Lib Novel Page 32
Ciara nodded, and Maggie realized that with one problem solved, another was forming, at least in Ciara’s mind.
“Everything all right?” Eliza asked.
“Yes, a friend of ours was alone and we wanted to make sure that people knew she hadn’t evacuated.”
Maggie wanted to say more but the truth was that Eliza, Devon and Clayton Hutchins had little interest in anything or anyone outside their social circle. For now, she’d accepted their hospitality and would keep her personal fears and concerns to herself.
CHAPTER 11
Four Weeks Before the Wedding
Christopher did his best to chop more wood without falling over. He braced the foot of his prosthetic leg against a large rock securing his balance.
“Are you sure you don’t want any help with that?” Gabriel asked.
Christopher swung and connected with the piece of wood sitting on a large stump. It not only split in two but one piece flew in Gabriel’s direction.
“Nope. I can do it. I used to do this when I was a kid. Do you remember, Beth, when we would go camping up at Sebago Lake?”
“Yeah, but what I remember was you sitting inside the pop-up eating candy from the candy store. There were wrappers everywhere.”
“All part of the experience, Bethy, all part of the experience.”
That morning, Becca and Christopher drove up to visit Beth and Gabriel at their home in Boxford. It was the first time they’d been there and to say that Becca was in love with the place was an understatement.
“Oh, Beth, I understand why you love this place. It’s truly beautiful.”
Beth laughed. “It’s taken some getting used to. It’s so quiet at night, if you can believe it, I have a hard time falling asleep.”
“That’s the city girl in you talking. I think I’d sleep like a baby if I lived here,” Becca said.
Laughing at Christopher, Beth replied, “Well, my brother certainly thinks he’s a country boy. I don’t know where he gets his ideas from. Camping once every other summer does not make him a lumberjack.”
“Hey, I meant to ask you. How did your dress fitting go?” Becca asked.
“Great. No more fittings. I’ll pick it up in a couple of weeks. How about you? You haven’t mentioned your dress at all and I don’t remember you having appointments. I can’t wait to see what you bought.”
Becca opened the photos on her cell phone and held it in front of Beth’s face.
“Oh, Becca. It’s perfect. I love it. I can see you in this dress, it’s totally you.”
Becca shrugged. “Yes, it is, but it might not be my dress if this hurricane has its way.”
“What do you mean? What does the hurricane have to do with your dress?”
Becca explained her wedding dress dilemma and waited for Beth to say something encouraging.
“Oh, no! You’ve got to be kidding me. What are you going to do?”
Becca laughed that she’d forgotten how direct Beth could be in moments like this.
“Roll with it, I guess. What else is there to do?”
“Well, considering that the wedding is only a month away, I’d say we need a backup plan. Why don’t I take you to Flair and see if we can at least get you a dress if your dream gown isn’t possible?”
Becca shrugged. “I was thinking of that very thing. I was going to ask you about it today. We’d better get there soon. I might need it altered.”
Beth grabbed her phone and called the bridal shop.