Lib Novel Page 29
“You have no idea what ails me, Chelsea. Stop playing psychiatrist and keep your ball of fur out of my way.”
As he walked away, Chelsea kissed the top of Penny’s head.
“Don’t listen to him, Penny. You’re safe here.”
Chelsea already had empathy for Jacqui and her troubles within her family.
Chelsea’s brief encounter with Clayton reminded her just how much her friend had to endure living in this house, and how strong Jacqui was to leave it.
CHAPTER 10
Watching the tv weather reports from Andover, Massachusetts made Becca feel helpless. As scary as the situation was on Captiva Island, she wanted to be with her family.
Becca looked at her cell phone and struggled to make sense of her brother Finn’s text. She looked at Christopher and blinked back tears.
“What is it?” Chris asked.
“Finn went to Captiva to help Dad, Josh and Luke. They’re staying on Captiva to help during the hurricane.”
Chris quickly went to her side and pulled her close.
“They’ll be okay. I’m actually not surprised. It’s the kind of thing your father and brothers would do, don’t you think?”
Becca wiped her eyes. “I know but it doesn’t make it any less terrifying.”
Christopher smiled and lifted Becca’s chin. “I know a strong woman who would be right beside them if she could. Am I right?”
Becca laughed through her tears. “You know me too well. On another, less life-threatening note. This is something I wasn’t going to share with you but…”
“But?”
“Well, I have a friend who owns a Bridal shop in Fort Myers. You’ve heard me mention her before…Amy Jenkins…she’s a dressmaker…we went to school together?”
Christopher shook his head. “Nope, I don’t remember her.”
“Well, anyway, I’ve been working with her on my dress. I’m basically a standard size 6 so it wasn’t too difficult to create something that would fit. I had plans to fly down sometime next week to get a final fitting. I know I could have chosen a place up here to buy my dress, and I probably should have, but I really wanted to support Amy.”
“So? What’s the problem?”
“The problem is that she’s on vacation in Italy with her mother. She’s due to return the day after tomorrow and has no idea what will happen to her Bridal shop during the hurricane. My dress is in that shop.”
Christopher ran his hands through his hair and laughed. “Honey, you can always get another dress.”
“It’s not funny, Chris, and it’s not that simple. I love my dress. You don’t understand. I’m a beach girl all the way and that’s how I want to look on my wedding day. I’m not comfortable wearing a huge dress with lace and buttons and tulle. It’s just not me. Amy made me a dress that perfectly represents who I am.”
Christopher rubbed her back, trying to make her feel better. “Let’s not assume the worst. It’s possible that the dress will be safe inside that shop.”
Becca’s half-smile was an attempt to think the best, but the worst was swimming in her head, nonetheless. It seemed a small worry considering the larger imminent danger for her brothers and father. She prayed that they would be safe, and accepted that, for now, her dress situation was out of her control.
* * *
Lauren was shocked to see a tattoo on her grandmother’s tanned shoulder.
Grandma Sarah pushed her blouse back up.
“I wanted one of those barbed wire things around my arm but changed my mind when Winston suggested I do something more delicate. He was right because the barbed wire thing would never look good if I’m wearing something formal. I think the rose and vines look much prettier.”
“Winston?” Lauren asked.