Because of Lila (Sea Breeze Meets Rosemary Beach 2)

“Okay, yes, that sounds nice. I don’t want to keep you from anything, though. Don’t feel as if you need to entertain me.”

Bliss beamed at me then. “When Nate said you were coming to visit I took off work. I wanted to have plenty of time to show you around.”

If I lived here, I think Bliss and I could be good friends. But I wouldn’t live anywhere for a long time. This was just my first stop.

“Thank you, that’s very thoughtful of you. I felt as if I sprung this on you and Nate. It was very last-minute planning.”

Bliss’s eyes seemed to understand more than I had told her. “I had to get away too once. I didn’t get far, but it was enough. Sometimes space from what we know is needed.”

I simply nodded. Because she was correct. Although there was much more to mine. I didn’t imagine she needed to recreate herself. Find a new Bliss. She seemed perfect as she was. My mother was perfect like her. My father was outgoing and handsome. Everyone loved being around him. How had I turned out so . . . so . . . different?

I couldn’t blame them. They’d do anything to give me a full life. We were a close family. They’d been excellent role models. But I was the odd little duckling. I preferred books and solitude. I was proper and polite. That I did blame on my mother. However, my mother appeared dainty and elegant when she did things like eat potato skins with flatware.

“I’m ready whenever you are. Just come on down when you’re ready to leave.”

I wasn’t about to have her waiting for me downstairs. That was rude. And although I was trying to be less of a rule follower and more carefree I wouldn’t be rude.

“Let me brush my hair and find some shoes, then I’ll be ready.”

She seemed pleased with that, then left the room closing the door behind her. Nate’s mother, Blaire, had come over for coffee the morning after Nate had brought Bliss for a visit to tell us all about her. She’d been thrilled for Nate. She loved Bliss, and she had been right. Everything she raved about. The dinner party Blaire held at her house the last night of their stay I had met Bliss. I’d even spoken to her a few moments, but that was all. She’d been whisked off by Ophelia, Nate’s sister, to meet other guests. I was surprised Nate even allowed his mother to plan an event like that. He seemed protective of Bliss.

But then he had never really been able to control his mother. If he tried to say no to her about something, his father would step in. Bliss seemed to enjoy herself that night though. It had been no problem at all that she was cast into a large, close-knit bunch.

I went into the private bathroom that was connected to my room and finished drying my hair with the dryer. Then added some lip gloss. I thought about doing more but didn’t. I left the bathroom to find some sandals and slipped them on. After a quick inspection, I put on a pair of small silver hoop earrings and a few of my favorite bangle bracelets.

Satisfied, I left the room and went to find Bliss. The house was lovely inside. Bliss had obviously done some decorating of her own. It had a homey feel even if it had wide hallways, tall ceilings, elaborate crown molding and chandeliers in most rooms. Somehow, she’d given it a touch of comfort. I respected that.

When I arrived at the foot of the stairs, Bliss was walking out of a backroom with a smile on her face that was somewhat dreamy. I didn’t need to know she had been in there with Nate. I’d seen that look on my mother’s face many times. I guess some people did get fairy tales. Even if they had to live through tragedy first.

I had no dramatic tragedy in my life. I had nothing. My life roadmap was bare. No excitement, just the same thing. Every day. I should be thankful for that I guess. Tragedy wasn’t exactly something to wish for.

“Oh, you’re ready. That was fast. Let me grab my purse and we’ll go.” Her tone chipper and her cheeks a little flushed.

“No rush,” I said hoping I hadn’t been interrupting anything. Having me stay here during the newness of their engagement was probably difficult for them. I hadn’t considered that. I should spend some time tonight figuring out my next stop and get moving along. So far, there was nothing keeping me here in Sea Breeze.

Eli Hardy

I DIDN’T CALL Larissa. I knew she’d be awake. Jilly, her daughter, was three and she woke up with the sun, even after Larissa worked late nights. She refused to leave her with a sitter until the next morning. She sent the sitter home when she got there, and she was Mom until she had to work again. Sometimes I wondered if she had superhuman powers.