Nantucket, page 20
“Good thing I’m wearing a hat.”
Liam wheeled the chair through the doors and they were immediately greeted by the staff who looked up Aidan’s name and directed them down the hall. “You’re so lucky,” one lady said, smiling at Aidan. “Mrs. Polley is one of my all-time favorite teachers.”
Aidan nodded, and as they walked down the hall, he turned to Cadie. “Did you hear that?”
“No, what?” Cadie asked.
“She said Mrs. Polley is one of her all-time favorite teachers!”
“That’s wonderful, Aid,” Cadie said, her heart swelling with happiness for him.
“Is this it?” Aidan asked, peering into room 24.
“C’mon in,” a cheerful voice called, and Aidan stepped tentatively into the classroom. “You must be Aidan!”
“How’d you know?!” Aidan asked in surprise as Mrs. Polley reached out to shake his hand.
“Because I heard I was getting a very smart new student, and I could tell—just by looking at you—that you are very smart.”
Aidan beamed as he looked up at her kind face.
“Would you like to see your desk?”
He nodded and Mrs. Polley led him over to a desk near the window.
“It even has my name on it,” he exclaimed.
“There’s a surprise inside too.”
Aidan reached into the desk and pulled out three new pencils—red, blue, and green—all with Aidan printed on them. “Cool!”
Mrs. Polley turned to greet everyone and then looked straight in Cadie’s eyes. “I’m looking forward to having Aidan in my class.”
“Thank you,” Cadie said. And suddenly realizing the important role this lady would play in Aidan’s life during a very difficult time, whispered, “Thank you very much.”
“You’re welcome,” Mrs. Polley said softly.
Then she told them about the curriculum she had planned for the year—including a whale watch and a project about shipwrecks. “That’ll be right up your alley,” she said, smiling at Liam.
They toured the rest of the school and then looked through the doors to the playground. “Can we go out?” Aidan said hopefully.
Liam looked down at Cadie. “I think we better get going, pal.”
“We’ll go out with him,” Levi offered. “You and Mom can head home.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Oh, and we might stop somewhere for lunch or ice cream.”
“Or both,” Emma said with a grin.
“All right, well, we have to stop at the town hall, but we’re heading straight home after that.”
“Okay, see you later!” Aidan said, pushing open the door and running across the grass to join the other kids.
Chapter 46
“Got lobstah?” Sally said with a smile as she maneuvered a big cooler through the screen door and set it on the floor. As soon as she stood up, Tuck jumped up and put his big paws on her shoulders and slobbered her with kisses. “I’m happy to see you too!” she said, laughing. “You look so handsome with your Valentine bandana!” Then she noticed Aidan standing shyly in the doorway. “And you look handsome too,” she said, admiring his blue oxford shirt and paisley bow tie.
“Thanks,” he said as he lifted the top of the cooler and peered inside. “I thought lobsters were red.”
“They are . . . after you cook ’em,” she explained, motioning to the heavy metal pot already heating on the stove.
“How many are here?” he asked, trying to count the crawling brown crustaceans.
“Six.”
“Everyone gets their own?!” he asked in surprise. “I don’t know if I can eat a whole one.”
“Well, you don’t eat the whole thing. The best part is right here,” Sally said, holding up a lobster and pointing to its tail. “There’s a lot of meat in here . . . and in the claws, but that’s about it. You crack the shell, pull out the meat, and dip it in melted butter with lemon . . . and mm-mm, it’s so good, you’ll think you died and went to heaven!”
Aidan smiled at Sally’s enthusiasm . . . and also because heaven was starting to sound like a pretty good place!
“Hey, Sal,” Liam said, coming into the kitchen, tying his tie.
“Look at you!” Sally said admiringly.
“Look at you, too,” he teased, admiring her white slacks and cobalt blue linen blouse.
“Thank you,” Sally said, looking down and realizing there was dog hair on her slacks. “I knew I shouldn’t wear white over here,” she said, laughing, “but I have to make the most of these pants—no white after this weekend, you know, and they probably won’t fit after the long winter.”
“You’re so old school,” Liam teased. “Lots of people wear white after Labor Day.”
“Not me.”
Aidan, who’d been listening to the conversation, looked up in dismay. “Does that mean I can’t wear my new sneakers to school?”
“Yes, you can,” Liam said, shaking his head. “That silly rule doesn’t apply to sneakers.”
“That’s good,” Aidan said, sounding relieved.
“Do you have more food to bring in?” Liam asked.
“I do—I have a potato salad, a Caesar salad, corn on the cob, and carrot cake.”
“Wow! I had no idea you were making so much.”
“Hey,” she said, holding Liam’s smooth face in her hands, “such an important event doesn’t happen every day . . . and if Coop were here, we’d be having fireworks too.”
Liam smiled and pulled her into a hug. “Thanks, Sally.”
“Can we have fireworks tonight?!” Aidan asked hopefully.
“I’ll have to see if there’re any left from Coop’s stash,” Liam said. “But right now, we need to bring in the rest of the food.”
“Okay!” Aidan said, hopping down to help.
Sally started to follow him, but Liam held out his hand. “The boys and I will get it—it’s the least we can do.”
“Okay,” she chuckled. “Maybe I’ll go check on the bride . . .”
“Good idea,” Liam said. “She and Emma are getting ready.”
Sally disappeared down the hall and found Cadie and Emma in the throes of trying to pin Cadie’s white linen dress—in which she was absolutely swimming.
“Need some help?” Sally asked.
“Yes, please,” Cadie said, shaking her head. “This dress used to fit like a glove, but now I think I could fit two of me in it.”
Sally reached for the pin cushion and skillfully tucked and pinned the dress so that the pins weren’t even visible. “Just don’t move too much or you’ll get pricked,” Sally said, stepping back. “You look lovely!”
“Thank you,” Cadie said, easing into her wheelchair and pulling a blanket over her lap. “Of course, I’ll be wearing this blanket, too, so no one will even see my dress.”
“You’d look beautiful wearing a sack,” Emma said, clasping a string of pearls around her neck.
“Mmm,” Cadie murmured doubtfully.
“Anyone up for a little celebratory nectar?” Sally asked, producing a small silver flask.
Cadie raised her eyebrows and smiled as Sally unscrewed the top and handed it to her. She took it from her and noticed there was fancy engraving on the side: To my sweet Sally . . . Yours Forever, W.E.C. “Hmm . . .” she said, eyeing Sally. “Is this from Cooper?”
“Maybe,” Sally said with a grin.
Cadie took a sip and handed it to Emma. “Cheers!” Emma said with a grin as she tossed it back, licked her lips, and handed it back to Sally.
“Cheers and blessings!” Sally said, winking at Cadie and taking a swallow. Then she slipped the flask back into her bag. “Shall we?”
“Yes,” Cadie said, feeling a little light-headed.
Emma maneuvered the wheelchair into the kitchen and Levi, who was holding the door, grinned and announced, “Here comes the bride!”
“Oh, my!” Cadie said as she looked around at the festively decorated porch. Christmas lights glittered brightly along the wainscoted ceiling and bouquets of white balloons swayed along the railing.
“See the table, Mom?” Aidan asked.
“It looks beautiful!” Cadie said, admiring the white linen tablecloth set with silver, and decorated with flickering candles and white hydrangea blossoms. “You guys . . .” she said, her eyes glistening with tears. “You’ve made it so special.”
“I helped,” Aidan said happily as Cadie pulled him into a hug.
“Well, it looks lovely.”
Just then, Liam came up the steps carrying a bouquet of blue hydrangea blossoms. He’d put on his jacket and he looked very dapper as he stood in front of her. “That’s because it’s for someone special,” he said with a smile, handing her the freshly cut blooms and kissing her cheek. “And there’s no crying,” he added, gently brushing away her tears.
“They’re not sad tears,” she said, smiling. “They’re happy.”
Liam nodded. “Are you ready?” he asked.
“I am—I want to walk, though,” she said, handing him the blanket.
“Okay,” he said, helping her stand and offering her his arm. Together, they walked slowly to where Sally was waiting. Cadie stood as straight as she could, stubbornly ignoring the pain, and gazing into Liam’s eyes. Then Sally spoke briefly of their star-crossed past, asked them to repeat the vows they’d prepared, waited as they slid on the gold bands Aidan was holding tightly in his hands, and delivered a lovely benediction. “You may kiss your bride,” she said with a smile.
Liam leaned down, and for the very first time, gently kissed his wife’s lips. “I will love you forever,” he whispered, pulling her in his arms
“And I will love you for all eternity,” Cadie whispered back.
“Hooray!” Aidan, Levi, and Emma all cheered as Tuck barked and wiggled around them.
Chapter 47
“Dinner was delicious, Sally,” Liam said as he nested the last of the empty bowls into the back of her Outback. “And that carrot cake was amazing. I can’t thank you enough—you made it so special.”
“You’re very welcome, my dear,” Sally said affectionately. “I’m so glad you were able to find some of Coop’s old fireworks—I love those rockets, and I think Aidan did too.”
Liam nodded. “He did . . . but Tuck definitely didn’t. After I lit the first one, I remembered why we stopped shooting them off.”
“It’s too bad he gets so upset.”
“It’s the same with thunder.”
“Oh, well,” she said with a sigh. “We all have our idiosyncrasies.”
“We do,” Liam agreed with a chuckle.
“Well, you better get back to your girl,” Sally said, nodding toward Cadie, who was still sitting near the fire. “It’s been a long day.”
“It has been, but she never complains; she just soldiers on, no matter how she’s feeling.”
“That’s a rare trait. If it were me, I’d be a cranky, old bitch.”
“No, you wouldn’t,” he said with a smile.
“You’re a good guy, Li,” Sally said, hugging him. “Your uncle, in spite of his shortcomings, did a good job raising you . . . and I’m sure you’ll do a good a job, too—if not better—raising Aidan.”
“We’ll see,” he said.
“Have a good night.”
“You too. Talk to you soon.”
“You better!” Sally said, waving.
Liam watched her go and then walked over and sat beside Cadie. “Should I throw more wood on?”
“No . . . not for me anyway,” she said, looking up at the stars. “I hate for this night to end, but I’m afraid I’m fading fast.”
Liam nodded and reached for her hand. “That’s fine.”
“Did you thank Sally?”
“I did.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t help clean up.”
“The bride doesn’t get kitchen duty.”
“I know, but the kids ended up doing it all.”
“They didn’t mind, and besides, they’re already done. I think they’ve even gone to bed . . . I know Aidan’s sound asleep with Tuck curled up next to him.”
Cadie nodded. “It was all so nice. . . .”
“Mmm,” Liam agreed, squeezing her hand.
“Everything was delicious—I wish I could’ve eaten more.” She watched the bright orange sparks of light from the fire shoot up into the night sky; then her eyes were drawn to several white blossoms on the stone wall. “Are those moonflowers?!”
Liam followed her gaze. “Yes, Coop planted them a long time ago, and now, the vine has completely taken over.”
Cadie smiled. “When I was a little girl, my grandfather had a moonflower vine and he and I would sit out on summer nights and wait for the blossoms to open. He used to say that those little flowers, blooming at night, were a reminder that God never stopped working . . . or caring for us—even in the darkest of times. Isn’t it funny that I should be reminded of that now?”
Liam smiled. “I don’t know. It seems to me someone recently told me that God’s timing is perfect.”
“Me?” Cadie said with a laugh.
Liam nodded. “So, is this the same grandfather who had the runabout named Stardust?”
“It is,” Cadie said in surprise. “How did you remember that?!”
“I remember everything,” Liam said with a smile.
“But that was a long time ago.”
“I still remember.”
“You would’ve liked him . . . and he you—he wasn’t anything like my parents.”
“He was your mom’s dad, right?”
“Yes, and my uncles were all great men, too, but my mother—who was the youngest and only girl—was always a challenge . . . at least, according to my grandfather.”
“I guess it doesn’t matter how good you are at parenting,” Liam said, shaking his head. “Some kids are just born difficult. Look at John Alden—he’s a great guy, but his son Jordy isn’t anything like him.” He paused. “And look at you! Look at the amazing person you are . . . in spite of your parents.”
Cadie laughed. “That’s true. Although my biggest fault was not being strong enough to break free and follow my heart . . . and look where it got me.”
“It got you here . . .” Liam said, “married to me.”
“Which took a while . . . but which, I also think is absolutely the most amazing thing!”
“Me too,” Liam said, standing up and gently lifting her into his arms. He kissed her, carried her inside, and helped her change into her pajamas.
“Lay with me,” she whispered.
Liam unbuttoned his dress shirt and lay down next to her.
“I’m sure you can do better than that,” she teased.
“What do you mean?” he asked softly, leaning on one arm.
Cadie hesitated uncertainly. Is there any way on earth that this sweet, gorgeous man could ever be aroused by my frail, cancer-ravaged body? Or will he be embarrassed when he isn’t? Will I ruin everything by asking him? She closed her eyes and willed herself to speak. “I won’t break.”
Liam touched her cheek and searched her eyes. “Are you sure?”
She nodded, and in the soft glow of the moon’s light, Liam slowly undressed and slipped under the covers beside her. “Mmm, you’re so warm,” she murmured, feeling his long, muscular body pressing against hers.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he murmured, gently kissing her lips.
“You won’t . . .” she said, feeling him hard against her.
“I want you so much,” he whispered, lightly tracing his fingers over the curves of her body.
“I want you too,” she murmured, touching him.
They lay side by side, exploring each other’s body, until finally, he eased above her and slowly pushed himself deep inside. . . and then they both caught their breath, forgetting everything. . . the past . . . the pain . . . the longing . . . the loss, and loving with an intimacy and abandon that knew no bounds.
Chapter 48
The calendar promised two more weeks of summer, but by Tuesday morning, the warm weather definitely seemed to be in the rearview mirror. Liam glanced at the thermometer when he let Tuck and Moby out into the darkness and shivered. It was barely forty degrees. “What the heck happened to summer?”
He went back inside and peered into Aidan’s room. “Hey, pal,” he called softly. “It’s time to get up.”
“I don’t want to go,” Aidan said tearfully.
“How come?” Liam asked, sitting on the edge of his bed. “You’ve been looking forward to it all weekend.”
“I just don’t.”
Liam lightly brushed back his wispy blond hair. “Mrs. Polley has your desk all ready and she’s going to be waiting for you.”
“I just don’t want to go,” Aidan said, turning away.
Liam took a deep breath and shook his head. Now what? I can’t just let him lie here and not go—kids don’t skip school just because they don’t feel like going. Do I sternly demand he get up, get dressed, and have breakfast? Or do I just leave him because there’s a lot going on in his world right now? Liam looked out into the darkness and tried to remember how he’d felt on his first day of school. It had been just after Christmas break and he vaguely remembered feeling nervous and homesick, missing his parents.... And what had Cooper done?
“How’d you like to go to Sally’s for breakfast?” he asked.
“Today?” Aidan said, his voice muffled by his pillow.
“Yes. On the way to school.”
“Can Mom come?”
Liam hesitated, recalling the pain Cadie had had over the weekend. “You can ask her, but I think she’ll probably want to stay home.”
Just then, Tuck let out a plaintive bark.
“Can Tuck come?”
“Sure,” Liam said.
“Okay,” Aidan said, sitting up and pushing off his covers. “Is Mom making my lunch?”
“No, I am, remember? We talked about this—all the things you like.”
“PB and J.”
“And tropical punch.”
“And yogurt and cookies.”
Liam nodded. “I think I can handle it.”
