Summer on Lovers' Island (Jewell Cove 3)

There were moments of lucidity, but Rosemary was easily agitated and even the acceptance of the yarn was underwhelming. Rosemary kept looking for her purse since she seemed to think she owed Lizzie money, which Lizzie took just to appease her mom’s agitation and then put back when she wasn’t looking. Charlie’s eyes were soft with sympathy as they sat for tea and sweets. Lizzie didn’t even mention putting the house up for sale. On a good day maybe, but today she didn’t want to upset her mom any more than she already was.

By three o’clock Lizzie was exhausted.

They were back in the car and driving

home when Lizzie let out a huge breath. “Damn. I should be visiting more often. At least every week.”

“Why aren’t you? Is it the long drive?”

“It’s not that long. I don’t know. I think I’m scared of what I’ll find each time.”

Charlie reached over and patted her thigh. “Sweetie, I can’t imagine what that’s like. But maybe if you visit more often, the changes won’t seem as drastic. I don’t know what the answer is.”

“You see the difference, don’t you?”

Charlie pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head. “Unfortunately, yes. I know today wasn’t a good day, but she’s not as steady as she used to be, either. She’s in the right place. If you tried to look after her at home, you’d constantly be worried about falls and accidents and you’d have to hire help. And then you’d exhaust yourself at night when you had to do it alone.”

What Charlie was saying made sense. “I just wish I didn’t feel so guilty. Every time I leave her I feel like the worst daughter in the world.”

Charlie knit her brows. “Now you stop that. You are not the worst daughter. You’re giving her the kind of care she needs, for her sake, not yours. And I’m sure if you asked, her doctor would approve her going out for a day with you. You could spend some time together outside the facility.”

Another good idea. What if she brought her mom to Jewell Cove for a day? They could visit the wharf, eat lunch on the deck overlooking the ocean, maybe even stop by a shop or two and pick out something nice and pretty she could put in her room. Or go to Treasures for more yarn.

“What about your mom, Charlie?” Lizzie changed the subject. “Are your parents going to visit when the baby is born?”

Charlie laughed. “Oh, they’ll come up for a few days, I suppose. Probably stay at the inn, since the motel won’t quite meet their standards. I don’t think they’re as thrilled about being grandparents as I’d like. But then, I didn’t expect it, either. I’m happy, and that’s what matters. Their expectations don’t bother me anymore.”

“I wish I could get to that Zen place,” Lizzie lamented. Problem was, she didn’t really know anymore what would make her happy. Until she figured that out, she felt all over the map. The one thing she kept clinging to was going back to her job in Springfield and picking up where she’d left off. She wasn’t sure that was possible, though.

They were half an hour outside Jewell Cove when Charlie’s face brightened. “Oh my gosh, I forgot to ask you. Have you heard anything about the stuff Josh found out at Aquteg Island? Apparently he found a locket and coins or something.”

Lizzie felt her face heat. “I heard,” she answered, not wanting to elaborate. “Any news about what he’s going to do with it?”

“It’s all hearsay. Dave heard it from Rick, who was down at the waterfront, but apparently the coins are real and he gets to keep them. He took the locket to Abby and Tom, to see if it belongs to Tom’s family. Abby’s found a lot of photos at Foster House, and Tom’s family probably have some, too. I guess the locket has a picture of a man who might be Charles Arseneault. Isn’t it exciting? I haven’t been here long and even I know the story of the rumored treasure out there. People will be going crazy now looking for more.”

The idea of the island crawling with treasure hunters made Lizzie feel a little bit ill. She’d started to think of it as her and Josh’s little paradise, wild and untouched. Which wasn’t accurate at all, but lately none of her feelings seemed logical.

“What’s he going to do with it?” Lizzie hadn’t asked Josh any questions. Asking about the leather bag and its contents would only remind them of that afternoon, and she was trying to avoid that as much as possible.

“No one knows. He could sell the coins and make a killing, I’m guessing. Though Josh doesn’t strike me as someone who cares too much about being rich.”

No, he didn’t. Josh was just … Josh. Lizzie had often heard the saying “enough is as good as a feast,” and that definitely applied to him. She flashed back to a memory of him splashing into the water, diving under, and coming up with his eyes twinkling. Perhaps Josh had had enough heartache in his life that he focused on appreciating the simple things.

Charlie winced and let out a breath. Lizzie frowned as she glanced over. “You okay?”

“Just Braxton Hicks. I’ve been having them for a few weeks now. They’re just uncomfortable. Twingy.”

“You’ve got a plan if you go into labor, though, right?”

Charlie nodded. “Dave’s got his cell on him at all times now. My hospital bag is all packed. First babies take a while anyway, Liz. We’ll have time to get there.”

“You call me if you need anything, though, okay?”

“I know. And if my feet puff up like mad or I get a blinding headache I’ll call you. I know my BP is up.”

“You’re patronizing me, but I don’t care as long as you mean it.”

Charlie smiled. “I love you, Liz.”