Chapter 3 #2
Mila didn’t question either of them. Instead, she said, “Come on in. It’s chilly. I have enchiladas about to come out of the oven. We can have dinner and talk.”
Mila took Layne’s hand and led her into the house, Keaton following them. Carson greeted her, wrapping her in a bear hug.
“I’m sorry about your parents, Layne,” he said. “They were good people.”
“They were,” she said, her throat thick with emotion. “Sorry I’m interrupting your dinner.”
“You’re not,” he assured her, glancing to Keaton. “You want to stay for dinner?”
“Mila said there were enchiladas. You’re not getting rid of me.”
His words caused Layne to laugh. She let the laughter flow from her, knowing it was cathartic.
“Come and sit,” Mila urged, motioning them into the kitchen. “I’ll have everything on the table in a jiffy.”
Layne and Keaton moved to the table, and she asked, “Where’s Lily?”
“She’s with her cousins,” Carson said. “They’re having a sleepover.”
“Lily adores Bobby and Gina,” Mila said, opening the oven and taking out a casserole dish. She set it on the table, and Layne inhaled the rich smell of beef enchiladas. “They’re all worked up about Santa coming tomorrow night.”
“Remember the year we all wanted Barbie sleeping bags?” Layne asked. “I think we were five. No, six.”
The conversation flowed easily as they ate.
Layne and Mila told stories from their childhood, entertaining Carson and Keaton.
In turn, Carson talked a little about his basketball team and the tournament they would be playing in after Christmas.
Keaton shared with her a little bit about Gulf Coastal Gallery, which he’d opened just as tourist season began this past June.
“Keaton hired Miss Reed to be its manager,” Mila informed her.
“Miss Reed the art teacher from middle school?” Layne asked. “She was always so nice. I remember she encouraged you, even when everything you painted sucked.”
Mila laughed. “I was hopeless at art. Piper wasn’t bad, but you were actually pretty good if I remember correctly.”
“Miss Reed said I had talent, but Dad said art would never pay the bills. He told me not to bother pursuing it. To stick with making good grades and playing soccer.”
“Stacy Reed is an excellent manager,” Keaton said. “She’s an artist herself, and I have some of her work on display. She’s also organized and friendly. She doesn’t pressure anyone coming in to buy, and yet a good number of them do.”
They finished eating, and Carson told them he’d take care of cleanup. Keaton offered to assist, allowing Layne and Mila to go into the den. They sat on the sofa together, and Mila took Layne’s hand.
“What can I do? I know there must be tons to do.”
“Mom and Dad already had everything arranged and paid for, so I don’t have to make any decision regarding caskets or plots. Chief Roberts explained to me how they were taken to Corpus.” She paused. “Because of how they died, autopsies are required.”
“And with it almost being a holiday, that probably will delay things,” Mila fretted.
“Yes. He’s running point for me. They’ll contact him, then he’ll get in touch with me. He told me I probably wouldn’t be able to schedule the services until at least next Thursday or Friday.”
“I’m glad he’s helping you.”
“He flew up to Dallas to break the news to me. I was so shocked to find him on my doorstep.” Layne hesitated and then decided to plunge ahead. “I’d just kicked Jeremy out a few hours before that.”
“You did? Finally?”
Layne smiled ruefully. “I know you were never a Jeremy fan.”
“Neither was Piper,” Mila pointed out. “But we tried to support you.”
“I was blind to so many things.” She let out a long sigh. “I also don’t have a job.”
“What?”
Briefly, Layne explained her buy-out and how she was planning to take some time off. Possibly travel. Just get to know herself again.
“I guess it’s a good thing because I’ll need to deal with the B&B now.
Thank goodness Mom and Dad always closed it the last two weeks of December for the holidays, but I need to look at the books and see about reservations for the new year.
Figure out if I need to hire someone to run it or cancel the upcoming reservations and shutter it until I decide what to do. ”
“You know you can count on me to help you with anything,” her friend said.
“I do know that.”
Then Mila asked, “What’s the deal with Keaton? I was surprised when you turned up with him. You seem really comfortable with one another.”
She shrugged. “I stopped at Pelican Porch to have a drink. I was dreading going home, even though Chief Roberts said everything would look the same. Keaton was there. We talked. He’s a good listener.”
“He really is,” Mila agreed. “He and Carson are both loners. Or at least they were. They’ve become good friends, along with Sullivan Shepherd. He’s the architect who designed Tidewater.”
“Oh, the new resort being built, right?”
“Yes. Sullivan flew back to New York for the holidays. He wasn’t looking forward to it is all I know. I think he’s at odds with his family.”
“I’m sorry I ignored your calls,” Layne apologized. “I was just trying to wrap my head around everything. I’d suggest we call Piper now, but I know tonight was the last performance of her show before she had a break for a few days.”
“Promise you’ll call her tomorrow,” Mila insisted.
“I will.”
Carson and Keaton joined them, and Layne said, “Thanks for letting me invite myself to dinner. Keaton, too.”
“Keaton does that enough as it is,” Carson joked.
“You need to enjoy the rest of your Lily-free night,” she told the newlyweds. “I’ll talk with you tomorrow,” she assured Mila.
Layne and Keaton walked out together, and he opened her car door for her again.
Before she got in, Layne said, “Thank you for rescuing me. I’m not prone to being a damsel in distress, but I appreciate you stepping in and calming me down.”
“I was glad to be there for you,” he said, his tone sincere. “Are you heading to the B&B now?”
“Yes,” she said, dread filling her suddenly.
“I want to go with you.”
His words surprised her. “You don’t have to do that, Keaton. I’ve already taken up enough of your time as it is.”
He took a step toward her, slipping his hand around hers. “Let me do this for you, Layne,” he said, his voice husky. “After all, you said you needed a friend.”
It meant so much to her that he offered to accompany her home.
“I have been reluctant to step inside. I would appreciate you coming with me.”
“I’ll follow you in my car,” he said, letting her get into her rental and then shutting the door.
As she started the car and headed to her childhood home, relief swept through Layne.
And something else which she refused to put a name to.