Page 25 of The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland
What was she supposed to say to that? “Ah.”
“Mom helped alot.”
Something rippled under Minna’s voice, but Beatrice didn’t know what it was. “So, if she built the arbor and planted the jasmine, does Reno live here?”
“Kind of? She just really likes building things. Did you see the motor home in our yard, next to the cemetery? That’s hers. She’s like the—what would you call it? The guardian.”
“The groundskeeper?”
Minna said carefully, “Yeah… that’s it. She’s not as weird as she seems, I promise. She’s just gone through a lot, and she’s not the best at small talk. That’s okay, though, neither am I.”
“Small talk is overrated.”
“Exactly! Mom says we all have broken bits and Reno’s damaged pieces just show more on the outside than others.” She wriggled sideways on the sofa, and her tone turned fierce. “She’s family, though. She’d do anything for me or for Mom. Gran andher can’t stand each other, but Reno would take a bullet for her, too. Although she’d be hella irritated about it.”
God, it all sounded sopure. “I’m glad you have each other.”
Hugging herself, Minna said, “And now we have you. I know Mom’s gonna besojealous when she finds out that we’ve already talked so much. I think she’s probably still sleeping in from her late night, but you want to go wake her up?”
“Oh.” Beatrice stood. “No, I definitely don’t want to do that. I should get back to the hotel, honestly. I have to—” What? What did she actually have to do? Nothing. Except to try to be brave in this situation she didn’t understand at all. “Would you all like to have dinner with me tonight? You think your mom would be free then?”
“Yes and yes. She’s always free,” said Minna simply. “Unless someone dies.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
People ask me all the time if we reincarnate to be near the ones we’ve loved in a past life. I don’t know, but I do know that there are people in this world I love beyond reason, people I’d be happy to learn I’ll get to see on the next part of the ride.
—Evie Oxby,Peoplemagazine
Beatrice meandered back toward the hotel, feeling stronger in her bones than she had all day. Somehow, the conversation with Minna had shored something up in Beatrice, as if she’d gotten a good nap and a big sandwich instead of just time with her niece.
Herniece.
Would it be too incredibly weird if she already loved Minna?
She wouldn’t—couldn’t—admit it, of course, to anyone, but could this be a tiny sliver of what new mothers felt when they held their babies for the first time? This suddenthumpof love, shoving her just like she’d been pushed yesterday (was it only yesterday?) in front of the café.
Midday sunshine fell onto her shoulders, and instead of turning toward the hotel when she passed the tree house and gazebo, she took a left and walked out past where the grass and trees ended, onto the rocky sand. She was on an island. She should do island things.
So she sat and stared at the water. Weren’t you supposed to do nothing on a beach?
Grant had always said,You always have to get up and do things. You never sit in place. Why don’t you just relax?
Why? Because someone had to make sure there was extra toilet paper in the downstairs bathroom—that was why. Someone had to make the list and then cross the things off the list.
But she could try to do nothing now. Far across the water, Seattle was visible through a haze. A light wind tousled the tops of the waves breaking gently on the shore.
Beatrice made it three minutes before calling Iris, who answered on the first ring. “I don’t want to go home.”
Iris gasped. “Then don’t.”
“Are you working out or something?”
“Hell, no.” Another panted breath. “I would never. I just ran in from the car to get the ice cream into the fridge before it melted. It’s like a million degrees in LA today. You don’t want to be here.”
“No, I have to go home. But then I’ll have to deal with both Dad and Grant. But it’s not like I have a choice, you know?”
“Or… you could stay there.”
