Audrey sighed and shrugged. “I may have known him longer, but I probably don’t know him any better than you do, Liza.”
Liza felt an old doubt niggling at her. “He’s not involved with someone else, is he?” She hated to ask the question, but she couldn’t help it. Her ex-husband, Jeff, had been unfaithful to her and she’d never seen it coming. She had trusted Jeff completely. And now she worried about her own judgment with men. She couldn’t let herself be betrayed like that again.
Audrey shook her head. “I don’t think it’s anything like that. In all the time we’ve known Daniel, he’s never mentioned anyone. He’s never even seemed that interested in anyone, certainly not as interested as he is in you.”
“That’s good to know.” Liza sighed. “But there must be something,” she reasoned.
“I’ve thought so, too, at times,” Audrey admitted. “But anything I do know . . . or I’ve guessed . . . well, you need to hear it from Daniel. We’ve worked together at the clinic for over two years now, and all I can tell you is he’s a complicated person—and a first-rate EMT.”
Liza instantly felt contrite. “I’m sorry, Audrey. I shouldn’t have asked you. I didn’t mean to put you in an awkward spot. It’s just that at times I feel like I’ve hit a wall.”
“I understand,” Audrey sympathized. “He’s a good man, really. Maybe he’s made some mistakes, but who hasn’t?”
Liza nodded in agreement, but Audrey’s words made her wary. Had Daniel had a run-in with the law of some kind? Was that why he ended up on the island?
“So, tell me about this huge group of guests who are showing up for the weekend,” Audrey said. “Do they like goat cheese?”
“I hope so. Claire sent me over to buy out your store.”
While Audrey filled Liza’s shopping list, Liza told her about her lucky break with the cycling group.
“Seems like good things are coming your way, Liza,” Audrey said, totaling up her bill. “First a wedding, now a sold-out weekend, and it isn’t even Memorial Day.”
“I can’t complain,” Liza replied. As usual, she noticed that not only had Audrey given her a generous neighbor discount, she had also thrown in several bars of soap, lavender bunches and sachets, and a big box of goat’s milk fudge.
“Audrey, I have to give you more money for all this,” Liza insisted, barely able to lift her canvas tote bag.
“Don’t be silly. It’s free advertising for me. I’m sure they’ll all want to go home with some goat cheese when they taste Claire’s omelets and quiche.”
“Good point. I’ll make sure everyone knows where to come.” Liza took a few flyers about the farm from the counter and stashed them in her bag as well.
She strapped the big bag into the basket at the front of her bike and slowly made her way back to the inn. She did believe that Audrey didn’t know much more about Daniel than she was telling. Was he really, as he claimed, just a very private person? Or was he hiding something, some unfortunate episode in his past?
Liza was actually glad now that Audrey had not divulged any deep, dark secrets. If there was some secret, she wanted to hear it from Daniel when he trusted her enough. If he ever did.
Why did it matter so much, she wondered, pushing the bike the last few yards up the road to the inn. Was she falling in love with him? She felt as though she was. It was scary—and wonderful.
So, of course, she wanted to know everything about him. But she resolved not to bug him anymore. There are issues in every relationship, even the good ones, Liza reminded herself. Nobody is perfect, though he seemed just about perfect to her. She had to just focus on the present and be happy with what he was willing to give. And see what happened from there.
When Liza reached the inn, she saw Daniel’s truck in the drive. He had just arrived and now he jumped down from the cab to meet her. She parked the bike and took the big bag out of the basket, carrying it pressed to her chest with both arms.
“Did you just make a goat-cheese run?”
“I did.” Liza nodded and smiled.
“Looks like you bought out the shop.”
“We’re having a big group in for the weekend, a cycling club based in New Jersey. They just called last night. There will be fifteen of them.”
Daniel gave a low whistle. “Sounds like a full house.”
“You’re not kidding,” Liza said. “I’m even giving up my room and sleeping in the attic. They agreed to use some of the older rooms. I’m giving them a discount rate on those.”
“What the rooms lack in decor you’ll make up for with fresh cheese, I’m sure,” he said, looking at the bulging bag again.
Liza laughed. “It’s not all cheese. Audrey gave me soap and other stuff.” She suddenly looked up at him. “But this means I can’t go out with you on Friday night. I have to stay and watch over things. I’m really sorry about that.”
“Don’t worry. I understand. What if someone needs an emergency cup of herbal tea in the middle of the night?”
Now he was kidding and making her laugh again. “Exactly. I don’t expect to sleep a wink.”
“How about next weekend?” he asked hopefully.
Liza was about to happily agree, then realized that next weekend was a holiday, the unofficial start of the summer season, and she had more guests coming in.
“I’d love to but that won’t work either. It’s Memorial Day, and I have more guests coming.”
“That’s a good thing, Liza. Don’t look so glum. We’ll figure it out.” He leaned close for a moment and dropped a quick kiss on her cheek. “You won’t get rid of me that easily,” he added in a softer tone.
“I hope not,” she said sincerely.
BY the time the cyclists were due to arrive on Friday, Liza and Claire were ready and waiting. The upside of expecting so many guests at once, Liza realized, was that it had momentarily distracted her from the wedding plans.
The group’s leader, Josh Cabot, was the first to arrive. He drove up in a hybrid hatchback with a huge bike rack on the back, and came to the door wearing a T-shirt and cargo shorts with a big blue pack over his shoulder. He was about Liza’s height and very fit looking.
“What a beautiful place,” he greeted Liza. “I’m beginning to think it’s a good thing the reservation in Ipswich didn’t work out. The club will love it here.”
“I hope so. We’re all ready for you, but maybe there are a few special requests I should know about?”
“Actually, there are,” Josh replied. He took a folder out of his pack and flipped it open. “We have three members who have requested vegetarian meals and one who’s a vegan.” Liza nodded. She thought she knew the difference but was going to look it up, just to make sure.
“No problem,” she said. “Just let me know their names, and I’ll make a note in the kitchen.”
“Then there are a few requests for nonallergenic pillows . . . and nonwool blankets.”
“All the pillows are new and made of hypoallergenic materials,” she promised him, “and we have plenty of cotton quilts.” She should have known this group would have at least a few health nuts.
“And a question I should have asked you on the phone the other day,” Josh went on. “Do you serve yogurt at breakfast and if so, is it organic?”
“Yes, and yes. Claire, our cook, has even put smoothies on the menu this weekend,” Liza replied quickly. It wasn’t entirely true, but it would be in a few minutes. “And we have a lot of fresh organic goat cheese products on hand. Not to mention, lots of organic bananas.”
Josh looked happy to hear that. Her shopping spree had not been in vain. “How about granola, trail mix, fresh fruit—that sort of thing?”
They didn’t exactly have trail mix on hand, but Liza knew there were enough varied ingredients in Claire’s cupboards to whip up a quick batch of mix before Josh had emptied his pack.
“I think we’re covered on all of that, and I can always run into the village center or down to Cape Light if there’s anything the gro
up needs.”
Josh took his room key and grinned. “How about the weather? Can you arrange that for us, too?”
Of course she couldn’t. But maybe Claire had some pull, she thought with a smile. “I’ll put in a good word,” Liza promised. “Welcome, and I hope you enjoy your stay and your time on the island.”
“I know I will, Liza. When the group sees this place they’re going to think I’m a genius.”
Josh’s prediction was accurate. The cycling group loved the inn but kept Liza hopping throughout Friday afternoon and well into the evening. They were an early-to-bed, early-to-rise bunch and didn’t wake her in the middle of the night. But there were plenty of requests, from organic shampoo to ice packs to yes, chamomile tea.
JEN was still in bed on Saturday morning when her cell phone rang. She picked it up from the nightstand and quickly saw that it was Kyle. “Hi, honey, did I wake you?” he asked gently.
“Not really . . . I was sort of awake. What time is it?” She hadn’t checked when she picked up the phone.
“Seven o’clock. I was going to call you last night, but I was stuck in the office and it got too late.”
Kyle was supposed to come back to Cape Light on Friday night, but he’d been asked to stay and work so was going to fly in that morning. It seemed a long way to go just for one night, Jen knew. But they did miss each other and any time together was important. They also had an appointment with Reverend Ben on Sunday morning. At least Kyle would be able to make that.
“What happened? Did you change your flight?” she asked.
Kyle’s brother was going to pick him up at Logan Airport around nine and drive him back to Cape Light. “Do you need me to pick you up? I can drive in to Boston, it’s no big deal.”
“I’m sorry, honey. I can’t make it back this weekend at all. I thought I could manage a day, but something’s come up. I’ve been asked to meet with some guys on the executive committee about that job opening. They want to take me and some other guys out to dinner. They just asked me last night. It was really short notice,” he added quickly.
“Yeah, that was short notice. Don’t they realize you have a life?” Jennifer didn’t mean to sound so crabby, but she was barely awake and he was wrecking their entire weekend.
“I know, just flexing their muscles, I guess. But it’s really important that I go. Otherwise they’ll just scratch me off the list.”
And that would be a bad thing? Jennifer wanted to say. But she knew that wasn’t the right response. Kyle obviously felt honored by this invitation, and she should try to understand and feel happy for him. Besides, she reminded herself, it was unlikely that he’d get this job if there was so much tough competition. There were other, far more experienced analysts being interviewed. She had to let him feel his moment of glory, didn’t she?
“Jen, are you still there?” he asked quietly.
“I’m still here,” she said with a forced, bright note. “So I guess it’s a real honor to be invited to this dinner. You must be proud.”
“I am, I guess. I just hope I don’t freeze up when the conversation gets rolling and all the other guys start preening.”
“You’ll do fine, Kyle. You’ll probably stand out because you don’t preen. Besides, all you can do is be yourself.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” he said with a laugh.
“You know what I mean. You work so hard and you’re always well prepared. I think all you have to do is be you, and they’ll see how smart and amazing you are.”
“It’s good to have you in my corner, Jen,” he said, his voice sincere now. “If their opinion of me is even half of what yours is, I’ll be fine. You’re the best.”
She could tell her encouragement had helped him. That was the important thing, she reminded herself.
“So I guess you won’t be back tomorrow. I’ll call Reverend Ben and change our appointment to next weekend. They won’t keep you there over Memorial Day, will they?”
“Reverend Ben . . . Oh, Jen, I’m sorry. I completely forgot.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll explain the situation to him. He’ll understand.”
“Thanks, Jen. I’ll try to call him during the week, too,” Kyle said. “And I’m glad you understand. You know I want to be with you this weekend, but this is something I’m doing for our future. It could be very important for us.”
“I know. Really, I understand,” she assured him.
Do you really think you can get this job? she nearly blurted out. But Jennifer held her tongue. He had already told her that it was unlikely. Highly unlikely. She didn’t want to sound negative and critical. It would seem as if she didn’t believe in him and wasn’t on his side.
“Don’t worry, honey. I have plenty to do. I won’t even miss you,” she added in a teasing tone.
“You won’t? I’ll miss you,” he said with longing. “I’ll call you tonight if I don’t get in too late.”
“You can call late, that’s okay. I want to hear how it goes.”
They talked a few more minutes before Kyle had to go. He had to be at his desk by the usual time, even though it was Saturday. He was working so hard, but he seemed to thrive on it.
Was this what she had to look forward to once they were married—Kyle being swept up and preoccupied with his job all the time, and asking her to understand?
She quickly put the thought out of her mind. Everyone was tense before a wedding. Maybe this new interview situation was just Kyle’s way of distracting himself from his own anxiety. She knew he had no doubts about walking down the aisle, but he had to be a little nervous. That was only normal.
She decided to let him talk about this possible promotion as much as he wanted. She wouldn’t worry about it. If he ever got the offer—and there was such a small chance of that happening—Jennifer was sure Kyle would still want the same things she did. He would never want to leave Boston and their hometown behind. Not when he really thought about it.
ABOUT half of the cyclists left on Sunday afternoon; the other half checked out on Monday morning. Liza and Claire began working on the rooms to get the inn in shape for the next wave of guests who were coming for Memorial Day weekend.
While Liza was grateful for the sudden spurt of occupancy, it was still a demanding schedule and left little time to keep up with the Bennet wedding. Though Sylvia had been discouraged from stopping by on Saturday, she still managed to call and e-mail every day, and usually more than once. Would the tent hold another two tables? Could Liza enter all of the wedding info on a website for out-of-town guests? Could Liza find napkin rings that coordinated with the silverware? Could she get a crystal vase for the flowers on the altar? (Cut glass was fine but Sylvia was not a fan of pressed glass.)
Some of these requests were so trivial that Liza wondered if Sylvia was really just trying to share her own anxiety. She knew that Sylvia was having trouble finding a mother-of-the bride dress. Which was in a way a blessing for Liza, since it kept the mother of the bride out shopping and not underfoot at the inn.
Liza only had a few more reservations scattered in the book for the weeks prior to the wedding. After Memorial Day she planned to focus totally on the wedding—unless some other huge group called at the last minute.
Meanwhile, Daniel was steadily working his way through Sylvia’s list. Due to the other jobs he had going, he wasn’t able to stop by every day, but Liza always managed to spend a few minutes with him when he did show up at the inn.
Sometimes they had coffee or lunch together in the backyard. Some days, there wasn’t even time enough for that. The brief moments in his company always left her feeling happy and hopeful. But their time together also left her longing for more.
Daniel didn’t reschedule their date to go out dancing, and Liza wasn’t sure what to make of that. Had he changed his mind or simply forgotten? Liza decided that once Memorial Day weekend was over, she would figure out some diplomatic way to remind him. A night out with Daniel would be the perfect way to celebrate the inn�
�s sudden spurt of popularity.
Chapter Ten
THERE weren’t that many people in church on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, Jennifer noticed. She guessed that many families were away for the holiday. She still enjoyed the service, especially with Kyle sitting beside her. He had returned on Friday night, just as he’d promised, and would be in Cape Light until Monday afternoon when he was going back to New York. The sanctuary was dark and cool while outside the morning was bright with sunshine. Jennifer had grown up attending this church and had always found it a peaceful, restful place. She enjoyed Reverend Ben’s sermons, which managed to mix insights about the Scripture with lessons from everyday life and even a bit of humor.
Kyle looked as if he was listening closely to the sermon, but Jen could tell he was a bit tense and tired. He needed a break from work. She hoped this long weekend would feel like a mini-vacation, with time to play golf and tennis, to visit the beach and go out on his parents’ sailboat. They had a short meeting with Reverend Ben scheduled for after the service, then they planned to spend the day on the beach, taking a break from the wedding mania.
How could New York, with its traffic and crowds and not a green sprig in sight for miles, compare with a place like this? Cape Light felt like a resort town in the summer. There was no contest, as far as Jen was concerned.
Reverend Ben gave the final blessing, and the sanctuary quickly emptied out. Jennifer and Kyle waited in the back row while the reverend spoke to the members of the congregation as they filed out.
“What are we talking about today? I think we covered all the big topics,” Kyle said quietly.
“I think we’re up to planning the ceremony. The reading we want, the music and all that,” Jennifer said. “But maybe he still needs to check if we’re ready to get married.”
“Then this will be a very short meeting. I couldn’t be any more certain of that.” Kyle picked up her hand and wound their fingers together.
The Wedding Promise Page 15