Page 29 of Return to Cheshire Bay
“Your friend can help.”
“Yeah? Good luck with that,” I whispered.Beth hadn’t moved. “I’ll need to do it when I get this homeanyways.” Besides, it wasn’t as heavy as a sheet of plywood, andI’d managed that all on my own.
“Yeah, right. Don’t touch, and gimme a sec.”Mitch hopped into the building, and a minute later, he came outwith Eric.
My mouth went as dry as cotton, and the airpressure pushed down a little harder as he sauntered over withMitch, all the while taking me in.
“What’s up?” Eric asked Mitch after makingquick eye contact with me.
Damn, the hot sun released his spicy cologneinto the air, wrapping around me like a hug. It wasintoxicating.
“Help me load this into her vehicleplease.”
With ease, the two of them got it loaded, onits side after Beth gave the okay, tearing her eyes away from herphone for a couple of seconds to approve the move.
“Are you finished?” Mitch asked Eric,dusting off his hands.
“I have another late flight in an hour,grabbing passengers from YVR. Why?” A curious expression crossedhis face and slowly his gaze flittered back in my direction.
A sudden panic rocked my core – was Parkeron that flight?
“She’s going to unload this at her place,alone.” Mitch glared at Beth who was now talking on the phone. “AndI don’t think she should.”
“Yeah.” Eric faced me but kept his distance,hands twitching at his sides. “I’d love to assist.”
“Thanks, man.” Mitch gave a solid shoulderpat to his buddy and leaned closer to me, air-kissing my cheeksagain. “See you tonight.”
A low throaty noise rolled out of Eric, andhe covered his mouth briefly. Ensuring Beth was still on the phoneas Mitch drove away, he whispered, “Listen, about last night.”
I didn’t want to go there. Not here, notwhen my friend was a few feet away. “I can’t. Sorry. I’m just herefor my best friend.”
“That’syourfriend?” Eric thumbed toBeth, who paced in front of the building, giving orders to two ofher minions. “Doesn’t seem your type.”
Based on her behaviour, it was hard to admitas much, but I did. “She’s been my best friend for years.”
Beth strutted over and a huge smile poppedup on her face. “Why, hello. I’m Beth Jeffries.” She extended herhand. “We never got a chance to be properly introduced on theplane.”
“Eric Morris.” He shook her hand but kepthis focus on me. “So, I’m to follow you home?”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. Got to love thesesmall towns, right, Lily? Everyone always so eager to help.”
I half expected her to clap her hands inenthusiasm, but thankfully she didn’t.
“Well, shall we get going? Archie’sexpecting pictures by dinner and it’ll take some time to set up theshoot, especially since I’m doing this single-handedly as you don’tknow the first thing about staging.”
“I can learn if you teach me.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “Darling, I’m herefor less than twenty-four hours. I hardly have time. Let’s go. Thisguy is waiting for us.”
I tipped my head down and got into myvehicle.
Eric set the crate inside the living roomand tipped his cap in my direction. “Anything else I can do foryou?” There was sarcasm in his speech directed at Beth, but she wastoo busy opening the lid to have paid it any attention.
“No, no, thank you.” She pulled out a hugepainting and admired it for a few heartbeats. “Are you flying mehome tomorrow?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her shoulders relaxed and a broad smilepushed up the apples of her cheeks. “Would you mind helping me putthis crate back into her vehicle again in the morning? That wouldbe so nice.”