Olivia was quiet for a moment and then said, “Listen, in a normal situation, you’d ask yourself certain questions, like: How much are you going to use it? How much is it worth to you to own it? But you and Bob are in a position in which very few people find themselves. I didn’t realize you had such a fondness for Nantucket.”
“Well, there’s so little humidity,” Maritza said and laughed.
Now, there’s a good reason to let go of twenty-six million of your favorite dollars, Olivia thought. But she was right about the humidity. Her hair was behaving, for once.
“Yes, you’re right,” Olivia said.
Maritza sensed a trace of disapproval in Olivia’s response, so she came clean.
“To tell you the truth, I have fallen in love with this island because it feels like home. When I was a little girl, I had an aunt who had a cottage here, and I would come and spend part of the summer with her.”
“Yes, I heard you mention that on the plane.”
“Yep. So I have wonderful memories of this place. And I think Gladdie would be safe here. Nantucket is a wonderful traditional place for families, and Bob needs to be reminded that we’re a family. And once you gut it and make it look like it should, I think it would become Bob’s favorite place to be.”
Money aside, those are pretty solid reasons, Olivia thought.
Olivia just didn’t want to be self-serving and take an insecure woman like Maritza and push her toward something for her own gain. Olivia wasn’t that hardened.
“Maritza? If you buy the place, you and I will make it a paradise.”
Chapter 10
Nantucket Looms
After a delicious seafood dinner and highly animated conversation in the back room behind the bar at CRU, they agreed to meet for breakfast in the dining area the next morning at eight. Nick had spent the better part of the dinner entertaining Maritza with the history of Nantucket from the tales of Tom Nevers and the Nantucket Indians to the stories of the treacherous Rose and Crown Shoal, Walter Chase and his heroic rescues with the surf boat, the Coskata. She was a rapt student, absorbing every word and asking lots of questions.
“Walter Chase said to his men, ‘You have to go out, but you don’t have to come back!’ Can you imagine saying such a thing in today’s world?”
“No. I haven’t heard these stories since I was knee-high to a grasshopper! And I’ve never heard of Tom Nevers. I thought it was just a neighborhood. All this information is so good to have because I can tell it all to Gladdie and make her the smartest girl in school!”
Olivia thought, Did that mean Gladdie might receive her formal education on the island?
“Well, and remember, history teaches much more than just a list of dates and facts. It teaches us how to be. What kind of people do we want to be? The men who walked these beaches during terrible storms swinging their lanterns and peering though spyglasses, watching the turbulent waters, searching for ships in trouble?”
“They were a bunch of nuts,” Maritza said.
“Maybe. But those men were also selfless and brave. Let’s not forget that they endured every kind of inclement weather to help save lives. It was below zero when Chase’s soaking wet and near-exhausted men saved the crew of the Kirkham. And save lives they did.”
Nick was on a lecturing roll, becoming as boisterous as a revival preacher in a tent. Olivia put her hand on his to calm him down.
Nick took a breath and exhaled. “Thank you, sweetheart. I was about to break the sound barrier, wasn’t I?”
“It’s okay,” Olivia said, thinking that his enthusiasm was part of what made him such a beloved professor.
“It sure gives you a lot to think about,” Maritza said. “I mean, they risked their lives for strangers. I don’t know if I’d do that, do you?”
“Well, our armed forces do it every day, as do our police officers and firemen and all sorts of first responders. Sadly, that kind of work is not in my nature. Thank God there are people who can do it,” Nick said. “I’m more of a diplomatic peacemaking sort of fellow.”
“You would’ve made a wonderful ambassador,” Maritza said.
All Nick heard was would have.
Olivia, always sensitive to Nick’s feelings said, “Game’s not over! The White House might still call.”
So morning found Nick and Maritza chatting away while they dressed and packed, expecting to leave the island that day.
“Maritza loved all the stories you told last night,” Olivia said.
“You know, her desperation is pitiable,” Nick said. “She’s in deep trouble with her marriage if she thinks that a renovated old house and an arsenal of facts about a new locale might recapture the heart of her husband.”
“You’re right.”
“The poor girl. She’s really hanging on to a dream made from gossamer threads.”
“Yes, she is. The tragedy here, as you know, is that she really loves Bob. She would do anything in this world to have his heart.”
“That’s so sad. And you don’t think he loves her at all?”
“No. I’ve known him a long time. This might sound terrible, but I think he is deeply amused by her affection and he sort of revels in the adoration. But sadly, I don’t think Bob ever learned the value in really loving someone else besides his children. He wouldn’t recognize love if it bit him on his nose. I think he’s immune.”
“That’s a helluva statement. It’s probably a trust thing. Well, we’d better get moving. It wouldn’t be nice to keep Maritza waiting.”
“I’ve been ready! Who spent over half an hour with his morning toilette?”
“I admit it, but my nose is already peeling. I just wanted to be my most presentable self.”
“Oh, good grief,” Olivia said and laughed. “Let’s leave our bags with the bell captain.”
“Why not?” Nick said, and the door whooshed to a close behind them.
They dropped off their bags, went to the dining room’s unmanned hostess desk, and scanned the room for Maritza. They spotted her and made their way to her table.
“Good morning!” Olivia said.
“Morning! Well, the deal’s under way!” Maritza said, sipping her iced coffee. “Bob put an offer in for twenty-two, so we’ll see what happens. There are no contingencies and the offer’s all cash, so I’ve got my fingers crossed.”
“I think I need waffles this morning,” Nick said. “Spending money calls for carbohydrates.”
Olivia laughed and agreed. “I’ll split them with you?”
“That’s a deal!” Nick said.
“Then you’re only half bad,” Maritza said and giggled. “I’m having French toast and I don’t care!”
“I’ll help you with that,” Olivia said.
Nick bobbed his head in somber agreement. “It’s what friends are for.”
“And sausage! So. Right after breakfast we’re supposed to meet Nicole, and then I thought we should go shopping! I want to show y’all Petticoat Row. How does that sound?”
They ordered their breakfast and their waiter filled their cups with coffee.
“I’d like to see the house,” Nick said, “but then I’m supposed to meet an old friend for a bowl of chowder. You ladies can boost the local economy without me tagging along.”
“Bob doesn’t like to shop either,” Maritza said.
“Really? Who are you meeting?” Olivia said, suspecting a blonde from his past.
“Nathaniel Philbrick. He’s an author and historian who lectured for one of my classes about ten years ago. He’s written some very good stuff like Mayflower and In the Heart of the Sea. I’ll pick up copies for Bob and ask Nat to sign them. I think he’d enjoy them and he’d learn a lot about the island, not to mention the tenacious nature of the whalers.”
“Bob understands tenacious just fine,” Olivia said.
“That’s so nice!” Maritza said. “Thanks!”
“What’s Petticoat Row?” Olivia asked.
“It’s just a part of the sh
opping area on Centre Street between Main and Broad,” Maritza said. “They call it that because a long time ago when the island was crawling with whalers, they went out to sea for years at a time and their wives watched the stores.”
“Wait a minute,” Nick said. “You know this, but you’d never heard of Tom Nevers until last night?”
“Did Tom Nevers ever own a women’s clothing store? I don’t think so,” Maritza said and rolled her eyes.
Nick looked at Olivia. “I give up.”
Their food arrived quickly and disappeared under a flurry of forks and hands passing across the table.
“Gosh!” Maritza said, deeply exhaling. “That was so good it was a sin!”
“Yes,” Olivia and Nick said.
They paid the bill and walked over to the house on Easton Street. Nicole was there waiting, and she introduced herself to Nick.
“This is a very special property,” Nicole said, with a trace of awe in her voice.
“Yes, it is,” Nick said in agreement and whispered to Olivia, “It bloody well ought to be!”
“Shhh!” she whispered back.
“Nicole? Is there any word on our offer?”
“Not yet,” she said. “As soon as I hear anything, you’ll know within the same minute. I promise!”
No kidding, Olivia thought, exchanging knowing looks with Nick. This very nice lady will be able to take the rest of the year off and the next one too. Even if they reduce the commission to one percent!
They went inside, walked slowly from room to room, and Olivia took dozens of pictures. Nick couldn’t keep his eyes from the water.
“Lovely views, don’t you think?” Nicole said to him.
“It’s astonishing,” Nick said. “Almost as astonishing as Sullivans Island.”
“Where is that?” Nicole said innocently.
“Um. If you dropped a pin on the center of the universe,” Olivia said, “it would . . .”
“Land on Sullivan’s Island!” Nick said and laughed.
“I see,” Nicole said.
“So what do you think?” Maritza asked Nick.
“I’m wondering if a place like this needs an historian in residence? It’s very beautiful.”
“The guest house will have your name on the door!” Maritza said.
By the time they met back at the hotel, Maritza had cut a swath through the shopping areas, her credit card a powerful machete. She struggled under the bulk and weight of shopping bags from Milly & Grace, Vis-A-Vis, Nantucket Looms, and Smiling Button. Olivia and Maritza ordered hats from Peter Beaton, and Olivia found a painted cast-iron antique doorstop that represented a fisherman standing in a small boat. Her purchases were insignificant next to Maritza’s.
“Maritza?” Nick said. “The island of Nantucket is going to dim the lights in your honor when we leave. This is an awesome haul!”
“I know!” Maritza said. “We had such a good time!”
“We surely did. How was your friend?” Olivia asked.
“Charming and brilliant. Did y’all have lunch?” Nick asked, still incredulous, staring at their bounty.
“Yep. We had fabulous crab cakes at the Club Car and put the hurt on more than a few shops. Didn’t we, Olivia?”
“I’ll say we did!” Olivia said. “We found some wonderful things for Maritza and Bob’s new house too! Really beautiful alpaca throws at Nantucket Looms. I got one for us too.”
“Thank goodness. I was worried for a moment,” Nick said. “I’ve been dying for an alpaca throw.”
“Laugh now, but come winter, you will cocoon yourself in it,” Olivia said, and smiled.
“It’s a good thing they’re just three of us on the plane!” Maritza said. “And by the way, kids, I’m going to have the plane take y’all to Charleston. Give me your tickets and I’ll have Bob’s secretary get them refunded.”
“Oh, Maritza! That’s incredibly generous!” Olivia said.
“Look, I yanked y’all out of your house on one day’s notice when you’re trying to get your new place organized, so I’m figuring y’all must be as tired as I am, right?”
“Uncle,” Nick said and kissed Maritza’s cheek.
“I don’t want you to hate me. I want you to come back.”
“We’ll see you in just ten days. Olé!” Olivia said.
“And here are the books I got for Bob,” Nick said.
“He’s going to love them!” Maritza said
It was six-thirty with plenty of light left to the day when Nick and Olivia turned the key in their front door on Sullivans Island. Had they flown commercial, it would have been ten-thirty. The house felt welcoming then, as though it was a living, breathing thing, happy to have them back.
“It smells good in here,” Nick said, carrying their duffel bags into the bedroom.
“My potpourri and candles are finally starting to talk to each other,” Olivia said. “You hungry?”
“Always. Shall I whip up a couple of omelets, or do you feel like going down the island for some barbecue?”
“Barbecue. Hmmm. I’m too pooped to go anywhere. But if you went to Home Team and brought back a pulled pork sandwich, I’d eat it without a single complaint.”
“Hmmm.”
“And I’d kiss your face,” Olivia said, and he looked at her through squinted eyes. “Big-time. Okay. All over!”
“I’ll be right back. Hold that thought!”
When they had a hankering for it, there was nothing on earth that tasted better to them than pulled pork on a bun with the sweet red barbecue sauce from Home Team BBQ. Barbecue, a treasure Olivia was almost unfamiliar with until recently, was fast becoming her guiltiest pleasure. And Nick’s.
They ate together on the porch, smelling the salt and listening to the waves washing against the shore. It was too late in the day for dolphin sightings by the time they sat down. Even the birds had returned to their rookeries and roosts for the night. The sun was already below the horizon, but the sky was putting on a stunning show of almost indescribable colors. Clouds were underlit in endless fields of purple and red. Wide radiant gold streams of fan-shaped light broke through those same clouds here and there, melting into the mango horizon. That night’s sunset was worthy of royalty and the miraculous.
“What a sky we have tonight!” Nick said. “I wonder which angel painted it.”
“It’s unbelievable. Probably the spirit of Michelangelo,” Olivia said, taking another bite. “This is delicious. I love it.”
Their humble sandwiches were wrapped in aluminum foil, and the rocking chairs in which they sat cost less than dinner in Manhattan. Still, they were almost breathless from the great beauty that surrounded them and the deep haunting flavors of the slowly roasted and smoked pork.
“And I love you.”
“I love you too, Nick. So much.”
There was a sense of complete serenity all around them. Their simple supper may have seemed pitiful given the spectacular ever-changing sky as night drew close, but they felt profound gratitude just to witness such splendor for the few moments it would last.
In the morning, Nick announced he was returning to the sea to find and conquer the biggest fish in the surrounding waters. Olivia was already on the phone with Jason.
“I’ll call you back in five minutes,” she said and hung up. “Nick! Don’t go anywhere yet!”
She rushed to the bedroom and hurried back with a shopping bag from Nobby Clothes Shop on Nantucket.
“Here! I know this isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, but it’s what all the men on Nantucket wear when they go fishing. So I’m told, anyway. Until we find the right one, this might do.”
“Why, thank you, sweetheart!”
Nick opened the bag and pulled out a baseball hat with an extra long bill. He held it in his hand and looked at it. Then he put it on his head and went to the hall to have a look in the mirror.
“I look like a duck,” he said and burst out laughing.
“Oh, my god! You do! You look
like a duck!” Olivia was horrified.
“I look like a bloody fool!” Nick said, still laughing. “Who wears these hats?”
“I’m going to guess men who are terribly secure?”
“Am I really going to wear this?”
“You most certainly are not! Give it to me. I’m sending it back.”
He kissed her cheek and handed her the hat. “Thank you for the thought. I’ll be home for lunch.”
“Sunscreen!”
“Got it! Just rubbed a forty-five SPF all over my baby face and neck.”
She watched him swagger down the path with his fishing bucket until he was out of sight. For all sorts of reasons she couldn’t stop smiling.
She called Jason back and he answered immediately.
“So, you didn’t tell me. How was your trip to Nantucket?”
“Incredible. You wouldn’t happen to know a good contractor up there, would you?”
“Yes, actually, I do. I went to school with a guy whose family lives there, and his dad owns a pretty big construction firm. I could call him for you. What do you have?”
“A very special client who’s about to buy a twenty-six-million-dollar house that hasn’t been renovated since you were in knickers.”
“Knickers?”
“It’s an old saying. Anyway, it’s a big job. And I need a local architect or I might use someone from New York. I don’t know yet.”
“Well, there are three I work with here. Christopher Rose, Steve Herlong, and Beau Clowney.”
“Hold on, I need to write all this down. And what’s the name of your friend in Nantucket?”
“Martin McKerrow. His family’s been on Nantucket since the Mayflower dropped off his ancestors.”
“Wow. He must be from some powerful DNA. Nantucket’s got one heck of a winter climate.”
“I’ve never met another family like his. And he might be the smartest guy I’ve ever known.”
“Would you give him a call and tell him to expect a call from me?”
“Of course. Anything else?”
“As a matter of fact, yes.”
Olivia gave him a list of all the contacts she needed for the house and for their personal lives.