Love Finds You in Martha's Vineyard (35 page)

“And he had children. He wanted to do the right thing by them, and I never asked him to do more.”

“Did he even know that you were pregnant, that he had another child?”

She shook her head. “No. I spared him that. Really, what good would it have done? I was able to support myself. I certainly didn't want child support from him.”

“You were such a modern independent woman.” Waverly wondered if she would be so independent under the same circumstances. Not that she ever planned to find out.

“Anyway, I hear he still lives in Santa Barbara. Same house. Although he's retired. But from what I've heard, he's in good health. I'll be happy to give you all the information, so you can contact him if you like.”

“You really don't mind?”

Vivian shrugged. “I suppose I wanted to think that I was enough for you, Waverly. That I'd given you life and freedom and education and experience and that you'd take that and run with it, making it your own.”

“And I appreciate that.”

“But you wanted more. You wanted a heritage, didn't you?”

“I don't know. Maybe.”

“I suppose I was a bit shortsighted—not to mention selfish.”

“No, I don't think that.” Waverly put her hand on her mother's. “I honestly believe that you gave me the best of what you had to give…
Mom
.”

Vivian smiled. “Thank you. And you have grown up into an intelligent, beautiful, artistic, loving, and a moderately well-adjusted person.” Vivian studied her. “Though I was concerned for you for a while. It seemed you'd gotten into a rut after Neil died. That troubled me a lot.”

“Was that one reason you pried me out of Chicago?”

Vivian nodded.

“I appreciate that. I was in a rut. I was trying to make some small changes, but it wasn't working out too well. Looking back, I suspect I was quite depressed.”

“That's understandable. Losing Neil like that…well, it wasn't easy.”

“Not at all.”

For a while they both sat quietly, looking out over the harbor. Waverly was mulling over their conversation about life and love and parenthood, yet she wasn't upset by any of it. Mostly she felt peaceful and content.

Then Vivian set her coffee cup down with a thud. Waverly turned to look at her.

“Waverly,” she said firmly, “I have one more question for you.”

“All right. Go for it.”

“How do you really feel about Blake?”

Waverly felt her brows arch. “I thought you asked me that before.”

“Yes, but you were vague with me. You brought up the business about Janice, I believe, as a smokescreen.”

Waverly laughed. “And she was a good one, don't you think?”

Vivian laughed too. “Yes. But now she's not. I know it's none of my business, and you don't have to tell me, Waverly, but I'm curious.”

“Well…” Waverly thought about her answer. “I like Blake. He's a good guy. And, yes, I like him.”

“But that's it?” Vivian looked disappointed. “You just like him—end of story. That's all?”

“No, that's not all.” Waverly took in a long breath, blowing it out slowly. “The truth is I think—I think—I might be in love with him, Mother.” She giggled now. “That sounded so strange coming out of my mouth.”

“Which part? Being in love or calling me ‘Mother'?”

“Both.”

“But really?” Vivian's eyes glittered with expectation. “You
might
be in love?”

Waverly nodded. “But it's hard to admit that. I can't help but think about Neil…the vows I made to him. And how I was so certain I'd never marry again after I lost him. Loving someone else feels like I'm betraying him.”

“Oh, darling, you made a promise to Neil—until death do you part—and you kept that promise. He is gone. Now you are free to love again. Don't get me wrong. Neil was a truly wonderful man.” Vivian sighed. “I really did love him, and I know how much he loved you. But I believe Neil would want what's best for you now. I'm certain he'd hate seeing you being so lonely. I think he'd be smiling down on this new development in your life. In fact, I think he'd be relieved to know that you'd found love again.”

“Really?” Waverly studied her mom's expression. “You're not just saying that?”

“I absolutely am not just saying that. I believe it with my whole heart. I think if you examine yourself carefully, you'll find you believe it too.”

Waverly leaned over and hugged her. “Thanks,
Mom
!” Now she stood and stretched, shoving her feet into her flip-flops. “But do keep in mind that just because I finally confessed my true feelings for Blake to you doesn't mean he feels the same way about me.”

Vivian just laughed.

“Besides, there's Sicily to think about.”

“Sicily adores you.”

“Yes, as her friend. But one day when we were on the beach together, Sicily told me what her secret dream is.” Waverly felt heavy-hearted to remember this now.

“What was it?”

“Well, it's a secret, but I know I can trust you.” Then Waverly explained about how Sicily dreamed of getting her parents back together. “Kind of like in the movie
Parent Trap
is what Sicily told me. Except that she didn't have a twin sister to help her out. In fact, I almost got the impression she wanted
me
to help her out. Although how I was supposed to do that was something of a mystery.” She sighed. “Even more so now.”

“But that's what all children want. I wouldn't be surprised if you dreamed of that very thing when you were little.”

“Probably so.”

“And Gia is remarried.”

“I know.” Waverly pressed her lips together. “But I also know that Blake has some strong feelings of guilt. I don't understand all his reasons, but I do know he has questioned his move to the Vineyard. It's not easy for divorced parents to share a child with a whole country between them.”

“That's true.” Vivian nodded. “In fact, Blake has mentioned that to me as well.”

“So,” Waverly said as she picked up their empty coffee mugs and things, “just getting me to confess my feelings regarding Blake doesn't change much, Mom.”

She smiled to hear that word coming from her own lips.

Her mother smiled back. “That remains to be seen, dear. Time will tell.”

By the time Blake and Sicily made it back to Vineyard Haven, after the Edgartown parade and stopping for some other sights along the way, the barbecue next door, complete with festive music and laughter, seemed to be in full swing. He'd barely stopped the car when Sicily begged to go over and join in the fun. He told her to go ahead and that he'd put together the plate of appetizers—something he'd insisted on doing—and come over there shortly.

However, he felt torn as he arranged the veggies and dip on a big green platter. Part of him was like an impatient child, wanting to hurry because he was so anxious to see Waverly. Another part of him, also rather childish, was dragging his heels because he was so not looking forward to seeing Janice. But eventually the platter was complete and wrapped in plastic wrap, and he was carrying it down the well-worn path between their houses. As he walked, he prepared for the worst, while hoping for the best.

Judging by the cars spilling from their driveway and out onto the road, there were more than “just a dozen or so guests there.” But Blake was relieved since a larger crowd would make it that much easier to avoid Janice.

He was even more relieved when he spied Janice sitting in beach chairs with Reggie Martin and another couple. Thankfully, she didn't see him. Feeling relieved, he hurried inside where he found Louise, despite the fact she'd hired caterers to help, still fussing in the kitchen.

“Oh, there you finally are,” she said rather testily. “I was beginning to wonder if you would show at all. But Sicily promised you'd be here.” She looked at his platter. “Oh, you shouldn't have. But since we've had a few more guests than expected, I'm glad you did.” She leaned over and pecked him on the cheek. “You're a good boy, Blake, even if you did break my daughter's heart last night.”

“I, uh, I noticed Janice was with Reggie out there.”

Louise laughed. “Yes, and I hope you're not getting jealous, because I fear it is too late for you, dear boy. That ship has already sailed.”

Blake wanted to assure her he was not jealous but didn't get the chance as she continued in a monologue that made him wonder if filibustering ran in the Grant family.

“Fortunately, Janice is a resilient girl. Thanks to the way you abandoned her at that party the other night, she has found someone new. Dear Reggie Martin played the valiant knight by rescuing poor Janice and bringing her home. And,” she lowered her voice, “they spent the whole day together yesterday. I just hope Waverly isn't too upset by this new development. As I already said to you, don't waste your time being jealous because that ship—the USS
Janice
—has sailed.”

Blake had to control himself from laughing. “Don't worry about me, Louise. I'm very happy for Janice's sake. I hope Janice is happy too.”

“I should say so.” She gave him a mockingly grim look. “Just in case you were worried, I do forgive you.”

“Thank you.”

“Now go outside and get yourself something to drink.”

“How about you?” he asked. “Don't you get to come to the party too?”

She waved her hand. “Oh, don't you worry. I'll be there with bells on.”

As he went outside and got himself a soda from the ice chest, Blake felt like a giant boulder had been lifted from his shoulders. He couldn't believe he'd been dreading this harmless little get-together so much. Was he really that cowardly? He took a sip of soda, then spotted Sicily seated at an umbrella table with Waverly and Vivian over on the side of the house.

“This seat taken?” he asked as he joined them.

“It's for you, Daddy.” Sicily gave him her
duh
look. “What took you so long anyway?”

“Just puttering in the kitchen.” He sat down and smiled at them. “Nice to see you, ladies. You're both looking lovely today.”

For a while they made small talk, and he was relieved to hear that Vivian was feeling better. “I told Lou I'd move back here with her tomorrow,” she explained.

“And Janice goes home tomorrow,” Waverly added with a knowing look.

“I hear that Janice and Reggie spent the day together yesterday,” he said.

“Yes,” Vivian said. “Louise told me that Janice is already making plans to come back here after Labor Day.”

He just nodded.

“And Mom can come stay with me then,” Waverly said, “if the beach house is too crowded with Janice there.”

Blake was surprised to hear Waverly calling Vivian “Mom,” but it sounded nice too. He made a mental note to ask her about that later. “So you plan to stick around that long?” he asked Waverly. “Through September?”

She shrugged. “Sure, why not? From what I hear, Vineyard winters are milder than Chicago—that in itself is something to look forward to. And I can't complain about the scenery here. Plus, I haven't even had time to take up my own painting yet. Winter should be perfect for that. Who knows? I may stay here indefinitely.”

“Really?” He tried not to look too pleased about this.

Sicily was nudging him now. “Daddy, will you come play Frisbee with me?”

He looked at her in surprise. “
Frisbee?”
Sicily hated playing Frisbee. Was she feeling well?

“Yeah.” She pointed to a basket of beach toys out in the sand. “Louise put some things out for us to use. Come on! It's a party. We're supposed to have fun.”

“All right.” He stood. “Anyone else care to—”

“Just
you and me,
Daddy.” Sicily gave him a very stern look. “
Okay?”

Feeling a little worried that something was wrong with her, he simply nodded. “I'm coming.”

But as Sicily dashed off to grab a Frisbee, he shot Waverly and Vivian an apologetic look, then jogged over to catch up with his out-of-sorts daughter. But after several throws, which appeared to be moving them farther and farther from the vicinity of the party, Sicily came running over to him with the Frisbee in hand.

“That's enough,” she declared.

“Enough?” He felt confused. “I thought you wanted—”

“Get a clue, Dad. You know that I hate playing Frisbee. I just wanted to talk to you. Okay?”

“Okay.” He still felt off-balance. Had he done something wrong, something to deeply offend her?

“Let's walk,” she commanded, “walk and talk.”

He fell into step as she walked him yet farther from the party.

“So, you know the other day when you asked me what I really wanted, Dad?” Her voice softened now, sounding more like her normal self. “You know, after you told me that you and Mom would never get back together, which I kind of knew anyway?”