But years later, I discovered the glory of a white-sand beach at dusk.
This patch of Long Island Sound is quiet and chilly at this time of year. It’s just me, the surf, and a few seagulls. The sand is soft. The sound of the waves is soothing. It’s the perfect place to sit and think about what to do with the rest of my life.
I could always go back to teaching music to spoiled kids whose parents blame me when their children can’t master the violin.
I could find some meaningless work like washing dishes in an Applebee’s and make a concerted effort to live frugally. But how frugally? Sure, I could return the new La Prairie moisturizers and serums for a few drugstore brands and pay more attention to two-for-one sales. But could I give up vacations? Pedicures? Would I be happy if I could dine only in restaurants with all-you-can-eat salad bars?
I could move to a smaller apartment, a different neighborhood, maybe even another country. A place where older people are never invisible. Where they’re revered for their wisdom and life experience.
But what good would that do me if I didn’t speak the language? I could never live in a place where I couldn’t turn to a doctor and say, in English, “It hurts when I do this.”
So that leaves out most of Europe and South America and Asia, several islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific, most of Africa, Uzbekistan, the Seychelles…
Hang on. Who am I kidding? I don’t want to move overseas. I don’t want to start all over. I’ve got to stay here and make the best of it.
And then suddenly I realize: I can do that.I can stay exactly where I am!
Yes, Metcalf wants me to leave. But Amber doesn’t. In the time I’ve been with her, I’ve somehow turned into a pretty good nanny. Amber trusts me, relies on me, considers me more than just the help. I can stay as long as she wants me there.
True, I’ll never get my pension back or salvage myreputation. But who cares? I love being with Lily. Even crazy Hailey is starting to warm up to me. Best of all, I won’t have to sneak around trying to dig up dirt on Ben. Which means I can cut all ties with Alan Metcalf.
So it’s all settled. And I can’t stop smiling.
But then my phone rings. I check the caller ID. To my surprise, it’s Coveleigh Ravenstock. Another reason to smile. “Hi,” I say.
“Where are you?” he asks.
My good mood gets even better when I hear his voice. “I’m sitting on a beach in Fairfield, Connecticut.”
“Which beach?”
“I think it’s called Penfield.”
“Good,” he says. “Stay there.”
“Oh, I will. It’s so peaceful and—”
“Promise meyou’ll stay there until you hear from me again,” he says. Then he adds, “Until I can make some sort of arrangements.”
What is he talking about? “What kind of arrangements?”
“Listen, Ellie, I have to hang up now but whatever you do,do not go back to the Harrisons’ house!”
CHAPTER 78
SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS HAPPENING. I have no idea what it might be. But from the tone of Cove’s voice, I know I’m in danger.
Maybe it’s not just me. Maybe Amber and Lily are in danger too. Could it be because of Ben? Has he done something to anger the cartel?
So many possibilities are running through my brain, none of them good.
I text Metcalf:What’s going on? I need to know.
Yes, he’s been ghosting me on and off. But if this was an emergency, I’m sure he’d get right back to me. He doesn’t. That’s a good sign. I breathe a little easier.
But wait. Maybe they—whoever “they” are—have gottento him and warned him to back down. Could Metcalf and his merry band of under-the-radar people be in jeopardy too? I have no way of knowing. I call. Once again, he doesn’t pick up.
I dial Amber. As soon as I hear her say, “Hi,” I start to babble. “Are you okay? I just got the weirdest call—”
