Meredith stood frozen on the threshold to the outdoors, torn between dashing for the downstairs bathroom—and possibly past the men—or streaking through Eleanor’s brigade in her PJs and mud mask. When Derrick appeared beside his dad, she made a hasty decision and fled down the porch and across the grass, muttering something high-pitched and in Spanish.
Derrick watched, awestruck, as she trailed away, presumably toward the carriage house. He walked over and shut the door just as William and Brent entered the room.
Margaret had clearly forestalled Chad in the hallway, because Hope heard her say, “Not back there, dear. Not everybody’s decent.”
William surveyed the scene without comment and dipped his chin. “Morning, ladies.”
Hope’s face burned hot as Brent strode to the coffee table and picked up the empty video box entitled Dirty Dancing.
“Did Patrick Swayze moonlight?”
Sally, who was wide awake by now, shot to her feet and clubbed Brent on the shoulder with her pillow. Feathers spilled out of it on impact, sending little white puffs everywhere, joining the ones already on the sofa…matching loveseats…and all over the floor.
“Go on. Get out of here,” she snapped playfully. “No boys allowed.”
William pursed his lips, resisting a grin, while Derrick set his hands on his hips and just said, “Huh.”
Brent held up a hand as Sally continued to pound him. “All right, all right. We’re leaving.” He chuckled, holding out the video box. “Who should I return this to?”
Sofia and Ava attempted to appear guileless, and Hope tugged her sleeping bag up to her chin. Grandmother Margaret returned to catch Brent still holding Dirty Dancing as Grandpa Chad thudded his way upstairs. “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” she said, shaking her head at her grandson. “Give that to me.”
…
When Hope and Ava entered the carriage house, Meredith was in the shower.
“You can go next, Mom,” Hope told her. “I’m going to touch base with Jackie.”
“Tell her she missed a great party last night. Wait.” Ava paused, looking mortified. “You didn’t upload any of those pictures to Instagram?”
Hope shot a teasing look at her mom. “Only the G-rated ones from the boat.”
Ava gave a relieved smile. “Yesterday sure was something. Who knew the Albright women were so much fun?”
“Yeah.” Hope laughed and headed toward the coffeemaker. “Coffee?”
“Make two cups for me,” Ava called, bounding down the stairs.
Hope set the coffee to brew, then stepped out onto the deck overlooking the water. The sky still looked gloomy, but tomorrow was supposed to be a pretty day. It was after ten, so she hoped Jackie was headed to the airport. She speed-dialed her number and Jackie answered after one ring.
“Hi, Hope.”
“Are you at the airport?”
“Headed there soon.” A huge rumble roared in the background like a billion tumbling bowling pins.
“What on earth was that?”
“Thunder,” Jackie said, sounding winded. A loud zip indicated she was closing her bag. “It’s been pouring here all morning.”
“We got that yesterday.”
“I hope it’s clearer today.”
“It is, and it’s supposed to be even better tomorrow.”
“My wedding day,” Jackie said on a dreamy sigh. “I can hardly believe it.”
Hope didn’t doubt that. She’d been the one here doing all the prep work.
“How was the bachelorette party?”
“Memorable.”
“Oh yeah? You only posted a few updates on Instagram. What was the deal with the boat and the sailor hats?”
“I’ll tell you more about it when you get here. What time do you expect that will be?”
“I’ve got a noontime flight, which puts me into Boston a little past one. Blue Hill’s four, four and a half, hours from there. Build in an extra thirty minutes for me to pick up the rental car.”
Hope gasped. “You won’t get here until six?”
“I said I’d be there for the dinner. Isn’t that at seven?”
“Yeah, but what about the rehearsal?”
“My earlier flight was canceled, and the next scheduled one was all sold out, with people scrambling to leave the island before the storms.”
A dead weight settled in Hope’s stomach. “Oh no, Jackie. What if you don’t—?”
“Hush. Don’t even say it. Do you want to curse my travels or something?”
“No, of course not.” Hope bit her bottom lip. “I’m just worried—that’s all. The ceremony’s in the morning—at eleven a.m. Then there’s the big fancy lunch and reception.”
“I’ll be there for that.” Jackie actually sounded annoyed that Hope would doubt her. “All right?”
“And tonight?”
“Hang on. I heard a horn.” There was a brief pause, and Jackie returned to the line. “That’s my car to the airport. Gotta dash.”
“Text me from the runway.”
“What?”
“To let me know you’re taking off.”
“Okay. No problem. I’ll see you soon.” Her tone softened. “And thank you, Hopie.”
“You don’t need to keep thanking me,” Hope said, feeling like she’d gotten the better end of the deal. She’d come to love Brent and become enchanted by his family. Sadly, those benefits were double-edged swords. Because now Hope understood how hard it was going to be to lose them. “Just don’t be late, okay? I honestly don’t think I can do this for one more day.”
She ended the call and wiped back the single tear that had streaked down her cheek.
“Honey?” Ava said, stepping through the sliding glass door. “Are you okay?”
Hope sniffed and tried to collect herself. “Yeah, Mom. Just fine.”
“Is Jackie on her way?”
Hope nodded, and her chin trembled.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Ava pulled her into a hug. “This is so very hard for you, isn’t it?”
Hope met her mom’s gaze, all teary-eyed. “How could it not be hard, Mom?”
“You’re right.” Ava hugged her again and patted her back. “The whole situation’s terrible. You’re the one who should be marrying Brent, not Jackie.”