He smiled and shrugged.

“Please pass along my congratulations to her, too.”

“I will. So how are you doing?”

“Apparently, well enough to go home.”

His eyes lit up with delight. “Really? When?”

“They’re saying early September.”

“Wow. That’s great, Clare.”

“I suppose so.”

“You don’t sound happy about it.”

“I am.” She brushed some imaginary lint off her jeans as she stole a glimpse of him. God, he’s gorgeous. He always had been, from the day they met on Block Island twenty-two summers ago.

“We need to get the house ready,” he said. “I’ll send some guys over to adapt the downstairs bathroom and set you up with a bedroom on the first floor until you can manage the stairs.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can take care of it. You’ve got enough going on.”

“Let me handle it. It’s no trouble at all.”

Knowing he had easy access to what she needed done to the house, she nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”

“Remember what I told you—whatever you need. You only have to ask.”

“This is so weird,” she said softly, giving voice to the tension between them. They’d been divorced for only two weeks, and he was already remarried with new twin babies. It boggled the mind.

“It probably will be for a while, but it’s bound to get easier. For both of us.”

“I hope so. We have to stay focused on the girls, especially Maggie.”

“Always.” He reached over to squeeze her hand.

Maggie came in juggling two dripping cones. “Hurry, Mom, it’s running.” She thrust the cone at Clare and handed Jack his change.

He stood up. “I need to get back. When we left, the babies were sleeping, but that never lasts long. Kate will be by to get you in a little while, Maggie.” Hesitantly, he bent to kiss Clare’s cheek. “I’ll be in touch about the house.”

“Thanks, Jack.”

“It’s no problem. See you later, Mags.”

After he had gone, Clare turned to Maggie as they licked their cones. “So tell me about the babies. It’s so exciting, huh?”

Her face lit up. “Oh, God, Mom, they’re unbelievable. They have shiny black hair and these tiny scrunched-up faces…” She trailed off and went back to her cone.

“It’s okay to be excited about your new brothers, honey.”

Maggie’s cheeks colored. “I don’t mean to be insensitive.”

Clare was amazed by her youngest daughter’s sudden maturity. She’d left behind a little girl three years ago and had returned to find a young woman. At times like this, the metamorphosis was startling. “You’re not being insensitive. You have two new baby brothers. Of course you’re thrilled.”

Maggie brightened. “They’re awesome.” She bit into her cone. “Actually, I have three little brothers now.”