How to Keep a Secret
“Not this time,” Lauren laughed. “Ben works for her, and he picked them with her permission because we know how much you love flowers. Everyone I pass asks after you. Every trip to the store takes five times as long.” She glanced at the cards open on the table and then back at her sister. “How are you? You have a little more color.”
“I’m better, thanks.” Much better since her conversation with Greg.
She still had no idea what she was going to do about getting pregnant, but at least they were talking again.
Greg cleared a pile of books off a chair. “Sit down wherever you can find a space. I’ll make some drinks.”
Nancy handed Jenna the envelope. “This is to give you something to look forward to when you’re better.”
Jenna opened it while marveling at the novelty of having her entire family crowded into her bedroom. “Seasalt Spa?” She studied the embossed card with its lavish silvery print. “Is that the new place near Chilmark?”
“Yes, and we’re going together, the four of us. We deserve it after all the work we’ve put in over the past few months. Manicure, pedicure—it’s a makeover.” Nancy made it sound as if it was something she did every day of the week, but Jenna couldn’t remember a time when her mother had done anything like this for herself.
“You can’t afford this!”
“I sold a painting,” Nancy said. “Which surprised me, to be honest.”
“It didn’t surprise me.” Lauren leaned in and adjusted Jenna’s pillows. “Can I get you anything?”
“No, I’m good, thanks. Stop fussing.” But it felt good to be surrounded by people who cared. “Which painting did you sell?”
“The stormy, moody seascape that used to hang in the master bedroom.”
“I know the one you mean.” Jenna put the vouchers on her lap. “That painting always terrified me. It’s so—pessimistic.”
“Yes, but fortunately for us, pessimism is selling right now and if people want dismal on their wall, who are we to argue with them?”
Jenna fingered the glossy voucher on her lap. “If you made money, then you should keep it. You’ll need the savings to get you through the winter in The Captain’s House.”
“Some things are more important than savings. We’ve all had a grim year so far. It’s time we had some fun as a family. We deserve some joy.”
When had they last had fun together?
Jenna couldn’t remember.
“So now you know there’s a market for your work, will you start painting again?”
“I’m enjoying creating art in different ways, particularly the gardens. Ben and I have some exciting ideas for transforming the garden of the Sail Loft. But the priority is to focus on our new design business, Coastal Chic. Lauren has an appointment at the bank to talk about a loan, and then we’re on our way. I’ll be helping her! It’s exciting to have a new outlet for creativity. Mack can help out when she’s not at school. Has Jenna seen the business card? Lauren, do you have one?”
Jenna shifted position in the bed. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen her mother this fired up about anything. She wondered if she was the only one who had noticed that Ben’s name came up frequently in conversation. “You have a business card?”
Lauren dug her hand into her purse and produced one. “Mack made them. Designed the logo and everything.”
Jenna took the card from her. “‘Coastal Chic,’” she read. “I love it. And the silver shell logo is perfect. Classy. I’d employ you in a heartbeat.”
Mack flushe
d with pleasure. “I love coding, but I also love the design side of things.”
“Which is why the website for The Captain’s House looks so good,” Nancy said. “Have you seen the design for the pages you wrote, Jenna? Mack has managed to put a whaling ship in the background behind the text. It looks fabulous. Maybe we could set up a property rental business, too.”
Lauren looked alarmed. “One thing at a time, Mom.”
But Jenna was relieved to see the excitement on her mother’s face. “I’ll take a look at the website later.”
“What are these?” Nancy picked up the sketches by Jenna’s bed.
“Those?” Jenna wished she’d hidden them. “Those are my feeble attempts at drawing. I have no talent.”