Page 99 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
LIZ
Liz wasn’t holding her breath about the possibility that Melody would stop by tonight. Matt had told her that Melody was on her porch earlier, but that was hours ago. Melody wasn’t dependable. Liz couldn’t pin any hopes of a friends forever kind of relationship on her. If one good thing had come out of Melody’s return, it was that Liz was moving on. She’d driven to a photography gig today and had left that job with two more requests for her to take pictures at local events. She’d stopped by The Bitery on the way home and she’d checked in with Rose, who asked if she could spend the night at Liz’s house this coming weekend.
Life had shifted in the last month. Liz stared at her computer’s screen and focused on the fine details of the photograph she’d taken at this morning’s event. She adjusted the tone and cropped until the image was just slightly off-center, which was what she was aiming for. She did the same for each photograph, one by one, getting lost in the work. It was a welcome distraction from Melody who, for all she knew, had already left town.
A text message came through, making her phone buzz. She glanced at the screen, smiling at Matt’s name. He was patrolling tonight, which meant she wouldn’t be seeing him.
* * *
Matt: Can we see each other next weekend?
Liz picked up her phone and smiled. Then she tapped off a response.
Liz: Yes, please. Fair warning, though. Rose is spending the night this weekend.
Matt: That’s nice. Has Melody been by?
Liz: No.
Matt: I’m sorry. I saw Christopher earlier. He hasn’t heard from her either.
Melody had likely gone back to Charlotte. Liz couldn’t exactly hold it against her that they hadn’t said a proper goodbye. She’d been ignoring Melody’s calls and texts. It was just easier this way for Liz. Somehow her anger protected her from getting hurt.
Matt: I’ll check in later.
Liz: Okay.
She stared at her phone for a long moment, wishing she could see Matt right now. He would be a welcome distraction for her as well. Getting up from her desk, she stretched her arms overhead, hearing her back make a series of satisfying pops. Then she headed into the kitchen to prepare herself a cup of herbal tea.
Her doorbell rang and she spun to stare into the direction of the front of the house. Matt was working. Rose was at their parent’s house. It could be Melody, which both excited and made her nervous. What could Melody possibly say to make things better between them? In all honesty, Melody hadn’t really done anything wrong. Liz had just realized she still didn’t fully trust that Melody wouldn’t hurt her again. Yes, Melody lost her sister, but she’d once told Liz they were sisters as well. Not the blood kind, but the kind you make with your heart.
The bell rang a second time. This time Liz started walking in that direction. She didn’t have to open the door. Or, if she did, she didn’t have to allow Melody inside. She checked the peephole and, sure enough, it was her.
“Liz?” Melody called from the porch. “If you’re listening, please open the door. Please.”
Liz inhaled. She was anxious, yes, but there was no panic attack lingering. She twisted the deadbolt and turned the knob, staring back at Melody through the screen door.
“Can I come in?” Melody asked.
Liz hesitated. “I’ll come out there.” Because if she allowed Melody in her home, they might end up sharing a mug of tea or a glass of wine. Liz wasn’t up for that. If Melody was just going to disappear again, she wanted to keep her walls up. She stepped out onto the front porch. “You can have the rocking chair. I’ll take the swing.” Without waiting for Melody to respond, she crossed to the far side of her porch and sat down. The swing swayed in an easy back and forth motion.
“Liz, I didn’t sell the thrift store,” Melody said. She didn’t budge from where she was standing. “I mean I did, but then I realized it was a mistake.”
Liz’s lips parted. “I hope you didn’t change your mind on my account. You should do whatever you want.”
“That’s just it. I don’t want to get rid of the store. It’s part of Jo. Part of this town. And this town is part of me.”
“You don’t have to feel guilty for leaving, Mel.”
Melody finally walked over and sat down on the rocking chair in front of the swing. She held out her wrist, showing Liz the bracelet.
Liz gasped and leaned forward to check that it was indeed their bracelet. “You found it? Where?”
Melody shrugged. “I can’t take credit for finding it. It was in the glass case at the thrift store.”
Liz furrowed her brow. “How’d it get there?”
Melody lowered her wrist. “The only answer that makes sense to me is that Jo found it. I know that actually doesn’t make sense at all, but . . .”
