arms. She held on tight to him as she whispered in his ear, “It was incredible. Absolutely incredible.”
It was the best review he’d ever gotten—and the only one that mattered.
The after-party at the Bistro was packed with friends and family, celebrating Stephanie and Charlie, both of whom seemed to be enjoying the limelight.
Julia Lawry was doing a set onstage with her brother Owen and Evan. The three of them were magic together.
“What a night,” Big Mac said to Linda as he sat with her, Adam, Abby, Grant, Stephanie, Grace, Joe and Janey.
Charlie and Sarah were holding court at another table, with her parents, Russ and Adele, along with Jeff, John, Cindy, Katie, Shane, Laura, Frank and Betsy.
“What a week,” Linda said. “Did you ever hear any more about what caused the power failure?”
“Apparently, it was due to lightning striking a substation on the mainland. Took them a few days to figure out where the problem was and then another couple of days to get it fixed.”
“Everyone who doesn’t have a generator is talking about getting one.”
“I’m so glad we got ours after the last big blizzard.”
Oliver and Dara were sitting with Ned, Francine, Kevin, Chelsea, Riley, Nikki, Finn, Chloe, Mason and Jordan. Over dinner at the lighthouse the other night, they’d convinced their new friends to come to the premiere and the after-party so they could introduce them to more island residents. So far, they’d met the Martinez brothers and their wives as well as Slim and Erin and many of their other island friends.
“They seem to be having a nice time,” Big Mac said, using his chin to direct her attention to the Watkins. He’d asked his brothers and Ned to help make them feel welcome.
“They do. I’m glad they agreed to come.”
“Me, too. They seem to really like it here so far.”
“What’s not to like?” Linda asked, grinning.
“There’s nothing not to like about Gansett Island. It’s good to see Chloe out and about, too. Kev said the new meds are giving her relief.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. I hate to see her suffering. We had a meeting yesterday about the new spa at the hotel. She has so many great ideas. It’s going to be awesome when it opens in the spring, and she’s going to be a wonderful manager.”
“Mac’s getting ready to start the renovation—and as soon as they finish that, they’ll get to work on turning the alpaca farm into another venue. That place was too great to pass up.”
“I love the idea of making that a wedding venue.”
“Me too. Did you ever hear what happened to Cooper James’s face?”
“From what I’m told, he’s not talking, and neither is Gigi, but apparently, they’ve been inseparable the last few days.”
“Very interesting. Who’s that gal talking to Jack Downing?”
“Her name is Piper Bennett. Laura hired her to work at the Surf in the off-season.”
“Ah, I see.” If he didn’t have the skinny on the latest Gansett Island news, his wife usually did. “And what’s the latest with Jared and Lizzie and the baby?”
“I heard he hired an investigator to try to find the baby’s mother, but so far, no luck.”
“That’s a sticky situation.”
“Sure is, especially since they’ve been struggling to have one of their own, but keep that between us.”
“Oh God. What a mess.”
“I know,” Linda said, sighing. “I hope they aren’t going to get their hearts broken.”
“I hope not either.”
“So Adam told me a secret earlier,” Big Mac said. “You wanna hear it?”
“Duh. Yes!”
Smiling, he leaned in closer to her so only she could hear him. “They had another ultrasound, and it seems the babies are two sets of twins.”
“No way. Did they say if they’re boys or girls?”
“They think four boys.”
“Oh my Lord! They’re going to have five sons!”
“I know, right? Is the world ready for five more McCarthy boys?”
“No, it most definitely isn’t, but I still can’t wait to meet them.”
“Me, too.” Big Mac said. “Never a dull moment around here.”
“And that’s why we love it so much.”
A Gansett Island Short Story
Dr. David Lawrence and Daisy Babson
Request the honor of your presence on September 8
at five o’clock in the evening at the Wayfarer on Gansett Island
* * *
Reception to immediately follow
On this day one year ago, the skies had been dark and stormy, matching David Lawrence’s mood as he’d paced the hallways in the ICU at Rhode Island Hospital, waiting to hear if his father would survive a massive heart attack. His dad had been airlifted off the island three days prior—three days before