Page 26 of Beautiful Dreamer

Elizabeth shook her head resolutely. “Nope. Impossible. You shouldhave seen the way she looked after you in the hospital, how worried she was.”It was true. Elizabeth couldn’t count the number of times she’d popped in tofind Devyn next to Jill’s bed, holding her hand, or curled up in the chairnearby, choosing not to go home for the night. “Nothing about her said forcedresponsibility. I promise.”

“Yeah, well, now is different. She’s got some giant building she’sgotta sell, and the clock is ticking.” She took a deep breath. “But I’mgrateful to her. That she stayed. It’s nice to have family here when I needthem.”

“Isn’t that the truth? If Dexter, my pseudo family, didn’t show upfor my car accident, we would have some serious words. I already know KC wouldbe there.”

“Dex would be there in an instant. Though he’d be sad if you werehurt. He used to have the cutest little pout when he was a kid.”

“Still does. Now he just uses it to pick up women.”

Jill sighed. “Men.”

“Can’t say I mind dodging the man bullet.” She studied Jill, whoshifted uncomfortably. “Want to go inside? We can get you set up on that comfycouch like a kept woman.”

That earned a laugh. “Sold. Would you mind helping me?”

Following the instructions in the hospital paperwork and whatshe’d witnessed from the nurses firsthand, Elizabeth delicately helped Jillmaneuver her way inside to the couch. After a late breakfast, physical therapy,and lotion application to keep her skin smooth and awesome, the two of themsettled in for a session with the Game Show Network before Elizabeth had tohead out for the rest of her workday.

“Speaking of the man bullet,” Jill said, between episodes ofThe Price Is Right,“are you still seeingthat girl from Hilton Head?”

“Pam the trust-fund baby? Nope. We fizzled two and a half yearsback.”

She deflated. “I’m way behind on my town gossip.”

Elizabeth grabbed the remote and paused mid-prize-reveal. “You’vecome to the right place. I know all of it. I mean, I don’t generally spread thenegative stuff, because that just hurts pretty much everyone, but I’ll happilydish out the good stuff. In recent news, Mr. Connor from security at the stripmall is also stripping down with Elaine the florist.”

“No.”

“Yes. I couldn’t make this stuff up, and she’s all glowy. I loveit.”

“That makes me so happy.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Right? Me, too.”

“What’s everyone so happy about?” Devyn asked, entering the livingroom with a tired smile. It was the first they’d seen of her since she’d shutherself away to wheel and deal, or whatever it was she did during her workinghours.

“Security guards and florists hooking up,” Jill told hermatter-of-factly. “It’s all the rage.”

Devyn raised an eyebrow as she collapsed onto the love seat. “That’scelebration-worthy?”

Jill tossed a pillow at her sister. “Small-town celebratory, yes.Get on board.”

“With small towns?” She winced. “Been there. Done that.”

“Biggest mistake you ever made was not embracing this place,” Jillsaid, with a wink. Apparently, Dreamer’s Bay was a point of disagreementbetween the two. Elizabeth couldn’t imagine anyone not loving their town. Butshe had more friendly gossip to report and turned to Jill. “And Darlene, theassistant librarian, is going back to school to get her master’s so she can beheadlibrarian, and thelizard in the waiting room at Dr. Piedmont’s dermatology practice is apparentlya girl and not a boy as they thought, which has opened up all sorts of breedingissues with the other lizard, who remains male.”

“How do you know all this?” Devyn asked, the edges of her mouthtugging in amusement.

Elizabeth shrugged. “I do odd jobs for a living. I’m everywherethroughout the week. Plus, people think I’m unassuming and speak freely infront of me.”

Jill pointed at her. “They trust you.”

“And they should.” Elizabeth pointed right back. “Remember. Idon’t pass along any of the negative stuff.”

“How can you not?” Devyn asked, incredulous. “That’s the fun part.C’mon. Tell us something bad about someone, Elizabeth. Who’s having a torridaffair with their next-door neighbor? Live a little.”

She sat up straight and laughed outright at the notion. Devyn wasbold, that was for sure. “I most certainly will not divulge that kind of tawdrygossip. Plus, I’m saved by the clock and need to run.” She kissed Jill’s cheekwith an affectionate smack, and turned to Devyn. “Walk me out?”

“Yep,” Devyn said. She got up and followed Elizabeth to the frontporch.

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