Taking the envelope, Annie closed her eyes and pressed it to her chest. Donna must have written her a letter—another letter, like the one she’d sent so long ago. Annie stood very still for a moment, then she said, “I think I’ll save this for a later day, okay? Like maybe after the Inn has opened and I can take my time to read it?” She still hadn’t let Kevin and Earl remove the twin bed from her living room in the cottage; Annie continued to sleep there, wishing that Donna were asleep in the next room.

“Whenever you want,” Kevin said. “I don’t think it has a deadline.”

Annie tucked the letter in her pocket. Then they took turns sprinkling small cupfuls of ashes, saying silent prayers. When the box was empty, they each tossed in a tulip and watched as the last flecks of silver ash and yellow petals dissolved into the surf.

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

The Friday of Memorial Day weekend arrived quickly, and with it came last minute scurrying and a few close calls: Did anyone buy a toaster? (No. Hence, a quick trip to Granite, the store for almost everything.) Why were there seven bedrooms but only six sets of linens? (Oops. Back to Granite.) If it rained, where could they set up the marimba band? (Harlin, their multitalented tenant and the leader of the band, suggested that they could construct a canopy on the terrace, using the tarps Kevin and Earl had used for painting; the musicians could set up under that. Everyone agreed it would be fun, rain or shine.)

Finally, between Annie, Kevin, Earl, and Jonas (who had been eager to pitch in), they were ready. Which was good, as Claire had sent tons of invites (not “e” ones, but “real ones,” she’d said) to islanders for the Grand Opening of The Vineyard Inn. She’d already set up a table in the front foyer where she planned to greet visitors and hand them one of the Inn’s brochures that Annie had made at the last minute, thanks to her experience with the Garden Tour the previous summer.

At eleven thirty, the tourists who’d reserved rooms arrived (early). The party was scheduled to start at one o’clock, so everyone could enjoy the afternoon, which, thankfully, the weather folks predicted was going to be beautiful. And surprisingly warm.