Page 34 of Escape to the Sun

He was pretty sure the type of special Sherri was referring to had more to do with the bottles of medicine and a lot less to do with any type of special anything he might care to entertain. “Beer it is.”

As soon as the drinks were ready, he sat down next to his friend and waited for her to talk. It didn’t take long.

“So, you didn’t say, what brings you up here?”

“You do.”

“And?”

“I brought you supplies.” He pointed to the basket he’d left by the door.

“I don’t need anything.” She chugged half her drink and grimaced. “This stuff is awful.” She drank the rest and put the empty glass on the table next to her. “Besides, I’ve been growing a few things and getting my garden going again. Do you know that when I first moved here, I spent most of my days up here? I preferred it to the water. It was more peaceful. I’d forgotten that.” Her eyes took on a faraway look for a moment. “It’s nice up here.”

“You’re not lonely?”

“Should I be?”

Ash wasn’t sure how to answer that. He would have been lonely all on his own, but he wasn’t Sherri. And it wouldn’t surprise him if she was perfectly content on her own. “No,” he said after a moment. “You shouldn’t be. But how are you feeling? Your medicine…” He nodded to the empty glass. “It’s okay?”

Her smile was warm and reassuring, just as he was sure she meant it to be. “I feel good. The drugs aren’t so bad if you pair them with some herbs to help with the side effects. So far everything is fine.”

He examined her closely for any indication that she was lying to him, but her face gave nothing away. “You promise that you’ll tell me if you need anything, right?”

“I’ll call you right away.” She laughed again and despite the fact that he knew she was teasing him, he didn’t mind as long as it kept her laughing.

“Maybe not.” He raised an eyebrow and took a deep slug of his beer. “But I’m serious about it, Sherri. I need you to let me know right away if you need anything.” He looked her straight in the eye. “Anything at all. I’m going to come up here as much as I can, okay?”

She started to shake her head, but he stopped her. “That’s the only way I’m going to agree to leave you alone, Sher. Like every two days. I’ll be here.” He waited until she nodded. “I won’t stay long if you don’t want me to,” he continued. “But I need to know you’re okay.”

“Okay.”

He blinked. He’d expected her to put up a much bigger fight. “Really?”

“Really.” She nodded. “If that’s what makes you feel better.”

“It does.” It made him feel unexplainably happier. He’d been more worried about Sherri than he even knew. Although he’d still be worried, maybe that could be lessened somewhat if he was able to come up to visit and check on her with his own two eyes. Not that he couldn’t have done that before but now he had her blessing, which would ultimately make things easier. “One more thing.”

She narrowed her eyes, no doubt ready for a fight. Sherri may be the most relaxed, easy-going person he knew, but she was also the most stubborn when she put her mind to it. She was fierce and under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t be willing to go up against her.

These were not normal circumstances.

When she didn’t speak, he continued. “I need to tell Heather about what’s going on with you. She’s worried and I think—”

“No.”

“Sherri. I think if you—”

“No.” She pushed up and out of her chair as if the subject was closed.

It wasn’t.

It couldn’t be.

Ash followed her out to the deck that was all but right in the canopy of trees. There was a bit of space between the trees where you could look down on Casa del Sol. Even though they were far up the hill, you could still see the buildings, the people playing in the water and hear the laughter floating on the air. Ash stood next to Sherri and watched the activities in silence for a moment before he pressed the issue.

“If Heather knew what was happening, it would really put her mind at ease.”

“No, it wouldn’t,” Sherri said simply. “It would only worry her.”

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