Page 73 of Brooke's Bliss
If there was one thing she knew about BethMcNamara-O’Malley, it was this.“Everything makes you want to renovate.”
“That sounds like fun,” Rachel said with a watery smile.
Beth looked thoughtful for a moment.“Why don’t you comewith us?I’m considering all the options and I’m going to be honest, I’mworried I’ll have to hold their hands and talk them out of some things.Jesseand Cade have spent a lot of time in mechanic shops.Their tastes tend to belimited.”
“Oh, they have to get that right.Gemma has very specifictastes,” Rachel agreed.“Jesse thinks putting gold on everything makes itdesigner.It could be fun if you don’t mind.Want to come along, Brooke?Youhave the best taste here.”
She was sure Beth and Rachel could handle it, and it wouldbe good for Rachel to get out.But she had things to do.“I need to get totown.I need to get dressed and call aFuber.Unlessthey’re in school, but I think they finished up early.I’ll check the app.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.The Navigator is stillhere,” Beth announced.“Shane had to go into town for some parts, but he got aride.”
“I noticed the keys on the counter,” Rachel added.“I thinkthey left it for you.There are enough vehicles and people here that they caneasily get a ride.That’s what’s great about living in a place like this.Youhave so many people around to help.”
And Rachel was feeling isolated.
She was surprised they’d left her the SUV, but she wouldtake it.She needed to run to the theater.“I’ll try to return before they getback.Bay wants to go out to Stef’s and get some work done.I heard him on thephone earlier, and he said something about a materials delivery.I think it wasclay.”
“Everyone’s getting ready for his show at the end of summer.Stef thinks it could be his big break.”Rachel hugged her.“Thank you forletting me stay the night.I’ll have Beth drop me at the house.”
“You can stay,” Brooke said, hugging her.
Rachel stepped back.“I know I can.I know my husbands arepatient and understand, but my kids won’t.I’m heading home after I spend anice day out and Max and Rye and I are going to sit down and talk.Maybe wecould use some time at the clinic.”
Alexei Markov had formed a mental health clinic thatserviced the valley and the small towns around Bliss.He offered triplestherapy as one of his specialties.The Bliss Wellness Center also offered helpto those affected by alien abduction.Mel and Cass held special sessions.
She missed Bliss.
“It’s never bad to give your marriage a tune up,” Beth saidwith a smile.“We’ve been.We went after the boys were born because I wasfeeling too focused on nothing but Miranda and the boys, and it was hurting mymarriage.Alexei helped me see that letting Bo and Trev be hands-on dads helpedus all.I was very much in the mindset of where I came from instead of where Iwant to be.I thought the mom should do it all.Now we split the load prettyequally, and I get to do a job that feeds my soul.”
Rachel nodded.“Yeah, I feel that.I love my life, but Imight need something more.I might need some work outside my house.”
“Let’s talk about it.”Beth gave her the biggest smile.“Ifyou want to learn about home repairs, I’m your girl.You could start tryingsome stuff out and see what fills your soul.”
“I would like that.”Rachel smiled back, the first timeBrooke had seen her sister-in-law smile in days.“And I’ll give you somerecipes for Hope.Nell taught me how to make some ginger candy that helped withnausea.Brooke, I’ll see you later.”
“And I’ll make sure you get all your presents.I’ll drop thebasket and flowers off at your place.”
Beth’s head shook.“Oh, I’m sorry.The flowers are for you.I should have mentioned that.See, the guys are trying.”
“Oh, they’re trying.Let me tell you what happened lastnight,” Rachel was saying as the door closed behind her.
They sent her flowers?It was odd.When had they had time togo down to The Trading Post and get some flowers?She reached for the card.Sure enough, her name was on it but there wasn’t an address.
They shouldn’t spend money on flowers.They had a truck torepair.She hoped this wasn’t what put that distance between them.She openedthe card and felt her whole body flush.
I’m at the Lodge.We need to talk.We can make all ofthis right and you can take your place at Bianchi.Call me.You’ve been keepingsecrets.
Mark
Her old boss was here and her peace was completely shaken.
* * * *
Shane was still thinking about Bay’s accusations evenas he sat in the cab of a truck that would either take him to his doom or maybedrop him off in the middle of nowhere and leave him to rot.
“Was she okay last night?”Max Harper had been at the frontdoor of the main house when Shane had been walking through.He’d been planningon asking Noah Bennett if he could catch a ride into town, but the vet wasclosed off with his wife.Hope was having a hard time.
Did he need a credit card to call aFuber?Or did those kids take cash?That was what he’d been thinking when Max hadshown up, shoved a bunch of stuff for his wife Shane’s way, and then asked ifthey could talk.
