Chapter Ten
He’d scared her. He’d seen it in her eyes the moment the words left his mouth. He hadn’t meant to; he couldn’t help but notice how pretty she looked, and who wouldn’t smile when they looked at a beautiful woman? He’d had a feeling that things would be different between them than they’d been in St. Dennis, and he’d spent several nights in hot debate with himself before he’d asked her to be his date for the weekend. He’d meant it when he’d said no pressure, that he recognized they were just friends, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t hoped maybe something more might develop between them.
He hadn’t seen that coming, hadn’t meant for that to happen, but there it was.
Chrissie Jenkins was not like any woman he’d ever met. She had a straightforward way about her, said what she thought, didn’t act like a diva, didn’t act like she was doing him a favor by spending time with him. If he were to be honest with himself—and he’d recently decided it was time—most of his relationships with women had been mostly superficial, beginning because he liked the way a woman looked, liked the way she moved, and ending when someone else came along whose looks caught his eye. Chrissie seemed unaware of how pretty she was, even on their walks around town, wearing no makeup and whatever clothes she felt comfortable in. He liked that about her. He liked that they’d had conversations about their families and about what was important to them, about what they wanted to do with their lives. Seeing her here—with his family, the people who mattered most to him—seeing how she interacted with them and them with her, the easy way she fit into the big picture, made him realize he wanted her to be more than his friend Chrissie. He just didn’t know how to make that happen. He couldn’t help the way he looked at her when she appeared the way she had tonight—and that had sent her running to her room with a “headache.”
Of course, there was always the possibility that she just wasn’t attracted to him. Jared didn’t have a lot of experience with situations like that, but he knew he’d been a fool to think every woman he was attracted to would be equally attracted to him. If that was the case with Chrissie, he’d have to respect her feelings if they were to remain at the very least friends. He’d rather have friend Chrissie than no Chrissie at all.
Yeah, she’d really gotten to him.
For the first time in his life, Jared didn’t know what to say to a woman or how to act around her. It was a totally unexpected turn of events, one that had kept him tossing and turning all night.
The morning of the wedding was a perfect June day. The dew dried early, the flowers in the gardens were in full bloom, the sun was shining, and there was a sweet breeze blowing to scatter the fragrance of the peonies across the patio, where everyone had gathered after breakfast.
Jared had been watching for Chrissie, and when she appeared in the doorway, he’d fixed her a cup of coffee he’d poured from the carafe on the table.
“Oh, thanks.” She’d smiled, though she hadn’t met his eyes. She took a sip of coffee, then said, “It’s just the way I like it. Thanks.”
“I’m very observant,” he told her. “How’d you sleep? Are you feeling better?”
“I slept well, thanks. And I do feel better.”
“What would you like to do today? Anyplace you’d like to go or see?” he asked.
“Not really. How ’bout you?”
“We don’t have as much free time today since the wedding is at four. So anything we do, we should be back here in time to get ready for the wedding,” he said.
“We’re taking all the kids to the petting zoo this morning, back in time for afternoon naps so no one has a meltdown tonight. No guarantees on that, of course.” Rachel had apparently overheard their conversation. “Are you man enough to come with us, Jared?”
“Doesn’t that sound like fun, Uncle Jared?” Rachel’s six-year-old son, Dylan, tugged on his arm. “Wanna come?”
“Ummm . . . what are the other options?” Jared consulted his phone. To Chrissie he said, “We could do Longwood Gardens. Or the Delaware Art Museum. That’s relatively close.”
“We talked about Longwood yesterday. How far is that?” Chrissie asked.
“Maybe twenty minutes, give or take a few.” Jared looked up from his phone. “Totally doable.”
“We’ve been, many times,” Zoey told them. “It’s wonderful, a former Du Pont estate. We take the kids several times every year because they have such fun things for them. And we never miss their Christmas display. Really, you should go.”
“If you go, you won’t want to leave,” Delia cautioned. “You’ll fall under its spell and miss the wedding and Gordon will have no best man and years from now the grandchildren will be looking at the photos from our wedding and asking, ‘Where was Uncle Jared?’ ”
“And we’ll have to tell them you were tiptoeing through the tulips,” Rachel said.
“Nah, there’s no way I’m missing this party tonight,” Jared told them. “We’ll be back in plenty of time.” He turned to Chrissie. “What do you say? Longwood?”
She nodded. “Sounds good.”
Delia threw up her hands. “You’ve been warned.”
• • •
AFTER WALKING THE magnificent grounds, through the park, then on to the varied beautiful gardens, Chrissie began to fade.
“There’s a café,” Jared said. “Let’s grab a bite and then we’ll see what time it is.”
“Good idea. After yesterday’s hike through the hills at the battlefield, I don’t think I’m up to another all-day walk-a-thon.”
“Half-day walk-a-thon,” he corrected her. “Delia asked us to be back by around two.”
“We’ll make it.”
Jared looked at the map again. “We’re right here.” He showed her. “The café is in the Terrace, over here. Between here and there is the Hillside Garden. We can go along this path, along the Allees, past the Main Fountain Gardens, and right on over to the café.”
“I love a man with a plan,” Chrissie said.
Jared liked the sound of that. He knew it was just an expression, but it brought a smile to his face.
“It all sounds so very French.”
“As it should. The Du Ponts were originally from France, I’m pretty sure.”
“I think we should have picked up a brochure in the visitor center.”
“We can get one on the way out.” He paused in front of the sign that pointed to the Hillside Garden. Ahead of them clouds of color swayed in the light breeze.
“Oh, lilies,” Chrissie said as she walked a little faster. “I love lilies. And daisies. And oh, look at all the pretties. I can’t even imagine how many people they have working here. How many expert gardeners it must take to care for all of these. And oh, look, Jared, those white flowers. Do you know what they are?”
He had no idea, but the delight that shone on her face made him want to find out so he could buy her an armful. She had the same reaction to the fountains, and for a moment she danced, a pirouette, a leap, another spin—moves perhaps remembered from a long-ago ballet class—then caught herself, remembering, no doubt, that she was in a public place.
“Sorry,” she whispered, her face turning pink as she looked around and saw other visitors smiling at her. “I got carried away.”
“Don’t apologize.” Jared couldn’t help but smile as well. “I like to see you happy. And I’m willing to bet that more than one of them”—he nodded in the direction of the others—“feel like dancing, too.”
They grabbed a quick lunch in the café, then went back through the visitor center, where Chrissie nabbed several brochures.
“I want to know what else is here,” she told Jared. “In case I want to come back. I feel like we’ve missed a lot.”
“Judging from the map, I’m pretty sure we didn’t see even half of the gardens. You just let me know when you’re up for another trip.”
Jared took her hand as they walked out of the center and into the sunshine. When they got to the car, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze before he let go so she could get in, and she squeezed back. He knew it was ridiculous for such a small gesture on her part to make him smile, but he didn’t care. The entire day had been easy and had made her happy, and just then, that was all that mattered to him. She’d danced by the fountains, and the sight of her twirling around had lifted his heart. He was pretty sure it was an image that would stay with him for a long, long time.
• • •
THEY MISSED GETTING back to Delia’s at two o’clock by a full half hour, but there was still plenty of time to shower and get dressed. There seemed to be a dozen florists buzzing about the house, bringing in garlands of orchids and urns filled with peonies. Huge pots of roses flanked the fireplace, and outside on the patio, tall trellises covered with climbing roses in deep pots were set in place. The entire house smelled as if it were in bloom. Delia hadn’t wanted the florals brought in too early because she wanted everyone to be surprised when they came downstairs after getting dressed for the wedding.
Jared finished tying his tie, then went downstairs to await the others. In the absence of his father and Delia, Jared played host to the few invited friends: Delia’s agent, several neighbors, a few booksellers who’d become close friends of Delia’s, two men who’d been members of Gordon’s crew for over twenty years and their wives, and, to Jared’s surprise, Grace Sinclair.
“Grace. I didn’t know you were coming.” He greeted her with outstretched arms.
“I hadn’t seen you since I’d received the invitation,” she said, “or I’d have mentioned it. Assuming I’d remember. I seem to need to write notes to myself every day, then of course half the time I forget where I put them. I’m at the age where I find growing old a pain, but I recognize the alternative is much worse. Delia’s home is lovely, just the way I knew it would look. Beautiful grounds, and her gardens are magnificent. I sneaked a peek on my way in.”
“How did you get here? Surely you didn’t drive.” He moved out of the foyer with her and into the living room.
“Delia told me to bring a guest—something about uneven numbers at the tables for dinner—so I asked Barbara Noonan to come along. You know, of course, that she’s the owner of Book ’Em in St. Dennis and knows Delia well from the many times she’s signed her books at Barbara’s store,” Grace explained. “She should be along any moment, she’s just parking her car.”
As if on cue, Barbara entered the foyer and spied Grace and Jared.
“Jared, hi—oh look, there’s Rita Cramer from Mama Loves Books in Salisbury.” To Grace and Jared, Barbara said, “We belong to the same independent booksellers’ organization. Excuse me for just a minute . . .”
“How nice for her to find an old friend to chat with,” Grace said. “Now, is there something you should be doing instead of keeping me company, Jared?”
“I’m just door tending.” He signaled one of the waiters who’d just come from the kitchen with a tray of champagne flutes. He lifted a glass and handed it to Grace, saying, “Here’s something to sip while we wait for the ceremony to begin.”
Georgia and Zoey were coming down the steps in long dresses in different shades of hot pink, several guests were arriving, and the string quartet had started to set up next to the fireplace in the living room. Jared excused himself to Grace and greeted the guests, made sure they had champagne, and showed them where to go. Sharon, the minister, arrived, and she, too, was given champagne and shown into the living room.
“Looking good, bro.” Rachel came up behind him, a small boy on each hand.
“Wow. You look pretty good yourself.” Jared kissed his sister on the cheek, for just one moment recalling how she’d looked at an Easter egg hunt one year in a dress that same color. Sometimes it was hard for him to remember that his little sister was one guy’s wife and mother to two more. If he had more time to think about it, he might become nostalgic over how quickly the years had passed and how little time he’d shared with his sister. Time wasted was time you couldn’t get back, their aunt Bess used to tell them, so choose wisely how you spend it. Looking at Rachel with her sons made him wish he’d spent more time with her before her life and his had taken different directions. “So is pink the color of the day?”
“Delia wanted us all to be her attendants and said the style of dress was up to each of us; she didn’t care that they’d be different. But she wanted us all to wear any shade of pink, as long as it wasn’t pale pink.”
“I’ve been told the correct term is blush this year,” Chrissie said.
“Ah yes, I did read that somewhere.” Rachel nodded. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Jeremy . . .” Her youngest took off down the hall headed for the back door, and she took off behind him. “Dylan, you stay with Uncle Jared until you see your daddy.”
Jared turned to Chrissie, and anything he might have said was lost. She’d changed into a long dress that sent shades of blues and greens shimmering when she moved. She’d done something different with her hair, pulled it all to one side so it flowed over her shoulder. She wore long sparkly earrings that swayed when she moved, and strappy high heels in shades of blue leather.
“You look beautiful,” he said when he found his voice. “You look like a mermaid.”
“Now I suppose you’re going to tell me you’ve seen mermaids along with your UFOs,” she teased.
“I think you’re the only one.”
A touch of pink spread from the skin at the low V of her neckline to her forehead. He wished he could reach out and follow that pretty blush with the tips of his fingers.
“You look pretty, too.” Chrissie straightened his tie.
“Jared, your dad’s coming down now.” Zoey poked him in the back just as Sam showed up to take Dylan off Jared’s hands. “Could you make sure the strings are ready to start playing? They probably should be anyway, while we’re waiting for Mom.”
“Sure. Chris, they’re passing out champagne somewhere. We’ll get you a glass and find you a place in the living room. Oh.” He snapped his fingers. “Grace is here.”
“Grace? Grace Sinclair?” Her brows knit together.
Jared nodded. “I was surprised, too.” He took her arm, her warm skin soft under his fingers. He hoped there’d be music later, so he could put his arms around her and slow dance her around the patio.
“Oh, there’s Grace. And Barbara, too. Go do your best man things. We’ll catch up after the ceremony.” Chrissie tossed a smile over her shoulder to Jared, snagged a glass of champagne from the nearest waiter, and joined Grace and Barbara at one side of the room.
The musicians were given their final instructions, and at promptly four o’clock, Jared accompanied his father to stand in front of the fireplace. Next the five ladies in shades of pink made their way to the front of the room, followed by three little girls in fluffy white dresses with bright pink sashes and tiny pink flowers in their hair. Soon all the players were in place except for the bride.
The strings began to play “At Last,” and Delia made her entrance on the arm of her son. She was dazzling in a long dress of blush-colored silk with elbow-length sleeves and a low back. Everyone in the room smiled as she passed by, but her eyes were on her groom.
Had there been a dry eye in the house when they repeated their vows? Jared was pretty sure he wasn’t the only one to blink back a tear or two when his father said, “I promise to swim with you every morning, and rest with you every night.” His previous misgivings aside, Jared was happy that his father had found someone he clearly loved so deeply to spend the rest of his days with. Considering both the bride and the groom were in their midseventies, there was no way of predicting how many days there would be, but they’d face them together and with love, of that Jared was positive. As soon as Sharon pronounced them husband and wife, they embraced and kissed so long that Zoey finally called out, “Stop! Enough! There are young children here!” and everyone laughed and grabbed another glass of champagne, and the toasts began.
“That was the most beautiful ceremony.” Chrissie sighed. “Imagine finding that kind of love later in life. Not that they’re ancient, but they’re not exactly young folk, either.”
“Imagine finding that kind of love at any age.” Jared watched his father and Delia, who were both positively beaming. “I’m happy for him. I know he never had that with my mother. I know she didn’t love him the way Delia does.”
“I wonder if they ever wished they’d found each other first,” Chrissie said. “Before . . . well, before whoever came first that didn’t work out.”
“Dad would probably say he wouldn’t change things because that would mean he wouldn’t have had Rachel and me. He’s always made it clear that no matter what, he’d always choose us. Delia, I don’t know her well enough to know if she feels enough resentment toward her first husband to wish she hadn’t married him. She did have three children with him. But then again, he left them all and just walked out of their lives.”
“Oh my God. I had no idea.”
“Yeah. He found out about something Delia hadn’t told him . . . well, everyone in the family knows, so it’s no secret. Delia had a child when she was just out of high school. Her boyfriend was killed in Vietnam, and he never even knew about the baby. Her parents were apparently the holier-than-thou type—her dad was a minister—and they couldn’t face the shame of their unwed daughter having a child, so they made her give the baby away. Delia had neglected to tell her husband about that until after Georgia was born—she’s the youngest—and he just up and left. That’s the short version.”
“Oh.” Chrissie looked stunned. “What an awful man. What happened to the baby she gave away? Did she ever find her?”
Jared tilted his glass in the direction of the tall, dark-haired pretty woman standing between India and Georgia. “Laura,” he said. “Sometime you can ask her how they found each other.”
“I can so relate, having had my dad leave my mom and me and just disappear like that.” Chrissie stared at her glass. “I can totally relate.”
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have . . .”
Chrissie shook her head. “It’s not your fault and you shouldn’t need to feel you have to sanitize things for me. It happens. Obviously it’s happened to others. I’m not the only one, and my mother’s not the only woman who got dumped by her husband. At least Delia’s kids know why he left. Not that that’s much consolation.”
“I don’t know that they feel better knowing what a selfish ass their father is.”
“I think that’s still better than not knowing at all,” Chrissie whispered. “ ’Cause you always think somehow it was your fault that he left and doesn’t want to come back. It makes you wonder what’s wrong with you . . .”
Jared put an arm around her and drew her close. “If I had a daughter who grew up to be the woman you are, I’d be so proud. I hope someday I do.”
“That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.” She looked as if she was about to cry, so he tried to lighten her mood.
“Hey, you cook, you sing, you even dance. What’s not to be proud of?”
“Thanks.”
She smiled the sweetest smile he’d ever seen, and he wanted to kiss her, right there in front of his entire family, old and new. But he was afraid she’d be embarrassed, so instead he promised himself that before the night was over, he’d taste that smile, and see where that would lead.
• • •
CHRISSIE HAD FELT the energy changing over the past few days, but she was pretty sure she knew when both she and Jared felt the pretext of just being friends slip away. It had been subtle, and while not totally unexpected, she just hadn’t thought it would come when it did. In that moment when she’d met his gaze across the room at the rehearsal, the air had all but crackled around her, and it had frightened her. Not that she was afraid of Jared in the way she’d come to fear Doug. She’d bet her life Jared would never, ever raise a hand to a woman. Of course, she hadn’t expected Doug to, either, but then, she hadn’t gotten to know him in the way she’d come to know Jared. They hadn’t set out to impress each other, hadn’t meant for anything to happen between them except for a few walks and a few meet-ups for ice cream. What could have been more casual than that? She couldn’t put a finger on exactly when she’d known that things would change; she just knew they would, though she couldn’t say how she knew.
Is this how Gigi knew things? she wondered. Had Gigi’s magic rubbed off on her while they lived together? Was it contagious somehow? Because she obviously didn’t know things before she moved to the island. Otherwise, would she have hooked up with Doug as quickly as she had? Wouldn’t she have seen what he was?
Or had she seen something in him that she’d chosen to ignore?
She stood in front of the mirror in the guest bathroom, where she’d gone to freshen her makeup and take a breath from the party that was going on outside. Sophie had been right: the Enrights knew how to party. The band had played everything from the classics to hip-hop, with everyone requesting their own personal favorites. India—Jersey girl through and through—had requested both Springsteen and Bon Jovi. Ben had wanted U2 and Zoey preferred Lady Gaga. Georgia liked romantic ballads and her husband, Matt, preferred the Stones. Jared had requested a few of his favorite country tunes, and Rachel liked Ed Sheeran. That one band had been able to make everyone happy was a miracle.
Chrissie dropped her lipstick back into the small clutch she carried and opened the door. Apparently it had been India’s turn to request: the house reverberated with “You Give Love a Bad Name.”
“What a party,” Rachel said when Chrissie went back onto the patio.
“Best party ever.” Chrissie nodded. “Everything is amazing. The flowers are gorgeous, the music is fabulous, the food was incredible . . .”
“Were you taking notes?” Jared asked. “Trying to figure out what was in the soup? How was the lobster prepared? What was that herb in the sauce for the filet? Was that a raspberry cream in between the cake layers, or as some suggested, was it flavored with pomegranate?”
Chrissie laughed as he mimicked her. “I know what was in the soup, the lobster was slow roasted, there was tarragon in the sauce the filet was served with, and it was neither raspberry nor pomegranate in the filling for the cake.”
“What was it, then?”
“You’re guessing,” he teased. “Or you’re making it up.”
“Ask Delia.” Chrissie grinned, knowing she was right. “Go ahead. Ask her.”
Jared looked at Rachel. “I give up.”
“Don’t try to outguess a cook when it comes to cooking,” Rachel told him. “I think I’m going to have one dance with my six-year-old, then I’m going to send him to bed so I can dance the rest of the night with his daddy. So thoughtful of Delia to hire a crew of nannies for the night.”
“I can’t think of anything Delia may have forgotten,” Chrissie told Jared. “Everything is perfect. It’s a beautiful night and a perfect party and more importantly, everyone seems so happy.”
“No reason not to be happy. It’s a good night for everyone.” Jared sat on the stone wall and tugged on Chrissie’s hand until she was seated next to him. “Rachel’s boys got a new grandmother who will happily spoil them, and Delia’s grandkids got a new grandfather who will teach them all sorts of fun things and take them on adventures.” He chuckled. “It’s like Auntie Mame married Peter Pan.”
“I can see that flamboyant streak in her, and you say he took you on plenty of adventures when you were a boy. So yeah, Mame and Peter. That fits,” she agreed.
Someone announced, “The groom’s special request for his bride,” and everyone stepped out of the designated dance area to give Delia and Gordon the floor as the band began to play.
“Hey, that’s one of the songs you played in the car the other day.” Jared stood and pulled her up with him.
“No, this is ‘As Time Goes By.’ Same era, though.”
They stood on the side of the dance floor, watching the newly married couple sway to the music.
“Dad must have taken dancing lessons,” Jared whispered in Chrissie’s ear. “He never showed us moves like that at home.”
Jared stood behind her, his arms around her lightly. “I wish I knew the lyrics to this,” he said.
“And the rest of us are so glad you don’t.” Rachel rolled her eyes.
“What? You think I can’t sing?” Jared tried to act as if he were offended, but he was clearly amused.
“Jared, you’ve never been able to carry a tune. It was torture growing up, you trying to sing along with the radio or one of your CDs.” Rachel looked at Chrissie and added, “My room was right across the hall from his. When he started singing, Aunt Bess’s cat ran from the sound.”
“I wasn’t that bad,” Jared said defensively.
“Yeah, you were. But we loved you anyway.” Rachel patted him on the back.
Jared turned to Chrissie and asked, “Did I sound that bad in the car?”
Chrissie hesitated. “Depends. Are we in the truth zone?”
He nodded.
“Well—I was pretty sure you hadn’t taken lessons.”
“Damn. I thought I was being so cool. Singing along with Blake, I thought I sounded just like him.”
“Ahhh, no. Sorry.”
“I guess I need to work on my singing.” He turned her around to face him. “But I have mad dancing skills, and this is a very romantic song they’re playing.”
He took her in his arms and danced where they stood. “And I am feeling very romantic right now.”
Chrissie knew she was at a crossroad. To back away, or to let it take its course?
She slid her hand across his shoulder and let it rest against the back of his neck.
“You know this song? ‘Moonlight Becomes You’?” he asked. “Johnny Mathis? Neither country nor 1940s, but a great song all the same.”
“I do. I never heard it on the radio or anything, but my boss at Luna, Rob? He used to sing it all the time to his partner. I always thought it was so sweet, but I never heard anyone sing it but him.”
He sang the first line and she giggled. “Jared, think you could just hum?”
“Really? I thought I was setting a mood here.” His lips close to her ear, he sang softly, “ ‘Moonlight becomes you, it goes with your hair . . .’ ”
“Jared?” she whispered.
“Hmmm?”
“Maybe you should let the song speak for itself.”
“That bad, eh?”
“I’m tempted to ask you what you did with the money.”
He leaned back and looked into her face.
“Oh, come on. It’s an old joke,” she told him. “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?”
“What did I do with what money?”
She rolled her eyes. “The money your father gave you for singing lessons.”
Without missing a beat, he said, “Bought my first wet suit.”
He pulled her close again and resumed singing in her ear, “ ‘And I could get so romantic tonight . . .’ ”
Chrissie laughed softly. “I suppose I should admire your persistence. That thick shell of yours. Or might it be a thick skull?”
“Probably all of that.” The song ended but he kept his arms around her. “And it’s skin, not shell.”
“Whatever.” She shrugged but smiled all the same.
“Let’s go for a walk,” he whispered.
She poked one foot out from under the hem of her dress. “In these? I don’t know how far I’d get.”
“Then I’ll carry you. Come on.” He slowly slid his hands the length of her arms from shoulder to wrist, then laced the fingers of one hand through hers.
They went in through the house, then out the front door.
“The drive is paved, so we’ll stick to that and try to avoid the uneven ground. Those heels would sink a good four inches into the grass,” he said. “How ’bout out toward the garden?”
“A garden in the moonlight? You are pushing the romantic theme tonight.”
“It’s a romantic night, and I’m with a beautiful woman who makes me smile every time I think of her. What could be better?”
Chrissie stopped walking.
“Do you? Smile when you think of me?”
“It’s all I seem to be doing lately,” he admitted. “It didn’t start out that way, but something happened somewhere between that first walk to the art center and the night we had dinner at the store. I’d explain it better if I understood it myself, but that’s the truth. Since that night, I haven’t been able to think about much else. Okay, maybe the delay on the dive, but that’s understandable.”
“Totally understandable. That’s your job.” She nodded and tried to respond to the rest of it.
“That’s all you have to say?” Jared frowned. “I think I just pretty much poured my heart out to you. Put myself on the line. How ’bout the part where I said—”
She grabbed his face and kissed him on the lips before he could finish the sentence. Words weren’t coming easily to her right then, but she wanted him to know she felt the same way, and at that moment, couldn’t think of any other way to get her point across. As first kisses went, it was a winner. To her sheer joy, he kissed her back, and she could taste the remnants of the shot of Glen Livet he, Sam, Ben, Nick, and Matt had shared to toast Gordon a while ago.
Finally, she pulled away from him and looked up into his eyes.
“Do we understand each other now?” she asked.
“I believe we’re on the same page, yes.” He was grinning like an idiot. “I’ve been wanting to do that but was afraid of scaring you away.”
“You don’t scare me, Jared Chandler. And as long as you don’t sing or try to convince me that diving would change my life . . .”
“Oh, but in the right water, it would change your life.”
She put her hands over her ears. “Stop. No more. I’m not doing it.”
“Sorry. When you love something, you want to share it with the people you care about.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I care about you, so I want to share the good things in my life with you.”
“That’s very sweet.” She touched the side of his face with her fingers. “But the answer’s still no.”
“Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
The squawking of geese drew their attention to somewhere behind the barn.
“What do you suppose that’s all about?” Chrissie frowned.
“There’s a pond down there. I’m sure the geese still have babies. Maybe a fox or an owl has come around trying to snatch one.”
“Poor thing.”
“Have you ever seen geese go after a predator? The fox doesn’t always win, especially if there’s more than one goose chasing it.”
Clouds began to drift across the face of the moon, dimming its light, and a breeze had picked up, bringing with it scents from the garden. Chrissie shivered from the unexpected chill, and Jared took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders without speaking.
“Thank you,” she said. It was a small gesture on his part, one he’d barely seemed to consider, but to a woman who’d never felt like a priority to the man she was with, it spoke volumes.
The party inside was winding down, and several guests were beginning to leave. Chrissie saw Barbara Noonan walking toward the parking area not far from where she and Jared stood.
“We should probably say good night to Grace,” Chrissie said. “She’s over by the walk, waiting, I guess, for Barbara to get the car and pick her up.”
Jared took her by the hand and they made their way back to the house. Grace stood at the end of the walk.
“She looks so tiny, standing there,” Chrissie whispered to Jared. “And see how the porch lights behind her are giving her a halo?”
They drew closer and Jared called Grace’s attention to the effects of the lights.
“Chrissie thinks you have a halo, Grace. I thought only angels had halos.”
“Oh my. I’ve been called many things, but never an angel,” she said with a laugh.
Barbara’s car pulled up just then and Jared opened the passenger door for her, but before she got in, Grace reached out and took one of Chrissie’s hands.
“You did right by coming home when you did. Ruby needs you, and the island needs you.” Grace leaned closer so only Chrissie could hear. “And whether he’s ready to admit it or not, Jared needs you. Let fate play its hand, dear, but do be aware. Trust yourself, and all will be well.”
“Be aware of what?” Chrissie whispered.
As if she hadn’t heard, Grace turned to Jared. “Lovely wedding. Simply wonderful. I couldn’t be happier for Delia—and, of course, for your father. Now, I’ll see you back at the inn. Enjoy the rest of the night.”
She got into the car and waved as Barbara drove toward the open gates.
“Did she say something to you just then?” Jared asked.
Chrissie nodded, trying to decipher Grace’s words, which sounded strangely like something cryptic Ruby might say.
“Just that she’s glad I came back, that Ruby needed me. Which is debatable, but okay. Ruby claims she doesn’t need anyone.” No need to repeat the part about being aware, since she hadn’t understood it herself. Be aware of what? Of whom? Of Jared? Of moving too quickly?
“I’m glad you came back, too, and I’m glad I was here when you did. Imagine if the dive had been shut down completely and I’d left before you got here. Or if you’d never stopped at the inn that day you brought Ruby over to have lunch with Grace.” Jared draped an arm over Chrissie’s shoulder, and when the taillights from the car disappeared around the bend in the road, they walked toward the house. “If you didn’t know them, you might think they’re an odd pair, Ruby and Grace. But there’s a strange vibe that comes from both. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s there.”
Chrissie nodded. “It’s there, and it’s the same vibe. I’m starting to believe there’s something in the water in St. Dennis that gives people some sort of sight.”
“Oh, now who’s taking a step into the unexplainable?” he teased.
“Ah, we’re back to that again.” Chrissie turned in the doorway.
“There you two are.” Gordon opened the door. “The band is packing up and Delia and I were just about to give a final toast to our families before calling it a night. Come on out to the patio.”
Gordon put a friendly hand on Chrissie’s arm and escorted her through the house, Jared following. When they reached the double doors and stepped outside, Gordon replaced his hand with that of his son’s, and a look passed between them. Chrissie felt that he’d somehow silently assured Jared of his approval.
Once again, champagne was passed around, and when everyone had a glass, Delia and Gordon moved to the center of the group.
“I can’t imagine taking this step without each one of you here with us,” Delia began. “You are my lifeblood, my children, my grandchildren.” She smiled at Rachel and Jared before adding, “My new children and new grandchildren, and not a ‘step’ in the group.” She turned to Gordon. “You have enriched my life beyond words. I never thought I’d find someone I’d want to spend my days—and yes, my nights—”
“Mom!” Zoey called out, and everyone, including Delia, laughed.
“Yes, my nights. And don’t think they don’t matter at any age, young lady.” Another round of laughter, then light applause.
Delia turned to her new husband. “Gordon Chandler, you are a remarkable man. You’ve shown me a wonderful world I’d never known existed.” To her children, she said, “And before Zoey can attempt to silence me again, let me say I’m talking about scuba diving. And before any of you say a word, I love it. I’ve loved every minute I’ve spent with you since the day we met, Gordon, on land and at sea.”
“As have I, sweetheart. But while we’re on the subject, now’s a good time for me to give you my wedding gift.” Gordon ducked into the house and returned a moment later carrying a large box wrapped in white paper and sporting an enormous bow. “Happy wedding, darling.”
“What on earth . . . ?” Delia was obviously surprised, but pleased, so she set the box on a nearby table and began to open it. When she lifted the lid, she started to laugh with apparent delight. “Oh, how perfect.”
From the box she lifted something that to Chrissie looked like a black leather suit.
“Mom, is that a wet suit?” Georgia asked.
“I do believe it is.” Her smile bright with surprise and pleasure, Delia turned to Gordon and kissed him. “My own wet suit. I can’t wait to put it on.”
“Hopefully not tonight,” Zoey muttered just loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Oh, you.” Still laughing, Delia tossed the bow at Zoey, who caught it with a grin.
“Mom, this is such a shock. I can hardly imagine you on a boat, but diving . . .” Nick shook his head. “I couldn’t even get you into a kayak in six feet of water.”
“This is totally different, love. This is exciting, an adventure we can share.” She gazed at Gordon with love in her eyes.
“So many adventures to share, Delia.” Gordon cleared his throat and returned his attention to their family. “A toast to each of you. We love you,” Gordon said, his eyes glistening. “Our lives would not be complete without you. All of you.”
His gaze met Chrissie’s, and again she felt as if he’d blessed her with his approval.
“Here’s to you, new dad,” Nick proposed. “Welcome to the family.”
Everyone drained their glasses, and in the moments that followed, they all said their good nights, and couple by couple, left for their rooms on the expansive second floor. Finally, only Chrissie and Jared were left on the patio.
“Turn off the lights before you come in, will you, son?” Gordon paused on his way out to kiss his son, then kissed Chrissie’s cheek as well.
“Well, then. Alone at last,” Jared quipped. He sat on the wall, holding her hand.
The caterer’s crew arrived with apologetic smiles but determined to finish their tasks.
“Well, not quite,” she said.
“Probably just as well.” Jared stood, still holding her hand. “It’s late, and it’s been a long day, and we still have tomorrow. Come on, Chris. I’ll walk you to your room.”
Hand in hand, they walked up the stairs. At the door to her room, Chrissie turned to him, and before she could speak, he kissed her, taking his time, his lips incredibly soft, the kiss slow. It felt endless, and Chrissie felt herself drifting into a place of warmth and pleasure. When his lips moved to her forehead, she closed her eyes and savored the sensation, the sweep of emotion that washed through her.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” he promised.
Chrissie nodded.
“I’ll have your coffee ready.” He backed away down the hall toward his own room.
She nodded again.
He walked all the way down the hall backward, his eyes on her. When he reached his room, he blew her a kiss, and she laughed softly before going into her room and closing the door behind her.