Page 32 of Sunset Tides
Lucy didn’t look up from her computer screen. “Yes. I mean, no. It looks like the ferries from Anacortes were all canceled this morning.”
Lillian poured herself a cup of coffee and took a seat. The breakfast sandwich situation could be figured out later. “And why did that make you giggle like a crazy person?”
“Because any non-islanders who wanted to come to the auction are going to have a harder time getting here.”
Lillian took a sip of coffee as she processed this information. “Hang on. Am I to understand thatyouare responsible for the ferry cancellations?”
“I can’t be held responsible for that,” Lucy said with a smile. “Ferry travel is fickle. These people would know that if they had ever set foot on the island before. The weather can be bad, employees can get sick. Who knows what really happened?”
“Lucy!People depend on those ferries. You can’t just – ”
Lucy cut her off. “I know, I know. I didn’t ask them to do it! Maybe Ihinted, but I didn’t ask.”
Lillian stared at her. “Unbelievable.”
Lucy turned back to her screen, suppressing a smile. “There have been reports of irate stranded passengers demanding to be taken to Orcas Island.”
She knew she shouldn’t encourage Lucy, but she couldn’t help it. She laughed.
“How about we go on a nice, relaxing walk?” Lillian suggested. “We can go anywhere you want. To the bakery, maybe? Are you still hungry?”
Lucy shook her head. “I’m fine, but thanks.”
“You know, they say the best time to relax is when you don’t have the time to relax.”
“Uh huh.”
“Relaxation is important,” Lillian continued. She should’ve rehearsed this. It didn’t seem to be working. “You don’t want tobe so worked up that you faint in the middle of the auction or something.”
Lucy stopped what she was doing and turned to face her. “That would actually be a good distraction. Maybe keep people from bidding.”
Oh dear. Lucy was too far gone. Lillian would have to go along with whatever she had planned and be supportive. She was good at that.
She’d taken the day off from work, so it wouldn’t be too hard to follow Lucy’s whims. Her job was flexible, which was lovely in situations like these. Normally, Lillian didn’t need much flexibility – her boyfriend Mason traveled so much that her schedule was quite mundane.
Before, she’d worked as a social worker at a hospital. Her schedule had been much more hectic then. Now, she got to work from home and do the same sort of job, calling patients after they’d already left the hospital.
She did everything from finding specialists for follow up, to navigating bills, to even helping the patients get rides to their appointments.
It was rewarding work and people appreciated her help. Best of all, Lillian had built a plethora of skills in helping people during a time of crisis. Lucy’s situation wasn’t quite the same as someone who had just had a long and difficult hospitalization, but her feelings were quite similar.
“I’ve gotta run,” Lucy said, snapping her laptop shut and almost tripping as she hopped toward the door. “I need to set things up at the farm.”
“Hang on,” Lillian said. “Are you going to be the one bidding today?”
Lucy shook her head. “I’m leaving that power in Fiona’s hands. I don’t deserve it, and to tell you the truth, I don’t know if I can handle it.”
“That’s wise.” Lillian wasn’t too worried about letting Lucy leave. She seemed to at least be acknowledging her limits. “I’ll be at the farm soon to help. I’m glad we won’t be seeing that power go to your head.”
Lucy made a face before grabbing her bag and walking out the door.
It didn’t take long for Lillian to get ready, and Marty swung by to pick her up. They got to the farm quickly, despite Marty’s concern that Lucy may have had the roads shut down.
To the contrary, the parking lot was quite full.
“This is interesting,” Lillian said as she got out of the car.
Marty stood gaping for a moment. “I’ve never seen this many people gathered in one place on this island.”
