Ever After (Nantucket Brides 3)

Hallie looked through the open door into the gym. For Jamie to carry a bench and manage his crutches by himself was going to be difficult. She started to get up to help him, but Caleb put his hand on her arm.

“Let your young man impress you,” he said. “Help him when there’s no other male around.”

“Good advice.” Hallie looked back at the garden.

“Have you had many visitors?” he asked.

“None, unless you count angry Betty. Edith has been here, but I’ve never had a conversation with her.”

“But I hear you’ve eaten her food,” Caleb said, smiling. “Fill you up, did it?”

What an odd question, Hallie thought but didn’t say.

“Tell me about your young man. Jared said you’re treating him for his injured knee.”

“Yes, I am.” She glanced toward the gym at Jamie. He had his cell phone to his ear and when he caught her eye, he mouthed, “Todd.”

“Any problems?” Caleb asked.

“No,” Hallie said. “Jamie is pleasant to be around and laughs easily. I enjoy his company very much.”

“But…?” Caleb asked. When Hallie didn’t say anything, he lowered his voice. “If something’s bothering you, you can tell me. I have a lot of grandchildren so maybe I can help.”

“It’s nothing,” Hallie said, but just the idea of “grandfather” seemed to open doors. When she was growing up, her grandparents were her best friends. “He won’t take his clothes off.”

“Oh,” Caleb said.

“No, not like that. For massages. I’ve never seen a body hold as much tension as his does and I could help him, but he won’t let me.” She gave a sigh. “It’s just one of his quirks, that’s all.”

“Does he have many of these odd behaviors?”

Hallie laughed. “About a dozen of them. I can’t get him to leave this place for a moment. He won’t even walk down the lane with me. And there’s some big mystery about why he’s here. If his family can afford a private jet, why didn’t they send him to some exclusive place in Switzerland or somewhere? Why here, to me, to someone they don’t even know?”

“Whatever their reason, from what I’ve seen of you two together, I think they made a wise decision.”

Hallie waved her hand. “It’s not what it seems. We laugh and tease and…” She broke off with a grimace. “Anyway, he’s in love with some girl named Valery. He says she’s the love of his life.”

Caleb looked toward the gym. Jamie was still on the phone. “From the look of him, I think you’re doing an excellent job.”

“I hope so. The truth is, it doesn’t seem like work. Jamie said his family will be arriving in a few days. Have you met them?”

“Not many of them, no.” Caleb leaned closer to her. “When your young man gets off the phone, why don’t you leave him with me for a while? I’ll see what I can find out. Petticoat Row Bakery has marvelous pastries. I’d love to have tea here in this garden.”

“I will,” she said. “And thank you.” After Jamie put his phone away, she went to the door and told him she was going into town and that Dr. Huntley was staying for tea.

“Maybe Edith will bring us something,” Jamie said.

“No, I think we’ll try something different today. I’ll be back in about an hour.” For a second she hesitated, as his eyes seemed to be asking her not to leave. Heaven help her, but she almost kissed him in reassurance. Like she did at night. I need to get away, she thought. She waved to both men and left.

Jamie took the chair by Dr. Huntley and for a while they sat in silence, looking at the barren garden.

“She has no idea what you’ve been through, does she?” Caleb asked quietly.

For a moment Jamie seemed to be trying to decide whether or not to tell the truth. “None.”

Caleb nodded. “I hear you won’t take your clothes off.”

“Too many nicks and holes in this old body,” he said. “People see them and I get the ‘poor Jamie’ routine. Then they start with questions about how I’m feeling. What I’ve learned is that they just want to hear that I’m fine.”