For All Time (Nantucket Brides 2)

Downstairs, Graydon was waiting for Lexie by the front door with her jacket over his arm.

“Let me guess. My bags are in the car.”

“They are,” Graydon said.

“You know, I thought my boss was slick but you’re much worse. Tone down the charm, will you?”

Graydon didn’t smile but his eyes were twinkling. “I play the lute.”

Lexie groaned. “I don’t know whether to pity Toby or envy her. Just promise me that when you leave she’ll be smiling.”

“That I can promise,” Graydon said, and kissed her forehead in a brotherly way. “I’ll take care of her.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Lexie said as she went to the waiting car.

When Toby got downstairs it was already late. She’d meant to be back at last night’s wedding site by now, as there was a lot to oversee and do. The kitchen smelled very good. Roger probably sent food for Lexie, she thought. Toby looked around for the prince but didn’t see him, but then she glanced through the window and a movement outside caught her eye. He was wandering around in the back garden, looking at the beds of flowers.

“He probably has a dozen gardeners who work for him,” she said aloud, then went to the stove and helped herself to one of the warm pancakes. They were unusual: small, and they seemed to have oatmeal in them. The flavor was of some fruit that she didn’t recognize. It was truly delicious.

“Good morning.”

She turned to see Graydon standing in the doorway, and for the first time she noticed the sunroom. It had been completely cleared out! Only the table and chairs remained and she was surprised to see a built-in seat against the far wall.

“Wow!” Toby said. “I guess Lexie really was feeling guilty if she cleaned up this room before she left. It looks great, doesn’t it?”

“It does,” he said.

“Sorry,” Toby said. “I’ve forgotten my manners. Good morning.” She looked him up and down, and saw that he was dressed as though for a garden party, while she had on an old pair of cotton pants and an even older T-shirt. Whatever was she going to do with him today? And since nearly everyone she knew was off-island, how was she going to find a more permanent place for him to stay?

“Did you try these pancakes?” she asked. “They’re really good. I’ll have to ask Roger where he got them.”

“I did have some,” he said. “Are you planning to go to the chapel site this morning?”

“I have to.”

“I was wondering because it seems that your car was exchanged.” He pulled back a curtain to show Jared’s old red pickup in the narrow drive beside the house.

“Oh, no!” Toby said. “I bet Wes did this. He was taking people to the airport and the ferry this morning, so he’d need the extra seats. But he knows I have to clean up. Now what am I supposed to drive?”

“You weren’t left the keys to the truck?”

“I’m sure they’re in there, but it’s a standard shift and I can only drive an automatic. Maybe Ken can help.”

“I’ll drive you,” Graydon said.

“You? But you said you didn’t know how to drive.”

“I said I wasn’t cognizant of all the road signs, but I have driven a few larger vehicles. Besides, I told you that I’d help you clean.”

Toby hesitated. “You’re not exactly dressed for garbage duty.”

Graydon’s face lost its humor. “This is what I could find in my brother’s luggage.”

Toby thought about looking for a pair of jeans for him, but she couldn’t spare the time. As for driving, it was either him or spend an hour trying to find someone else. “All right,” she said. “I’ll direct you.”

“I would appreciate that.”

Outside, Toby checked in the back of the pickup. All her supplies had been removed from her car and put in the truck bed. Graydon opened the door for her and she stepped up into the old truck. He got in the driver’s seat, took the keys from over the visor, and started the engine.