Nantucket, page 18
“Thanks,” Liam said, “but I think I’ll wait to see if I really will be raising a child.” He paused. “By the way, I asked Cadie to marry me.”
“You did?! What’d she say?”
“Yes,” he said with a grin, “and now, Levi wants to change his name. Maybe later, you could help us with that too.”
“That’s easy,” John said, smiling. “People change their names all the time.” Then he frowned. “But hasn’t he been working on establishing himself as an artist? Won’t it set him back to not keep the name people are just beginning to recognize?”
“I asked him the same question, but he said he doesn’t care.”
John nodded. “So when’s the wedding?”
“After we apply for the license, there’s a three-day waiting period . . . so if we go tomorrow, we’ll have it by Friday.”
“That just might help your case too,” John said thoughtfully. “If you’re married to Cadie and adopting Aidan, it will show the court you’re truly committed. By the way, is Aidan starting school here?”
“Yes, I was just there filling out the paperwork.”
“Perfect. That’ll help too,” John said. “The court won’t want to uproot him if he’s settled in and doing well.” He stood up. “I guess that’s it for now, Liam. If we run into any obstacles I have an old classmate who’s a judge . . . and she has a place on the Vineyard,” he added with a smile. “By the way, how’s Cadie doing?”
“She’s hanging in there. I wore her out yesterday so she’s recovering today. But she’s so amazing—no matter how bad it gets, she just keeps smiling.”
“My mom died of cancer,” John said with a nod, “and she always kept up a good front. It takes a special person to face the end of life with a smile on their face. Not everyone can do it. If it were me, I’d be miserable and no one would want to be around me.”
Liam followed him to the door. “I can’t thank you enough, John,” he said, extending his hand.
John nodded. “Please tell Cadie I’m looking forward to meeting the woman who stole the heart of Nantucket’s most eligible bachelor. And tell her not to worry.”
“I will,” Liam said, and as he watched John pull away, he regretted that he’d never taken the time to get to know him. He’d always thought of him as just another customer with too much money, but he was wrong—John was kind and willing to help . . . and he’d had a mom who’d smiled in the face of death. A person who’d been raised by a woman like that couldn’t be half-bad. Maybe he was the one with the attitude . . . and maybe he shouldn’t assume so much!
Liam’s last stop was Cuppa Jo to Go. “Hey, Liam!” Sally said when he walked in. “I heard the big news,” she said as she wiped down the counters.
“Are you kidding?!” Liam said, shaking his head.
“Word travels fast.”
“Who told you?”
“Chase . . . or maybe it was Devon—I can never keep their names straight . . . but they’re taking all the credit.”
He shook his head again. “It’s that damn Lucy Reynolds—she shouldn’t be allowed to work in the town hall—she’s got her nose in everybody’s business.”
“People were bound to find out,” Sally consoled as she emptied coffeepots and cleaned around them.
“Hold on,” Liam said, reaching for the last pot. “I’ll have some of that, even though what I could really use is a good, stiff drink.”
“I have some beer in back,” Sally offered.
“You do?!”
She nodded.
“You want one?” he asked, walking behind the counter to help himself.
“Sure,” she said, looking up at the clock as she locked the front door.
He opened two bottles and she sat down across from him at one of the tables.
“Congratulations!” she said, tapping her bottle against his.
“Thanks,” he said, taking a sip.
“She must mean a lot to you.”
“She does. We never had the chance to be together.”
Sally nodded. “I remember Coop talking about you two. His heart broke when he saw how crushed you were.”
“It did?”
She nodded. “He never let on, but he was a pretty romantic fella.”
“Noo,” Liam said with a teasing smile.
“Mm-hmm,” Sally said, taking a sip of her beer.
“Well, sometime you’re going to have to tell me how you know that.”
“Mm . . . maybe,” Sally teased.
“Anyway, before Lucy got on her speed dial, she said you were a justice of the peace . . . are you still?”
“I am,” Sally said.
He smiled. “What are you doin’ Friday night?”
“Having wedding cake at your house,” she said with a laugh.
Chapter 42
The following morning, Lisa stopped by with a wheelchair and a dozen cider doughnuts. Cadie reached into the box, pulled one out, and took a bite. “Oh, my, I think I’ve died and gone to heaven,” she said with a sugary grin.
“I thought I might get you to eat one of those,” Lisa said with a smile. “I worked at Downyflake when I was in high school, and I definitely ate more than my share of their famous doughnuts,” she added, rubbing her stomach. “I was one of the few freshmen who lost fifteen pounds when I went away to college.”
Liam surveyed the offerings in the box, and then, smiling at Aidan, recited, “As you ramble on through life, brother, whatever be your goal; keep your eye upon the donut . . . and not upon the hole!”
Aidan laughed. “I’m keeping my eye on this one,” he said, taking a huge bite. “Mmm . . . I think I’ve died and gone to heaven, too, Mommy!”
“They are yummy,” Cadie said, discreetly breaking off half and putting it back. “Thanks, Lis!”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you’re feeling better. I also thought you could use a wheelchair—in case your fiancé decides to take you on any more adventures.”
“Our next adventure is to the jeweler’s and then to the town hall,” Liam said.
“Well, have fun and don’t do too much.”
“Don’t worry,” Liam said. “I learned my lesson.”
As Lisa gathered up her things, Emma and Levi came in from taking Tuck for a walk. “Hello,” she said as Tuck bounded across the room to say hello, but halfway there, he skidded to a halt, lifted his nose into the air, followed the lovely new scent over to the doughnut in Cadie’s hand, sank to his haunches, and gazed at her.
“Oh, my goodness,” Lisa said with a laugh. “What a beggar!”
“You’ve got that right,” Liam said. “He definitely knows how to use those sad brown eyes.”
Lisa shook her head. “I’ve got one just like him,” she said, pushing open the door.
After she’d gone, and Cadie had given her last morsel to Tuck, Levi and Emma split a doughnut . . . and then they split another. “Wow!” Levi said. “I’m going to have to move here just so I can have these doughnuts every day.”
Liam chuckled. “Don’t let Sally hear you say that!” Then he turned to Cadie. “Are you ready to head out?”
“Yes, I just need to use the loo and take a pain pill. We won’t be gone longer than four hours, will we?”
“No, but bring the bottle just in case,” Liam said as he went outside to put the wheelchair in the back of the truck. “And your driver’s license!” he called over his shoulder.
After stopping at the jeweler’s—where Cadie slipped on her newly sized, sparkling, pear-shaped diamond—they headed to the town hall. “The secretary is a real busybody,” Liam warned as he helped Cadie into the chair.
“That’s okay,” she said with a smile “I hope she tells the whole world we’re getting married!”
Liam chuckled—how come he hadn’t thought about it that way? How come his biggest concern was keeping his business private and not letting the world in? “I wish you’d stick around a little longer,” he said with a smile. “I still have a lot to learn!”
“You’re learning already,” Cadie teased. “Look at the limb you’re walking on!”
“You’re not kidding,” he said.
When he wheeled Cadie into the office, Lucy was on the phone, but when she saw Liam standing at the counter, she quickly got off. “Hi, Liam, what can I do for you?”
“I’d like to apply for a marriage license.”
Lucy frowned. “I must’ve forgotten to tell you that you both have to appear. . . .”
“We are both here.”
“You are?” Lucy said in surprise, standing up and walking to the counter. “Oh!” she said, seeing the frail, petite woman wearing a pink Red Sox cap sitting in the wheelchair. “I’m sorry—I didn’t see you.”
Liam handed the application and their driver’s licenses to her, and Lucy made copies and told Liam he could pick up the license on Friday. “Does Cadie need to come?” he asked.
Lucy shook her head as her mind raced with questions.
“Okay, thanks,” Liam said, turning the wheelchair around while a stunned Lucy watched them go.
“Did you see the look on her face?” Cadie said, grinning. “Do I really look that bad?”
“I did see the look on her face—it was priceless . . . and no, you don’t,” Liam assured. “You look beautiful. I especially like your new hat.”
“Thanks,” she said, “my sons got it for me.”
“I know,” he replied as he helped her into the truck. “You have some fine sons.”
“I do,” she said.
Liam walked around to the driver’s side of the truck. “Do you feel like getting a bite to eat?” he asked.
Cadie looked out the window, wishing she had the strength to celebrate. “I better not,” she said, mustering a smile.
“That’s fine,” Liam said. “It was just a thought.”
“You must be hungry, though . . .” she said. “Why don’t you pick something up?” She paused. “You know what would be good?”
“What?” Liam asked curiously.
“A milkshake,” Cadie said, her eyes sparkling. “I love chocolate milkshakes . . . and I’d like to have one last—”
“You’ve got it,” Liam interrupted, not wanting to hear the rest of her sentence. “The best place for shakes is the pharmacy. . . and we have to go there anyway to pick up a prescription.”
“Perfect,” Cadie said, leaning back in her seat.
While Liam went into the pharmacy, Cadie gazed out the window at all the vacationers who were making the most of the last full week of summer. Other than her boat trip two days earlier, she hadn’t been out in the world in almost two weeks. During that time, people had gone to the movies and to dinner; they’d gone to the beach and shopped for T-shirts; they’d wandered through galleries and bookstores; and they’d continue to do all those things after she was gone. The thought was so hard to take.
“Do you ever try to wrap your mind around the concept of eternity?” Cadie asked as they sat in a quiet beach parking lot, sipping their shakes.
“Hmm?” Liam asked uncertainly as he swallowed.
“You know—infinity and beyond . . .” Cadie said, gesturing heavenward. “Eternity . . . the endless time that happens after you leave this earth.”
Liam shook his head. “I try not to think about it.”
“It’s really hard to imagine the sun shining and the stars sparkling, the moon glowing, the birds singing, the crickets and cicadas chirping and buzzing, and all the other precious things that make up this wonderful life . . . still happening after you’re gone. It seems like they should stop too.”
Liam looked over. “This conversation is pretty depressing. . . .” Cadie smiled sadly. “I’m sorry. It’s just . . . it’s all I think about lately.”
“I thought you had an unwavering faith,” he said softly. Cadie shrugged. “I don’t know about unwavering. I do have a strong faith, but I still have doubts about God’s plans—especially when they don’t align with mine.”
“I know what you mean,” he said. “When my parents died, I couldn’t understand what plan God could possibly have for my life—I couldn’t understand why they had to die. But then you said I’d brought light to Coop’s life, and that it wouldn’t have happened if my parents had lived. I’d never thought about it that way before. I guess we do have to trust that there’s a greater plan we don’t always see.” He paused and looked over. “And as far as eternity goes, I’ve heard it’s much better in heaven. Jesus even has a room all set up for us when we get there,” he said with a smile.
Cadie gave him a suspicious look. “Have you been reading my Bible?”
Liam grinned and took a sip of his milkshake.
Chapter 43
On Wednesday night, a fierce thunderstorm rumbled across Nantucket, leaving in its wake air so cool it prompted even the hardiest islanders to reach for their flannel.
“Sheesh!” Liam exclaimed as he stood on the porch in his boxers. “Let me know when you’re done,” he called, leaving Tuck squatting in the woods as he went back in to pull on jeans and a shirt. When he came back, Tuck was sitting on the porch, swishing his tail. “C’mon,” he said, holding the door open. “You’re certainly a lot happier than you were last night,” he said as he poured kibble into Tuck’s bowl. “You’re so silly to let thunder bother you, you know that?” he said, and Tuck wagged his tail in agreement.
Liam set Tuck’s bowl down next to Moby’s untouched food, reminded Tuck not to touch it, and turned to the next order of business—coffee. “Where is Moby?” he wondered out loud, trying to remember the last time he’d seen him.
Just then, Aidan wandered into the kitchen. “Are there any doughnuts left?” he asked hopefully.
“There’s one left,” Liam said, holding up a ziplock bag.
“Do you think anyone wants it?”
Liam shook his head. “Nope, it has your name on it.”
“It does?! Where?”
Liam laughed. “I don’t mean that literally . . . I mean it figuratively.”
Aidan frowned.
“That means it’s for you.” Liam said, putting it on a plate.
“Oh,” Aidan said uncertainly.
“I’ll explain it better after I have my coffee.”
Aidan nodded and took a big bite as Tuck plopped down next to him.
“Tuck, leave Aidan alone,” Liam scolded, nudging him with his foot. Then he noticed that both bowls were empty. “I told you not to eat Moby’s food,” he said sternly, and Tuck swished the tip of his tail guiltily, his eyes full of sad remorse.
Liam shook his head. “Aid, have you seen Moby?”
Aidan nodded. “Yesterday—he had something in his mouth.”
“He did?”
“Mm-hmm . . . it was gray and furry. Levi buried it.”
“Was it a mole?”
Aidan shrugged. “What’s a mole look like?”
“It’s a little bigger than a mouse and it has a funny nose.”
“Does it have big feet?”
“Yes.”
“It was a mole,” Aidan said matter-of-factly.
Just then, the phone rang. “Hello?” Liam said, wondering who was calling so early. “Hey, John,” he said. “Yes, ten should be fine . . . Thanks . . . See you then.”
As he hung up, Emma shuffled in, pushing back her hair. “Mornin’, loves,” she murmured, reaching for a mug.
“Mornin’,” Aidan replied.
“Coffee’s not quite ready,” Liam said, and she nodded as she sat down across from Aidan—still holding the mug in her hands. “You’re awfully cheerful, mister . . .” she said, eyeing his sugary cheeks. “Wait a minute! Did you eat the last doughnut?!”
Aidan giggled as he swung his feet. “Mm-hmm. Liam said it had my name on it.”
“Oh, no,” Emma said, shaking her head. “It most definitely had my name on it.”
“Mm-mm,” Aidan said, shaking his head.
“Well, I’ll need to see it then,” she said.
“You can’t see it,” he giggled. “It’s all chewed up in my stomach, and besides, there wasn’t really a name on it—Liam meant it figure-tively.”
“Did he now?” Emma said with a chuckle.
“Mm-hmm.”
Liam listened to their exchange and smiled to himself. Cadie was right—Emma was so good with the boys, and she’d definitely be a comfort to them when they needed it most.
At around ten-thirty, Liam heard Tuck barking and looked out the window to see John Alden getting the official Tuck Tate greeting. “C’mon, Tuck,” he called, and the big dog bounded up the porch steps.
“Hey, John,” Liam said, shaking his hand. “Thanks for coming.”
“No problem,” John said. “You have a great place.”
Liam nodded. “Coop bought it in the early seventies. It was pretty overgrown and run-down, but he worked on it tirelessly, clearing the property and creating the gardens, and then he spent years restoring and adding on to the cottage—it was a labor of love.”
John looked around admiringly. “I’d love to find an old fixer-upper and retire to work on it . . . and leave the crazy legal world behind. Cooper did it right,” he said enviously.
“He did,” Liam agreed, surprised that a man of John’s caste could be envious of the life of a lowly boatwright.
“Anyway,” John said, holding up an official-looking folder. “I have Cadie’s will and the adoption paperwork for Aidan. I took the liberty of filling out the basic information on the computer, just to make it easier. I hope that’s okay.”
“That’s fine,” Liam said, holding the door. “It’s a little too chilly to sit outside.”
“I know,” John said as he stepped inside. “It feels like autumn.”
Cadie was sitting at the table and John immediately walked over to shake her hand. “It’s nice to meet you,” he said, and even though Liam had explained their situation, her gaunt appearance reminded him of his mom and it caught him off guard.
