“Is this a favor for you or for me?”
Jared smiled. “So I take it you’re in?”
“One hundred percent. All the way. Should I bring weapons?”
“I’d prefer very small shorts and a tank top.”
Daris was silent for a moment. “Jared, honey, are you sure you don’t want to get married?”
“I’m not sure at all,” he said softly, and Lexie’s and Toby’s eyes widened even farther.
Daris laughed. “Okay, now I’m understanding. Does this have to do with that pretty girl you’ve been practically living with since she moved into your aunt’s house?”
“Maybe. I’ll call you later to work out the details, but could we meet at nine forty-five tomorrow morning to ride in the parade?”
“I will shorten my shorts tonight.”
“I look forward to the sight.” Jared clicked off and looked at Lexie and Toby, his eyebrows raised in question. “Well?”
“Do you think they’ll get back together?” Toby asked.
“That’s none of my business,” Jared answered.
Lexie put her hands up as a balance scale. “Daris’s legs or a million-dollar loan? That’s going to be Wes’s choice.” She looked from Toby to Jared and back.
“He’ll choose legs,” Toby said.
“Daris’s legs?” Jared said. “Definitely yes!”
Chapter Thirteen
Jared had shown up at Kingsley House in a beautiful custom jacket, a blue shirt, and khaki trousers. Alix took one look at him and ran back upstairs to change. “Why didn’t you tell me this was a high-class event?” she said to Captain Caleb’s portrait. “And if you make one thing move, I’ll turn your picture to the wall.”
They met Lexie and Toby and walked down Main to where the road widened and the long, double line of vehicles was waiting. Jared had left early to get his friend’s truck fifth in line.
The streets were full of people, nearly all of them wearing daffodils. Some of the women had concocted outrageous hats that looked good in the morning sunshine.
“Stay with me,” Jared said as soon as they got to the crowd.
“But I’m supposed to meet Wes,” she said for what had to be the fourth time. Each time, Jared had acted as though she hadn’t spoken.
“So much for jealousy,” Alix muttered as she tried to keep up with his long legs. Last night he’d left the house just as dinner was ready, saying there was an emergency with Lexie. He’d returned forty-five minutes later but wouldn’t tell Alix anything about what had happened. The most he’d say was, “There was no bloodshed. Should have been but wasn’t.”
They’d watched a movie together—Mr. Blandings Builds His
Dream House—and twice Alix had mentioned that she was going to the parade with Wes. Jared had made no comment. When she’d accepted the date with his cousin, she’d hardly known Jared. She remembered how in awe of him she’d been then, and she couldn’t help smiling. Now she’d much, much rather ride with Jared in the old Ford truck.
But no matter how hard she hinted, Jared said nothing.
Last night, when he’d left to go to the guesthouse, Alix couldn’t help feeling, well … almost angry at him. She’d begun to feel that she was part of the Kingsley family, but it looked like Jared didn’t see it the same way. Or maybe he did. Wes was a cousin, so what did it matter if she rode with him?
This morning, by the time the four of them got to where the cars were lined up, Alix was silent. Would she sit beside Wes and wave at the people she’d come to know?
But no one else seemed perturbed about anything. Lexie and Toby were going to drive to ’Sconset with the coolers of food that Alix had helped prepare, but first they were going to say hello to the summer people.
“Are they the same as off-islanders?” Alix asked.
“Yes and no.” Jared explained that there were people who owned houses on Nantucket and came every summer. Some of them had been coming for twenty to thirty years or more.