Page 27 of Return to Cheshire Bay
I wasn’t three steps in, when a voice calledout.
“Welcome to Pacific… Hey, Lily.”
Eric’s friend from the bonfires strutted by.“Hi, Cedar.”
She hopped out from around her little deskand gave me a big hug. “How’s it going? Look at you, so full oflife.” Her hands hovered over my belly and the scarf she wore,loosened as she bent over. “How’s the baby?”
“Good. Do you want to feel? He’s not movingmuch right now.”
Her eyes grew as large as saucers as sheplaced her hands on either side of the bump. “Are you here to seeEric? He’s on final approach.”
“No, not Eric.” I avoided her eye contact.“However, he is bringing a friend of mine over.”
“Oh, okay.” A door behind us opened.“Mitch,” she yelled, and I pulled my head back from the volume.“Guess who’s here?”
Mitch emerged from the door, dressed incoveralls. His hands were black with engine dirt and grease.
“Hey, if it isn’t the beautiful addition toour bonfire.” He walked over and carefully, without touching me,air-kissed each cheek. “Are you here for–”
“Nah,” Cedar jumped in, saving me from anyexplanation. “Her friend’s on the 145.”
“Are you joining us at the fire tonight?” heasked, flipping a hopeful gaze from Cedar to me.
I shook my head and glanced around. “I’llpolitely decline since I have company.”
Mitch waved his hand in the air. “Whatever.Bring them along. No one’s going to mind, and you know there’salways enough food.”
I nodded at the truth. “I make nopromises.”
“Fair enough.” He looked over my shoulder,and I turned just in time.
Eric set the plane down perfectly on therunway.
“145. Touchdown. I need to go. Later.”
“It’s okay.” Cedar pointed to the wall ofwindows, after Mitch ran through the door. “Once the plane stops,you can go out there. Just tell them you’re with Eric, and no onewill give you any hassle.”
With Eric.My heart constricted.Don’t I wish?
After Cedar’s prodding, I inched my way tothe door, and simply watched. At the end of the runway, the planeturned, and taxied its way toward the building. The plane was muchbigger than I thought, like something out of a movie, and it wascool watching it drive right up and stop about fifty feet from thedoor. No way that was ever happening in any major city.
The stairs unfolded and a couple of minuteslater, Beth stood at the top of the steps shaking her perfectlystyled bob. The epitome of business, she was dressed as thoughshe’d just left the office after meeting another high-profileclient - pencil skirt, blazer, and high heels. She stuck out like asore thumb as she made her way onto the tarmac and over to thebelly of the place where the luggage doors were opening.
Two more passengers ventured off the planeafter her, but they didn’t capture my attention like the last mandid.
Freshly shaven, Eric stood at the top,wearing aviators and a captain’s hat, dressed nicely in a crispblue shirt and khakis. He had more of a professional but laid-backstyle than my friend who was currently barking orders at a youngbaggage handler.
“Damn.” I stepped outside and kept my headdown but stayed within touching distance of the building. Theoverpowering scent of jet-fuel turned my stomach.
Mitch walked by me. “You can come outfurther.”
“I’m good here. I’ll wait for her to get herbelongings.” I expected Beth to have an overnight bag. I did notexpect a small crate plus two giant suitcases. She was only stayingthe one night.
She wheeled her luggage over and dropped thehandles to give me a solid once over. “Look at you.” She touched mybelly before I had the chance to offer. “You’re so huge.”
“Thanks.”
She ran a perfectly manicured finger down mycheek. “I thought pregnant women slept lots. You look like youhaven’t slept since you got here. I bet it’s because you missed meand your old life.”