Nantucket by Nan Rossiter Page B

hard to juggle teaching and being a mom—our schedules are different and Jack travels so much, plus both kids play sports, and then there’s the inevitable sick day. It’s just easier being home.”
    Liam nodded and then noticed Jack eyeing the waitress again. “How’s work for you?” he asked, trying to draw his attention back to the table.
    Jack looked back, startled. “Me?! Oh, fine. Same old shit, ya know—lots of traveling, but the money’s good and that’s what matters, right, hon?” he asked, smiling at Tracey.
    â€œIf you say so,” she said in a resigned voice.
    Liam frowned, sensing discord between them.
    As the evening wound down and they stood to leave, Liam realized he’d had a little too much to drink, and as he steadied himself, Chase turned to shake hands and almost fell over. “You should come to the opening tomorrow,” he slurred.
    â€œYes, you should come!” Tracey chimed, wrapping him in a hug. “Then we’ll see you again . . . and you can see the kids.”
    â€œI was actually thinking of coming,” Liam said with a smile. Then he turned to shake Jack’s hand. “Then you and I can have a talk. . . .”
    Jack nodded and slapped him on the back. “We’ll see . . .”

Chapter 9
    1989
    Â 
    â€œI can’t believe you brought beer!” Cadie said as she wrapped a towel around her shivering body and sat on the blanket next to Liam. Her lips were blue and goose bumps covered her arms and legs. “I thought you were an innocent island boy. . . .” she chattered.
    â€œWhat makes you think island boys are innocent?” he teased, handing her the frosty bottle.
    â€œOh, my goodness!” she said, holding it. “What I really need is a cup of hot cocoa.”
    â€œYou’ll warm up,” he promised, rubbing her back through the towel. “Anyway, you didn’t answer my question.”
    â€œThat’s because my brain is frozen—what was it?”
    â€œWhat makes you think island boys are innocent?”
    â€œOh!” she said with a laugh. “I don’t know . . . you just have this sweet, innocent look about you. I would’ve never guessed you drank.”
    â€œI don’t know if I should take that as a compliment,” he mused, opening his beer. “Sometimes I drink. Not often. But I figured you did—being a rich kid with rich friends and all. That’s why I brought ’em.”
    â€œI don’t know if I should take that as a compliment or not,” she teased.
    â€œDon’t take it the wrong way,” he said. “I just meant . . .”
    â€œI know what you meant. You’re quick to criticize— and assume—stuff about rich people, and then you assume those same people make assumptions about you. ”
    Liam shrugged and took a sip of his beer. “You’re right,” he admitted sheepishly. “I guess I do have a little bit of a chip on my shoulder.” He paused. “It probably comes from living with Coop, but then again, I’ve never met anyone with money who acts like you.” He reached into the cooler. “Ham or turkey?”
    â€œI can’t believe you packed lunch too.”
    â€œI always pack lunch. If I don’t eat, I get crankery.”
    â€œIs that a combination of hungry and cranky?”
    â€œIt is —my mom used to say it when I was little.”
    Cadie smiled and peered into the cooler. “I’ll have whatever you don’t want.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter . . . you pick.”
    â€œTurkey.”
    â€œIt has cheese on it—is that okay?”
    â€œI don’t mind—I’m just so impressed.”
    â€œIt’s not a big deal,” Liam said, handing the turkey sandwich wrapped neatly in wax paper to her. “I’ve been packing my own lunch since I was seven.”
    â€œThat’s kind of young to be making your