Page 5 of Return to Cheshire Bay
I setEric’s can – the tag called itStormy Seas -along the windowed wall. It was a deeper bluegrey. Once I painted the window trim in white, it should have anice contrast, which was the vision I had for my old room. Somepeople didn’t like the grey palette, but I found it comforting andmodern once I got beyond the initial institutional feel.
“Need somehelp?”
“Nah. I’llneed to wash walls in here first, but I don’t mind.”
All thepersonality had beenstripped off the walls years ago. The posters had long been takendown, our N’Sync years behind us. There was only a bed and dresser,and I could easily still move those into the centre of the room.I’d managed in the master bedroom on my own.
“I feellike I can’t leave you to do this.” He unbuttoned his cuffs, and rolled them up, exposinghis taut arms.
Damn.What was it aboutguysin dress shirts with the sleeves rolled up? I shook away thelustful feelings. It was a sweet gesture on Eric’s part to help,but I couldn’t accept.
“Wouldyou haveinsisted onhelping had you not discovered I was pregnant?”
Helooked down and shuffledhis feet. “No, I still would’ve helped.”
“Honestly, I’ll be fine.” I put my hands on my hips. “It’llbe therapeutic in a way.Cleaning and changing everything. At least this is a part of mylife I have some control over.”
Hechecked his watch. “Fairenough. I can respect that.”
Playfully, I swatted his arm- his strong, muscled arm. Damn. “Pretend like Ididn’t dump my woes on you ten minutes ago about my wildly unhingedlife and pretend I’m still a cantankerous and rebelliousseventeen-year-old. When my mind is made up, there’s not much youcan do to change it.”
“Soundslike some things haven’t changed.” Agentle grin formed on his tanned face. “Well, ifyou don’t need me?” He waited, and I shook my head. “Then I shouldget back to the airport. Just had some time between flights, and Ineeded to grab something from the house.” He walked to the door andhesitated, opening his mouth and closing it just asquick.
Ifollowed him out andwalked ahead of him down the stairs. I needed a bucket and my phonefor music, wishing I had brought my sound bar. It would’ve come inhandy.
“Thanks forthe help.”
Erichung bythe door, adebate warring on his face, and I couldn’t tell if he was perplexedor offended.
I leanedagainst the frame, stalling as I wasn’tready to let him walk away just yet. Theinterruption had been pleasant. “Hey, is our section of beach stillprivate?”
“Sureis. Both towns worked to clean up a long stretchof public beaches, including long beach.This way, this stretch of beach remains private to thehomeowners.”
“Cool.”
Yearsago, there had been talk about making the beach public property, atleast according to Dad.He and a few of the other homeowners must’ve fought hard to keep itto the residents only.
Ericopened thescreen door and stepped on to the front porch. “Tonight.” The wordhung in the air for a few heartbeats. “Why don’t you come over forsupper?”
“Supper?” My heart pounded in anticipation.
“You doeat, right?” He scanned me up and down, that grin of his wideninginto a mega-watt smilewith enough power to launch the butterflies into my gut at highspeed.
“I’vebeen known tohave abite here and there.” Suddenly, I was fifteen again and the cuteboy was asking me out for ice cream. Had my hair not been piled onmy head, I may have grabbed a piece and twirled it around my fingerwhile batting my eyes.
“Perfect. I’ll have dinner ready for seven. Does that work?” He cocked his head tothe side.
“I’ll set atimer.” I winked.
Thisside of the island was so relaxed, time wasmeaningless. Always had been.
With awave, he walked away, and I studied his behind until it wasroundinghis vehicle.Yep. Time had done wonders for Eric. Did he think the same aboutme?
Chapter Three
Hourslater, I had to admit, the change to the guest room was dramatic, and it was the first roomin the house to be done. The room looked amazing and with the rightaccessories, it would be worthy of a spot in Beach Home Monthly orsomething. I laughed at the absurdity. My best friend Beth wouldlike it though. I snapped a couple pictures and sent them alongwith a few before photos. The difference was shocking.
“Lily,it looks great.” Her voice blared from the phone as I set it on the dresser while Iwrapped up the roller and tapped the lid back onto the paintcan.