“And is her stomach upset?” Heather asked.

  Kailee looked down at the pink bottle in her hand. A bolt of lightning pierced her from scalp, straight down her body, to her toes.

  Oh. No.

  “No,” Kailee answered quietly. “It’s for me. I think I have a stomach bug.”

  “I’m so sorry. That’s a miserable feeling.” Heather looked away. “I need more sunblock.”

  “Heather.”

  “Yes?” Heather smiled.

  Kailee looked up and down the aisle. No one else around. She whispered, “Heather, would you do me a favor? Would you, um, buy a pregnancy test? Maybe two different kinds? If I buy one, everyone in town will know about it. But they don’t know you.”

  Heather reached out and steadied Kailee with a warm hand on her arm.

  “Of course. Buy your Pepto Bismol, go out to your car, and I’ll meet you there in a few minutes.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Thank you. It’s a compliment to think that I could be pregnant at forty-seven.”

  Kailee made her purchase and went out to her car. The sun was beating down, and the intense heat pressed against her. She took the bottle from its white bag, cracked open the lid, and drank some straight from the bottle.

  She gagged. The medicine oozed down her throat like a melted crayon. She had a water bottle in her car, thank heaven, so she gulped it, not caring that it was warm.

  Heather approached the Jeep. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m not sure.” Kailee was at the point of tears. “Heather, could I come to your house now? I mean, to do these tests? I mean, our housekeeper or someone would spot anything I put in the trash. I don’t want my family to know…not yet. Not while my mother’s still weak.”

  “Of course you can, Kailee. And you can trust me. I’m good at keeping secrets.”

  Heather handed Kailee the white paper bag holding the tests. She went to her car, exited the parking lot, and headed toward the rotary. Kailee followed.

  What had she done? What was she doing? She wasn’t pregnant. She couldn’t be. She should forget the whole thing and go home. She could text Heather that she didn’t need to take the tests.

  But, really, she should take the tests. She’d tried to remember when she and Ross had made love. She was on the pill, so they never worried, but it was possible that in the past six weeks or so, with all the hassle and emotions about leaving the university and her friends, with Heather popping up in Nantucket and Kailee losing that amazing engagement ring, and then Ross’s father and his girlfriend, Nova, wanting Ross to be in their wedding at Christmas, with all that, Kailee probably had forgotten to take her pills for a night. Or two.

  She parked behind Heather’s car on the dirt road and walked between the bushes onto the slate path. Follow the yellow brick road. The terrible Munchkins with their screechy voices sang in her head. She’d always hated that movie. And now here she was, about to find out what was behind the curtain.

  Oh, man, she was going nuts.

  Heather was in the kitchen.

  “Would you like some sparkling water?” Heather asked, as she poured herself a glass.

  “No, thank you,” Kailee said, standing in the living room with her purse in one hand and the white pharmacy bag in the other. “I’ll just…”

  “Is there any way I can help?”

  Kailee flashed on a time at university when one of her dorm friends had taken a pregnancy test and Kailee and Madison had waited with her. The agonizing wait. Then the beautiful blue no, and they all yelled and jumped up and down.

  “No, thank you. I know where the bathroom is. I’ll just…”

  “Go right ahead. I’ve got some things I need to do in the kitchen.”

  Kailee was weak with gratitude for Heather’s understanding of Kailee’s need for privacy. She went down the short hall and into the bathroom. Horrible little place, with no bathtub, just a shower, and when she sat down on the toilet, she faced the full-length mirror hanging on the back of the door.

  She prayed while she peed, at the same time wondering if it was sacrilegious to pray while peeing. Her hands were shaking so hard she could scarcely hold the sticks. Finally, she put them on the counter and washed her hands and waited.

  * * *

  —

  In the kitchen, Heather’s own stomach was flip-flopping with an unexpected excitement. Was she soon to become a grandmother? The thought made her oddly delirious. Little babies were adorable. Several of her friends had grandchildren. But it wasn’t Heather’s choice. It was up to Kailee and Ross to decide.

  But if Kailee and Ross had a baby…So many questions danced in Heather’s head. Where would they live? The Essexes’ Pleasant Street house was big enough for Ross, Kailee, and a baby, but would Evelyn have fully recovered from her heart problems by then? Could Kailee work as hard and efficiently for her mother as she did now?

  Maybe Heather could take care of the baby several days a week, for a few hours.

  The thought was enchanting, and Heather was surprised at herself.

  Fifteen minutes had passed. Surely Kailee had done the tests by now.

  Heather went to stand outside the bathroom, listening.

  Kailee was sobbing, wretched, tearing noises.

  Heather tapped on the door. “Kailee? May I come in?”

  Kailee made a noise that sounded like yes. Heather opened the door.

  Kailee was sitting on the toilet lid, her face scarlet and wet with tears. On the bathroom sink, two different sticks lay. Heather didn’t touch them.

  She went to Kailee, knelt on the fluffy bath mat on the floor next to her, and put her arm around the weeping girl.

  “And the answer is?” Heather asked, trying to sound absolutely neutral.

  “I’m pregnant,” Kailee cried. “Oh, I can’t be, I don’t want to be, it’s not the right time!”

  Heather studied Kailee’s face and wondered what to say. Should she say anything? Heather remembered when she first realized she was pregnant with Ross, she felt profoundly connected to a force beyond her comprehension while also being proud of the capabilities of her own body. Heather and Wall had adored Ross. They had wanted more children. They never could find out why Heather never got pregnant again.

  Should she share any of this with Kailee? She didn’t want to be critical or disapproving of whatever choice Kailee and Ross made.

  Heather said, “I want you to know that whatever you and Ross decide, I support you.”

  Alarmed, Kailee said, “Oh, please don’t tell Ross yet. Don’t tell my parents.”

  “I won’t, Kailee. Really, don’t worry. This is totally your information to share.”

  “Ross and I have a plan. We want to work a few years, build a house on the island, with Dad’s help, of course, and maybe when we’re about thirty, start a family. We think three or four children.”

  Heather said softly, “You know, life doesn’t always go according to plan.”

  “You don’t have to tell me that. I certainly didn’t plan that I’d spend so much time working for my mother.” Kailee paused. “That sounded mean. I love my mother. I didn’t want her to have a heart attack!”

  “Neither did she,” Heather gently reminded Kailee. “Would you like me to leave you alone for a while? Want to lie down in the guest room? You look tired. And you don’t have to decide anything right this minute.”

  Kailee stood up. She caught her reflection in the mirror. Her face was puffy from crying.

  “I should go home,” Kailee said. “Gravity’s there with Mom and she was sleeping when I left. Still, I think I should be there.”

  “You’re right.” Heather rose, too.

  The women left the bathroom and walked down the hall to the living room.

  Heather held the front door open. “Let me know if I can help.”

  “I will.” Kailee walked down the path, then stopped. She turned to face Heather. “Thank you. Really, thank you.”

  Heather wanted to hug Kailee, but wasn’t sure she should. She said only, “You are more than welcome.”

  seventeen

  The next morning, Heather was in the law office, trying to make sense of a scribbled memo. Miles was gone for the morning, meeting clients at home. Her cell rang.

  “Heather? It’s Evelyn. Do you have a moment to talk?”

  Surprised, Heather answered, “Of course, Evelyn. How are you?”

  “Oh, I’m absolutely fine. Much ado about nothing, although that’s why I’m calling. You’re going to think this is an odd request, and it is, but you’re the only person I can talk to because you’re so new to the island and yet part of our inner circle.”

  Inner circle? Sounds like a cult. “I’ll help in any way I can. Ask away.” Just don’t ask me if Kailee’s pregnant, Heather thought.

  “That’s nice of you.” Evelyn cleared her throat. “This is not meant to be a criticism of my daughter, but the truth is, she doesn’t seem to be getting on with my ENF work. Her father and I have talked, and we know that Kailee wants to work for her father and not for me, and this ridiculous heart business is slowing me down, but it’s imperative that we get this gala organized before the end of summer, because that’s when so many moneyed people leave. I guess what I’m saying is, Heather, would you work for me?”

  Heather was speechless.

  “We’d pay you,” Evelyn hurried to stress. “You could do much of the work in your home, on your laptop. We can be in touch all the time, texting, emailing, whatever. I can email you the ENF mission statement right away, so you can see what an important cause it is. Kailee hasn’t accomplished much. She spends so much time in her room, sulking.”

  “Evelyn, thank you for asking, but I don’t think I can help. I don’t know many people here.”

  “That’s exactly why you’d be perfect. You’re the only person on the island that no one is angry with.” Evelyn laughed lightly as she spoke. “Also, much of the paperwork is filling out forms. We need to get nonprofit status from the state, that sort of thing. Kailee told me you’re on the board of the Safeguard Nature Society, so you must have a basic understanding of how a nonprofit is run.”

  “So, it’s mostly secretarial.”

  “Um, actually, it’s also social. That’s where you’re perfect! You’ve already met so many of the people…and you’re someone I can trust, because you’re almost part of our family. Please say you’ll consider this.”

  Heather was hesitant. “I’m working weekday mornings for Miles Hunter, until his secretary returns from Europe.”

  “Then you’ll have afternoons free to help me,” Evelyn said. “And of course, attend some events in the evening. You’ll be paid for those hours.”

  “I’ll think about it, but I’m not sure I’m the right person for the job.”

  “You know, Bob really likes Ross. And Ross is a genius working with the men. If we told Kailee she could return to working in our main office, Kailee would be so much happier. That’s what she’s always wanted.”

  Heather said, “I see.” She thought that Kailee really needed to speak with her mother. But it was not her place to speak for Kailee. “You know I’m renting my cottage only until after Labor Day. I couldn’t work for you permanently.”

  “Maybe, maybe not,” Evelyn said playfully. “You might fall in love with Nantucket and decide to move here.”

  “Nantucket is beautiful,” Heather agreed. “Let me think about this, and I’ll call you back soon.”

  “Bless you, Heather. Just talking to you makes my blood pressure fall.”

  Just talking to you makes my blood pressure rise, Heather thought. She didn’t want to be responsible for Evelyn’s state of health.

  The two women said goodbye. Heather sat gazing at the computer screen. Should she discuss this with Ross? Would he have some insights into the Essex family?

  No. She should wait until Kailee told Ross she was pregnant. After that, any number of things might change.

  * * *

  —

  Kailee lay in bed, chewing on the saltines she’d bought and hidden in the drawer of her bedside table. Last night, when Ross asked her to sleep over with him, she’d refused, saying she wanted to wake early and get ready for work. Ross was tanned from working outdoors, and his nose and cheeks were red. He looked good, and she loved being naked with him, running her hands from his sun-darkened arms down to the pale skin of his belly. But even that was not seductive enough to keep her from sleeping in her own bed. She really did want to wake early for work.

  Also, she did not want to throw up around him.

  The crackers seemed to be working. She sat up, waited to let her body adjust, and moved carefully, tenderly, trying not to jolt herself. Simone de Beauvoir had pronounced that biology was destiny, and Kailee got that. She knew men couldn’t get pregnant, but they could share half of the nurturing the baby once it was born.

  If it was born. She’d had friends at university who’d had abortions and friends who’d had miscarriages at six weeks. That might happen to her. Until then, she would continue fulfilling her destiny, the one she’d been born and raised for.

  Kailee slipped on a sleeveless navy-blue dress and sandals. She put on a headband and small gold earrings. She made several pieces of dry toast to take with her, and filled her water bottle with nothing but water. Coffee gave her indigestion.

  Her father had already left, so Kailee went upstairs to check on her mother. Evelyn was curled in her covers, sleeping deeply. The sight both soothed and worried Kailee. Her mother was doing the right thing to recover from her heart attack, but seeing the powerful Evelyn Essex sleeping in daylight hours was freaky. Just wrong.

  Kailee quietly shut the bedroom door and hurried down the stairs. She would call her mother later in the day to see how she felt and if she needed anything.

  The day was hot and humid, but Kailee kept the top down on her Jeep. A breeze blew against her neck, cooling her, and she didn’t have far to go to get to her father’s business office on South Beach Street. George was delighted to see her. After they talked about Evelyn’s health, Kailee booted up her computer and got to work.

  * * *

  —

  That evening, Kailee’s mother came downstairs, dressed and seeming back to her normal self again. Kailee was sprawled on the sofa, reading her friends’ Instagram posts.

  “Mom, you look so well!”

  “Thanks, darling. I’m feeling much better. And I’m hungry.”

  “Gravity made chicken Parmesan.”

  “Good. Could you steam some broccoli? I’d like to walk around my garden.”

  “I’m on the job,” Kailee said. “Enjoy.”

  Evelyn strolled out the French doors into the early evening warmth.

  Kailee watched her mother and said a quiet prayer of thanks. Her mother was young, really, and if she would manage her stress and workload better, she’d stay healthy.

  Maybe, Kailee thought, it would give her mother joy to have a grandchild to love. But she had to talk with Ross before she told her parents, and before she talked to Ross, she needed to decide how she felt, and what she would choose to do.

  Kailee set the dining table with blue and white placemats and napkins then steamed the broccoli. She found the Bartlett’s heirloom tomatoes and sliced them, lightly adding salt and pepper over them.

  “Your mother’s up!” were the first words her father said when he entered the house. He went right out to the garden, put his arms around his wife, and kissed her forehead. Kailee watched her parents with happiness. Would she and Ross be this affectionate when they were nearly fifty? She knew they both wanted more than one child, and they didn’t want children until they were thirty and comfortably established, so maybe she should deal with her problem herself. But what if Ross and her parents found out somehow? They’d be furious with her.

  A spitting noise alerted her to the broccoli pan steaming over. She hurried to turn off the stove, put the broccoli in a bowl, and add some butter. She was just turning to call her parents when they both came in from the garden.

  The three sat at the table, eating and discussing the latest scandals and community battles. Kailee was happy to have her mother eating with them, but her mind kept drifting back to her own particular problem.

  “Earth to Kailee,” her father said.

  Kailee pulled her mind back to the present. “Oh, sorry, Dad. What did you say?”

  “Your mother might have found a helper for ENF,” Bob said, beaming at his wife. “Now your crazy mother can fit some downtime into her schedule.”

  “That’s great, Mom!” Kailee wanted to cheer. “Who is it?”

  “Heather,” Evelyn said.

  Kailee was astounded. “What?”

  Evelyn leaned back in her chair and relaxed. “I spoke with her today. Heather seems to me the perfect choice. She’s done committee work for years, so she has experience. She’s going to be part of our family, but she’s new to the island, so no one is angry with her.”

  “Yet.” Kailee’s father laughed.

  “Did Heather call you?” Kailee demanded.

  “No, I called her,” Evelyn replied calmly. “I was lying in bed going crazy, and I wished I knew someone who was intelligent and computer-friendly, and I thought of Heather.”

  “What did she say?” Kailee held her hands clasped under the table, digging her nails into the soft part of her palm. She would be furious at Heather if Heather had told her mother Kailee was pregnant.

  “She said she’d think about it,” Evelyn said.

  “She’d think about what?” Kailee demanded.

  Her mother leaned forward. “Darling, are you okay? I said that Heather said to give her a day to think about it, but she thought it might be perfect for all of us.”