Chapter 22 #2
“No kidding,” Linda said. “She’s been through a terrible ordeal, so we think it’s wonderful that she’ll be moving out here for the time being.
She’s always loved it here, and the Sand & Surf needs someone to love it and nurse it back to life.
It’ll be good for her to have a big project to throw herself into. ”
“I heard she’s talked to Sydney Donovan about redecorating the public rooms,” Big Mac added.
Linda clapped her hands in approval. “Oh, that’s perfect! I love it.”
“Wouldn’t it be better for your hotel if the Surf stays closed?” Stephanie asked.
“Not at all,” Linda said. “There’re never enough rooms to accommodate everyone who wants to be here during the season. Losing the Surf the last couple of years has been a blow to the island’s economy.”
“I see,” Stephanie said.
“In fact,” Linda said with a scheming look in her eyes, “you should talk to Laura about her plans for the restaurant. Unlike McCarthy’s, they used to be open year-round. She’ll probably be in the market for someone to manage it. If you wanted to stick around Gansett, that is . . .”
Stephanie glanced at Grant.
“Sounds like a great opportunity,” he said. “You should look into it.”
“I, uh, it’s nice of you to think of me, but I need to get back to Providence when the season is over.”
“Tell them why, Steph,” Grant said with an encouraging smile. “If you want to.”
Linda looked at Stephanie, her eyes filled with concern. “What is it, honey?”
Right in front of his parents, Grant reached for her hand and linked their fingers. “It’s okay.”
She stared at their joined hands for a long moment before she returned her attention to his parents and told them an abridged version of her story. By the time she was done, Linda was holding her other hand, and Big Mac was shaking his head with disbelief across the dinner table.
“What can we do?” Linda glanced at her husband, who nodded in agreement. “Tell us how we can help.”
“I’ve hired Dan Torrington, and I talked to Uncle Frank earlier,” Grant said. “We’re having dinner with him Friday night. Since we won’t make it back to the island until sometime on Saturday, if you can cover the restaurant for Stephanie, that would help.”
“Of course,” Linda said with a smile. “I’d be happy to. I still remember how to make a doughnut.”
“If there’s anything else we can do for you, honey,” Big Mac said to Stephanie, “anything at all, don’t hesitate to ask.”
The lump of emotion that settled in her throat made it impossible for her to speak. When Grant slipped his arm around her, she dropped her head to his shoulder.
“I’ve never known people like you,” she was finally able to say. “The way you open your home and your hearts to perfect strangers—”
“You’re certainly not a stranger,” Linda said. “You’re our friend now, and Grant’s . . .” When he refused to fill in the blank for her, Linda said, “Well, at the very least, you’re Grant’s friend, too.”
“Yes,” Grant said, sounding amused by his mother’s attempt to get him to define their relationship. He brushed a kiss over the top of Stephanie’s head. “At the very least, you’re my friend.”
“Thank you,” Stephanie said. “It means the world to me that you want to help.”
“We mean it,” Big Mac said. “If there’s anything we can do, I hope you’ll ask.”
“I appreciate that.”
“I think we’ve got it covered for now,” Grant said. “Just keep your fingers crossed that it works.”
“Fingers and toes,” Linda said as she served up hot apple pie for dessert. “Did you hear the big news in town today?”
Stephanie was relieved that they’d moved past her troubles and back to island gossip.
“What news?” Grant asked as he shoveled pie into his face.
Stephanie filed away the fact that he seemed to love it. Wait until he got a taste of hers.
“Apparently, Cal Maitland’s mother is bad off after the stroke. He tendered his resignation to the clinic board today. As one of the directors, Dad got the word after lunch. The board met this afternoon and offered the job to David Lawrence, and he accepted.”
Grant seemed to have lost interest in his half-eaten pie. He put down his fork and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “So what does that mean for Abby?”
The moment the words were out of his mouth, Stephanie’s stomach began to ache. Of course she would be his first thought.
“I can’t imagine what she’ll do,” Linda said. “Her store is doing so well.”
“Huh,” Grant said, seeming lost in thought.
Stephanie wondered if he was considering that Cal’s absence would create an opportunity for him to pick up where he’d left off with Abby. At that thought, her heart began to ache, too.
“More pie?” Linda asked her son.
“No, thanks. I’m full.”
“Stephanie?”
“No, thank you. It was all very good.” She couldn’t eat another bite because she feared she might be sick.
A full moon hung over the Salt Pond as they walked back to the marina. Since Stephanie had her arms crossed, he couldn’t reach for her hand the way he wanted to. When he tried to put an arm around her, she stepped out of his embrace.
“All right,” he finally said, “what’s wrong?”
“What? Nothing’s wrong.”
With a hand to her shoulder, he stopped her and forced her to meet his gaze. The closed off, shuttered look in her eyes sent a jolt of fear through him. “I’m sorry I cornered you into telling my parents about Charlie—”
“It’s not that. I’m glad they know.”
“Ah, well, at least I’ve gotten you to admit it’s something. Come on, Steph. Just tell me.”
She continued on down the hill. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Grant threw his hands up in frustration and trotted after her. “I want to talk about it.”
“So that means we have to?”