Page 60 of The Book of Summer

“Yes. I just had a little confab with the SBPF and one very smart attorney. You see, if this coming winter is anywhere near as bad as the last, our whole stretch of Baxter Road will fall into the Atlantic.”

“I know! That’s why I’m trying to get you to move!”

“Our lawyer pointed out that if this happens, the water, sewage, and electrical services that Nantucket islegally requiredto provide will get cut off.”

“Didn’t we go over that last night?”

“Yes, but here’s something I didn’t quite appreciate,” Cissy says with a clap. “The selectmen were against my armoring project because of the cost.”

“I didn’t get the impression that it was about money.”

“But if they don’t do something to bolster the bluff,” Cissy continues, ignoring Bess for the sake of her own argument, “and the utilities become inaccessible, then Nantucket will have to acquire new land to rebuild the infrastructure. The cost would far exceed anything spent on erosion remedies. And my staying here only strengthens this case.What do you mean you’re going to deprive the old granny at Baxter Road number one-oh-one of heating and water?”

“Jesus,” Bess says again, hot with frustration. “No one’s going to buy the old-lady routine. And I don’t see them changing their views on the seawall.”

Bess contemplates some sort of tantrum, but knows it won’t do a lick of good. Too bad Lala isn’t with them. Julia Codman can move mountains—aka their mother—with one appropriately timed fit. Ah, little sisters.

“And it was voted down for multiple reasons,” Bess says. “Cost aside. So what do you propose the town do in lieu of buying the land and rebuilding everything, because…”

“Geotubes!” Cissy trills, then spins back out of the room.

“What?” Bess calls, her voice echoing down the hall. She can almost see the smoke coming off of Cissy’s heels as she hightails it into the powder room. “What the hell are geotubes? It sounds like a way to feed a pet on life support.”

Cissy pokes her head back into the hallway.

“Geotubes, my dear girl, are the very things that will solve all our problems,” she says. “They’re what will save our beloved Cliff House.”

26

Wednesday Afternoon

“I realize this is aggressively ill-conceived,” Bess says, pedaling over rocks and debris. “But I didn’t know where else to go.”

As she loses her balance, Bess launches herself off the bike, pretending her plummet to the ground is by design. Evan stares at her and she blushes. Bess is an insecure cyclist, a sad state for even a part-time Nantucketer.

“Geez, when did Sconset get so busy?” she says, babbling, as Evan tries to puzzle out why she’s there and how come she can’t ride a bike. “It’s almost as bad as in town. Is there a single road on this island that isn’t packed with cars?”

Evan continues to say nothing.

“So, tell me, is this the biggest intrusion possible?” Bess drops her bike into the dirt. Good riddance. “Am I going to get you fired? Or are you basically in charge?”

Bess stops the runaway train that is her mouth and studies Evan’s face. He stands still before her: oh so tall, oh so handsome, and oh so smirky as he tries to find a plausible excuse for her presence.

“So that’s a yes?” Bess says. “Noted. And yet I remain undeterred.”

He’s probably thinking about Brandon and the hookers, isn’t he? Damn it, why’d she tell him? There was no good reason, only bad potential outcomes.

“Anyhow, I’ll see you—”

“It’s not an intrusion,” Evan answers at last. “I’m the boss and, as you can see, the guys are gone so we’re done for the day. Thus, despite your best efforts, you’re not a pain in the ass.”

“Thanks a heap. And, by the by, you could’ve told me that five minutes ago, and saved me all the jabbering.”

“I’ve learned to let the women in your family get everything out first. Helps a fella find his bearings, know what he’s dealing with.”

“The women in my family?” Bess rolls her eyes. “Don’t throw me in with Cissy, please. Grandma Ruby I’ll take. So, do you have a minute?”

“For you I have lots of minutes.” Evan nods toward his truck. “Wanna help me load up? I can compensate you with cold beer.”