Heat rushed to Caroline's cheeks. "I wasn't - that's not why I - "
"Honey, I've been running this bar for twenty years," Lila interrupted, her eyes twinkling. “I know that look. No shame in admitting when a man's easy on the eyes. And Finn Calder is certainly that.”
Caroline reached for her wine glass, wishing she could disappear into its contents. "I'm here as a professional," she said firmly. "To help Ellen evaluate her options. Not to..." she trailed off, unwilling to even voice the implication.
"Why not both?" Lila asked with the simplicity of someone who had seen enough of life to cut through pretense. "Island's great this time of year. Spring brings all sorts of new beginnings."
Before she could formulate a response, a side-door from the outdoor deck opened, and a burst of female laughter filled the space.
Caroline turned to see a group of women entering – and among them, unmistakably, was that bride she'd met at Sea Glass Bridal on her first day, Jessica Whitmore. The last thing she wanted was to have to face any potentially difficult questions or complaints from one of Ellen’s devoted brides.
"I should go," she said quickly, reaching for her purse. "What do I owe you?"
Lila waved her away. "On the house tonight. Ellen's family is our family." She studied Caroline's face as her gaze flickered to the bridal party. "Something wrong?"
"No, I just..." Caroline fumbled for an explanation that wouldn't sound as evasive as it was. "Early start tomorrow. Lots to do."
If Lila saw through the excuse, she was good enough not to mention it. "Come back anytime. And tell Ellen we're all pulling for her."
She nodded her thanks, sliding from the stool and making her way back toward the front entrance, hoping to avoid the bride-to-be and her friends.
Caroline descended the wooden steps to the beach path, the sand cool beneath her impractical city shoes.
She thought of Finn's hands carefully repairing the leak, of Ellen's apartment filled with memories, the community behind her as she lay alone in the hospital, of Lila's warm hospitality just now.
What would it be like, she wondered, to measure success in connections rather than transactions? To value tradition alongside innovation? To see a place like Nantucket not as a collection of assets awaiting proper valuation, but as a living ecosystem of relationships and histories?
The thought was simultaneously unsettling and compelling – a bit like the island itself, with its deceptively simple surface concealing complex depths.
Caroline quickened her pace back along the harbor path, telling herself she was simply tired and unsettled about Ellen, that these unusual thoughts were merely the product of too much wine, and unexpected kindness from strangers.
But as she glanced back at The Dune Deck, now a glowing beacon against the darkness, she couldn't quite convince herself that was all it was.
Whatever had begun to shift within her – whether from Finn's reluctant approval when she'd protected the dresses, Ellen's quiet determination about her business model, or Lila's perceptive observations – it couldn't be easily categorized in one of her neat spreadsheet cells.
And for the first time in her meticulously organized life, Caroline wasn't entirely sure that was a bad thing.
18
Dune Deck mojitoscontinued to flow alongside laughter through the bridal party as they ordered food at their inside table, until Nadine tapped her phone screen, scrolling through her meticulously organized wedding timeline.
"So, let’s talk business, so we’re all on the same page for this week,” she declared authoritatively. “A few amendments to the original schedule; rehearsal dinner is now Thursday instead of tomorrow, but we need everyone there by five for the run-through."
Jess noticed her friend barely glanced up from her phone, as her finger traced across color-coded blocks. Nadine had also since produced a printed timeline from her bag - three pages, spiral bound with embossed cover - which she periodically referenced like a conductor checking a complex score. “I've arranged transportation from town, so no one has to worry about parking or having too many cocktails.” She raised a pointed eyebrow at Sloane, who’d already demolished three mojitos in quick succession.
“Which means the bachelorette party has now been brought forward to tomorrow instead, beginning with a spa afternoonat two for the four of us, then dinner at The Wauwinet, before hitting The Chicken Box for dancing.”
Megan slid a lime wedge from her glass and squeezed it over her the liquid. “You really are a whizz at this stuff," she said, shooting Jess a conspiratorial glance across the table at how readily Nadine had absorbed the news about Julian’s change of schedule.
Much to Jess’s relief.
“Which means Friday’s technically a free day - though I've scheduled optional island tours for any guests who arrive on the island early," Nadine continued, either missing or ignoring Megan's compliment. “Then beach bonfire that evening. Casual dress, but not too casual - think 'Insta-worthy casual?’ She paused briefly to take a sip of her drink then grinned around the table. “And Saturday is, of course, the main event! Sunset ceremony on the Harbor House terrace, followed by indoor reception in the ballroom. I've coordinated with the catering staff, florist, photographer and band to ensure seamless transitions between both events. So even with our little rehearsal dinner wrinkle, everything will be just perfect.” She patted Jess’s hand in proud satisfaction.
A server moved around the bar, lighting small lanterns on the tables as the evening deepened. The flames danced inside their glass chimneys, casting flickering shadows across the room. From somewhere nearby came the gentle strumming of a live guitar - one of the local musicians who often played informal sets on The Deck's small corner stage.
Sloane looked up, interested. “What was the rehearsal dinner wrinkle?”
Jess’s maid of honor paused, stylus poised above her screen, her gaze steady. “Ask the bride.”
