Most guys she’d dated had always pushed her for more of a commitment which was usually when she ended things. But Sean was different. And as time went on, for the first time, she began to crave more of a commitment, and more of his time. She’d assumed that he’d be divorced within a year or two, but he kept pushing off filing, always saying it was ‘complicated’ and that the timing wasn’t right.
She understood it, to a point—Sean had lots of financial holdings, properties and other investments that would need untangling and he had a child too, a teenage son, Julian. So, she’d never pushed until the past year when he still hadn’t filed and was regularly canceling on her at the last minute to spend time with his son and ex-wife.
It wasn’t until she reached her breaking point, ended the relationship and actually went on a date with someone new-- that Sean finally came to his senses. He filed for divorce and begged Kristen to take him back. And because he’d finally done what she’d been asking for, she felt as though she needed to give their relationship a second chance.
“Now you look ready to go!” Sean flashed her the smile that used to make her heart skip a beat. She was glad that he seemed to be in a better mood. She followed him out to his sleek silver Mercedes. It was a leased sedan, and just a few months old. He traded them in as soon as his lease ended so that he always had something shiny and new. The contrast between his showy car and her practical, ten-year-old Honda Civic was stark. She climbed into the passenger side and relaxed against the buttery black leather while Sean drove the short distance to the club.
When they were almost there, she felt her phone vibrate and glanced down to see a text message from Kate that made her smile.
Philippe had to fly to L.A. unexpectedly and gave Jack and I his tickets. So we’ll see you tonight.
Good. She was relieved that her sister would be there. Sean would be in his networking glory, wanting to work the room and chat with all the important people and she’d been dreading having to make small talk with strangers.
When they pulled up to the front door of the sprawling, gray-shingled country club, a young man, one of the many valets, stood waiting to open her door. A moment later, Sean handed over his keys and they went inside. They followed the other new arrivals to the function room, which Kristen had to admit, was lovely. It was huge and decorated in soft blue-gray and creamy white. One wall was almost entirely floor to ceiling windows with sweeping ocean views.
There were at least a hundred and fifty or maybe even close to two hundred people already and there was a buzz of energy as people greeted old friends and new ones they hoped to impress.
“Chardonnay?” Sean asked as they made their way toward one of several bars along the sides of the room.
Kristen nodded yes as a handsome server holding a silver tray, stopped to offer mini-crab cakes and scallops wrapped in bacon. She took two scallops and offered one to Sean when he returned with her wine.
“No, you have it. I see someone I need to go talk to for a minute. You’ll be okay?”
“Of course. Kate and Jack should be here any minute.”
Surprise flashed across his face. “Oh, I didn’t know they were coming.”
“It was a last-minute thing.” She popped the other scallop in her mouth as Sean ran off to stalk his prey. Kristen sipped her chardonnay and glanced around the room, recognizing many faces, but not knowing any of them well enough to go talk to them. All of Nantucket’s important people were there, as Sean had expected.
Many of them owned businesses on the island, or had second homes and worked in Boston or New York City, flying in on weekends,—many on their own private planes. Kristen had often watched from Sean’s side as these people talked to each other. She saw them size each other up and the talk always turned to what they did, what kind of business they owned, where they lived. Many owned palatial homes on Nantucket but rarely visited more than a few weeks a year. It had always seemed like such a waste to Kristen, to have these big, beautiful homes sitting empty most of the year. Most didn’t even rent them out, so others could enjoy them.
“Where’s Sean?” Kristen turned at the sound of her sister Kate’s voice. She and Jack had just arrived and found the bar before making their way over to her. Jack was holding a beer and Kate had a glass of white wine too. She was so glad that they’d been able to come.
“He’s off talking to someone. Said he’d be right back, but I’m not holding my breath. You know how he is at these things.”
Kate smiled. “He’s working the room. I imagine there are a lot of potential commissions here.”
“That’s true. And he’s so busy lately. He hired two new brokers this week and is taking over the space of the office next door.”
Jack whistled softly. “On Main Street? That’s not cheap.” He was right, Main Street rents were crazy expensive and when Sean told her what the new amount would be, her jaw had dropped. She just couldn’t wrap her head around paying so much. But he wasn’t the least bit concerned. She turned her attention to Kate and Jack.
“You look gorgeous, as always. Is that a new dress?” Kristen asked.
“Thanks. It is new. I bought it in Boston right before I moved home.” Her sister was wearing a cherry red dress with delicate spaghetti straps that showed off her tanned, toned arms. Kate had always been tall and slim and lately, she’d been glowing with happiness. Ever since she and Jack got together.
When Kate moved home just before Christmas, she’d been through a bad breakup and the last thing she was looking for was another relationship. But when she’d moved into her mother’s best friend, Paige’s house for the winter, Jack lived just a few doors down and had also recently ended a relationship. They started spending time together and now, Kristen couldn’t imagine them apart. They made it look easy, but she suspected that when it was right, it was easier.
“You look lost in thought,” Kate teased her as Jack walked off to say hello to a friend, and Kristen realized she’d done exactly that. She’d been doing it a lot lately, thinking about what she was doing with Sean and how much longer she was going to do it for.
“I have some decisions to make soon,” she admitted.
Kate nodded, understanding what she meant. “You know how I feel about it. Let me know if I can do anything to help.” Kate had made it clear that she felt Kristen could do better, much better.
“Thanks.”
“Is that Chase? Did you know he was coming tonight? This isn’t his kind of thing at all.”
Kristen followed her sister’s gaze, and was just as surprised to see their younger brother there, looking tall and handsome in a suit neither of them had seen before and talking to a very pretty girl with long blonde hair. She was wearing a sleek white slip dress and impossibly high pink heels. There was another man with them, and they were both laughing at something he said.
“No, it’s not,” Kristen agreed. “Do you know who that is?”
Kate squinted and cocked her head, thinking. “I’m not a hundred percent sure, but maybe it’s that girl Abby said she saw him with at The Chicken Box—Lauren something or other.
Chase turned, as if he sensed their eyes on him and smiled when he saw his sisters. He said something to the other two and made his way over to talk to them. He grinned as he reached them.
“I bet you’re surprised to see me here.”
“That’s an understatement,” Kate agreed.
“Lauren and her brother had tickets. They always come to these kinds of things. I told her it wasn’t really my scene, but she asked so nicely that it was hard to say no.”
“And you bought a new suit and everything. You must really like her?” Kristen couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen her brother in a suit. He was a self-employed building contractor, so jeans and a t-shirt was much more his style.
Chase looked somewhat embarrassed. “Lauren is cool. She helped me pick out the suit, said it was a good investment and that I’d have it for years.”
“So, tell us about
her. How long have you been dating? Will you introduce us?”
He nodded. “Of course. She’s on her way over now.” Lauren walked to his side and Chase put his arm around her and pulled her slightly into him.
“Lauren, I’d like you to meet my sisters, Kristen and Kate.”
“Nice to meet you,” they said at the same time and then laughed. As twins, they’d often done that.
Lauren smiled and then glanced around the room. Kristen followed her gaze and noticed Lauren’s brother talking to Sean and neither man looked happy. When Lauren turned her attention back to them, Kristen could see why her brother was so captivated. She was a gorgeous girl, with sleek straight blond hair that fell in a sharp, bob to her shoulders, clear blue eyes and delicate, pretty features. She was petite and had a trim figure with toned arms that looked as though she worked out regularly. Kristen wondered what they had in common as Lauren seemed more sophisticated than the girls her brother usually dated.
“You work in real estate too?” Kristen asked as a way to make conversation.
Lauren’s face lit up, and she looked curious. “I do, yes, do you? Chase didn’t mention that anyone in his family was into real estate.”
“Oh, no! I’m an artist. My boyfriend, Sean, is into real estate. You probably know him, Sean Prescott.
Lauren’s face clouded as Kristen felt a light hand on her shoulder.
“Did someone call?” Sean teased. He looked around the group, nodded at Chase and smiled. “Nice to see you Lauren. I was just chatting with your brother. He said you’re doing a great job, fantastic for just a new agent.”
Lauren seemed to bristle at the implication that she was new.
“It’s been several years now and things are going well, thanks.” She turned to Chase. “I see someone I need to go say hello to. I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”
“Are you having fun?” Sean asked her and then greeted the others. “Kate, Jack, good to see you both. I’m sure Kristen was glad to see you. She hates these things.”
Kristen laughed. “I don’t hate them. Hate’s a strong word.”
“Well, you’d probably rather be home with your painting?”
“Generally, yes. But, you’re right, I’m glad my family is here tonight, makes it more fun.”
“Good. Speaking of fun, I see someone I need to go talk to. You don’t mind do you?”
“Of course not. Go mingle.”
Kristen laughed at the expression on her sister’s face as Sean walked away.
“I’ve never understood what you see in him. He’s the last person I would have picked for you. I did hope that things would be better for you since he finally filed for divorce though?”
Kristen didn’t really want to talk about it yet though, not even with her sister. Not until she was sure of what she was going to do. She ignored the question and changed the subject.
“You should try one of the scallops in bacon, they’re delicious.” Kristen reached for another as a server stopped and held out a silver tray full of appetizers. She grabbed a stuffed mushroom too.
They spent the next few hours chatting and enjoying the food. Sean joined them when dinner was about to be served and they were seated at a round table with several other people that both Sean and Jack knew.
Jack Trattel ran his family’s seafood business, which supplied many of the local restaurants on the island, so it seemed that he knew almost as many people as Sean did. But the difference between them was night and day. While Sean was on the prowl, roaming the room and seeking out people to talk to, Jack mostly stayed by Kate’s side and politely chatted with anyone who stopped by to say hello.
After dinner, there was dancing and a dessert table along one wall. Kristen and Kate helped themselves while Sean excused himself to go chat with someone from his office. While they were in line for dessert, Kristen saw another familiar face coming her way. Andrew Everly and another man that she didn’t recognize.
Andrew ran the newest gallery in town and when Kristen had accidentally bumped into his car, he’d suggested she work off the damage by having a show at his gallery. It had been a success, and they’d had drinks after. She liked Andrew, he was easy to talk to, but the timing hadn’t been right as she still wasn’t over Sean at the time. The breakup had been too recent. She’d heard recently that he’d started dating someone pretty seriously, and she was happy for him.
“Kristen, and Kate, great to see you both. I don’t think you know my brother, Tyler? I talked him into moving here too and he actually just bought the cottage next to you. Meet your new neighbor.”
Tyler frowned. “I haven’t moved in yet. I just had a few things delivered this week, the rest is coming later this week.”
Kristen held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Once you get settled, stop by and say hello.” She couldn’t help noticing how opposite they were in looks and demeanor. Andrew was all light and sunny with his blonde hair and laid back, friendly ways.
Tyler was taller than his brother by several inches and was long and lean. He radiated darkness, with almost black hair that was a bit too long and untamed, not straight or wavy but something in-between, a tousled look. His eyes were just as dark and he looked as though he’d rather be anywhere but there. She wondered what he did for work, but didn’t want to ask.
“My brother is a moody artist. You might know his work, he writes the Tyler Black books,” Andrew said proudly.
“The Tyler Black?” Kate sounded impressed and Kristen felt bad that she hadn’t a clue who Tyler Black was.
“What kind of books do you write?” Kristen asked and a curious look flashed across his face.
“He writes international espionage blockbusters, featuring a female assassin. The books are amazing,” Kate answered for him.
“Thanks. They’re fun to write.” A slight smile briefly appeared on Tyler’s face and faded just as quickly.
“I’m sorry that I haven’t read one yet. I read in spurts and when I do it’s usually lighter women’s fiction or romantic comedy,” Kristen explained.
“Where are you moving from?” Kate asked.
“Manhattan. I still own a condo there. I might put it on the market in six months or so once I figure out if I want to live here year round. I needed a change.” He didn’t say more than that, but Kristen sensed that something big had happened that made him want to get away. Nantucket was a great place for that, to hunker down and soak in the fresh air and peace. She sensed that he needed to heal from something, and she hoped that he’d find whatever he was seeking.
“Well, we’re on our way out. It was nice seeing you both,” Andrew said and Tyler nodded in agreement. Kristen yawned. It was getting late, but she knew Sean was nowhere near ready to go yet. He was generally one of the last to leave any party they attended. She’d teased him once that he suffered from FOMO—fear of missing out, and he’d actually agreed.
“I hope you get to know your new neighbor. I’d love to talk books and writing with him sometime,” Kate said as they watched them leave.
“He doesn’t seem anxious for company, but maybe once he’s settled in, he’ll be more interested in getting to know people,” Kristen said, but she had her doubts.
“I have all of his books. You can borrow one, if you want to check them out.”
“I’d love that.” Now that she’d met her new neighbor, she was curious to see what his books were like.
3
“Hello? This is Ruth Smith. I’m trying to reach my husband, Tom Smith. He’s not answering his cell phone and I’m getting concerned. He was due home earlier this afternoon.” The voice on the phone was a bit shaky.
Lisa glanced at the clock. It was just after seven, Sunday evening. And Tom Smith was the guest that had prepaid but never checked in.
“I haven’t seen him,” she said.
There was a long moment of silence, followed by, “But, he told me he was booked at your inn?”
“He was,” Lisa confirmed. “He prepaid act
ually, but he never checked in. I thought that maybe he’d missed the boat and would be a day late. I’m very sorry that I don’t know more than that.” She paused and then gently suggested, “You may want to contact your local police as well as the Nantucket police department and local hospitals. Not to alarm you, but that’s what I’d do.”
“All right, I’ll do that.” The woman’s voice was wobbly with fear and confusion and Lisa’s heart went out to her. She didn’t have a good feeling about it as she couldn’t imagine why someone would prepay and then not show up or even call, unless something had happened that prevented him from doing so. She didn’t want to scare the woman even more by saying that though.
She hung up the phone and returned to the kitchen island where Rhett and one of her best friends, Paige, were sitting with empty plates in front of them. They’d just finished Sunday dinner, Lisa’s favorite, homemade meatballs and sauce. She’d invited Paige to join them as they hadn’t really had a chance to catch up since Paige had returned from Florida.
She’d spent the winter there as usual, but had met someone and it got serious fast, but ended suddenly a week after she returned to Nantucket. Her new love was supposed to join her and spend the summer on Nantucket, but instead, he’d broken up by text message and stayed in Florida. Lisa had expected Paige to be heartbroken, but she’d taken it all in stride.
Lisa filled them in on the phone call and they both looked puzzled. “Telling her to call the police and hospitals was good advice. Best thing to do. If anything happened here, they’ll know about it.” Rhett stood and brought his plate to the sink and rinsed out his wine glass.
“No more wine for you? I was just going to top off our glasses,” Lisa offered.
Rhett shook his head. “I’m going to leave you two ladies to chat. There’s a new book that’s calling my name.”
Nantucket Neighbors Page 2
