Whiskey Beach Part 75

"I wondered." With a curve to her lips, Hester lifted her martini gla.s.s. "Lissa seemed very excited you'd join us for the weekend."

"I don't want it to be awkward. Hester, you mean so much to me."

"Why would it be awkward? When I asked Eli to stay here, I hoped he'd find that time and s.p.a.ce, find those pieces of himself. And I hoped the two of you would ... start walking home together."

"Did you?"

"Why wouldn't I? In fact, I intended to meddle, if necessary, once I got fully back on my feet. Are you in love with him?"

Abra took a deep sip of wine. "You move fast."

"I'm old. I can't waste time."

"Old, my a.s.s."

"But not so old I don't notice you haven't answered the question."

"I don't know the answer. I love being with him, and watching him become the way you talked about. I know things are complicated for both of us, so I'm happy with that."

"Complications are part of living." Taking her time, Hester sampled one of the two olives in her gla.s.s. "I know some of what's happened here, but not, I think, all. Everyone's too careful around me. I have a blank in my memory, but my mind's perfectly sound."

"Of course it is."

"And the rest of me soon will be. I know someone broke into Bluff House, and that's upsetting. I know someone was killed, and the police searched the house, which is more upsetting."

"The lead detective doesn't consider Eli a suspect," Abra said quickly. "In fact, he doesn't believe he had anything to do with Lindsay's death."

Her face a study of relief and annoyance, Hester sat back. "Why hasn't anybody told me that?"

"I imagine they didn't want to upset you with everything that went around it. But as bad as it's been, what's happened has worked Eli up. He's p.i.s.sed, Hester, seriously p.i.s.sed, and he's ready to stand up, to fight back. That's a good thing."

"A very good thing." She looked outside, toward the sea. "And this is a very good place to make a stand."

"Sorry to break this up." Lissa walked in, gave the watch on her wrist a tap.

"Oh, it's the warden," Hester announced.

"Hester, you need to rest."

"I'm sitting. I'm drinking an excellent martini. I'm resting."

"We had a deal."

On a huff of breath, Hester downed the rest of her martini. "All right, all right. I'm required to take a nap, just like little Sellie."

"And if you don't, you're as cranky as Sellie when she misses hers."

"My daughter-in-law has no problem insulting me."

"It's why you love me," Lissa said as she helped Hester to her feet.

"One of the many. We'll talk more later," she said to Abra.

Alone, Abra gave herself a moment for depression, for worry. Should she make an excuse and run home? For what? To make sure no one had broken in, left more incriminating evidence?

She had nothing to gain by obsessing, by letting worry nibble away at the corners of her mind. Better off here, she told herself, with people. Better off enjoying the moment.

G.o.d knew what might happen next.

Rising, she wandered into the kitchen. She'd like to cook something, she realized, but right now she was guest, not housekeeper, and didn't have free rein.

She should take her things upstairs, put together the little gift bags she'd made for the family.

She needed to keep busy.

She turned when Lissa came back in.

"Hester always complains about the nap, and always sleeps like a rock for an hour."

"She's always been so active and independent."

"Don't I know it. Still, an hour's nap is nothing. When she was first hurt, she was rarely awake for an hour at a time. She beat all the odds, and I shouldn't have expected less. You know, that looks good."

"Let me pour you a gla.s.s. I was just poking around, wondering what I could do to help. With dinner. Or anything."

"Oh, I'm going to draft you for dinner detail. I can hold my own in the kitchen, when our Alice lets me. But I'm no Martha Stewart. You must be a wonderful cook."

"I must?"

"Hester's said so, and I see the evidence myself. Eli's putting weight back on instead of shedding it. I owe you for that."

"I like to cook, and he remembered he liked to eat."

"And he remembered he likes dogs, and walks on the beach, and companionship. I'm grateful, Abra."

"I liked reminding him."

"This shouldn't be awkward. We had a friendly relationship before you and Eli started seeing each other."

"You're right." She let out a breath. "I haven't been involved with anyone in a long time, especially anyone with close family. Truth? I'm so used to doing whatever needs to be done around here, or finding something that could be done. I'm not sure what I should or shouldn't do as a guest."

"Why don't we take 'guest' out of it and consider we're all family. Hester thinks of you as hers. Eli thinks of you. Why don't we start with that?"

"I'd like that. Then I can stop second-guessing myself."

"I had Max take your things up to Eli's room." Lissa offered an easy smile, and a twinkle. "I didn't see the point in second-guessing."

After a surprised laugh, Abra nodded. "That makes it all simple. Why don't you give me the basics of the weekend's menus, and I'll take a.s.signments?"