'd probably have to swim ashore or we'd all end up in the drink!”

“What's
the drink?
” Olivia asked.

“It's the water, silly,” Aidan answered.

Levi smiled. “I also don't know how we would've gotten all the building supplies and furniture out here—it would've been impossible.”

Liam nodded. “It was a good idea.”

As soon as they stepped onto the sand, the dogs made a beeline for the water, charging headlong into the surf. “I'm surprised they didn't jump right off the dock,” T. J. said with a laugh.

They walked along the water and then followed the new, wide path that led to the cottage. “Oh, my!” Tracey said, admiring the tremendous blue hydrangea blossoms and wild pink roses.

“Most of the plantings were already here,” Levi explained.

“We just pruned them back . . .
and
weeded. We also made charts so we'd be able to restore them to their original glory and we quickly discovered they were just traditional, old-fashioned gardens with black-eyed Susans, echinacea, bee balm, and Emma's favorite, lilies . . . and we planted Mom's Mona Lisa lily out here too—it's huge!”

Tracey nodded. “It sounds like you've been busy!”

“If you keep it up,” Liam teased, “you're going to want to live here year-round.”

Levi laughed. “I doubt if Em would agree to that!”

They stopped to admire the cottage—which was also in the midst of restoration. “It looks great!” Liam said, admiring the newly installed twelve-over-twelve window sash and cedar shakes on the roof. “Very nice! And I see the rosebush is finally under control.”

Levi nodded. “That wild rose was breathtaking—the way it wrapped over the house, but it definitely wasn't good for the structure, so we had to cut it back. It's already filling in, though,” he added, gently touching a blossom. They heard a sound, then the front door opened and an orange tiger cat scooted out. Emma peeked out. “I thought I heard voices,” she said, giving them all hugs and squeezing Aidan the longest. “Come on in!” she said, opening the door wide.

“I think I'll bring the dogs around back,” Levi said, “since they decided to go for a swim.”

They all stepped over the new oak door sill into the bright, airy room.

“It's gorgeous,” Tracey said, looking around.

“We wanted to keep as much of the original structure as possible,” Levi explained when he came in. “We didn't know if we'd have to replace the old, wide-board floor, but after we sanded it down, we realized there was still plenty of wood left, and as you can see, it turned out great.”

Liam nodded approvingly. “You did a nice job.” He looked around at the new sheetrock.

“No primer or paint yet,” Levi said with a smile, “but we're getting there. It's small, and we only plan to be here in the summer months—at least for now.” He looked at Emma. “I don't know if Em could do year-round . . . besides, we . . .” he started, but Em raised her eyebrows and he stopped. “Anyway, this side is the living area,” he said, gesturing to the open great room, “and the other side doubles as bedroom and studio. My easel is set up in there now, but eventually, I'd like to add on another room.”

They all walked over to peer into the studio. “Very nice,” Liam said with a nod, and then realized there was a canvas sitting on the easel. He walked over for a closer look. “Wow! This is great!”

Levi smiled. “Thanks. I'm working from several photographs, but the one in the center is my favorite.”

Liam studied the photos as tears filled his eyes. He bit his lip and looked at the canvas again. “You've really captured her,” he said softly.

“Thanks,” Levi said, putting his hand on Liam's shoulder.

“So, are you guys hungry?” Emma asked.

Aidan, T. J., and Olivia all nodded enthusiastically.

“Well, I hope you like chicken salad.”

“Sounds good!” Tracey said. “And Sally sent blueberry muffins.”

“Oh, I forgot about those!” Aidan said with a grin.

They trouped through the sunny kitchen, admiring the new cabinets and counters, and out to the patio, on which an old-fashioned iron table was set for lunch.

“This is lovely, Em,” Tracey said as the kids all squeezed together on the matching bench, elbowing each other and giggling.

“Look at you three!” Em laughed. “I bet you're nothing but mischief when you're together!”

“You're right about that,” Liam said with a laugh. “They're as thick as thieves.”

They sat down around the table, the ever-hopeful dogs strategically positioning themselves
under
the table, and then Levi gave thanks. As they passed around the croissants and snowflake rolls to make sandwiches, they chatted about everything from the remaining updates to the cottage to the price of propane . . . and from the new show Levi was having in the fall to the catboat Liam was building.

Finally, stuffed with chicken salad and Sally's blueberry muffins, they sat back, and Tuck rested his head on Liam's lap. “That was really good!” Levi said, rubbing his belly. “You outdid yourself, Em.”

She nodded and winked at him.

“Ah,” Levi said with a grin, “I just got the proverbial wink and a nod—which means I can finally tell you—before I burst, that Em and I have some news . . .”

They all looked up, waiting.

He smiled, his eyes sparkling. “I don't know if you noticed that Em is looking a little rounder,” he said, reaching for her hand, “but that's because we . . . are . . . expecting!”

“Oh, that's wonderful!” Tracey exclaimed.

Aidan frowned. “Expecting what?” he asked.

Olivia giggled, elbowing him. “A baby, silly!”

“Oh,” he said in surprise.

Em looked at him. “You're going to be an uncle!”

“I am?!” Aidan said in surprise.

She nodded and then Levi smiled at Liam. “And
you
are going to be a grandfather.”

Liam pressed his lips together, his eyes glistening, and shook his head. “I guess life
can
change in a heartbeat.”