Nantucket Weddings - Pamela M. Kelley Page 0,1

the sake of her sanity and her relationship with her sister that she had to find her own place. The renovation could last several months, and her insurance would cover alternate housing. Izzy’s place was just too small. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. If it was just Izzy, it would have been fine. Mia just couldn’t handle Rick, and the way he treated Izzy. It was eye-opening and disturbing. She’d seen a side of him that he’d kept hidden. And Mia didn’t want to be around it.

So, she started looking for another option and wasn’t having any luck until her friend Kate called. She’d mentioned to Kate that she was looking for something and was surprised when Kate called to suggest her mother’s inn. Lisa Hodges had converted her waterfront home into an inn, since she no longer needed five extra bedrooms and she did need a source of income. Mia tried not to get too excited, as she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to afford a room there.

But when Mia called, the rate that Lisa quoted was reasonable and she explained that for monthly rentals she was able to go a little below the market rate. It fit into what Mia’s insurance would cover, and she assured Lisa that her dog would behave. Penny was almost nine years old, and she was a good girl. Mia took a drive by Lisa’s house and knew that Penny would love walking on that beach. And Mia knew the walking would do her good, too.

Now, she just had to figure out the best way to explain to her sister why she didn’t want to stay there any longer and why she thought her sister should leave, too. But she knew that part of the conversation was for another day.

Chapter 2

Izzy was cooking something that smelled delicious when Mia walked through the door. It had been a long day with two particularly fussy brides, and she was eager to kick her shoes off and relax. She looked around the room and didn’t see Rick, so that was a relief. But then she heard a cough and realized he was just down the hall in their office. Izzy looked up when she saw her sister and smiled.

“Hope you’re hungry. I made a ton of food.”

“I’m starving. What is that? It smells amazing.”

“Just something I threw together—pasta with lots of garlic, white wine, sliced chicken and grilled artichokes out of a can from Trader Joe’s. That’s the secret ingredient.”

Mia felt her stomach rumble. “Sounds great. Do you feel like a glass of wine? I’m going to have one.” Izzy nodded, and Mia opened a bottle and poured a glass for each of them. “Do you think Rick will want one?”

“What will Rick want?” Mia almost jumped at the deep voice that was suddenly behind her. She hadn’t heard him walk over.

“Cabernet.”

“Sure, I’ll take a glass. Why not?”

She handed him a glass of wine, and he took it and settled at the kitchen table, waiting for dinner to be served.

“Can I do anything to help?” Mia offered.

“No, go sit and relax. I’m just going to plate this up.” Izzy filled two large bowls with pasta for Mia and Rick and set them on the table, then returned with one for herself and a big loaf of bread on a cutting board. Mia jumped up and grabbed the butter, then settled back down again. The food was delicious and as they ate, Izzy chattered away telling them about her day. She owned a small shop on Main Street, and Mia was so proud of how well she’d done. Izzy had always had a flair for fashion, and the ability to pull simple pieces together in a way that looked stylish and unique.

Her shop was an eclectic mix of high-end one-of-a-kind pieces and less expensive pretty tops and dresses, as well as some Nantucket basics like well-made sweatshirts with Nantucket stamped across the front. Izzy often lamented that there were plenty of days where the sweatshirts were her top sellers as her shop was near the pier and people often wandered in after arriving on the ferries.

“I think I had as many dogs in the shop today as I did customers. I think just about everyone that comes to the island these days brings their dog,” Izzy said.

“I can’t believe you let them in the shop. Seems like you’re asking for trouble,” Rick said as he reached for a slice of bread.

But Izzy just laughed. “The dogs