Page 20 of Sunset Tides
Lucy got into her car. “Enjoy your flights. I truly hope you don’t crash and die.”
Marty nodded. “Always a comfort when you say that, Lucy.”
“I know!” She smiled and shut the car door.
Lucy had only been on a plane twice in her life. Though it was on the advice of her therapist, both times felt like she was going to die, and she promised herself she would never undergo that turmoil again. A plane crash had already killed her parents. How could anyone be sure a plane wouldn’t try to kill her, too?
Marty was wrong about the ferry. Their trip back was lovely, and Lillian gushed over the views. Lucy had a hard time focusing on how nice they were, but she was glad Lillian was enjoying herself. She was still in her own world, jarred from it only when she got a call from Aunt Becca.
“I heard Claire’s doing better,” Becca said. “I’m glad.”
“I guess.” Lucy stood up and dropped her voice. “I’m not convinced.”
Becca grunted. “Me either. You should keep an eye on Claire.”
“I think so too!” Lucy shot a look at Lillian, who was still engrossed with the view of the passing islands. “Everyone else thinks I’m just crazy.”
“You’re not crazy. You care, which sometimes can look like crazy.”
Dang, Aunt Becca dropping in the wisdom. “Yeah.”
“I’ll be out to visit again soon. I miss seeing you guys.”
“We miss you too!”
“Marty’s been talking to me,” Becca said with a laugh. “Can you believe it? We talk almost every week.”
It had taken him long enough. “That’s nice, Aunt B. We’ll get together when you visit, okay?”
“Sure thing. Take care of Claire for me.”
“I will.”
Thankfully, Lillian had missed the entirety of that conversation, and they soon arrived at the Orcas Island ferry terminal. After getting Lillian settled, Lucy drove straight to Claire’s house with the intent of helping her settle in, only to be shooed away.
“Lucy, I’m fine,” Claire insisted. “The only thing I need is a good night’s sleep. That’s one thing you can’t get at a hospital.”
“How about I stay here with you in case you don’t feel well and need someone to call the air ambulance again?”
Claire shook her head. “You need to get back to your life! And the farm. Margie told me they’re close to raising six hundred thousand dollars now? You’ve done an amazingjob!”
Huh. Lucy hadn’t checked on the fundraisers in days. “Thanks.”
Lillian turned to her, eyes wide. “I’m sorry. How much money did you raise?”
“I’ll tell you later,” Lucy said, waving a hand. “We’ll let Claire get some rest.”
Lucy took Lillian out to dinner in town and explained the situation at the farm.
“It was so important to me to rescue the farm,” she said, “but now I kind of don’t care anymore.”
That made Lillian laugh. “Oh come on, Lucy. How can you leave them hanging now? You at least have to help with this auction. When is it?”
She bit her lip. “I don’t know, but I can find out. I’ll talk to Fiona tomorrow. Maybe I could just give her the money and let her handle it.”
“But then what’re you going to do with all that free time and nervous energy?”
Lucy stared at her glass of water. Good question. She hadn’t had time to think about that. “I don’t know. It seems like my work here is done.”
