The men nodded. Their reaction wasn’t quite the same as Edie’s. She was cheering internally, marking this day in history as the first time Cal Burton and Josh McMurtry actually agreed on something. It was a monumental occasion. One for the books.
“See?” Edie glanced between them, grinning. “That wasn’t so hard. We actually agreed on something.” She scanned the list, refusing to become daunted but knowing they had a long, long road ahead. “Only thirty-three more items to check off.”
CHAPTER NINE
The last time they’d had a big dinner like this was in celebration of Skip’s anniversary with his late wife, Gertie. And while tonight’s feast wasn’t as delectable—the good majority of their sides came from a can—nor as lively, it was nice to be in one another’s company, sharing a meal and conversation.
It almost made Tabitha forget the looming threat of the storm.Almost.
But a sudden howl of wind whipping against the shutters drew up Tabitha’s shoulders like the wary hackles on a dog. The weather was like a living, breathing thing. The air had a voice. The ocean had angry fists that pummeled the coastline. The skies raged with tears that spilled down the windows and over the siding.
This storm was an entity in and of itself, and its power for destruction was downright terrifying.
“You good?” Ben’s hand found her knee under the table and gave it a light squeeze.
“I’m good.” Settling her fork beside her plate, she turned to her ex-husband. “I know Camille really wants us all together, but I think I’d do better at my own place tonight.”
He held her gaze a moment, neck drawing tight with a slow swallow. “I could come with you.”
That offer did something to her system. Kicked everything up a notch. Her heart rate. Her breathing. She forced a swallow of her own, her mouth now impossibly dry.
But before she could answer, he amended, “I’ll sleep on the couch, of course. But just so you don’t have to endure the storm alone.”
Oh, those words were so telling in a nearly haunting way. All her life, Tabitha had tried to endure the storms alone, as had been her preference. It wasn’t as though she didn’t want to bother others; it was that she thought she was fully capable of getting through it all on her own.
But tonight, she needed Ben. She knew that. And she was grateful for the offer.
“I’d like it if you’d come back with me.”
He just nodded once. Lifted his napkin from his lap to place it on the table. Scooted out his chair. “I’ll help clear the dishes, and we can head out right after that.”
Casey and Hannah never showed, something she figured they’d never hear the end of from Aunt Camille. But Tabitha was grateful they’d stayed put. She didn’t want them out in the worsening conditions, not when they would be perfectly safe in Hannah’s apartment in town. Like Camille, Tabitha did find comfort in knowing the whereabouts of her loved ones, but she was a little more relaxed when it came to needing them right by her side.
Except Ben. Shedidneed him right there with her, a pull that honestly still surprised her.
Ben made quick work of the dishes and Tabitha worked to convince her sister that it was okay to let the guests go their separate ways.
“I don’t like it.” Camille’s head was on swivel, shaking in defiance. “I don’t know why you can’t stay here. We have plenty of room.”
“Because I’d sleep a lot better in my own bed tonight, sis. And I’ve got an early morning shift that I need to be at my best for. A good night’s sleep is a requirement.”
Camille clamped her eyes shut. Hissed out a long breath as she released her frustration. “You’re right. You do need to get a good night’s sleep. I get it. But if there is any change in the storm or if you need absolutelyanything, you’ll call? I don’t like the idea of you being all by yourself.”
“I won’t be. Ben’s going to stay over.”
That got the stunned reaction Tabitha expected from her sister.
“Oh, is he?”
“Not like that. He’ll be on the couch. But I’ll feel better having him nearby.”
“I’ll feel better about that, too.”
After saying their goodbyes and reiterating their promises to Camille that they would reach out should they need anything, Ben and Tabitha finally peeled themselves away and made it out the door to head to the beach house two doors down.
Wind instantly whipped through Tabitha’s hair, causing tendrils to fly across her face. Side by side, they pressed into the storm, shouldering into the wall of rain that pushed them back at each step with the force of a linebacker.
Tabitha was used to the roar of the ocean, but coupled with the wind, the elements were disorienting.
