Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
“He hasn’t invited me.”
Johnny throws me a pointed look. “He was never invited here, and somehow it all worked out.”
“Did it?” I stand and down the dregs of my beer, done with the conversation. “Gonna head home.”
“He’s right, you know,” I hear as I’m leaving.
Bristling, I turn toward Beth, who’s sipping a glass of wine in a booth by herself. A pang of regret hits me, and I wonder if she feels lonesome in this town despite everybody knowing her name.
“What do you mean?” I ask politely.
“That man adores you, and if I had to guess, you feel the same.”
I hitch a shoulder. “Been there, done that.”
“Life doesn’t work that way, and you know it.”
“I suppose not.”
Beth motions to the bench. “Please, will you take a seat?”
“No, I—”
“Please.” She sounds so desperate that I slide in across from her.
She twirls the stem of her wineglass, seemingly lost in thought, and I wonder why I sat down at all, but then she says, “The week your family was lost… I knew that pain well, and I wanted to help.”
My heart climbs to my throat. “I know.”
“And God, I wanted to believe. I didn’t believe with Alise. I felt like she was already gone, and maybe, had I not given in to that negative energy, had I not let it consume me, maybe she would’ve been found in time.” Her eyes grow misty with unshed tears. “I know that doesn’t make much sense, but I wanted it to be different for you. I wanted to send positive energy into the universe, hoping it had some sway.”
My gut churns with that same frustration I’ve held toward her all these years. “So you admit your personal feelings got in the way?”
She nods. “I’m truly sorry for causing any pain.”
“But then, with Cain, you almost fell into the same trap.”
“I wasn’t trying…” Hand to her chest, she makes her case earnestly. “I thought I was offering support.”
And then, like water through a sieve, the anger drains out of me.
I sigh, the fist in my chest releasing its hold. “I’m sorry you lost someone too. Aaron said that’s probably what made you respond that way.”
She gives me a watery smile. “See? He’s good for you.”
“Yeah, yeah…too bad he’s hours away.”
She angles her head. “So do something about it.”
“Now you sound like my meddling siblings.”
She winks. “I’d rather be thought of that way than a bitter, old, interfering woman.”
I bark out a laugh. “Mom always liked you.”
“She was a good lady. I miss her.”
“I miss her too.” For the first time, saying it aloud doesn’t feel like a stab of grief but more like a salve. I glance at her wistful eyes. “Alise was always kind to me.”
Her smile is sad. “She was just that way, wasn’t she?”
We sit in comfortable silence, each lost in our thoughts.
“For what it’s worth, I think being mad at you gave me something to focus on instead of my grief. I’m sorry if I made you second-guess yourself.”
“That might be a lifelong lesson for me.” She pats my hand. “I accept your apology. We’re all only human.”
Suddenly, Walter bounces up from his barstool—well, nearly topples is more like it. He’s obviously tipsy, and though I hadn’t noticed him when I first arrived, now he’s making a spectacle of himself. “Careful,” he says, pointing to us. “She might cast a spell on you.”
“Knock it off.” I stand and loom over him. “You should thank her for keeping your business afloat.”
Then Johnny is there gripping Walter’s arm and removing the keys from his hand. “Let’s get you home safely.”
June is already on the phone, no doubt calling one of his sons. I help Johnny get him seated at a table while he waits for his ride.
“Want me to stay?” I ask.
“Nah, you’ve already done enough good for one night.”
My gaze swings to Beth, who mouths a thank-you to me.
When I get home, I head into my studio, feeling a renewal of energy. I turn off the light and start developing the photos from our magical night on the beach, and the moment Aaron’s intense eyes and chiseled jaw materialize on the photo paper, I’m smiling. He just brings it out of me.
There’s too much to develop, so after about an hour, I call it a night.
I head to the couch and lift my cell, scrolling to his number.
“The photos from the beach turned out great,” I say as soon as he answers.
“I don’t doubt it. Hold on, let’s video call so I can see.”
I hit the button, and his gorgeous face lights up the screen. He’s lying in bed, shirtless, and it makes my heart stutter and my groin stir.
I redirect my thoughts. “There are a couple of you I love.”
His eyes soften. “Admit it, you like having photos of me around.”
“Maybe I do.” And the truth of that makes my heart stagger. “Maybe I can display a couple at the art fair, with your permission.”