Page 31 of Return to Cheshire Bay
“Where’s the camera suitcase?” Her voice waslow.
I pointed beside the couch, and with anotherquick bounce, she was back outside tugging the luggage behind her.Lunch was a yummy chicken Caesar salad, but I picked at it as Bethsnapped photos of the living room, varying the pictures andplacement of the minor decorations I’d kept around.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” Her plateremained untouched.
“In a bit. I promised Archie a few photosASAP.”
“But we have all day.” I stabbed an innocentpiece of chicken and tore it off the fork.
“You maybe have all day, but I need to getthis done. Your place is stunning in the afternoon sun, and I’dlike a few great shots to display on my webpage.” She nodded toherself and quickly reorganized one shelf of titles.
“But you didn’t decorate this house. Yougave me the colour scheme and that was about it.”
She spun around and laughed. “Yeah, becauseI know what I’m doing. It’s the colour choice of the bookshelvesand the couch fabric that make it uber inviting and yet rustic andbeach ready.”
“That sounds like one too many ideas rolledinto one thought.” I pierced another bite of chicken.
She had the audacity to mock a shockedexpression. “I’ve won dozens of awards for my skills, and I have acertain eye for things.”
That was true. Her award list was long andprestigious, and her skills had been shown off in many celebrity’shomes, especially those who use Vancouver as a temporary hub fromLos Angeles.
“You know what, just finish whatever photosyou need to take. I’ll be outside.”
I swiped my plate off the counter andstormed out to the beach, dragging a camping chair with me. Withone hand, I kicked it open and flopped down in an instant, halfexpecting Beth to come and join me.
Really, at this point in my life, Ishould’ve known better. Beth didn’t come out. At least not for awhile. I wanted my friend here, not the elite designer. That hadbeen part of my insistence at nagging her to visit. Last night, Iwas upset and cranky with how things went between Eric and I, andthe whole unknown with Parker. More than anything else, I justneeded my friend.
By the time Beth did grace me with herpresence, my lettuce had wilted, and my chicken likely wasn’t safeto eat.
She walked over, in her stocking feet andstood in front of me. “What’s up with you? You’ve been a totalbitch since I landed.”
“Nothing.” I hung my head. “Andeverything.”
“Want to start at the beginning and tell meabout it?” She lowered herself to stare into my eyes like she usedto in our college days.
“I think it’s this place.” I waved my handsaround.
“Oh yeah, the beach, the views, you’reright, it’s awful.” There was a wisp of a smile in her good-naturedtone. “Come back to the house and talk to me. Come see what I’vedone.”
She patted my hand and grabbed my plate.
I dragged my chair back and left it at thebottom of the stairs, ascending with some apprehension. Beth waspractically cheerful, so she did something wild.
My jaw hit the floor. Somehow, she pulled itoff. My place looked like a full-sized magazine spread. Everythinghad been rearranged, and there were items I wasn’t familiar with.Yes, it looked wonderful, but it wasn’t my home anymore – it lackedmy personal touch. Even my kitchen had been transformed, ready fora family of four to sit and have breakfast. How in the hell did shedo that?
“I can see by your wonder, that you areimpressed.” It wasn’t even a question, just puffing out her chestin self-praise.
“Did you get all your pictures taken?”
“I sure did. They’re great, and Archie lovesthe teasers I’ve sent.”
“It does look ready to house a family, oreven a couple just starting retirement. It looks prim andproper.”
She beamed as she waltzed around. “And thisis why I get paid the big bucks. I can work with what you have, adda few personal props, and bam. Knockout city. Isn’t itbeautiful?”
“It’s…” I didn’t have the right words.“Wow.”
“Damn right it is.”