Page 3 of Beautiful Dreamer

She did a quick calculation. She could easily handle thoserequests herself, as they were staggered, but as more requests came in, andthey likely would, she’d call KC, her best friend and favorite outsourcer, tostep in and handle a few. As the mother of a young child, KC appreciated thepart-time work that got her out of the house but never overwhelmed herschedule. The fact that she brought Grayson, her two-year-old, along with heron tasks had turned out to be a bonus. Her clients loved little Gray, thecompany’s new ambassador, which only added to KC’s tips.

“Busy afternoon,” Elizabeth said, as KC answered. “I’m pretty muchfull on my end, so can I put you on standby should we receive any morebookings?”

“Consider me standing by. We’re currently eating Cheerios withbanana and discussing the need for more cookies at breakfast and maybe whythat’s not a good idea. Done with Hank?”

“He’s exercised and snoozing in a sunspot.”

“That’s my favorite dog.”

“I’m in agreement with Gray, though, in case you’re counting,”Elizabeth said. “There can never be too many cookies, and the morning hoursseem like a great time to sneak a few more in. He’s seizing the opportunity andthere’s a lot to be admired there.”

“No, no, no. Don’t encourage his junk food fixation. He’s obsessedwith food as it is.”

“While you two battle it out, I’m headed over to Jill Winters’splace. She wants me to see if I can fix that stubborn hinge on her back door.Got my tool belt all ready to go.” She sighed wistfully. “I wish Thalia couldsee me with it on.” Thalia Perkins had been Elizabeth’s crush ever since she’dmoved to town and set up her own massage and facial spa just outside thesquare. Dark hair, gorgeous lips, and a body she had to fan herself over. WhileElizabeth had made it clear in every way she could that she was every bit asgay as Thalia—in case she didn’t pick up on that readily—she hadn’t exactly hadthe courage to make a move. She’d never really been the forward type. Okay,that was a lie. She was actually lame as hell when it came to moves. She had nogame and owned it.

“One day you’re going to be over this whole Thalia thing and I’mgoing to fall to my knees in relief for both of us. That woman may bebeautiful, but she’s trouble, and I don’t like the way she treats you, likeyou’re some flavor of gum that she likes some of the time.”

“I think it’s the some of the time that keeps me on the Thaliahamster wheel.”

“Exactly, which is why she needs to stop leading you on.”

“Unless she’s not, and one day we might live happily ever after.”She was only half kidding.

A pause on the other end of the line. “So, you’ve seen Jill?”

“What do you mean seen her?” Elizabeth asked. “I’ve seen her alot. Medium-length brown hair, brown eyes. Cheerful disposition. Hangs out witheight-year-olds a lot.”

“I mean recently, weirdo.”

“I passed her at the grocery store on Saturday when she asked meabout the hinge job. Then a few days before that at Morning Glory.” She reallydid love the breakfast specials there.

“Not at all today?” KC asked. “Because when I stopped in forcoffee and a dozen jelly-filled, Lulu at Amazin’ Glazin’ said folks werelooking for Jill because she didn’t show up at the elementary school thismorning.” News, even the most mundane, always traveled at incredible speed inthe Bay.

Elizabeth shifted her phone to the other ear as she walked,nearing her one-story house on Whippoorwill Way, the shady little cul-de-sacshe called home. She frowned into the phone. That was weird. Jill was afourth-grade teacher and incredibly reliable. Everyone knew that. It wasn’tlike her to not show up…for anything. “I haven’t seen hertoday, no. I bet shejust overslept. It happens to the best of us. But you know what? Just to beproactive, and because I’m a little worried, I’ll head over to her place andsee what I can find out. Maybe she’ll answer the door, bleary eyed andembarrassed, and we can all exhale.”

“I’m all for that.”

“She’d do it for any one of us.” Jill Winters, only slightly olderthan Elizabeth’s thirty-two years and a couple grades ahead of her in highschool, was someone she considered a friend, a bright spot in the community.Elizabeth sincerely hoped all was okay, yet she felt an uncomfortable gnawingin her midsection. Jill wasn’t a wild child. This could be bad.

“So would you,” KC said. “You’re a good egg, Liz.”

She shrugged. “Just doing what I can to help. With the divorcefrom Ed, Jill’s on her own now. We all have to look out for each other, right?”

“She doesn’t have any family nearby?” KC asked. “I’m trying toremember her story.”

“Her mother died several years ago.”

“Right, right. I remember.”

Elizabeth pulled a leaf off a low-hanging branch as she walked.“And then of course there’s her sister, Devyn.”

“Who’s dropped off the face of the planet. I don’t even think shehas an Instagram.”

Elizabeth grinned ruefully. “She’s probably too cool for socialmedia, KC. I mean, c’mon.”

KC laughed. “My bad. Can’t expect the sought after to mix with thecommoners in a public space.”

“Can you imagine?”

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