Page 48 of The Summer Request
“Must be,” Michelle said.
Lisa let out a sigh and settled back into her regular driving position. “Let’s see.”
They traveled slowly on the gravel, bumping and rocking their way until a white and green farmhouse appeared amidst the trees.
“That’s it,” Val said, pointing. “I recognize it from the pictures.”
Lisa parked and they all got out. They could hear nothing but the wind whispering through the trees and the twinkling of a wind chime on the porch.
“It’s adorable,” Michelle said quietly.
“It is.” Val said.
The three of them stood there for a moment and stared.
Val was the first to move toward the door, and Michelle followed. As soon as they walked in, they were greeted by the delicate smell of fresh cut flowers. The inside of the house was all rich hardwoods and simple white walls.
Near the staircase, there was a large print showing various nautical knots. Another large portrait showed a sunset in Friday Harbor with a ferry moseying in to dock. Michelle walked on, admiring the paintings and pictures of mountains, whales, and harbor seals.
She smiled. Justine had made this place her own. She’d transformed this little house into a beautifully updated cottage fit for a modern-day business woman. One who was, perhaps, a tad homesick.
Lisa squealed from behind her. “I just got an email back from the medical examiner!”
Val rushed over. “Open it!”
Lisa dropped her phone when Val appeared behind her. “Don’t scare me like that!”
“I’m sorry! I’m excited.”
Michelle stepped closer. Her throat felt dry. This could be the answer they’d been waiting for, the one that would put their theories to rest.
Lisa jabbed at her phone with her finger like a crow pecking at spilled popcorn. She let out a groan. “They said the report won’t be available for four to eight weeks, and then it will only be available to next of kin.”
Ah, of course. That would have been too easy. Michelle took a seat at the bottom of the staircase. “I guess that’s that.”
Val shook her head. “We’ll have Tammy request it.”
“But what if it takes eight weeks?” Lisa let out a sigh.
A smile crossed Val’s lips. “We still have Sam Beverly.”
Eighteen
It didn’t take long for them to get comfortable in the house. It was much cozier than the other homes Justine and Lou had bought together, and while it wasn’t as luxurious as a hotel, it just felt right.
Lisa dropped her bag off in one of the upstairs bedrooms before going downstairs, through the back door, and out to the edge of the property to stare at the ocean. It was mesmerizing – the soft sound of the water lapping the shore, a boat puttering away in the distance, a pair of birds calling overhead.
It was like she’d been pulled out of a week-long party and plunged into a secret garden. The quiet was like a blanket, covering everything from Neil’s nagging voicemails to her echoing thoughts of their now-empty bank account.
Lisa was halfway down the stairs to the dock below when Michelle emerged from the house and insisted she come inside.
“Come on!Change into some comfortable clothes. We’re going into town.”
Lisa shot her a pleading look, but she got nothing in return. Michelle’s face was set in a stern stare. Her newfound energy was frightening. Perhaps her recent near-death experience with flying on a Cessna had gotten to her?
“I’m serious.” Michelle turned toward the house, then stopped, returning to face Lisa. “What’s the point of having a house so close to town if we don’t even get to walk around?”
“Okay, okay!” Lisa put her hands up. “I’ll get changed. I can drive.”
