An Island Christmas by Nancy Thayer Read Free Book Online Page B

fiancé?”
    “Yes, but unfortunately, Archie hit his head when he broke one of the chairs. He’s on his way to the hospital for stitches. I think he’ll be out of commission tomorrow.”
    “Sorry to hear that. Is he okay?”
    “He’s fine. Just needs a day of rest. I think Felicia will be going over with me,” Jilly added enticingly.
    “Let me check something.” After a moment, Steven said, “The weather should be good tomorrow. The wind will be just fifteen miles per hour. So, great. Of course I’ll go.”
    “You’re an angel!” And I’m a bit of a devil , Jilly thought as they made plans for which ferry to take. “See you tomorrow.”
    But as she carried the antique hand-painted porcelain tureen back into the kitchen, a kind of guilt itched at Jilly’s heart. She dialed Nicole’s number.
    “Can you talk for a moment?” she asked her friend.
    “Of course. Are you okay?” Nicole asked, sounding worried.
    “I feel so terrible , Nicole! Poor Archie actually cut his head and is on his way to the hospital to have stitches! Thank heavens we haven’t had a dinner party since I bought those antique chairs. I had no idea they were so fragile.”
    “I’m sure Archie will survive. He’s a rough tough outdoors guy. Could he stand up?”
    “Yes, he walked and everything. But I’m going to go to the Cape tomorrow to buy some sturdy dining room chairs.”
    “Excellent idea, Jilly. I’ll go with you. I have some last-minute things to buy.”
    “Fabulous!” Now she only had to convince Felicia to come with her, and Jilly could chat with Nicole while Felicia chatted with her dear old high school buddy Steven.
    “How’s the stew?” Nicole asked.
    “Keeping warm on the stove. We’ll eat in the kitchen when everyone returns. I know those chairs are safe. I’d better finish scrubbing up the blood.” Jilly laughed, rather wildly. “That’s not a sentence I ever thought I’d say.”
    She put on an apron and rubber gloves. She carried in a big pail of hot water, a new roll of paper towels, a plastic garbage bag, and a scrub brush. As she cleaned, she sang Christmas carols at the top of her voice. Soon all signs of blood had disappeared. She emptied the pail, double-checked the stew, then made herself a cup of tea and sank into a kitchen chair.
    A noise made her turn her head. Rex slunk out of the laundry room, a pair of George’s boxer shorts hanging from his tail.
    “Rex, you silly boy!”
    Rex jumped on her lap and butted her chin, the way he did when he wanted her to pet him.
    “Sweetie,” Jilly said, laughing and stroking the cat’s head, “you do look fetching in these boxers, but cats don’t ordinarily wear clothes.”
    Rex didn’t even notice when she gently pulled the boxersoff his tail. He allowed her to pet him, then turned around a few times and curled up in her lap. He purred, and the purr was like a kind of calming om, a universal soothing mantra that vibrated through her body and smoothed out her racing thoughts. Jilly closed her eyes and relaxed.

8
 
    Felicia decided to join her mother and Nicole on their day trip to Hyannis. Archie would be fine in her father’s company, and she had so many good memories of shopping orgies like this one. On the way over, she and her mother and friends would enthusiastically list all the treasures they were going to discover at the Cape Cod Mall, because Nantucket didn’t have a mall or a CVS or a Marshalls, Macy’s, Talbots, Gap, or any chain store—they were not allowed on Nantucket. During the three or four hours before the fast ferry home, they would each scurry off their separate ways like desperate cavewomen foraging for hides and furs to keep them warm in the winter. On the return trip, they’d show each other their prizes, eat food they’d bought from the forbidden McDonald’s, and arrive home exhausted and totally happy.
    The morning was frosty and bright. A line of passengers waited on the cobblestone wharf to board the boat, and