Ever After (Nantucket Brides 3)

“No,” Jilly said, “and I think that’s part of why Todd was so upset. He’s a very orderly young man. He doesn’t like surprises.” She looked at Hallie. “Are you ready for today?”

“I guess so. I haven’t thought about it. Jamie and I have been so wrapped up in the ghosts that we’ve barely talked about his cousin’s wedding. It seems like a lot of work to set up TVs so they can stream it. I guess the bride and groom hired professionals to do the video.”

Jilly lifted on her elbows to look at Hallie. “You don’t know, do you? No one has told you?”

“I guess not, since I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Jilly lay back down. “If they weren’t so big, I think I’d paddle my nephews. Where should I begin? During World War II, J.T. Montgomery married Princess Aria of Lanconia and they became king and queen. When their son was forty, they turned the throne over to him.”

Hallie was watching Jilly in shock as she was beginning to see where this story was going.

“Graydon Montgomery, the groom, is J.T.’s grandson.”

“Oh,” Hallie said. “Oh.”

“Exactly,” Jilly answered. “It is a royal wedding. Graydon will be the next king of Lanconia and Toby will be the queen. And no one told you of this?”

“Not so much as a hint.”

“I can understand. To them, Graydon was just one of the kids in the summers. The family switches back and forth from Maine to Colorado. Mostly we just leave the doors open and keep food out and the kids run wild. A bit chaotic, I guess.”

“It sounds heavenly,” Hallie said, her mind still on the big wedding. “I invited Adam and the rest of them over to see the wedding here. How many do you think will show up?”

Jilly took a moment before answering. “They’ll be respectful of Jamie so there won’t be too many.”

“Just the big guys who can physically deal with him if…if something happens?”

“Yes,” Jilly said. She was looking at Hallie’s frown. “Please tell me what you’re thinking.”

“No wonder Jamie snaps at his cousins,” Hallie said. “He must know why it’s only big, strong, healthy young men who hang around him. And the two little ones who can be taken away so they don’t see. I guess that’s why the men showed up the morning the kids climbed in the bed with us.” She closed her eyes.

“You were in bed with Jamie?” Jilly asked.

Hallie waved her hand. “Not like that. I was a leftover from his nightmares.” She was thinking about what she’d just learned.

“Hallie, I don’t mean to turn motherly on you, but if you and Jamie do become sexually active, you need to be sure to use protection.”

“He has an STD?”

“No, that’s not possible. The hospital checked everything about him and since then there haven’t been any…Sorry to give out confidences. No, the problem is that we Taggerts seem to be extraordinarily fertile. I’m a living example. Cale swears her youngest two came because she and my brother shared a spoon. It’s none of my business, but sometimes in the heat of a moment people can be overcome and forget things.”

Hallie let out a sigh. “Right. Towels fall to the floor and there’s all that warm, golden skin.”

“I do understand,” Jilly said. “A man steps out of a shower and he has a face full of whiskers and suddenly you’re glad you just washed the bathroom rug because it’s up against your back.”

“What is it about men’s muscles that have a direct connection to a woman’s knees? Flex a bicep; bend a knee.”

“Ken can look at me over a cup of coffee an

d I’m on my back. It’s as though my mind takes a holiday.”

“I figure it’s procreation,” Hallie said.

“If we women didn’t enjoy how men look and all we could do was listen to them, no babies would ever get made,” Jilly said.

Hallie laughed. “I think you’re right.”

Jilly said, “Not to be nosy, but have any towels fallen around you?”