Summer on Lovers' Island (Jewell Cove 3)

Lizzie felt her cheeks heat. “That’s over.”

“I can tell by your tone who ended it. I thought you were crazy about him?”

Lizzie shook her head. “Ian’s last act as my boss was to tell me to take a leave of absence. He’s not on my list of favorite people these days.”

Charlie shut her mouth. Picked at her shortbread. Took a sip of cold tea.

“Oh for God’s sake, say something,” Lizzie snapped, unable to take Charlie’s silence.

Charlie got up, picked up her chair, and moved it so she was sitting knee to knee with Lizzie. “He did you a gigantic favor in my opinion,” she said firmly. “Look, here’s what I know for sure. Russell Howard loved you. You loved him. No, hear me out. He was human, and you’re human, too. If you’re angry, be angry. My question to you is, what do you want to do now? Because whatever you want to do, I’ll help you.”

Anxiety seemed to tumble around in Lizzie’s stomach.

“Everything feels so out of control, Charlie. I don’t know how to deal with it. And I haven’t been able to admit that to anyone before now.”

Charlie smiled softly. “If you had the answers you wouldn’t be finding this so difficult. And honey, you don’t need to decide today. I know that’s hard for you to accept, but it’s true. Stay the weekend and stop worrying. Look around. The offer is still open to take my place for a few months. I’m planning on starting my leave July first, as long as I can find someone to cover.”

Lizzie dropped her chin. “My head is so messed up. I can’t bring all that into the practice you’ve built.”

“Don’t worry about that. The other doctor is great. I’m already working reduced hours. It’d just be … backup.” She smiled encouragingly.

“Colds and ingrown toenails. Lovely.” But Lizzie’s lips twitched. Charlie was like a dog with a bone when she got an idea in her head. Nothing was going to make her give it up. “Besides, I’m sure the town is nice, but isn’t it a bit … dull?” Dull as in dead. There probably wasn’t a movie theater, or a martini bar, or decent restaurants.

“I know you’re impossible when you’re bored. But there is a lot to do here.” At Lizzie’s skeptical look she insisted, “There is! Including sleep. You look like hell, Liz. Besides, Portland isn’t far away if you need something more … cultured. There’s more to Jewell Cove than you think. It’s only for a few months. It’s not like it’s forever or anything.”

Finally, Lizzie laughed. Charlie was better for her than any prescription. “Thank you, Charlie. For inviting me to visit.” When Charlie raised a doubtful eyebrow, she capitulated, “For making me come. I didn’t know who else to turn to.”

“I’m always here; you know that.”

“But just because I’m on leave doesn’t mean I’m saying yes.”

“It ups the chances. And I’m not above using a little blackmail.”

“More shortbread?”

Charlie put her hands on Lizzie’s knees. “If you stayed the summer, it means that my best friend in the whole world would be with me when my baby was born.”

Lizzie’s nose stung and her bottom lip quivered. It was no secret that Charlie’s mom and dad weren’t exactly the nurturing type. Lizzie couldn’t imagine them being doting grandparents, or Mrs. Yang sitting through the undignified process of childbirth, even though she’d gone through it once herself. “That’s playing so dirty,” Lizzie whispered.

“It’s true,” Charlie answered. “You need someone, Lizzie. And I need you. You’re the closest thing to a sister I’ve ever had. I want you to be our baby’s godmother.”

Lizzie felt herself slipping. But she had to be strong. She hadn’t even seen the town yet. Or met the other doctor. And where would she find a place to live this close to tourist season? Surely everything was rented in advance.

“I’ll think about it,” she replied. It was all she was able to commit to at the moment.

CHAPTER 2

They took Lizzie’s convertible, driving with the top down in the late-spring morning. The drive into Jewell Cove was short but pretty. Once leaving Charlie’s cottage, the road connected with Route 1, tracing the jagged coast like a curving snake. This morning the fog was melting in the morning sun, giving the light soft edges, like a picture from a magazine that had been photoshopped—but this was the real thing. Lizzie filled her lungs with the sea air and felt her hair blow back in the breeze. She had never been in such a naturally beautiful place in all her life. Maybe she could finally try windsurfing, or go hiking in Acadia National Park. Whoa, she reminded herself. She wasn’t actually considering taking Charlie up on her offer, was she?

“We’ll find a place to park,” Charlie ordered. “Somewhere near the café, I think. We can shop and then come back for lunch.” Lizzie crawled along Main Street, looking for an open parking spot, following the direction of the finger Charlie pointed.

“Do you ever think of anything besides food?”

“Believe me, after a solid thirteen weeks of throwing up…”

Lizzie laughed. “Fair enough. If my turn ever comes…”

“Do you want it to?”