Page 108 of Ten Beach Road

Thirty-seven

On the day Tropical Storm Bernard’s little sister Charlene began to form, Bella Flora’s scaffolding was dismantled and hauled away, leaving her luscious pink walls glowing and unobstructed in the late afternoon sun. The next morning shortly after sunrise Avery rolled off the chaise in the master bedroom where she’d been sleeping, pulled on shorts and a T-shirt, and went into the bathroom to wash up as the first carloads of garden ladies began to arrive.

After taking a few minutes to tuck her pajamas and toiletries into the back of a closet and eradicate all signs of her occupancy, she hurried outside.

Madeline, Kyra, Deirdre, and John Franklin sat at the wrought-iron table that now anchored the loggia. Deirdre, who had kept her distance from Maddie since the recent tongue-lashing, gave Avery a raised eyebrow, which she ignored. Maddie scooted her chair over to make room and passed Avery a still-steaming cup of coffee.

Avery sipped the coffee gratefully and helped herself to a hunk of coffee cake as they watched Renée Franklin organize and deploy her troops.

John nodded at Kyra’s video camera, which sat on the table within easy reach. “You know those videos of yours have caused quite a stir in real estate circles. Posting pictures and video online isn’t new, but the way you’ve added the human element to the renovation has really built interest. I had to add on office staff just to handle the calls and emails. It would make a great television show.”

Kyra looked pleased at the compliment, and Avery saw Maddie reach over to squeeze her daughter’s hand. Although Daniel Deranian had apparently proven he was not the hoped-for Prince Charming, Maddie and Kyra seemed on much smoother ground.

Kyra got up to shoot video as Renée and an assistant began to fill the first of six huge containers with bright tropical blooms. “I must say you all have far exceeded my expectations.”

“Why, thank you, John,” Deirdre said. “It’s been incredibly gratifying to see Bella Flora blossom back to life.”

Avery looked at Deirdre, who’d already done her hair and makeup and gussied up in a white linen pantsuit. It was barely seven A.M. “I hope you’re going to remember to thank all the ‘little people’ who helped make your achievement possible,” Avery said.

“But of course,” Deirdre said smoothly as Avery winced at how petulant she’d sounded. “No one could have done this alone. Though there are those who would have tried.” She gave Avery a second eyebrow then stood regally like the Queen of freakin’ England. “I’m going to go double check today’s delivery schedule and then see if the mural in the living room is dry.” She left, leaving a scent of gardenia in her wake and Avery feeling unvindicated.

“You know, I keep wondering where Nikki is and whether she’s okay,” Maddie said in an obvious effort to change the subject. “I mean maybe she was telling the truth about being a victim.”

“Even if she was, she could have at least told us about the connection to Dyer,” Avery said. She did not plan to admit that it just wasn’t the same at Bella Flora without Nikki. “But then maybe dishonesty runs in her family.”

“Like stubbornness runs in yours?” Chase had come up behind Franklin. He popped a piece of coffee cake into his mouth.

Avery snorted and sneaked a peek at Chase through her bangs. He’d never brought up the night she’d told him off, but ever since he’d been less combative. Sometimes he even listened to what she said. Once he’d actually agreed to do something her way. Which had left her feeling like she was having some sort of out-of-body experience.

Now she caught herself thinking about how his lips had felt and how much she’d liked his arms wrapped around her. She shook her head to clear it. “Do you think they’ll ever catch Malcolm Dyer?” she asked. “Or figure out where he stashed all that money?”

“I sure hope so,” Maddie said. “I mean it would take a while to sort everything out and return even a portion of the money, but it would be such a relief to have that to look forward to.”

“I think we’re going to sell Bella Flora before any of that happens,” Chase said. “Don’t you, John?”

The Realtor launched into an explanation of the interest they’d received to date and his plans for marketing the property. By the pool Renée Franklin was already on the second planter. She patted the bird-of-paradise into its center and then began to tuck in several poppy red geraniums and sprays of purple and yellow lantana to trail over the edge. Her straw hat bobbed up and down as she answered questions and dealt with problems presented by her minions. By working on all sides of the house at once, they hoped to be finished before the temperatures grew too hot. Tomorrow sod would be laid along the edge of the driveway and on the western side of the house.

The sound of vans and trucks arriving out front reached them and Chase popped one last bite of coffee cake in his mouth, chewing it with relish. “I’m going to do a final walk-through today and put together a punch list. Dad and I are going to take the boys camping up in the north Georgia mountains later in the week. We’ll be back in time for the opening cocktail party Labor Day weekend.” He smiled, pleased, and Avery’s lips stretched into a smile, too.

“You’ve done a really great job,” she said, surprising them both. “And your subs have all been first-rate.”

He stilled. “You didn’t just give me a compliment, did you?”

“Apparently.” She felt her cheeks grow hot.

He looked around, an expression of mock desperation on his face.

“What are you doing?” Avery asked.

“I’m checking to see if hell has frozen over. But it seems pretty toasty out.”

The others laughed. Avery gave him an exaggerated eye roll, but her own mood lightened.

“Anybody who’d like to come camping with us is welcome. It’s probably a good fifteen degrees cooler up there right now.” Chase looked right at Avery, and she could feel the heat creep up her neck to spread across her cheeks. Again. “I figure anyone who survived the pool house floor all these weeks can handle a tent.”

“I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one,” she said, sending him a look meant to quell. “But I’ll give you my remaining three hundred dollars and the keys to the Mini Cooper if you’ll take Deirdre with you.”

When he went off laughing to meet Enrico, Avery couldn’t quite hide her own smile. It was possible that her quelling look could use some work.

---