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with the emerald solitaire on her right hand. Her mother’s ring. Dad had given it to her on her nineteenth birthday, the last time she’d spent any time with Nick.
    “Lynnie?”
    She blinked, her cheeks growing warm too quickly. She reined in her vagrant thoughts. “Sorry. What were you saying?”
    “Will you be all right talking to the others about this?”
    “Sure.” Lynette watched him grow silent. “What, Nick?” He shrugged and she rolled her eyes. “You’ve got that look. Like you need to say something but don’t know how. So, what?”
    Nick coughed and drank more water. “Well, if you did decide to sell . . .” He sighed and set his gaze on her. “There is a hotel chain scouting a couple properties in the area. My father has had a few meetings with them. I just thought—”
    “Absolutely not.” How could he even mention it? The very thought of the home she’d grown up in being bulldozed to the ground made her want to flee for the nearest bathroom.
    “Keep it in mind.” Nick stood and walked around the desk. “You’ve got a lot to absorb, plans to make. But you will need to make a decision. Soon.”
    She got to her feet, wanting to run, but manners kept her in place. “Thanks for seeing me, Nick. I appreciate your honesty.”
    He placed a hand under her elbow as they walked toward the door. “I’m sorry things are so rough right now.”
    And about to get a whole lot rougher. “We’ll figure something out.” Lynette dragged her eyes upward.
    “I’m glad you came in,” Nick said. “I wish I had better news for you.”
    She gave an involuntary shiver. “Yes, me too.” She should leave, but his interested expression cemented her feet to the floor.
    “How is . . . everyone?” Nick leaned against the doorframe.
    “Fine, I guess. David and Josslyn have twins; they’re two.”
    “Really?”
    “I know. Ryan’s over in Africa working with some mission I can never remember the name of. Liz is in New York. She’s a corporate attorney.”
    “And you’re still here. The only constant.” His low laugh floated around her. A glimpse of the Nick she remembered sidled over and nudged Mr. Corporate America out of the way.
    “I guess I’ve always been predictable.” Lynette looked down at her painted toenails.
    “Hey. That’s not a bad thing.” He gave her arm a light squeeze. A friendly gesture, but the touch of his fingers sent a strange energy zigzagging through her. “Will you let me know what they say about coming home? It’d be great to see everyone.”
    She shrugged, desperate now to end their conversation, escape the room, the memories. Him. “Sure.”
    “What do you hear from Gray these days?” Nick’s smile disappeared.
    Lynette frowned as she thought about her brother. “Not much. He’s on tour. In Canada now, I think.”
    “He did good, huh?” His voice radiated warmth again and reminded her of happier times. “I used to laugh at his talk of becoming a famous rock star. We all had our dreams. His were just bigger than all of ours put together.” It wasn’t hard to catch the regret in his tone.
    “He’s hardly a famous rock star, Nick. Gray’s got problems just like the rest of us.”
    “Is he okay?”
    “I don’t know. He says he is, but I’ve had this weird feeling for a while now. I can’t shake it.”
    “I’m sure he’s fine.” He sounded confident. “Gray’s tougher than he looks.”
    “I hope you’re right.”
    It was strange seeing Nick here in such austere surroundings. She’d always pictured him on his yacht—shirtless, of course, the wind racing through his hair—sailing the world with beautiful women at his side. Not back in Nantucket, behind a desk pushing papers.
    Working for his father.
    Something he’d sworn he would never do.
    “Well.” His hand closed around hers in a brief squeeze. “Take care, Lynnie. If you need anything . . .”
    “You’ve already said you can’t give me a loan.” She almost laughed, but shook her head