“What? I’m serious. Who wouldn’t want the best of both worlds? Small-town charm. Big-city job. Sounds awesome to me.”
“Not sure I would survive that,” Devyn said flatly. The sentiment stung, because it was a hit on the place she loved most, and Elizabeth had a hard time letting it slide. In fact, nope. She wasn’t going to.
She advanced on Devyn, who straightened and powered down her laptop. “What is it about this place that you hate so much?”
“I don’t hate it here.”
“You give off that vibe.”
Devyn sighed and leaned back against the desk. “Well, for one, not much happens. Ever.”
Elizabeth’s jaw dropped. “What are you even talking about right now? We have the silent auction soon, and goat yoga just started on the outskirts of town. Goat. Yoga.”
“Well, you have me there,” Devyn said sarcastically.
“What else is a problem for you?”
Devyn tilted her head side to side. “In my experience, the people here are laser focused on each other. They nitpick. They scrutinize and find fault.”
Something occurred to Elizabeth in that moment. Like a really informative lightbulb, she understood one of the reasons Devyn might have a bad taste in her mouth as far as Dreamer’s Bay went.
“You’re doing it wrong,” she said. “That’s totally and completely it. Think about it.”
“Okay, but I’m not following.”
Elizabeth tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her brain firing. “Most all of your experiences have happened alongside who?”
Devyn stared at her in confusion, not coming up with the answer quick enough for Elizabeth.
“With Cricket and Heather and those other girls from school, who are awful.” Hearing herself say that out loud, she quickly covered her mouth. “I didn’t actually mean that. They’re not awful, they’re…not as nice as they could be. In the scheme of things. It’s likely they mean well.”
“No, they’re awful,” Devyn said, dividing her attention between Elizabeth and a file folder in her hand. “Last week at Roo’s pretty much confirmed it.”
“Okay then,” Elizabeth said, running with the new consensus. “So, maybe your entire experience was colored a little bit by the company you kept back in the day?” She shrugged in slow motion. “Just maybe?”
Devyn met her gaze. “I suppose there’s an outside chance that I equate Dreamer’s Bay with my adolescent experience, which was, admittedly, pretty shallow and laced with judgment. The end result? Ignoring who I was for years.”
“Ouch,” Elizabeth said, wincing. That sounded horrible and pretty hard to come back from.
Devyn raised a finger. “And let’s be clear, I can accept my share of the blame. I was no peach.”
“Then maybe you need to see this place through new eyes.”
“And whose might those be?”
“Mine.”
Devyn paused her perusal of whatever was in that folder and met Elizabeth’s gaze full on. Her hazel eyes sparkled with interest. “Yours, huh?”
Elizabeth pointed at her. “I’ll show you the Bay in all her glory.”
“This town is a girl?”
“Yes, yes, she is, and she’s awesome, and you’re going to see that, and miss her desperately when you go home. But at least you’ll know.”
Devyn regarded her with the most unreadable expression on her face. Had she said something completely stupid? It wouldn’t be entirely unlike her, but she stood by her offer. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Devyn shook her head. “You just have a lot of feelings on the topic. Your whole face lit up and took on this animated quality. It was…something to behold.”
“Oh.” A pause struck, and they simply stared at each other. The moment was a weighted one, and it reminded her of one from her past that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. “Sometimes I can get going,” she said quietly. “I’m enthusiastic.”
“Oh, I know, Ms. Chicken Suit.”
“Mrs.”
“Excuse me?”
Elizabeth gestured backward to reference the earlier mention. “The chicken is married and lives in the Midwest. I have a whole backstory for her, but I won’t bore you with the details. At least not today. Just know that it makes the telegram feel more authentic if the chicken is.”
Devyn seemed amused and confused in equal parts. “So noted.”
“What I will tell you is that Jill had her eleven o’clock meds, and we did our morning workout to Celine Dion, and now I have to run, so you’re in charge. You got this?”
“I’m on top of it. How are her spirits this morning?”
Elizabeth considered the question. “Holding strong. She’s more mobile now that she’s using the cane, and I think that gives her a sense of independence.”
“I’ve noticed that, too. She’s smiling more.”
“And singing. She does a great Celine Dion.” Elizabeth laughed and reflected on the conversation. She leaned in. “You realize we’re like a couple of parents comparing notes on our kid.”
“We are.” Devyn laughed and shook her head. “We make a good tag team. You the happy ray of sunshine and me the overly ambitious motivator.”
“So, are you free this weekend?” Elizabeth asked. Something propelled her and she wasn’t about to resist it. There was an energy to her exchanges with Devyn lately that she didn’t encounter that often. Okay, ever, and she didn’t know at all what it meant, but she did know she craved more of it.
Devyn looked caught off guard. “For what?”
“Relax,” she said, with a smile. “I’m merely asking if I can show you some of the reasons I love this little place.”
“Oh.” It looked like Devyn was mulling over the offer, which was silly, because what else could she possibly have going on other than more work? Which, let’s be honest, had to enter the realm of boring at some point. “Yeah, let’s do it,” she said, finally.
“Perfect.” Elizabeth backed out of the room. “Mark off Saturday in the late afternoon. The other fourth-grade teachers are bringing dinner here for Jill, so she’ll be all set.”
Devyn met her gaze. “What do I have to lose, right?”
* * *
“So, I’m adding the sour cream now or waiting?” Devyn used the back of her hand to wipe the wayward strand of hair from her eyes. She’d been toiling over Jill’s potato soup recipe for over an hour now, and the heat from the pot was causing her to melt. She’d already tossed away the button-up shirt she’d worn over her black tank top. If this got any worse, she had no problem cooking this soup in her bra. Jill would just have to deal.
“No,” Jill said, from her spot at the kitchen table. Her dark hair had been gently curled with Devyn’s help and she now applied makeup while looking into a travel-sized mirror. “Condensed milk, remember?”
“Right. The damn condensed stuff. My bad. Now, where is that again?” She scanned the contents of the pantry and found the needed can and darted back to the pot to keep stirring, apparently one of the potato soup rules. Stir, stir, stir. She felt like one of those witches in Macbeth. Not that she minded helping Jill get her big night off to a successful start. She checked the clock. Roughly thirty minutes until Jill’s teacher friends arrived. Chips and dip were out, and those little mini quiches would be out of the oven in fifteen. They were going to make it.
It was going on five p.m. on Saturday, and the sun still shone brightly, which only seemed to fuel Jill’s good mood. She’d been looking forward to her friends visiting for days now, talking through the menu and making sure there was enough variety. “How’s your energy level?” Devyn asked. “You still feeling up to this?”
Jill balked. “Are you kidding? Even if I wasn’t, I need to see faces besides yours and Elizabeth’s. No offense, but I’m a little sick of the both of you.” She smiled and stuck out her tongue just like she used to do when they were kids.
“Fine. I’ll stick around to make sure everything is set and ready
and then let you take it from there. Give you a break from my boring, stupid face.”
“Freedom at last,” Jill said, with a Braveheart fist in the air.
Devyn passed her a look. “I refuse to let that hurt my feelings.” But as far as Devyn was concerned, nothing could dampen her mood. Seeing her sister make progress, not just physically but mentally, was everything to Devyn, and she knew she’d made the right choice in sticking around, even if it meant sweating it out in the kitchen like underqualified hired help while her career spiraled dramatically out of her control. The bruises that once marred Jill’s face and limbs had faded significantly. The broken ribs were still very sore, making upper body movement a painful struggle, but were getting better each day. Her left leg injury was the worst and where they focused much of her physical therapy. She still battled to get around as fluidly as she would like, and her pace was slow and measured. The cane was her go-to, but when she became fatigued, they’d swap it out for a wheelchair. Luckily, that was occurring less and less. Not only that, but Jill’s sparkle was back. She seemed lighter, more optimistic about the future. For Devyn, the time she and Jill spent together quenched a thirst she hadn’t even known she had. Wasn’t that something? Turned out Devyn didn’t just love her sister, she needed her.
“What do you think about putting out those fresh flowers Elizabeth brought yesterday?” Jill asked, tapping her lips. Elizabeth had developed a habit of arriving with something daily to bring a smile to Jill’s face. Donuts one day. Coffee another. A huge bouquet of colorful wildflowers the day prior. She had a generous heart, and even if she was a little quirky, they were lucky for her help.
“Great plan.” Devyn scanned the room for the right spot as they prepared for Jill’s guests. The handful of teachers from the elementary school had decided on a potluck themed evening of wine and Bunco, a game Devyn had no understanding of at all. She wasn’t exactly domestic either, but she asked herself what Noreen, the woman who staged all of her listings, would say. A big overflowing vase of flowers on the kitchen table would add lots of color to its boring brown surface.
“I think the kitchen table would be a great spot for them,” Devyn said, seeing imaginary Noreen offering a great big thumbs-up in her head. “They’ll look amazing there. The fourth-grade group won’t know what hit ’em.”
“Well, third grade is coming, too, and a couple from fifth, who we tolerate. They tend to pass each other looks. We ignore the looks, because it’s the right thing to do.”
“Big of you, Jilly. Keep ignoring those looks. Mom would be proud.” She located the flowers where Elizabeth had left them in the kitchen window and moved the vase to the table, taking a minute to admire their beauty. Not a high-end expensive arrangement from a florist but a handpicked variety of all colors, shapes, and sizes combined together for a very jumbled, yet pleasing effect. The bouquet reminded her a lot of Elizabeth herself: beautiful and unique without a lot of rhyme or reason. She smiled as the front door opened and closed behind her.
“Liz,” Jill said, turning from her spot. “We were just discussing your beautiful flowers.”
“You were?” Elizabeth asked, beaming.
Devyn had honestly never known the meaning of the word radiate until Elizabeth Draper decided to walk into her life and demonstrate it daily. Yes, it was a little hokey, but the more time she spent in Elizabeth’s presence, the more she appreciated her ability to simply radiate her happiness. Broadcast it to the whole damn world with the flip of a switch.
Jill pointed at the wildflowers. “I’m using them to impress my friends.”
“Fifth grade, too?” Elizabeth asked, with a grimace.
Jill deflated. “Let’s not get overzealous.”
“See? I knew those flowers had a purpose.” Elizabeth stole a chip from the chip and dip caddy on the counter and then seemed to reconsider and took three more. Devyn smothered a smile and continued arranging the flowers. “Did you know I’m taking your little sister out tonight?”
Jill raised an interested eyebrow, and Elizabeth blushed, glanced at Devyn, and then quickly away.
“Not out out.”
“Wait. We’re not going out out?” Devyn asked, and dropped her arms. “This isn’t a date?” She was teasing Elizabeth, on a mission to witness more of that glorious blush. It had already swept down her face to her neck and now approached her chest and the tiny dip of cleavage her navy blue top showcased. Yeah, she owed that top a thank-you note.
“Oh.” Elizabeth paused. “I didn’t think we…I mean, going out in a way that was more like casual, but not. Really, when I thought about it…” She paused and stared at Devyn hard. “You’re messing with me, aren’t you?”
Devyn laughed and decided the flowers were good to go. “You make it so very easy.”
Elizabeth shook her head woefully. “I’ve been told so for most of my life. I’d say I’m working on it, but let’s be real. I’m just gullible, and that’s the way it’s always going to be. I once bought a timeshare. An actual timeshare.”
Jill slowly made her way to Elizabeth. “You’re trusting, and that’s a good thing.”
“My favorite kind of client.” Devyn held up her hands. “But if you’re offering to take me out out, just let me know.”
Elizabeth didn’t seem to know what to do with that sentence, opening and closing her mouth as the blush spread.
“Ignore my sister,” Jill said. She spun a dish towel and cracked Devyn on the ass with it as she passed. “She’s always been the troubled one in the family. She was likely dropped on her head.”
Devyn winced and rubbed her ass. “Well, look who’s getting stronger by the second. Guess I can head home now.”
“Not an option,” Jill deadpanned. “Who would stir the damn soup?”
Devyn gasped but did as she was told. “We’re resorting to swear words now? My, my, Jilly.”
Twenty minutes later, a parade of elementary school teachers in lively colors and patterns invaded Jill’s house, chatting a mile a minute. Devyn watched them and their unique communication strategies. Most spoke with their hands in a highly animated fashion. They exclaimed a lot about everything: The snacks they’d put out. The new chair that wasn’t there last year—amazing. The beautiful flowers. How surprised they were to see Jill moving so well—not quite herself yet, but she’d get there. Exclaiming happened at a rather high volume, and when all of those teachers got to talking at the same time, the decibel level was really something to behold, and then attempt to escape from.
“I’m ready for that night on the town now,” she said quietly to Elizabeth, once the Bunco tournament was under way. The teachers now had a hold of the wine, so she could only imagine what was to come. The exclaiming would undoubtedly turn exponential.
“They seem to be all set,” Elizabeth said, nodding with satisfaction. Their job here was done. “Follow me,” she said over her shoulder.
With a final wave to Jill, it was time to slip out. Devyn followed Elizabeth to the drive and paused.
“The pickup truck again?” Devyn asked, taking in the big, blue two-door. A little beat up, but with lots of character.
“I call her Sugar or Shug for short. Hop in. She’s friendly, but then you already know that.”
Devyn planned to hop in but took a moment to watch Elizabeth do so first. Seeing her now behind the wheel of that truck…did something to her. Whatever it was, it sent an overwhelming ripple through her middle section and lower. She touched her stomach and then felt the back of her neck prickle with warmth. She was a professional in her thirties, fully used to high-pressure situations, and little Elizabeth Draper was taking her down? No way. Who was she?
“You coming or what?” Elizabeth called, waiting on Devyn and looking really cute in her overt excitement.
Devyn pulled herself from her lust-laced reaction and smiled back. “Yeah. I was just…” She took a steadying breath, commanding her brain to cut that the hell out. “Yep, coming.” She climbed into the truck and dug her fi
ngernails into her palm to bring herself into the here and now and stop indulging in racy thoughts about her old high school classmate. She wondered what it would be like to trace the neckline of that top with just one finger. No! She dug her fingernails in further. Get it together. Or maybe just lick that line of cleavage slowly. She slammed her eyes shut and inhaled slowly.
In a matter of moments, they were out of the neighborhood, the main drag of Dreamer’s Bay, in all its tiny glory, flying past. The visual distraction helped. Fields, meadows, flowers, trees, the park, the ice cream shop, and the small cineplex that apparently now served wine and beer. “Where are we headed?” she asked, focusing on the task.
“Stop one is the strip mall on Corner Street. Do you know it?” Elizabeth flipped on the dash radio and the truck filled with the sounds of Phil Collins, to which Elizabeth promptly began singing. Loudly.
“We’re going to get back to the fact that you’re belting eighties music like it’s your job in a minute.” Devyn shook her head and laughed. Elizabeth never ceased to surprise her. “Are we talking about the strip mall with the flower shop and the bakery and what else is in there now?”
“Mr. Pitts Dry Cleaning.”
“No.”
“Oh, yes.”
“You can’t be telling the truth right now.” Devyn covered her eyes and laughed. “That’s gotta be the worst name for a dry-cleaning place I’ve ever heard.”
“Or the best.” Elizabeth tapped the side of her head with her pointer finger. “Think about it.”
Devyn did briefly, until she was thinking about the fact that Elizabeth maneuvered her truck like a pro and had a very attractive profile that showcased the subtle dimple in her right cheek. Her gaze drifted down to Elizabeth’s neck. God, the skin there looked soft. Devyn would have no problem exploring how soft. A strand of dark blond hair fell across Elizabeth’s forehead and covered an eyebrow, while a light brown strand fell just short. She also smelled good, like fresh laundry and cotton pulled straight from the wash.
“Don’t you think that’s cool?”
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