respected Will’s opinion. Will was a good friend to both of them and while he didn’t know the retail business, he knew building and construction and he’d lived on Nantucket longer than either of them.
“He does. He said every year, traffic and the overall economy on Nantucket grows. And it’s too good of an opportunity, with the shop next to mine coming available. He said it would be crazy not to do it.”
Mia laughed. “Well, that settles it then. For what it’s worth, I agree. I’m just naturally more cautious. But, you’ve done a great job with that shop. I’m sure it will be a success.”
“Thanks. I think it will be. I’m excited about it.” Izzy’s phone buzzed, and she glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was Rick. She knew why he was calling. He wanted to meet. To talk her into getting back together. They’d broken up and soon after, she’d learned she was pregnant. Rick had never wanted to break up and when she told him about the baby, he swore he’d do better and begged her for another chance. She’d said no at first, but when he went through an anger management program and seemed to be really serious about changing, she agreed that they’d talk after the holidays.
“Hi Rick.”
“Izzy. How are you? I’ve missed you.”
“I’m good. How are you?” They’d spoken briefly the week before when he’d called to wish her a Merry Christmas. He’d wanted to set a date for them to meet then, but she’d suggested they catch up after the holidays.
“Better than ever. The new job is going good. I think this one is going to stick.” Rick’s anger issues had spilled over into his work as an electrician, and he’d been let go from his previous two jobs after just a few months.
“That’s great, Rick. I’m glad to hear it.”
“So, do you want to get together this Thursday after work? We could go to Millie’s, get some tacos and talk.” Rick knew Millie’s was one of Izzy’s favorite restaurants. It was casual, on the beach, and had the best Mexican food on the island.
“Sure. That works for me.”
“Great, see you there at six.”
Izzy ended the call and saw the concern in Mia’s eyes.
“You’re going out to dinner with Rick? Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
Izzy sighed. “No. But I agreed weeks ago to meet him after the holidays, to talk. I think it’s only fair to hear what he has to say.”
“Hmm. Well, you know how I feel about that. Be careful, Izzy.”
Chapter 3
Kate finally relaxed when she glanced out the window of the small plane and saw Nantucket straight ahead. The sight of the island always calmed her. It had been a wonderful trip, but she was happy to be almost home. She caught her husband Jack’s eyes as she settled back in her chair. He gave her hand a squeeze, and she sensed he was thinking the same thing. Jack was even more of a homebody than she was. They’d both been born and brought up on Nantucket, but Kate had left for a while, for college and then to work at a magazine in Boston.
Though, like many of those who left the island, Kate found her way back eventually. It seemed like almost another lifetime since she’d lived in Boston. And now she couldn’t imagine living anywhere other than Nantucket again. Everyone she cared about was there. Her friends, her family, and Jack. And soon their new family member would arrive.
“Do you think you’re ready to dive back into your story, now that we’re back?” Jack asked.
Kate was a full-time mystery writer now. And while she loved writing mysteries and knew it was what she was meant to do—it didn’t always go smoothly. There were lots of fits and starts when she’d hit bumps along the way and just get stuck, not sure where the story needed to go next. She’d hit one of those bumps in a big way before the honeymoon and decided to leave her laptop at home and take a full week off from writing, something she hadn’t done since she moved home.
But it was what her mind needed. She found that she got some of her best story ideas when she wasn’t writing but was instead doing something completely unrelated, like driving or taking a shower. Or relaxing on a Cayman Islands beach and snorkeling. The snorkeling had been amazing. And one afternoon while they were on a harbor cruise