Free Island Girls by Nancy Thayer Page B

talking with her about the pressures of adolescence, but Arden only stared at Justine with shark eyes.
    During the school term, it was tolerable. Arden ignored the younger girls to tap away on her computer or watch videos while Jenny and Meg hung out together, and when Rory came home from the real estate office, they all sat together at the table, eating dinner like the books said to, one big happy blended family. Justine talked to Rory about Arden, but he dismissed what Justine interpreted as serious signs of a personality disorder as the normal teenage desire to be different.
    Then came the second summer on Nantucket.
    Justine thought that perhaps she’d made a mistake, back then, when she did what she did. Certainly it had driven a stake into the possibility of Jenny having a close relationship with her stepsisters. Justine had been younger in those days, and caught up in a family happiness she’d never dreamed she’d have and was terrified of losing.
    Now, with her precious Rory gone, she kept revisiting those early days. She could only hope this summer would provide an opportunity for Rory’s daughters to become friends—and, more than friends, sisters. Then perhaps Justine’s guilt would not lie so heavily on her spirit.

NINE
    Palmer White was as good as his word. He escorted Arden to the Forbeses’ black-tie party and introduced her to dozens of the glittering wealthy and chic, some of whom were quite pleased at the idea of being on her show.
    “Call me, darling. We’ll have lunch.” Three women had said that to her, and Arden had their phone numbers punched into her cell. Score! It actually made her feel, if not fond of Jenny, less resentful of her. They were all in their thirties now, the past was over and done, here they were on the island, so why not have a wonderful summer?
    Thursday was her night to cook, and buoyed by her high spirits, she decided to serve lobster for dinner. Lobsters, Bartlett’s tomatoes, corn on the cob, and tiny new red-skinned potatoes. A chocolate cake from the Bake Shop. A tart white wine. She bought daisies for the center of the table.
    “What’s all this?” Meg came into the house through the kitchen door, her arms full of books.
    “Oh, I’m feeling hungry for lobster,” Arden told her blithely. “I mean, what’s summer on Nantucket without an occasional lobster dinner?”
    “Gosh, Arden, this is fabulous. Can I help you do anything?”
    “No, thanks. As soon as Jenny shows up, I’ll drop the lobsters and the corn in their pots. Until then, let’s have some wine.”
    Meg’s eyes narrowed. “Arden. Tell the truth. Something happened.”
    “Nothing happened. I’m just in a generous mood. Don’t worry, I’m sure it will all balance out over the summer. Some nights I’ll give you bologna sandwiches.”
    Meg laughed. “I’ll get rid of these books.” When she came back down, she’d brushed her glorious hair and put on dangling shimmery earrings. Blushing, she explained, “I thought I should look nice for the lobsters.”
    “Oh, wow!” Jenny stood in the doorway, surprised. “What happened?”
    “Arden’s in a good mood for once,” Meg jested, grinning at Arden as she spoke.
    “That’s true,” Arden agreed. “I felt like making a perfect Nantucket summer meal. I haven’t had a lobster dinner in ages.”
    Jenny’s countenance softened from suspicious to hopeful. “I haven’t, either. Lobster’s so expensive.”
    It was the perfect thing to hear. Arden shrugged carelessly. “I can afford it.”
    Jenny accepted a glass of wine and joined Meg at the kitchen table while Arden lifted the lids on the pots to see if the water was ready.
    “A few more minutes,” she said, and sat down with them at the table. “To be honest, Jenny, I’m kind of celebrating because Palmer White introduced me to some people I can use on my show. Ariadne Silverstone, for one.”
    “Very cool,” Jenny said.
    “I wouldn’t have met Palmer if you hadn’t taken me to