by Linda Apple
“She is. But I still worry. I’m always sneaking around going through the trash and her bedroom looking for candy wrappers.”
“Well,” said Molly Kate, “that weight didn’t come off from a diet of Snickers and pecan pie.”
“One could dream.” Lexi closed her eyes relishing the idea, then opened them. “Okay, my place, 6:30. MK is bringing food, I’ll have the wine, Avalee, you bring the whine. You will have a sympathetic audience and maybe one of us might actually be helpful.”
“Being with you girls is helpful. But I’m afraid my whine is hopeless.”
Lexi got her, I have a secret, look in her eyes. “Miracles happen.”
“And just what is that supposed to mean?” I looked from Lex to MK.
Both of them spoke at the same time. “Nothing.”
I’ll bet.
****
When I got home from my tête-à-tête with the girls, I found an email from Ty waiting. I eased into my chair and held my finger over the mouse. His messages were still so raw, which did nothing for my heart. I wanted to call him, to hear his voice. I wanted to be wrapped in his arms, listening to his soft breathing. Would this longing—this needing—ever ease? I clicked on the message.
Hi Ava,
I have news. Cadence’s agent notified National Geographic about her water project work in Africa and sent my photos. Seems the magazine had to kill an article and needed something in its place and chose my pictures. They will be in the December magazine, in case you want to pick one up. That makes two major magazines in a year. And all because of you, the only one who believed in me.
I’m surprised Cadence didn’t trash my photographs after I left her project. She wasn’t happy about my leaving. But it was time. Speaking of C. I have news on her, too. She has hooked up with some country and western singer. I wish her luck.
I miss my friend. Would you please consider at least answering my email? Sending an occasional text? Please?
Love,
Ty
I traced my finger over his name on the screen. He did it. He is living his dream. I had done the right thing, so why didn’t I feel better? Tears threatened, but I refused to cry. It was time to renew my focus. On what, I wasn’t sure.
My book was finished, the market was set, Momma was healthy, Ty was a success. I wasn’t really sure where I fit into life any longer. Even so, I always seemed to find my way. I’d done it before, I could do it again.
I reread Ty’s email. He sounded so lonely. It was time. Time for me to pull up my big girl britches and write him. But what would I say? I hit reply and stared at the screen.
Hi Ty,
I’m sorry that I have not written you. Perhaps it has been selfish of me, but I know my limits. So, let’s write back and forth, only not about us, okay?
I can’t wait to get my copy of the December edition of National Geographic. I’ll give Skye a copy to give to your parents. Speaking of Skye and Glen, they come and visit at least twice a month. We’ve enjoyed them so much. You have fabulous children. But how could they help it? They have a fabulous dad. And now, a famous one. I’m so thrilled for you.
We’ve closed the Market for the season, so now I need to figure out what to do next. Molly Kate and I are going to Lexi’s tonight. Maybe we can come up with something.
Where are you now, and where is your next assignment? Somewhere exotic, I hope. I want detailed descriptions.
Take care dearest,
Ava
There. I did it. And I didn’t even feel like crying. Perhaps time is healing me.
A quarter past six, I left the house and jogged to Lexi’s. By the time I reached her porch, I was sucking air. Pitiful. I trudged inside. “Hey, you really ought to lock this door. Anybody could just walk in.”
Lexi called from the kitchen. “Not to worry. I have two friends who protect me.”
“Well, Molly Kate and I do not live with you.”
“I’m talking about Smith and Wesson.”
“Oh.” Deputy Barney Fife came to my mind. I could see her waving her gun all over the place with trembling hands, frightened to death. “All the same, you need to lock your door.”
“Don’t lock it until I get all this food inside.” Molly Kate lugged an armful of stacked boxes.
“Here, let me help.” I took the top two and the delicious aroma of cheddar and gruyere cheese baked into crispy straws hit me square in the face. My stomach got the telegram and groaned.
“Girl, I don’t know what you brought.” Lexi rifled through Molly Kate’s offerings. “But chocolate better be in one of them.”
“How about brown butter and chocolate chunk cookies? She picked one up, broke it in half, and pulled the creamy chocolate chunks apart leaving a molten curl on either side. “These just came out of the oven.”
“Gimme that.” Lexi snatched one of the halves from Molly Kate’s hands. “Or I’ll have to call my buds, Smith and Wesson.”
Molly furrowed her eyebrows at me.
“Don’t ask,” I said as I grabbed the other half. While munching the cookie, I inspected the other containers. Just as I hoped, cheese straws. She also brought baked brie with fig preserves. Bacon wrapped dates stuffed with Gorgonzola, grilled flat bread, and boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce. “Girl, your outdid yourself tonight.”
We arranged the food on the coffee table and poured our wine in extra-large wine glasses. Lexi must have felt our whine time was going to be a big one. She held up her hand. “Now y’all sit down and start nibbling while I get this Skype going. Jema said she’d have a snack and wine at her place, too.”
While Lex fiddled with the call, I dove into the cheese straws. All of a sudden, I was starving. The comforting, familiar feel of abiding friendship and good food wrapped me in a warm blanket of peace. Soon the sound of Jema’s gentle voice filled the room.
“Ciao y’all.”
Jema was proof you could take a southern gal to Italy, but you couldn’t take the southern out of the gal. I knew this from personal experience. I moved in front of the screen and waved. “Hi, Jema. We miss you.”
“Not as much as I miss you all.” She held up her wine. “Toast?”
We held up our glasses and chanted, “To forever friends.”
“So,” said Jema, “what are we whining about tonight?”
Lexi held up her hand. “I’ll start. Nate wants me to stay with him in New York for a few weeks after the first of the year.”
Jema cocked her head. “And that is a whine? How?”
Molly Kate sat on the couch with one leg under her. She kicked Lexi with her free leg. “And why haven’t I heard about this?”
“Yeah, me neither. You sure are one for keeping secrets.” Truthfully, I did know about it because Nathan discussed it with me. He had several events he’d been invited to and thought Lex would make some good contacts, not to mention his other motives.
“It’s a whine because I’m not in his league or anyone he hangs around with. I’m the poor country mouse visiting the city mouse.”
“Country cat is more like it.” I made a claw with my hand. “Rawr.”
“Oh, hush up.” Lexi tossed a pillow at me. “Anyway, as I was saying, I’ll be around people who talk different, use big sophisticated words, and of course are a lot more fashionable than me.”
“Well, Avalee can help you with the fashion part,” said Molly Kate. “And I have a lot of Reader’s Digests lying around the B & B. They have those word power thingies in them. That might help.
“So, there you go,” said Jema. “Go for it girl.”
Lexi grabbed a cheese straw. “I just might do that. Thanks.”
“Okay, everyone take a gulp for Lexi.” We all took a drink. Lexi’s whine was answered.
“Next whine. Go MK.” Jema smiled from the screen. Lord, I missed her.
Molly thought a minute. “Well, I think Stan is sneaking behind my back.”
“What?” Lex shot to her feet. “Are you kidding me? Why I’ll—”
Molly Kate put her hand up. “Not that kind of sneaking.”
“Don’t do that to us.” Lex stomped over to the wine bottles and brought one back. “We need refills anyway.”
“So, what kind of sneaking?” Jema showed us she was refilling her glass, too.
“I think he has taken to smoking a pipe and trying to cover the smell with peppermints.”
“Stan? Smoking?” I had to admit I personally loved the smell of pipe tobacco. What was the real harm, and why would he feel the need to conceal it?
“I only smell it in the library. Stan insists he isn’t smoking, even though I tell him it is okay with me. He says it must be a guest. But I smell it when there are no guests. I don’t understand why he feels the need to lie about it.”
“You know? I smelled it on my wedding night while I waited in there for Levi. The peppermint, too.”
“I don’t know. It is all so strange. I never smell it on him or his clothes, just in the library.”
“I have an idea. Felix likes to hunt maybe he has a game camera. I’ll check. He can set it up in the library and we can see who is smoking. If it is Stan, he will have all of us to deal with for lying to you.” I smiled. “Problem solved, everyone take a drink.”
Lexi tilted her head in my direction. “Okay, Ava. Your turn.”
The tears I refused to shed earlier pushed their way between my lashes. “I miss Ty. I know I did the right thing, but it feels so wrong. I just can’t seem to get past this.” I shook my head. “Of course, this time of year doesn’t help one little bit. And I have nothing to do to fill my time or my mind, so the memories are eating away at me.”
Jema broke in. “Well, I have a whine and it might just be the solution you need, Ava. I miss my sister-friends. So I propose y’all come here for a couple of days next week. We will send our jet to Memphis, and a limo to pick you all up and bring you to the airport. That ought to divert you a little, right, Avalee?”
I stared at the screen. “Next week?”
“Italy? Whoa! I can get a couple of days off.” Lexi fist pumped the air. “All I have to do is mention Nathan and Vince gives me anything I want.”
“Wow, I’m in. Stan can handle things for two days.” Molly looked expectedly at me.
“It all sounds great, but I’m worried about Mom.” This was all happening so fast.
“Oh, Cladie will be fine with it. You know that. Whattya say?” Jema held up her glass, “Problem solved?”
I lifted my wine. “Problem solved.” For a little while anyway.
Lexi held up her glass. “Whoo hoo. We are going to Italy. Two problems solved, two gulps.”
And with that, we finished our wine and our whines.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Flying to Italy to plan Jema’s first anniversary. It’s good to have rich friends.
~Avalee Preston
The limo arrived before dawn to take us to the Memphis airport. I used my smallest piece of luggage and duffel. So, you can imagine my surprise when we got to Lexi’s and she dragged out two large bags and a carry-on.
“Girl, we aren’t staying there a month.”
Molly Kate stuck her head out the limo window. “That is exactly what I told her.”
“Oh, hush up.” Lexi waited for the driver to open the door. “Now get in, Avalee. We can’t keep this man waiting.”
Before the driver closed our door, he leaned in and pointed to the bar across from the seats. “Ladies, there is coffee and pastries on the bar. Enjoy.”
Lexi put her hands to her heart. “Let me just say, it is a good thing when one of your besties marries a rich man.” She leaned forward. “And I need coffee. Hope he made enough for the rest of you.”
“Well,” Molly Kate pulled a thermos out of her bag. “If I’d known there was a coffee bar in this car I wouldn’t have brought this. But, at least we have a backup in case we run out before Memphis.”
I put my arm around MK. “Let me just add, it is a good thing when one of your besties owns a coffee shop.”
On the way to Memphis, we chatted and enjoyed the luxurious limo. Little did we know what we had waiting on us. The driver stopped at a hanger with the name Abrams over the door. We walked into what looked like a lush suite. With all of our ogling, we didn’t notice the steward until he spoke. “Buongiorno belle signore.”
We turned and…. Oh. My. Goodness. Standing before us had to be a former Chippendale dancer, only with clothes on. “In case you do not understand Italian: Good morning, beautiful ladies.” Even though he had a shirt on, it still could not hide his magnificent muscles. His eyes were bottle-glass green, clear, and beautiful against his olive skin. His hair looked as if the curls had been carelessly raked back with his fingers. “My name is Luca.”
Lexi grabbed our hands and squeezed hard while whispering, “Don’t let me go.” That girl had a better grip than Skye.
Another equally gorgeous steward came forward. “And I am Sal.” He had a look that beckoned you to come to him with his deep-brown eyes. His Roman nose and chiseled jaw suggested strength. He pulled his black hair back into a ponytail.
“I love men with ponytails,” murmured Lexi. She almost broke every bone in my hand.
Luca and Sal led us to the waiting jet. Nothing prepared me for what I was about to see. This wasn’t a jet. It was a penthouse. The seating area had sleek leather recliners, a sectional sofa, a large screen television, and an electric fireplace of all things.
“Ladies, if you are tired,” Sal pointed to a door at the far end of the jet, “in there is a king-sized bed. After we take off, you are welcome to rest in there. There is also a bathroom in the bedroom and another,” he pointed to a door just before the bedroom, “over there.”
“We are about to take off.” Luca swept his hand toward the seating area. “Please have a seat and buckle your belts. When we are in the air, I’ll bring something to refresh you.”
Lexi turned her head toward me with a wicked grin and mumbled, “I can think of something, and it doesn’t involve food or drink.”
“Shame on you. What would Nathan think?”
“He’d never know.” She released my hand; thank the Lord. I noticed a similar look of relief on Molly Kate’s face.
The flight to Italy was like a vacation on a resort complete with Italian gods serving whatever we wanted to eat or drink. So when Luca asked us to put on our seat belts for the landing, Lexi shot him a look. “You mean we are there? Already?”
“Yes. Already.”
“Shoot.” She snapped her belt closed then looked dreamily at Luca. “This flight wasn’t near long enough.”
Jema and Levi met us as we deplaned. Jema looked amazing. They both did. She’d finally grown out her bangs, which she’d fought for over a year. She’d gained weight, but she looked more beautiful than before she’d left. I guessed the reason for the transformation was true love and contentment in their relationship. Whatever it was, it worked for her.
“Girls!” Jema held her arms open and we all joined in a group hug. “Finally, we are together again as we always should be.”
Tears flowed, but this time they were joyful tears.
“Hey.” Levi joined the hug. “I’m happy to see you, too.”
“Let’s get you home.” Jema picked up one of Lexi’s bags. “I’m sure you are exhausted after that long flight.”
“Are you kidding me.” Lexi nudged Jema with her elbow. “With attendants like that, I could have flown around the world. Three times.”
Jema beamed. “I thought y’all would like Luca and Sal. They were given strict orders to take good care of you and make your trip memorable.”
Lexi fanned herself. “Oh, they were memorable all right. I’ll dream about those boys for months.”
Ty’s face flashed in my mind. Not even the Italian stallions compared with him. The thought caused a definite drop in my internal excitement meter.
We piled into the car and while everyone chatted, I sat by the window
noting the blend of modern and old world architecture passing by my window. Soon we were out of the town and I sat mesmerized as the landscape unfolded before my eager eyes. I wanted to open the window and stick my head out like a dog. Oh, the vineyards, the olive groves, the mountains with pops of fall color, the leafless branches reaching like sculptures to an electric blue sky and the evergreens adding punches of verdant color. Lexi could have her Adonises. I preferred the scenery.
Levi pulled onto their entrance at the bottom of a hill and wound up the long, steepdriveway, which opened to a tree-lined avenue, like a tunnel of golden leaves. Soon a breath-taking mansion came into view with double doors so large, Levi could have driven this car through them.
“Quick, everyone.” We all snapped our attention on Lexi. “Did my face just turn green?”
“Oh you.” I slapped her arm.
Levi pulled onto the circular drive in front of their palatial villa. Molly Kate gathered her purse and opened the door. “If y’all are waiting on me, you’re backing up.”
We all scrambled out before Levi had the chance to do the gentlemanly thing and open the doors for us. I stood, enchanted, by the villa’s powerful stone walls and the beautiful grounds surrounding it. A silky breeze played through my hair as I took in the loveliness surrounding me. All along the drive were huge stone pots with shrubs. Clay pots in all sizes and shapes filled with ornamental trees, orange, red and gold chrysanthemums, and flowing vines. Benches were nestled among the pots providing inviting places to sit and soak in the exquisite surroundings and bask in the golden light.
“Avalee, quit your gawking and let’s go inside.” Molly Kate was never one for landscapes.
“I’m coming.” I wasn’t prepared for what I’d see past those enormous ancient wood doors. The marble floor foyer was the size of our family room, kitchen, and dining room. The staircase with its ornate ironwork balusters flowed in a graceful curve from the top floor to the main floor. The marble steps had decorative inlays on the risers making each one a piece of art.
Lexi opened her mouth when she saw the walls. “Did you paint those designs on there, Jema?”
