Page 28 of Return to Cheshire Bay
“Rough night, and yes I do miss you. Listen,I need to talk…” My voice faded away as she continued to speak overme.
“Gawd, Lil. You should’ve told me you neededsome clothes. I would’ve grabbed some from that boutique you like.I’m sure they must have maternity clothes, or at least something ina bigger size.” She eyed me up and down.
“This is new.”
It was a beautiful maxi dress in a nicelinen material. It was airy and light and had lots of room forexpansion. I’d bought it from one of the shops on the main dragwhere, for the first time since getting here, they treated me likea customer and not a disease.
Her hand waved through the air. “When youcome home, we’ll go shopping at one of those upscale places,Boudoir et More, or whatever it’s called.” She passed me one of theluggage handles. “Here. Someone’s going to bring over the crate, sowe’ll need to get to your vehicle.”
“What’s in the big box?”
I glanced over her shoulder where Eric stoodat the base of the stairs, staring in my direction. The urge towalk over and say hi was strong, but after last night… It was bestI let him go. Between Parker and things back in Vancouver, it wasthe better idea.
Beth carried on. “I brought a few things forthe photo shoot. Nothing much since you’ve done really well with mysuggestions and the beach home looks great. Your bag has all thecamera equipment so be easy with it and don’t let it drop.”
One more time, I looked in Eric’sdirection.
“C’mon, Lily,” Beth called out. “We’ve gotwork to do.”
Head tipped down, I followed my friend backinto the building. Work to do. Yes, that was the best phrase. Andnothing like a ticking clock in which to put some urgency onit.
Chapter Twelve
I opened the door back into the airport’sbuilding and allowed Beth to go in first, following quickly behindher fast pace.
“See you tonight?” Cedar asked as Iapproached the front door, tugging a heavy suitcase.
“Maybe.”
Beth screwed up her face when she turned andfocused on me. “What’s going on tonight?”
“There’s a bonfire on the beach.” I put atouch of energy into the sentence, even if it was pointless. Iwasn’t going to go, and Beth most certainly was not going to go.That involved sand and hotdogs, two things on her hate list.
“Fun times.” Beth rolled her eyes.
I waved hopelessly at Cedar and chased afterBeth, who was already pushing her way outside.
She stood beside my Jeep as I unlocked it,set her suitcase on the floor in the backseat, and grabbed the oneI rolled out, setting it on the other side. “Can you believe I’mactually here?”
I shook my head, and really took in myfriend. “No, not really, but I’m glad you came.”
“I talked with Archie late last night, andhe thinks he may already have a buyer for your place, but he wantsit a week from Monday. Would that work?”
“What?” When I told Beth last night I wasseriously thinking about selling, I wasn’t ready to pack up andleave in a few days. “Tell him no.”
She dismissed my comment with a shrug. “Withthe improvements you’ve made, you’re right. We can hold out andstill get top dollar in the fall, but this whole thing could bebehind you in a week if you play your cards right.” She turned atthe sound of a vehicle coming over. “Finally. Can you put thebackseat down, Lil? We’ll need room for the crate.”
Surprised and flabbergasted by Beth’sattitude, but in too much shock to do much about it, I did as sheasked. Had Beth always been so bossy? Or was I just sensitive to itbecause I wasn’t seeing her every day? Whatever it was, it put anew light on my friend, one I wasn’t sure I liked.
Mitch drove and parked behind my jeep.
“Special delivery.” He laughed, but from thecorner of my eye Beth shook her head.
I walked over to help him and stared at themassive crate, not 100% sure it would fit in my vehicle.
“What are you doing?” Mitch asked as Iwrapped my hand around one of the handles. “You’re not carryingthis.”
“Mitch, I can do it.”