Thirteen
Surprising her mom never got old. This time, Eliza even got to enlist Joey’s help to create a dramatic entrance for their surprise guests.
It worked like a charm. Back on land, Mom broke into a run when she spotted them, her arms in the air, waving frantically.
“Girls!” she yelled. “You did it again!”
Eliza laughed and waved back. “Got you!”
Cora’s eyes were focused on Russell.
“It’s actually him,” she whispered, grasping Eliza’s arm. “He’s getting closer. Eliza, he’s getting closer!”
She managed to wiggle out of her grip. “Did you think I’d made the whole thing up?”
Cora puffed out her cheeks and let out a measured breath. “I don’t know what I thought.”
“You look like a puffer fish,” Eliza said. “Pull yourself together.”
“I didn’t know you like, meant it, meant it.”
Mackenzie shot her a side eye. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Are there movie stars here all the time?” Cora tried fixing her hair, an impossible task against the gusts of wind from the ocean. “Because I think I’m ready to fall in love again.”
Mackenzie and Eliza burst into laughter just as their mom reached them, wrapping them both in a hug.
“What’s so funny?” Granny asked, then immediately jumped to, “Sheila, do you and Russell want pepperoni rolls?”
“I thought those were all for me,” Mackenzie said, looking over her shoulder.
Granny waved a dishtowel in the air. “Don’t be greedy. I’ve got plenty to go around.”
“I had no idea you were coming to visit, Mackenzie!” Mom paused, studying her face. “Is everything okay? You look upset.”
Mackenzie shot a look at Eliza, who put her hands up. “Hey, I didn’t tell her anything.”
She turned back to Mom and heaved a sigh. “Everything’s fine. Steve and I broke up and I wanted to get away for a bit. Eliza made me come.”
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Do you want to talk about it?”
She shrugged. “Maybe later.”
Russell reached them and Cora stepped forward, sticking out her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Cora, Eliza’s childhood best friend and film enthusiast.”
“And fashion icon,” Mackenzie added dryly.
“Yes, and fashion icon,” Cora said.
Eliza rolled her eyes. “You can ignore her.”
He was too polite to do so and accepted her handshake. “Nice to meet you, Cora.”
Cora pressed on. “You’re very handsome in person, did you know that? Taller than I expected.”
“Taller? That’s not one I get often.”
“Coincidentally,” Cora said, leaning closer, “I recently broke up with my boyfriend, too. Do you know anyone single and looking?”
Eliza chortled a laugh. “Cora. Please go sit down.”
She raised her chin defiantly. “You have to go after what you want in life. I’m always telling you that, Eliza.”
“Yeah, I know. Right now, I want you to stop talking.”
A smile broke across Cora’s face. “Touché.”
Granny herded them onto the patio and they enjoyed an early dinner. Everyone talked all at once, shouting over each other about the tea shop and the sea pen and Cora’s new passion for theater.
The one thing they didn’t talk about was Steve. Mackenzie didn’t bring him up and they knew better than to ask.
After they’d cleared the table, Mom and Russell had to discuss some details with the contractor, so the girls were left outside to themselves.
“What do you do here all day, Eliza?” Cora asked. “It’s pretty and all, but it looks super boring.”
Eliza shrugged. “I like boring.”
“It is so beautiful here.” Mackenzie stared out at the horizon, her eyes blocked by oversized black sunglasses.
“Seriously, though.” Cora stood and stretched her legs. “Is this whole island like a retirement community?”
Eliza laughed. “No, Cora. Just because there’s no nightclub doesn’t mean it’s a retirement community. I have a couple of friends in town.”
Should she mention Joey? It seemed unwise. Best to keep their relationship to herself, away from scrutiny.
That was what she decided, yet in the next moment heard herself say, “I’ve been hanging out with Russell’s pilot, Joey. He’s awesome.”
“Oh!” Cora’s expression brightened. “Is he a pilot to the stars?”
“Sometimes, I guess? He flies the whale researchers and contractors and painters—”
Cora put up a hand. “Ugh, boring.”
“If it’s so boring here, why did you beg me to bring you along?” Mackenzie asked, arms crossed.
Uh oh .
Mackenzie and Cora clashed on a good day. A visit with both of them being so much themselves could go wrong quickly.
It was Eliza’s own fault. She’d wanted to see them. She had been greedy and now she was sitting at the table with a hot frying pan full of oil and a glass of cold water.
“Probably because she’s flat broke,” Eliza said with a teasing smile. “Be careful she doesn’t try to rob you.”
Cora covered her face with her hands and laughed. “I’m still sorry I stole our rent money, Eliza. I’m not just broke. I’m in debt! I took out all this money and it’s just been so bad.”
“I thought you were working for your dad’s company?” Eliza asked.
“No, he fired me. Can you believe that?” She paused, a smile dancing on her lips. “I mean, I deserved it, but how rude .”
Mackenzie turned to her, an astonished smile on her face. “How bad do you have to be at your job for your own father to fire you?”
“Extremely bad,” Cora said with complete sincerity.
Mackenzie erupted into laughter. “I like your honesty, at least.”
“Anyway, enough about me. How are you doing, Eliza? Are people still bugging you about the robbery?”
She shrugged. “You know, not as much anymore.”
“It’s horrible, what happened to you.” Cora shook her head. “When you think about it, we’re so out of control of our lives, aren’t we? You went to the bank, a totally innocent move – responsible, even, because that’s where normal people get money, not from shady bookies.”
Mackenzie took off her sunglasses. Her eyelids were puffy. “You’ve been going to shady bookies?”
Cora waved a hand. “Just some of those payday lenders. Have you ever had to use one of them?”
Her mouth dropped open. “No!”
Eliza had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. “Cora likes to live on the wild side.”
“I’m just a woman who was coddled too much growing up,” Cora said, shaking her head. “Now I’m catching up. It’s honestly fascinating, the things people do.”
“I need to hear more. For my mental health,” Mackenzie said, leaning in.
An idea kept nagging at the back of Eliza’s mind. She had to say something. “Are you really running with a rough crowd?”
“More like running from a rough crowd. I owe a lot of people money. I’m definitely going to get a job now, though. No more messing around. I’m waiting to hear back on an interview for a position as a therapist.”
“You’re going to be a therapist?” Mackenzie shook her head. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but—”
“I know, no offense taken. I get it. I’m a screw up, but I’m a self-aware screw up. I have my master’s in counseling! Once I get this job, I can pay everyone back.”
Normally, Eliza was good at keeping secrets. She knew she shouldn’t say anything about Joey, or their search, or their silly plan…
“Would you happen to know anything about the bank robber? Maybe heard whispers about who he was?”
Cora’s eyes widened. “Everyone is talking about it! And no, if I found out who’d embarrassed my best friend at the bank, I’d have already turned him in.”
She smiled a small smile. “I’m trying to look for him.”
“What?” Mackenzie shook her head as if she’d been slapped. “How? Why?”
“There’s a reward.” She smiled. “And I have a partner.”
Mackenzie cocked her head to the side. “You have to tell us.”
Maybe she shouldn’t tell them. Maybe Mackenzie would scold her, but at the same time…Eliza never had the good story. Her life wasn’t the one packed with excitement or new people.
How could she not tell them about someone as cool as Joey?
She smiled. “It’s a lot. I’ll get some tea.”