“Not at all. I learned my lesson with Hailey. There’s no way that’s happening again.” Despite the seemingly never-ending need to bawl her head off over every little thing, Maddie forced a watery smile for her friends. “I talked to Patty today,” she said of Tiffany’s assistant at the store. “She gave me the schedule for this week so we’ll know when Tiffany is off. Looks like Tuesday is our shopping day and Saturday is our party day.”

“Have you mentioned this idea to Blaine?” Francine asked. “They might have plans on Saturday if that’s their only day off.”

“I was thinking we should make the party for both of them so it’ll be super embarrassing when she’s opening presents from the store,” Maddie said.

“Oh, I love that idea,” Abby said. “We’ll invite all the guys and tell them they have to come to support Blaine. They don’t need to know what kind of party it is.”

The others howled with laughter at the thought of the guys at a sex-toy-and-lingerie party.

“It’s the least of what they deserve after the number of times they’ve crashed our girls’ night out,” Maddie said.

“Absolutely,” Grace said. “But if you guys do this to me, I’ll kill you all. You hear me?”

“I see a new tradition in the making,” Stephanie said, rubbing her hands together as she directed a diabolical smile at Grace.

“No way,” Laura said. “I’m next, and they haven’t invented a naughty nightie that’ll fit this body.”

“Is that a challenge?” Maddie asked her husband’s cousin.

“Oh God,” Laura groaned. “Me and my big mouth!”

“This is perfect for Tiffany,” Francine said. “She’ll love it.”

“So will Blaine—but he won’t love it until they get home with the goods,” Sydney said.

“This is going to be awesome,” Maddie said. “What’s the plan for getting them to the lighthouse?”

“I have the perfect idea,” Sydney said. “Here’s what I think we ought to do.”

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

She waited until the five o’clock ferry cleared the South Harbor breakwater before she approached the Gansett Island Ferry Company ticket window.

“Mrs. Cantrell.” The young woman working the car reservation line seemed surprised to see her. “How are you?”

“I’m great. Thanks for asking. I’d like to book my car on the nine o’clock ferry in the morning.”

“Oh, um, could you hold on for just one minute?”

“What’s your name, honey?”

“Kristen.”

“No, Kristen, I will not hold on while you call your boss and tell him I’m here trying to get my car on the boat.” Carolina kept her voice calm and friendly, even if her words were anything but. “My son and I own this company, and I’m asking you to make me a reservation.”