True Love

  Alix was glad to get away from the topic of her and Jared.

  “What do you think of Nantucket?” Toby asked.

  “So far, it’s great.” Alix began to tell of her impressions. The word “beauty” was second only to the word “Jared.” What Alix saw was beautiful. All her other senses were covered by Jared. What he said, did, thought, were all part of Alix’s talk.

  “Are you still going out with Wes tomorrow?” Toby asked.

  “Why wouldn’t I?” Alix asked.

  “I thought maybe you and Jared were becoming …” Toby trailed off. She knew about Ken’s hands-off order to Jared, but she wanted to know if they were overcoming that restriction.

  “Oh,” Alix said. “You think Jared and I are on our way to being a couple. We’re not. I hope we’re friends, but we’re certainly work colleagues who are becoming friends.”

  Toby looked at Alix in disbelief.

  “No, really,” Alix said. “I think he and I gave the wrong impression.”

  “But you’ve been spending so much time together. The whole island is asking what’s going on.”

  “That’s not good,” Alix said. “Jared and I just work together. That’s all.”

  “And the sandwiches?”

  “What do you mean?” Alix asked.

  “Switching food that each of you likes.”

  “We’ve been working on plans, so we eat together and we’ve learned about each other.”

  “But …?” Toby’s eyes were wide.

  “Okay, I’ll be honest. At first I was interested in him in that way.” Her poem came to mind. “But he clearly let me know that nothing like that was going to happen. I admit that it hurt at first, but I’m okay now. And between you and me, I’m looking forward to going out with Wes. I could stand a little touchy-feely action. I’d like to remember that I’m a girl.” Alix took a breath, hoping her lie sounded convincing. She did not want to go on a date with another man. “Could we talk about something besides me?”

  “Of course,” Toby said. “I didn’t mean to pry. It’s just that we’ve never seen Jared so interested in anyone before.”

  Alix had no idea what to reply to that, so she changed the subject. “I told my friend Izzy that I’d help her set up her wedding here on Nantucket, but I don’t know where to begin. Jared said you would know what to do.”

  Toby understood that Alix was politely asking her to back off. “Do you have a date set for the wedding?”

  “I did, but I’m sure it’s going to change.” Alix didn’t explain why. For right now she wanted to keep Izzy’s pregnancy private. With a bit of a jolt she realized that “private” now seemed to include Jared.

  Toby continued. “The first thing you need to do after you have the date is to get the colors your bride wants. Everything revolves around her colors. If she wants any special flowers I’ll need to know well in advance so we can get them flown in.”

  “Flown in?” Alix said. “That’s not the kind of wedding Izzy wants.”

  “Nearly everything on the island is flown in or put in a truck then driven onto a ferry. You need to be sure of what your friend wants, and be aware that brides often change their minds. I’ve seen girls come in wanting something simple, then later deciding that they have to have thirty grand’s worth of purple orchids.”

  “Thirty …?” Alix picked up a lime; she’d finished the oranges. “I think that kind of thing is for the people who live in the twenty-million-dollar houses.”

  “Or more. Right now there’s a house in Polpis asking fifty-nine million.”

  Alix could only blink at her.

  “What about you?” Toby asked.

  “About me, what?”

  “What kind of wedding do you want?”

  “One with a groom.”

  Toby laughed. “But really, you haven’t thought about it?”

  “Not the wedding itself, no, but Izzy’s happiness with her fiancé has made me think about things. What about you? You have a man in your life?”

  “No one permanent.”

  Alix hesitated before she spoke. “I thought maybe you and Jared were … you know.”

  “That Jared and I were having an affair?”

  Alix kept her eyes on the lime in her hand. “Maybe in the past?”

  “Oh, heavens no! Jared’s like a big brother to me. Has he been using me to try to make you jealous?”

  “Of course not! We’re not like that at all.” But when she thought about it, she had felt jealous of the way he’d rhapsodized about the angelic Toby. “Maybe he was.” Alix couldn’t help smiling. “Does he have many ex-girlfriends on the island?”

  “Not at all. Lexie said there was a girl in high school, but she married his cousin.”

  “That could be anyone on the island.”

  “Just about. But from what I gather, this particular cousin and Jared don’t have much to do with each other even today. They live in Surfside.”

  “I take it that’s on Nantucket?”

  “It sounds like you’ve learned that only Nantucket exists.”

  Alix laughed. “To Jared, that’s certainly true.”

  That afternoon, after Alix left, Lexie returned and the two women discussed what they’d seen and heard.

  “She said that?” Lexie asked. “Alix said that she was hoping for some ‘touchy-feely’ time with my testosterone-laden cousin Wes?”

  “When it comes to testosterone, I think Jared can probably hold his own,” Toby said.

  “If he weren’t tied down by Alix’s father, he could,” Lexie said. “This is not going well.”

  “I’m afraid I have to agree,” Toby said. “Who are you calling?”

  “Wes. Break out the beer. I’m inviting him over for tea and talk.”

  “What are you planning to do?” Toby asked. “I don’t think Jared will like—”

  “Let me handle my cousins,” Lexie said, then gave her attention to the phone. “Wes? This is Lexie. Toby and I want you to come over.” She paused. “Of course now. Next you’ll be asking for a printed invitation. And, yes, it has to do with your date with Alix.” Lexie clicked off the phone. “He’ll be here in ten minutes.”

  Toby thought she might never get used to the informality of Nantucket. People popped in and out of each other’s houses all day. One day she was nearly knocked down when a door opened inside the house. It was the plumber coming up from the basement. He’d entered through the exterior door—which as far as anyone knew had never been locked—fixed the dripping pipe, then had gone up the stairs into the house to make sure the toilet was no longer leaking. That no one knew he was in the house seemed to bother no one but Toby.

  “Look, Wes,” Lexie said. It was twenty minutes later and she and Toby were on the couch across from him. Toby had made sure the young man had been furnished with beer and pretzels, and he was waiting to be told why he’d been summoned.

  “The whole island knows you’re still in love with Daris Brubaker,” Lexie said. Daris was the woman Wes had wanted to marry, but six months ago they’d had a big fight—which no one knew the cause of—and Daris had told Wes to get lost. Since then he’d dated nearly every unmarried woman on the island.

  Lexie waited for Wes to say something, preferably to tell what had happened between him and Daris, but he just drank his beer and said nothing. “But she dumped you, probably because you’ve got a roving eye. You only asked Alix out to get her back and, of course, to try to show up Jared.”

  Wes was unperturbed by her criticism, nor was he volunteering any information. “So what’s your point?”

  “I don’t want to beat around the bush,” Lexie said. “What’s it going to take to get you to call Alix and get out of this date?”

  “It’s not going to happen. My dad’s driving his old Chevy in the parade, and—”

  Toby spoke up. “Jared will design a house for that land you own, and he’ll do it for free.”

  Lexie looked at her with wide eyes. They all knew that Jared charged
a hefty six figures for his designs.

  Wes couldn’t conceal his shock at that. It was one thing for his cousin to sketch out a garage, but an entire house? “With an outdoor shower and a place for my boats?”

  “Whatever you want,” Toby said.

  “I couldn’t afford to build anything that Montgomery would come up with.”

  Lexie knew that for Wes to call his cousin Montgomery and not Kingsley was an intentional insult. She leaned back on the couch and glared at Wes. It was a game to him, but they were serious.

  Toby, who hadn’t grown up on the island, wasn’t hindered by past relationships or subtle meanings of name usage. “Jared will act as a bank and lend you the money.”

  “I don’t think—” Lexie began, but Wes and Toby were looking at each other. Lexie may as well not have been there.

  “Interest free?” he asked.

  “Half a percent lower than the current rate at the time of closing,” Toby said quickly.

  “One and a half,” Wes said.

  “Three quarters,” Toby said.

  “Done,” Wes answered.

  “Holy crap, Toby,” Lexie said. “I didn’t know you could negotiate a deal that way.”

  “I learned it from my dad.”

  After Wes left, Lexie dreaded telling Jared what had been done in his name. On the other hand, since he didn’t seem to be taking over on his own, someone had to. She called him and told him she had to see him immediately.

  Lexie had him sit in the same chair where Wes had sat an hour before, but Jared refused all refreshment.

  “What’s going on?” he asked. “Alix has dinner about ready and we have things to do.”

  “Such as?” Toby asked.

  Jared smiled at her. “Not what you two are obviously hoping. Now, what’s so important that it couldn’t wait until I see you tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow is the whole point,” Lexie said. “You seem oblivious to the fact that Alix has a date with Wes tomorrow. An all-day date.”

  Jared didn’t reply.

  “You don’t care?” Lexie demanded.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, little cousin, but I’m planning to take care of that.”

  “What does that mean?” Lexie asked.

  “I think you should wait and see,” he said and started to get out of the chair. “Now, if you’re finished nosing about in my private life, I’m going home.”

  “To Alix,” Toby said, smiling.

  Jared smiled back at her. “Yes, to Alix.”

  “We fixed it,” Lexie said. “We arranged it all with Wes. It will cost you some, but it’ll be worth it.”

  Jared looked at them. They were smiling and so innocent looking. Such pretty girls, he thought. And so very well meaning. But then dynamite wasn’t invented to cause harm. He sat back down in the chair. “Tell me what you’ve done.” His voice was calm.

  “We made a deal for you,” Lexie said. “I came up with the idea but Toby negotiated the interest rate. She was great.” Lexie looked at her roommate with pride.

  “Maybe you two should start at the beginning,” Jared said.

  Lexie did most of the talking as she explained what they’d promised Wes in return for calling off his date with Alix.

  Jared’s face didn’t show any emotion; he was an excellent poker player. “I’m to design a house for him for free and lend him the money at a ridiculously low interest rate?”

  “When you put it like that it does sound like too much,” Lexie said. “But, Jared, you can’t let Alix spend the day with Wes. Since Daris told him to get lost, he’s been a wolf on the prowl. And there’s always been a rivalry between you and him. We worry that he’ll pounce on poor Alix.”

  “I think,” Toby said softly, “that Jared has another plan.”

  “Do you?” Lexie asked of her cousin.

  He didn’t tell these two well-intentioned busybodies, but he’d been intending to do this after he left Alix tonight, and to do it in private. Taking his cell out of his pocket, he pushed a button to put it on speaker so Lexie and Toby could hear, then he called a number.

  “Jared?” said a female voice. “Is that you?”

  “Hi, Daris, how’s your dad?”

  “He’s fine now. Did you get our thank-you notes?”

  “All four of them.”

  “We owe you so much for helping us out.”

  “I wondered if I could ask a favor of you,” Jared said.

  “Anything!” Daris said. “Up to and including running away to elope with you.”

  Toby and Lexie, sitting across from him on the couch, looked at each other with wide eyes.

  Smiling, Jared’s voice lowered and got slower. “Such a sacrifice won’t be necessary, Daris, even though the prospect sounds delightful. I won’t be able to sleep tonight from thinking about it.”

  “I could—” Daris began.

  Lexie cut her off. “Hi, Daris,” she said loudly. “It’s Lexie. How’s your mom?”

  Daris recovered quickly from the surprise that Jared wasn’t alone. “She’s doing great. She lost twenty-two pounds while Dad was sick. She’s thinking about writing a book called The My Husband Had a Heart Attack Diet. Jared, what can I do for you?”

  “You have any interest in getting Wes back for whatever he did to you?”

  “Is this a favor for you or for me?”

  Jared smiled. “So I take it you’re in?”

  “One hundred percent. All the way. Should I bring weapons?”

  “I’d prefer very small shorts and a tank top.”

  Daris was silent for a moment. “Jared, honey, are you sure you don’t want to get married?”

  “I’m not sure at all,” he said softly, and Lexie’s and Toby’s eyes widened even farther.

  Daris laughed. “Okay, now I’m understanding. Does this have to do with that pretty girl you’ve been practically living with since she moved into your aunt’s house?”

  “Maybe. I’ll call you later to work out the details, but could we meet at nine forty-five tomorrow morning to ride in the parade?”

  “I will shorten my shorts tonight.”

  “I look forward to the sight.” Jared clicked off and looked at Lexie and Toby, his eyebrows raised in question. “Well?”

  “Do you think they’ll get back together?” Toby asked.

  “That’s none of my business,” Jared answered.

  Lexie put her hands up as a balance scale. “Daris’s legs or a million-dollar loan? That’s going to be Wes’s choice.” She looked from Toby to Jared and back.

  “He’ll choose legs,” Toby said.

  “Daris’s legs?” Jared said. “Definitely yes!”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jared had shown up at Kingsley House in a beautiful custom jacket, a blue shirt, and khaki trousers. Alix took one look at him and ran back upstairs to change. “Why didn’t you tell me this was a high-class event?” she said to Captain Caleb’s portrait. “And if you make one thing move, I’ll turn your picture to the wall.”

  They met Lexie and Toby and walked down Main to where the road widened and the long, double line of vehicles was waiting. Jared had left early to get his friend’s truck fifth in line.

  The streets were full of people, nearly all of them wearing daffodils. Some of the women had concocted outrageous hats that looked good in the morning sunshine.

  “Stay with me,” Jared said as soon as they got to the crowd.

  “But I’m supposed to meet Wes,” she said for what had to be the fourth time. Each time, Jared had acted as though she hadn’t spoken.

  “So much for jealousy,” Alix muttered as she tried to keep up with his long legs. Last night he’d left the house just as dinner was ready, saying there was an emergency with Lexie. He’d returned forty-five minutes later but wouldn’t tell Alix anything about what had happened. The most he’d say was, “There was no bloodshed. Should have been but wasn’t.”

  They’d watched a movie together—Mr. Blandings Builds His
Dream House—and twice Alix had mentioned that she was going to the parade with Wes. Jared had made no comment. When she’d accepted the date with his cousin, she’d hardly known Jared. She remembered how in awe of him she’d been then, and she couldn’t help smiling. Now she’d much, much rather ride with Jared in the old Ford truck.

  But no matter how hard she hinted, Jared said nothing.

  Last night, when he’d left to go to the guesthouse, Alix couldn’t help feeling, well … almost angry at him. She’d begun to feel that she was part of the Kingsley family, but it looked like Jared didn’t see it the same way. Or maybe he did. Wes was a cousin, so what did it matter if she rode with him?

  This morning, by the time the four of them got to where the cars were lined up, Alix was silent. Would she sit beside Wes and wave at the people she’d come to know?

  But no one else seemed perturbed about anything. Lexie and Toby were going to drive to ’Sconset with the coolers of food that Alix had helped prepare, but first they were going to say hello to the summer people.

  “Are they the same as off-islanders?” Alix asked.

  “Yes and no.” Jared explained that there were people who owned houses on Nantucket and came every summer. Some of them had been coming for twenty to thirty years or more.

  “Do we like them or not?” Alix asked, trying to make a joke.

  But Jared didn’t smile. “Depends on whether they add to the community or take from it.”

  Once they got in the crowd, Lexie and Toby went off on their own, but Alix stayed with Jared. Yet again, he seemed to know everyone.

  “When are you going to design that guesthouse for me?” one man asked. He was short and stout and looked vaguely familiar.

  When they stepped away, Alix asked who the man was.

  “Forbes top ten” was Jared’s answer before he said hello to someone else.

  She knew that meant a “richest list.”

  When Wes showed up, everything happened at once. Alix reluctantly left Jared’s side to go to him. Her mind was frantically scheming for a way to get out of this date without offending anyone. But on the other hand, it wasn’t as though Jared had said he wanted her with him.

  When Alix took a step toward Wes, Jared made no move to stop her. But then Wes abruptly halted and stared at something behind Alix. She turned to look.