She wondered what her brother thought about all this. Theo lived for surfing out there on the California coast. He must care. Maybe he was involved in some kind of protest or clean-water effort. He could act brainless, but he had a good heart. They talked or texted now and then, but they weren’t close. She kind of missed him. She’d text him sometime, maybe tonight.
On their way from the beach, Juliet thought about bus schedules to Boston. She’d love to stay on the island, but she really had to get back to Kazaam. Although…she often worked at home when she didn’t feel like fighting through a blizzard, and that was never a problem. Maybe…
When they walked in the front door, Juliet could smell the delicious aroma of tomato, garlic, and olive oil. Her mother’s spaghetti sauce was simmering in the slow cooker.
“That smells fantastic,” Juliet said, giving her mother a hug.
“Thanks, sweetie. I’ve made an extra batch for you to take home.”
But this is home, Juliet thought.
Before she could think twice, she said, “Mom, what if I came here for the summer?”
Lisa was in the kitchen, stirring the sauce. “Could you do that? I mean, with your work?”
“Sure. Almost everything I do is online, even communicating with the others in our office. Well, I’d have to okay it with the new boss, and I’d probably have to go back a couple of times, but I’m sure I could make it work from here.” As she talked, Juliet’s spirits rose. “I’d love to work all morning and swim all afternoon. I could see my old friends. And I could help you. Summer is the busiest time at your shop. I could take over buying groceries and cooking.”
Lisa settled the lid back on the slow cooker. Leaning against the counter, she folded her arms. “Does this have anything to do with Mack? Do you feel you need to keep an eye on me in case I do something stupid?”
“Honestly, that never crossed my mind.” Juliet grinned. “But now that you mention it…”
“It would be nice to have you here for a while,” Lisa said. “But wouldn’t the noise of the carpenters drive you crazy?”
“It gets noisy in the office, you know. And I could hole up with my laptop in my room and wear headphones.”
“Well, think about it. You know you’re always welcome.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Juliet crossed the room and hugged her mother. Feeling the comfort of her mother’s embrace, Juliet said, “Going back into the office makes me so sad. It would be so much better if I came home for a while.”
Lisa held Juliet away from her, but kept her hands on Juliet’s shoulders. “You’re a brilliant woman, Juliet. You can walk into that office like a star.”
Juliet pouted. “So you don’t want me here?”
Lisa gave Juliet one of her Mom looks—affection mixed with exasperation. “You know that’s not what I said.”
Juliet smiled. “I know. And I will go back into the office tomorrow. But forget being dumped, it’s fun to think of spending most of the summer here.”
“Then that’s what you should do.”
* * *
—
Later, with a jar of her mother’s spaghetti sauce in a padded carrier, Juliet climbed the ramp to the afternoon fast ferry to Hyannis. She settled in a booth, set up her laptop, and worked all the way over. When the ferry pulled into the harbor, she packed up and got in line with the crowd of other passengers.
As she was walking down the ramp, a familiar voice called her name. She turned.
“Ryder!”
She was glad he was a few people behind her so she could take a moment to pull herself together.
“Hey,” he said. “Going to Boston? Want to ride with me? I’ve got a car in the lot.”
“Oh, um, thanks, but I’m taking the bus.”
“But I’ll get you there faster, and you won’t have to ride with a lot of smelly strangers.”
Her natural sarcasm took over. She sniffed loud and long, pretending to recoil. “Well, not with strangers.”
Ryder laughed. “Come on. I’m over here.” He went ahead of her, threading his way between other travelers with rolling suitcases, wailing children, and dogs making the most of their long leashes while their owners shouldered their bags.
Juliet followed him, unable to resist studying his backside. He wore faded jeans, a white shirt, and a lightweight navy blue blazer. His thick shaggy hair covered his neck. His shoulders were broad, his long legs moved easily. She wanted to drop her backpack, race across the tarmac, and tackle him from behind, covering him with kisses right there in front of everyone.
But she was done with men.
I’ll bet he drives a Mercedes, she thought, trying to chill herself away from her heated emotions.
Ryder stopped next to something resembling a spacecraft.
He drives a Tesla, Juliet said under her breath. Of course he drives an electric car.
Ryder turned, grinning, as if he’d heard her. “Ever been in one of these before?”
“Oh, often,” Juliet retorted sarcastically, although why she had to be sarcastic she didn’t understand. It was as if her mind was trying to shove her away from this man while her body wanted to jump him.
“You’ll like it. It’s quiet.” He reached out his hand.
Juliet took a step back.
“Let me put your bag in the back,” Ryder said, amused.
Juliet slid the straps off her shoulders and handed it to him. She opened the passenger door and stepped into the car. “Wow,” she said aloud. The interior was impressively spacious.
“Like it?” Ryder asked as he slid into the driver’s seat.
“Very much.” Juliet tried to keep a hard edge. “It must have cost a fortune.”
“Maybe. But every little bit helps the environment.” Ryder spoke casually, but met her gaze. There it was, that spark between them. With a smile, he added, “Electric is good.”
Juliet wondered if he was acknowledging the connection between them or just talking about his car.
They drove out of the parking lot, through Hyannis, and onto the highway, where the car accelerated swiftly and smoothly.
“I feel like I’m in a vehicle that’s half Aladdin’s carpet and half spaceship,” Juliet said.
“I know, right? It’s the car of the future. Within five years, there will be more electric cars on the roads than internal combustion cars.”