by Aurora Rey
“Sounds good. We’ll get cracking.”
Nora pointed to a pile on the floor. “That should be all the supplies you need. If something is missing, let me know.”
“Thank you.” Will looked at Graham. “You ready?”
Graham nodded, now looking more eager than nervous. “Ready.”
“I’ll leave you to it.”
Nora disappeared and Will tried not to be disappointed. She chided herself. Nora had hired her, not invited her over for tea. She finished her coffee, which might be the most delicious coffee she’d ever had, and looked at Graham. “Furniture first?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
They moved the bed away from the wall, then positioned the rest of the furniture around it. She had Graham cover it while she got on the step ladder to remove the window treatments. Once that was done, she turned her attention to tools. Whether Nora had done it before, or had simply done her homework, it looked like she’d thought of everything. She pulled a paper scorer out of the package and handed it to Graham. “Can you run this all over the wall while I mix up the paste dissolver?”
“Yes?”
Will took it back and did a quick demo. “Like this.”
“Oh.” Graham took it back and offered a confident smile. “Yes.”
* * *
At noon, Nora decided to check the progress of the work and offer lunch. She climbed the stairs and heard laughter coming from the room where Graham and Will were working. She crept toward the door, stopping short of the threshold, and listened.
“I’m just saying you’re precocious. I didn’t kiss anyone—boy or girl—until I was fourteen,” Graham said.
“It was all innocent stuff, I swear. I didn’t have sex until college.” Will’s reply sounded more playful than defensive.
“With?” Graham let the question linger.
“A graduate student. The teaching assistant in my Western Civ class.”
“What year were you?”
“Freshman.” There was a pause and then Will added, “I didn’t get any farther than that.”
“Farther than sex?”
“Farther than freshman year.”
“Oh.”
“It just,” Will hesitated. “It just wasn’t for me.”
“That’s cool. I sometimes wish I’d been too cool for school. I was the biggest nerd.”
Nora tensed. If Will so much as hinted that Graham’s education wasn’t worth it, she’d fire her on the spot.
“Emerson was like that. I was athletic, popular, but I always wished I could be more like her.”
“You could always go back.” The youthful optimism in Graham’s voice made Nora smile.
“I think that ship has sailed. It’s okay, though. I like working with people, and with my hands. I do all right.”
The last statement gave Nora pause. She’d made it through college, but barely. More because it was important to her parents than any intrinsic motivation. They’d hoped she would become a teacher. She’d gone along with it until she got her first glimpse of student teaching. She’d almost had a panic attack at the prospect of standing in front of thirty kids all day. Now, she staunchly supported higher education. But if she was being honest, it hadn’t really been for her either.
Wanting to cut off any further trip down memory lane, she called out a greeting and went the rest of the way into the room. The furniture had been moved and draped with sheets. The curtains were down and Graham was wiping a wall down with a sponge. “I see you two are making good progress.”
Will looked to Graham, who said, “Someone told me we were working on a deadline.”
Nora chuckled. “Oh, right. Still, it’s looking good. How about a lunch break?”
“Thank God. I’m famished.” Graham pressed the back of her hand to her forehead.
Nora looked to Will. “Will?”
“I’m fine to take a break. I feel like I should tell you, though, that your walls have some rough spots and some stains.”
Nora sighed. Of course they did. “Is it a couple of extra hours bad or I need to cancel this weekend’s reservation bad?”
Will flipped her hand back and forth. “Somewhere in the middle. I can definitely get it done, as long as you don’t mind me coming early and going late the next couple of days.”
Nora appreciated the attitude. “I don’t mind at all. I’ll pay you for the time, obviously, but we can also work out some kind of overtime for your trouble.”
Will lifted a hand. “No need. I’m truly happy for the work and I want it to be done right.”
“Me, too,” Graham said.
Nora glanced at Graham, having forgotten for a moment she was there. “Thank you. I’m not above getting pulled in, too, if needed.”
“But we still get lunch, right?”
“Of course. I’m not a tyrant.”
Graham dropped her sponge in the bucket at her feet and crossed the room to give Nora a hug. “You’re a benevolent boss.”
Nora chuckled. “Will, you’re free to come and go, but you are also welcome to join us. It’s just soup, but there’s plenty of it.”
“I would love that.” The genuine gratitude in her voice caught Nora off guard.
They sat at the dining room table, talking about everything from Graham’s thesis to how Nora came to own the inn. Will asked lots of questions, seeming to be as interested in Nora as she was Graham. Nora didn’t know what to make of it. Not that she had to.
When they’d finished eating, Nora shooed them back upstairs to keep working while she cleaned up and made a trip to the hardware store. She picked up the paint, along with the putty and special primer Will suggested. By the time she got home, it was close to four and her walls were bare and ready to go.
Will accepted the supplies. “Patching holes is sort of a one-person job, so I’ll do that before I go. Then we can sand and start priming in the morning.”
“I’ll keep you company,” Graham said.
Nora sighed. A small part of her wanted to linger, enjoy playful conversation and not think about anything else. But that’s not who she was, and on top of that she had things to do. “I appreciate your staying late. I’ll be downstairs if you need anything.”
Nora went to the small office nook she had set up in a corner of the kitchen. She booted up her computer and opened the reservation book, selecting recipes and making lists in preparation for the weekend. Occasionally, she heard laughter from upstairs and found herself, not jealous, but envious perhaps, of the easy rapport. She shook her head. That was ridiculous. Between her friends and her guests, she had plenty of that. She didn’t need—or even want—that with someone like Will.
Chapter Seven
Will and Graham finished two rooms before Nora had to put the projects on hold for the holidays. Not only did she have a full house for Thanksgiving, the weeks leading up to Christmas were more booked than not. They might be able to get the third upstairs room done the second week of December, but she’d have to wait and see.
Graham had taken to helping her in the kitchen. The girl didn’t have much talent in that arena, but she was an eager learner. And she didn’t mind dishes. There were always plenty of dishes. Today, Nora was giving her a lesson in French toast.
“Would you mind if I invited Will to Thanksgiving dinner?”
Nora sighed. She thought this might be coming. Too bad she didn’t plan what she would say. “I’m not sure—”
Graham planted her hands on her hips. “Why don’t you like her?”
Nora stopped whisking the egg mixture in front of her. “I don’t not like her.”
Graham raised a brow. “Could’ve fooled me.”
Nora resumed whisking. It looked like they were having this conversation whether or not she wanted to. It didn’t mean she didn’t need to get breakfast on the table in an hour. “I just have a bad feeling about her.”
“That is such an unfair thing to say. You don’t even know her.”
“Neither do y
ou.”
“Do you want this bread sliced?” Graham gestured to the loaf of Challah sitting on the island.
“That would be great. Thank you.”
Graham started on the bread, going at it with a fierce determination that made Nora smile. “I know her better than you do.”
“But still not very well. Someone her age shouldn’t be showing up in town for no reason and working a job any high schooler could do.”
“She came to town because her sister lives here.”
That made it better. A little.
“And you’ve already said she does excellent work. Work, which I might add, I definitely couldn’t have done alone.”
“I was thinking of her other job, but you’ve made your point.”
“I think she was in a bad relationship and was looking for a fresh start.”
As far as Nora was concerned, volatile relationships—the kind that blew up and made someone want to leave town—screamed trouble. She’d learned that lesson years ago firsthand. “Just don’t think of her as some lost puppy you can rescue.”
Graham frowned. “I won’t.”
“Good.” Nora took the bread and started dipping it. “I know her type and trust me when I say you don’t want to get involved.”
Graham huffed. “I still don’t think she should be alone on Thanksgiving. Do you?”
“If she came to town because her sister is here, I’m guessing she won’t be alone.”
“Oh.”
“The fact that didn’t occur to you is what makes me worry.” For some reason, it felt easier to focus on Graham’s potential feelings rather than her own.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You’ve got this idea of her in your head. You can’t go through life dealing with people based on your romanticized notions of them. You’re asking to get hurt.” She’d done just that when Jordyn came to town, falling for the fantasy of a budding musician who acted like Nora was her muse.
“Don’t you think you’re being a little dramatic?”
Nora slid a tray of bacon into the oven. “No, no I don’t.”
Graham narrowed her eyes. “Is this about Will, or Jordyn?”
Nora turned back to her. She’d never discussed Jordyn with Graham. Graham had been visiting for much of the summer she and Jordyn were together. Jordyn took Graham under her wing, playing the part of cool older sister to a T. Fortunately, Graham had already gone home by the time Jordyn vanished. Nora was curious about how much Graham knew, but she didn’t want to ask. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Graham looked at her in a way that seemed far more adult than Nora liked to think of her. “I’m not asking you to give me all the details. I just know something bad went down. I don’t think it’s fair to hold whatever she did against Will.”
She should have known. Even at sixteen, Graham had been perceptive. Still, Nora held her ground. “I’m not holding anything against Will. I’m simply saying there’s a certain kind of woman you have to look out for. It’s a lesson I’d rather you not have to learn the hard way.”
Graham shook her head. Nora thought she might argue the point. Instead, she sighed in a way that felt like admitting defeat. “Is there anything else you want help with?”
“No, thank you for doing the bread. Don’t be angry with me.”
“I’m not. I’m,” she shrugged, “sad I guess. I hate that you’re so quick to see the worst in people.”
That bristled, far more than Nora wanted to admit. More than Graham being annoyed with her for being practical, realistic. “There’s nothing to be sad about. I’ve lived more years than you and I’ve seen more. People with trouble in their pasts are rarely above reproach. I’m sorry if you don’t like that, but it’s human nature.”
“Okay.” Graham sighed. “I’m going to go out for a run. I’ll be back in a while.”
Nora felt badly for deflating her. “Do you want breakfast before you go? It will be ready in about twenty minutes.”
“I’m good. Thanks, though. Take care of your guests and I’ll see you later.”
Graham disappeared in the direction of her room and Nora went about finishing breakfast. Graham’s words continued to play in her mind. Had she been too heavy handed? No, Graham was young and almost painfully optimistic. Nora had done little more than give her a reality check. If being the occasional voice of reason could spare Graham some of the bad choices she’d made in her life, it would be more than worth it.
With that settled, she went to the dining room to check the coffee and greet the guests who had already made their way downstairs. When Graham got home, she’d encourage her to invite Will to dinner. It would make Graham feel better and the chances of Will actually coming were slim.
* * *
As much as Will appreciated the invitation to join Graham and Nora for Thanksgiving, she wasn’t about to pass up the chance for a real family holiday, the first in longer than she cared to admit. She pulled into Darcy and Emerson’s driveway and smiled. They’d been in the little house in Wellfleet for less than a month. Although she’d yet to help Emerson with some of the projects they’d discussed, they’d settled in and were excited to host their first holiday dinner. She grabbed the bottle of wine and her first attempt at a kugel and headed to the front door.
Before she had the opportunity to knock, the door flew open. Liam stood on the other side, decked out in khakis, a sweater vest, and a bow tie. “Hi, Will!”
“Hey, Liam. Happy Thanksgiving. You’re looking very dapper today.”
He stood a little taller at the compliment. “Thanks. Emerson and I got matching outfits.”
Will chuckled. “Nice. I hope your mom took a picture for posterity.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What’s posterity?”
Will angled her head. “It means—”
“Liam, would you please let our guest in the house before you start interrogating her?” Darcy appeared in the foyer, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. “Sorry, Will. Please come in.”
Will stepped inside and nudged the door closed with her hip. She handed Darcy the wine. “No, no, it was my fault. I used a word and Liam asked what it meant.”
“Ah. And what word is that?” She lifted the bottle. “Thanks for this, by the way.”
“You’re welcome. Posterity.”
“She asked if you took a picture of me and Emerson for posterity.”
“I didn’t, but I definitely should. Thanks for the reminder.”
Will grinned. “Of course.”
“But what does it mean?” Liam’s voice took on a hint of exasperation, which made Will laugh.
“It means the future or, I think more specifically, future generations. Mostly, you say it about something you want to preserve or have remembered in the future.”
Liam nodded slowly. “Cool.”
“What’s going on?” Emerson joined them in the small entryway. “What did I miss?”
Will looked at her sister. As promised, she wore an outfit identical to Liam’s. Way preppier than her normal style, it made Will enjoy it all the more. “We were talking about your holiday attire. And making sure there’s photo evidence of it.” Will expected Emerson to groan, or at least roll her eyes. When she didn’t, and merely smiled and said something about it being a good idea, Will shook her head. Things sure had changed. Since she couldn’t remember seeing her sister happier, it seemed like a definite change for the better. “Let me and all three of you can be in it.”
They filed into the living room and Emerson picked up her camera from the coffee table. She was in the process of handing it to Will when Darcy spoke. “How about we let Will get comfortable first?” She took the pan of kugel and headed to the kitchen. “Take off your coat and stay a while.”
Emerson took Will’s coat and smiled. “Sorry. Liam and I get carried away sometimes.”
“No apologies needed. You two are adorable.”
Darcy returned and Will took a bunch of photos, stopping with the
arrival of Darcy’s parents. Emerson poured wine and Darcy put the finishing touches on dinner. When they sat down at the table, a housewarming gift from Darcy’s parents, Will happily took her seat next to Liam. Dishes were passed and, in lieu of a formal blessing over the meal, Darcy invited everyone to share the things they were grateful for while they ate.
Liam went first, rattling off the cutest list that included everything from learning how to throw a curve ball to his new house. Darcy’s parents were very sweet. The things they said about Darcy, and about Emerson becoming part of their lives, gave her a pang for her own parents. When it was her turn, Will took a deep breath. “I’m grateful for all of you, and to be here. Here, at this dinner, but also here on the Cape. A year ago, I couldn’t have imagined this would be my life and now I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
Emerson went next, saying something about each person around the table. Darcy did the same, and by the time she finished, everyone was wiping at their eyes and sniffling. Which, in turn, made everyone laugh. Emerson picked up the platter of turkey and passed it to Will. “I think that’s our cue for seconds.”
Will stuffed herself and laughed until her stomach ached. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so much like part of a family. Despite wanting to get to Nora’s, she didn’t want the meal to end. They lingered around the table for a long while. Finally, Emerson shooed Darcy and her parents out to the living room. Will joined Emerson in the kitchen to clean up. It was the perfect cap to the meal—sharing chores like they’d done for so many years.
With dinner done, leftovers tucked away, and Liam sound asleep on the sofa, Will felt good about taking her leave. She hugged Darcy goodbye and Emerson walked her out. They’d had a dusting of snow overnight, but it had melted and temperatures were near forty.
“Thank you so much for coming,” Emerson said.
Will smiled. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
“I still can’t believe we bought a house.”
Will raised a brow. “You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”
“No, no, nothing like that. It’s amazing. Just a little surreal.”