Chapter Eleven
JACKIE
Leaning on my elbows at the narrow service window, I scan the menus taped onto the bubble-gum pink boards.
“I feel adventurous today,” I tell the freckled teenager behind the counter. “Let’s test the Maine Moose Tracks.”
Katie, as her name tag says, gives me an indulgent smile. I wonder how many terrible jokes she’s had to endure from the adults stopping by.
“Take a seat, I’ll be right out with it.”
The terrace of the Harbor Goose ice cream stand is barely more than a porch, with mismatched chairs and benches, surrounded by a mint-colored fence with hot pink trims. It matches the shop that you can’t possibly miss while walking down to the harbor through downtown.
If the color combo doesn’t lift your mood, because you’re dead inside and need to reassess your life, the flowers that spill from their baskets over the edges of the porch posts, reds and purples and yellows, would soften anyone into a smile.
It’s postcard perfect. I had to stop and send Blanca and Lilly a picture before deciding that I actuallydodeserve an ice cream instead of lunch.
The storm that cut off the power at the house last night has moved on, leaving behind a clear blue sky. I still don’t know what rattled me more. The cracks of thunder that jolted me awake, or the tenderness in Adam’s voice when I shrieked.
He still looks rough around the edges. Not as bad as the night he convinced me it was best if I left New York for a while, but enough to worry me.
I hope he’s not sick.
The thought makes me falter mid-step.
The striped yellow-and-white awning on the side casts the perfect shade over a small green table, and I take a seat, waving at the guard posted across the narrow street by the weathered blue side of the marine-themed B&B. I throw a thumb over my shoulder, silently offering a cone, but he shakes his head and sadly pats his stomach.
His loss.
When Katie sets the tall glass in front of me, with pale vanilla veined with ribbons of fudge, and peanut butter cups buried just beneath the surface, my mouth waters instantly.
“Oh, look,thereshe is!”
The voice stops the final scoop of ice cream halfway to my lips.
Coming up the steep road that spills into the marina is the last person I ever expected to set foot in Silver Lake Falls. Ivory fitted silk dress, heels clicking on the uneven pavement, and oversized sunglasses. Blanca looks like she took a wrong turn out of Manhattan, clashing hard with the sunny, unpretentious background.
It takes me a moment to notice Will, a few steps behind her, smiling broadly, dressed more appropriately in linen pants and a shirt.
My chair scrapes loudly as I jump to my feet. “What are you doing here?”
“Your mom told me where you’ve been hiding. We got here this morning,” Blanca says breezily. “I was about to call when you sent the picture. Recognized the ghastly shop immediately.”
Will leans in, brushing a kiss against my cheek, his smile warm but careful. “I hope you’re pleased to see us.”
“I—” I glance between them, the tangled ache behind my sternum unraveling.
I hug Blanca fiercely first. When Will wraps his arms around me, I let myself sink into the familiar shape of him.
“I was worried you’d be bored out of your mind,” Blanca says, sweeping a hand around at the harbor. “We bumped into each other at the Waldorf reopening.” She squeezes my arm. “A shame you couldn’t be there. Anyway. One martini later, we knew we had to come. For a few days at least…Not exactly my idea of a vacation spot.”
“Oh,” I manage, taken aback. “And you’re staying here?” I nod to the B&B.
“It’s not as though we had a better option,” she replies airily.
“Right. Want to stroll around?” I offer. “The town’s small.”
Will clears his throat politely. “If you don’t mind, I’d love to eat first. Any recommendations?”
