Page 124 of Ten Beach Road

“Shit,” Avery said. “Did you really have to say that? You’re going to make me cry.”

Unhappiness hung over them like a blanket, warm and heavy. Nikki poured them each a final drink, but no one drank.

Avery harrumphed and swiped at her eyes. Deirdre’s gaze remained on the puddle of red sun oozing into the Gulf. Leached of color, the sky turned the palest of grays.

No one spoke as the shadows continued to lengthen. Dusk settled in.

In the growing dark, Maddie tried to read the others’ faces. It seemed pretty clear that no one else was going to offer their “one good thing,” and Maddie didn’t have the heart to force them. She set her glass down and began to gather the snacks. She felt as if she’d been about to stride over the finish line when someone stuck out a foot to trip her. Kyra reached for her camera bag, tucking the video camera into it while Avery stared morosely out over the pass.

“Well, I guess that’s it then,” Maddie said, standing. “We might as well call it a night.”

The others stood and began to gather up the remnants of their sunset snack.

There was the ding of an incoming message, and Kyra pulled out her cell phone. She gasped in surprise and began to scroll through a message. Her eyes widened as she read it.

“What is it?” Maddie asked, thinking it might be work related. Or some sort of change of heart from Daniel Deranian.

“Oh, my God!” Kyra said, clutching at Maddie’s arm. “Oh, my God!”

“Take some deep breaths and try to calm down,” Deirdre said. “No one needs you hyperventilating yourself into an early labor.”

There was nervous laughter, but they all looked at Kyra expectantly.

Kyra drew an exaggerated breath, then held up her cell phone, brightening the backlight so that she could read them the email. “I can’t believe it. It’s from Karen Crandall, head of development at Lifetime.” She smiled.“Dear Ms. Singer,”she read.“We’ve been watching your YouTube posts on the renovation at Ten Beach Road with great interest. You are a gifted filmmaker and storyteller.”Kyra’s smile lit her face; she took a mock bow.“We enjoyed not only the footage of Bella Flora being brought back to her former glory, but the chemistry—good and bad—between the people on this project, each of whom brought unique talents and perspectives to the renovation. We couldn’t have cast it better ourselves and are certain our viewers will relate.”

Kyra paused as they contemplated each other. Even Bella Flora seemed to be listening.

Avery turned to Deirdre. “Wasn’t Karen Crandall the person who bought your design specials for Lifetime?”

Deirdre nodded and smiled as Kyra continued.“We would like to discuss shooting a pilot for a new series in which you would serve as producer/director and the group would select significant homes in different parts of the country to renovate.”Kyra grinned. “It ends with her cell phone number and a request that I call her as soon as possible.” She peered down at the screen and then her watch. “It says she’s out in California and to call anytime.”

“Oh, my God,” Maddie said, hugging Kyra. “That’s fabulous!”

“It is,” Avery agreed. “It sounds like a wonderful opportunity. What do you all think?”

“I don’t know what there is to think about!” Maddie said. She couldn’t seem to stop smiling. “I’m in!”

“Me, too. If you’ll have me,” Deirdre added, looking directly at Avery and waiting for her nod. Kyra, who had already unpacked her camera to shoot their reactions, captured their identical smiles.

“I’m in!” Avery said, clearly uncertain how to deal with Deirdre’s possible role in the network’s interest. “As long as there’s no nodding or pointing. And none of us, under any circumstances, is ever asked to wear a sweater no matter how cold it gets.”

“Damn straight,” Deirdre said.

“I’m with you on that!” Maddie laughed.

There were jubilant high fives and lots of hugs, which Kyra documented from every possible angle. Until she panned the camera lens over to the battered hulk of Bella Flora.

Kyra stopped recording and slowly lowered her camera. One by one they fell silent as they regarded the house that had brought them together and whose resurrection had led to their own.

“Even if we’re able to make a deal with the network, it’ll take a while to come to terms. And any money’s going to be pretty far down the road.” Avery continued to look at the dark and silent house. “That still leaves Bella Flora on the market ‘as is.’ ”

There was a longer silence as this unwelcome truth tempered their euphoria. How could they celebrate when Bella Flora was so bruised and battered?

“You know,” Deirdre said, considering her daughter. “I wasn’t blowing smoke when I told you how much easier and faster it would be to re-create what we’ve already done.” She looked at the others. “Which would make Bella Flora a perfect choice for the pilot.”

There was an even longer silence as they all absorbed Deirdre’s suggestion. Maddie imagined Bella Flora perking up in the gathering dark.

“The network might go for it. And Kyra’s YouTube posts have already given Bella Flora a certain following,” Avery said.

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