“Historic girl power. Impressive.”
“Yes,” Leah agreed. “Later, it became a general store. And after that an art gallery.” She paused. “When I think of all the stories this house could tell about the people who’ve lived within these walls, it makes me feel like they’re still here. Counting on us. Opening this store gives the captain’s house a second chance.” She did not say that it was hers, too.
Brad looked at her sympathetically. “Well, hell.” They finished their lunch in silence. “Let’s do what we can and try and get this haunted house open, I guess.”
“It’s not haunted.”
“Oh, I hear things. Someone is clomping around.”
Leah laughed. “Probably just raccoons.”
“Probably those Harding sisters.” Brad waved heartily at a pair of older women pointing at them from across the street. The women quickly moved on. “One thing is for sure: you’ve got people talking.”
“Yeah, well. Talk like that can go either way in a small town.”
After opening up to Brad, Leah noticed he started showing up earlier and staying later. He printed out a calendar of to-do itemsand taped it to the inside of the front door, which they’d painted a chipper coastal blue. They drove to Harwich and Dennis and Orleans to pick up the furniture finds from their online sleuthing. On those trips, Brad was most chatty.
“So we’ve established your fresh singlehood,” he said, as they headed down Route 28 toward Harwich. “What do you do around here for fun?”
“I don’t have time for fun, Brad.”
He made a small noise. “Pity. These are our young and pretty years. Plus, it’s summer.”
She turned to him. “What’s your excuse?” Brad could be dramatic.
“I live with my grandmother,” he reminded her.
“You must have friends. A love interest?”
“My friends are in Boston. The love interest ended last spring when he graduated and moved to Chicago.” Brad didn’t appear to be reeling from the breakup, but she sensed he was lonely. “It’s hard to meet someone.”
It was one of Leah’s worst fears, that, after Greg, anyone remotely compatible was already married with kids and a Goldendoodle. “I can’t even think about dating yet,” she confided. “And I don’t like my chances out here on the Cape.”
“Oh, please. All those men in their Nantucket reds?” Brad teased.
“All married. Or old. And the ones that aren’t are only here on vacation. No, thanks.” She steered quickly through a roundabout and hit the gas. “The odds are against me.”
“Narrow that pool down to single gay men, and then we’lltalk odds. And don’t forget to throw in a traditional Portuguese grandmother.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “I can’t imagine there’s much privacy in that scenario.”
“Privacy isn’t the problem,” Brad said more seriously.
Leah glanced over at him in the passenger seat. “Brad, does your grandma not know you’re gay?”
He swiveled to look at her. “You mean the woman who asks me every day if I’ve met a nice Catholic girl yet? She even asked aboutyou.”
Leah almost swerved. “Oh my God.”
“Yeah, oh my God.”
“But your parents know, right?”
“My parents have known for years. They met my last boyfriend, Arty. They even invited him to visit over Christmas. But when my grandmother joined us for dinner, they cautioned me to introduce him as my roommate.” He looked at Leah. “I know how it sounds, but it’s not because they’re ashamed. They’re just trying to protect me.”
Despite the mess her life was, Leah had never had to worry that her family would reject her. “Brad, that must take a toll on you.”
“There are times I’ve thought about telling her, but then I see the way she reacts when there’s a gay person on TV or a mention of sexuality on the news.” He made a face. “She turns the channel in disgust. She won’t even read a book with a gay character.”
