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“Ready.” She squeezed his hand. They’d once embarked on a terrifying journey together called life. Finishing college. Marriage. Moving from New York to Vermont, then to Five Island Cove. “We’ve been through a lot together,” she said quietly.
“That we have.” He kept a firm hold on her hand all the way from the east side of the island where the lighthouse was to the west side, where the newer, nicer restaurants were. Clara said nothing, because when she got nervous, she clammed up.
Scott parked and looked at her. “I love you, Clara. I know who you are, and I get why you didn’t tell me.”
She nodded. “I’m trying, but I’ve reverted a little bit.”
“I know you have.” He stretched over and kissed her, and it was just as explosive as earlier. “Are we not going to the island today?”
“Depends,” she murmured. “On how well this meeting goes.”
“Because if not, I’d love to take you home and kiss you some more.” Desire rode in his dark eyes, and it strung through Clara too.
“If not after lunch, then tonight,” she promised, and they got out of the car together. They joined hands again, and Tessa met them on the sidewalk.
“Not too late,” she said. “I haven’t see her either.”
Clara nodded, took a deep breath, and made for the entrance to The Glass Dolphin. She hadn’t eaten here yet, though Kelli and Alice had both testified that the food was great. One of Tessa’s good friends, Maddy, worked as the manager here, and in fact, it was the blonde woman who looked over to them as they entered.
“Tessa,” she said pleasantly. She abandoned whatever task she was currently doing and came over to them. “Clara, Scott. It’s great to see you.” She wore a skirt and blouse too, everything about her professional and neat. “Just the three of you?”
“We’re meeting a fourth,” Clara said. “I don’t think she’s here.” The Glass Dolphin was airy and bright, and she could see many of the tables. Not all of them, as a gigantic fish tank did obscure part of the space. “Jennifer Golden?”
“Oh, she’s here.” Maddy smiled and picked up three menus. “Come with me.” She exchanged a glance with Tessa that Clara couldn’t decipher. Then, she didn’t have time. She minced her way over the smooth tiles in the restaurant, praying with everything she had that she wouldn’t fall.
Maddy led them past all the tables, full or empty, and opened a door on the far left wall. “Here you go.”
Clara entered first. The room wasn’t as bright as the one they entered from, as curtains had been drawn over the windows. Only a few tables stood in this room, and they’d each hold at least twenty people.
She edged into the room to leave space for Scott and Tessa, but she didn’t see Jennifer. Perhaps there was another secret room off of this one.
“There you are,” someone said, and that was when Clara saw Jennifer. The woman rose from the far end of the furthest table, the one furthest from the windows.
“Oh, I didn’t see you.” Clara gripped her folder tighter as she nearly ran to Jennifer. Her heartbeat sprinted beneath her ribcage, and she told herself to calm down. Her adrenaline had already spiked, but she did slow her step and hitch a smile to her face. “Sorry we’re a tiny bit late.”
“Not at all.” Jennifer shook her hand and indicated the table, which had been set for three.
“My husband is joining us,” she said. “Scott, you know Jennifer. And have you met Tessa?” She indicated the other woman.
Surprise colored Jennifer’s face, but she gracefully shook Scott’s hand and then Tessa’s. “Lovely to meet you all.” She glanced over to Maddy, who’d already started setting a fourth setting. “Thank you, Madeline.”
“No problem.” Maddy worked quickly, gave Tessa and Clara another glance, and left the room. As Scott pulled out Clara’s chair for her, she recognized the look on Maddy’s face. She met Tessa’s eye, and the same wariness sat there.
Maddy had been warning them of something. Tessa looked terrified. Clara’s pulse kicked up a notch. What had she gotten herself into?
And how did she get herself out?
ChapterEighteen
Alice put her hand over her coffee cup as the waitress approached. She gave the woman a smile, and they exchanged an understanding. She leaned into the table, where she sat with Laurel. “It’s all beautiful, Laurel. Your mother is doing all of that?”
She nodded and put one hand on her belly. “She’s friends with the owner of The Holiday House, and I guess the furniture is all seconds. I don’t care. I think it looks great.” She picked up her phone, where she’d shown Alice all of the nursery furniture.
“It does,” Alice said. “I remember setting up a nursery for the twins.” She sighed as she leaned back into the booth. “It was so much fun. We didn’t know if we’d have boys or girls, and I think you know me well enough by now to know what that meant.”
Laurel grinned at her. “You overbought.” She held up one hand as Alice laughed. “Wait. No. Everything you bought was white.”
Alice pealed out a long string of laughter, because Laurel had hit the nail on the head. “White,” she said, still laughing. “Guess how long that lasted?”
