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instead. “I’ll call you once I talk to everyone.” She wanted to go home and crawl under the covers.
    “And you’ll mention the hotel chain? It could be a very lucrative decision.”
    Lynette sighed. Nick could rival any of them in the area of stubbornness. He’d always been the last to give in on any matter of contention. The fact that he and Gray hadn’t spoken in years proved it. “Fine. I’ll mention it.”
    “You know where I am if you need me.”
    “Yes. Good-bye, Nick.” Lynette reached into her canvas bag for her sunglasses, lost her grip on the strap, and the whole thing fell to the floor. She bent to retrieve some of the contents and counted the seconds until she could escape further embarrassment.
    “Pez?” Nick held the red plastic dispenser with the Winnie the Pooh head toward her, a sly grin playing at the corners of his mouth.
    She grabbed it and pushed it deep inside her purse. “I work at a day care.”
    “Ah. Of course.”
    “I have to go.” Lynette turned toward the door and wished she could fly.
    “Lynnie.” His forehead wrinkled with worry. “I really am sorry about all this, you know.” The look he gave her was so familiar that she had to smile. That was the Nick she knew, always standing up for her. He’d never been afraid to speak up, to speak his mind.
    Something she rarely did around her siblings.
    “Well. Thanks again.” Her voice caught in her throat as childhood memories tried their best to resurface. She had a sudden stupid urge to throw herself at him and sob, but quickly stifled that thought.
    Nick studied her. “Are you going to be okay?”
    Lynette nodded, but couldn’t reply.
    That was one question she didn’t have an answer for.

Chapter Four
    N ick decided to walk down Main after work to clear his head. Today’s meeting with Lynette had been painful. The desperation on her face made his stomach clench, and he couldn’t shake it. She was no longer the young, carefree girl who lived in his memory. Still beautiful, but her eyes told him more than he’d bet she wanted him to know. He’d seen something in them, something haunting, disturbing.
    He’d wanted to whip out his checkbook and solve all her problems. But of course he couldn’t. She’d never agree, for one thing, and his father would skin him alive.
    Dad had called less than an hour after Lynette’s appointment. Nick suspected Wanda, his dad’s secretary, was keeping tabs on his every move. That didn’t surprise him. But his father was more than interested in hearing about the possibility of the Carlisle home going on the market. And something about that bothered Nick.
    He kicked at a pebble and watched it bounce over the worn cobblestones. If only problems could disappear so easily. The temperature was warmer today, the ocean breeze refreshing, and he tried to enjoy it. The foliage on the trees grew thicker, providing shade for the summer months to come. Flowers in bloom made him think of his mother. She loved this time of year on the island. Probably about the only thing here she had appreciated.
    He yanked his tie loose and stopped walking as he passed the new art gallery, Timeless. A painting in the window caught his attention.
    The colorful beach scene reminded him of lazy summer days when all he’d had to worry about was his tan and whether it would rain. He stepped closer, pushed up his sunglasses, and peered through the window.
    It was typical Nantucket folk art, yet different, more whimsical.
    His eyes landed on the girl on the rocks, set apart from the activity on the beach. Long honey-colored hair hid her face. She looked lonely.
    A sense of déjà vu pulled him into the gallery.
    A bell tinkled as he entered and paintings of varying sizes greeted him, displayed under recessed lighting. Thick rugs in muted shades covered the hardwood floor and soft jazz played from hidden speakers.
    He could have been in New York.
    “Good evening.”
    Nick turned toward the voice. A willowy woman