Page 16 of Happily Ever After

Tonight, there was pistachio gelato. And Graham.

Chapter Seven

By the time Blaise neared the end of her walk with Beau, the Florida heat was settling in for the day.

Not fully oppressive, like it would be in another month or so, but warm enough to remind her of what was coming.

She didn’t mind the heat as much as some, but she was already thinking that she should take advantage of the pool. What was the point of living in a place with great amenities if you didn’t use them?

The main pool complex was very nice. The couple of times she’d been there so far, she’d really enjoyed herself. Of course, she’d been there with the Queen Bees and had the added benefit of Essie’s cabana. But the nicest part of the pool area was that it had been well designed and well landscaped.

It was fairly easy to find a shaded spot, thanks to all the palms and other greenery that surrounded the space. As much as she enjoyed the sun, she needed shade. She was fair and burned easily, so sunscreen and a well-placed palm were both important.

Beau didn’t seem to mind the heat either, at least not yet. She wondered if she’d have to buy him some of those little shoes to protect his feet when it got warmer. Maybe as long as they went for their morning walk early enough, he’d be all right. She’d make that call when the temperatures started to truly rise in the next month or so.

He trotted along the sidewalk with his usual enthusiasm, stopping to inspect every palmetto and mailbox like it might be hosting some new scent since yesterday.

“You’re thorough,” Blaise told him. “I’ll give you that much.”

He looked up at her, panting a little, clearly unapologetic, and as cute as could be.

She glanced at Brick’s house as they got back to their own front door. He’d had a doctor’s appointment this morning, and the VA was a bit of a drive, so he hadn’t been able to join them on the walk. Dinner last night had been great. They’d talked about going out on the boat again before she left on Monday for Miami and the photo shoot.

Once inside, she refilled Beau’s water bowl, set out his breakfast, then headed for the shower. She kept it quick, since she had to get to Essie’s soon.

Blaise pulled her hair back while it was still damp. It could air dry. She kept her makeup light and chose a soft, sea glass blue linen top and matching cropped pants, comfortable but very presentable. Whatever Essie had in mind, it sounded like something important.

What that might be, she had no idea. Then an idea came to her. Could Essie and Frank possibly be moving? She hoped not, but maybe they were headed to Italy so Frank could manage the new branch over there more closely.

Blaise frowned. She loved Essie. She didn’t like the idea that her new friend might be leaving already.

That thought stayed with her as she slid behind the wheel of her golf cart and headed toward Essie’s place.

The Colony was quiet, although the usual morning routines were underway. A few neighbors were out walking dogs. The yard crews were getting work done. A delivery van went by. Someone waved from a driveway. Blaise waved back, but her mind was elsewhere.

She pulled into Essie’s driveway and parked behind Paige’s cart. Maude’s cart was there, too.

Blaise grabbed her small purse with her phone, keys, and ID in it, and headed up the walk, pausing at the door to lift her hand to knock. She obviously didn’t know what this meeting was about, but an expectant sort of curiosity filled her. Not enough, however, to erase out the slight feeling of dread that the Queen Bees might be losing Essie.

The door opened before Blaise’s knuckles touched it.

“Good morning! How are you?” Essie said, stepping back to let her in. Her smile was bright. Not at all like that of a person about to announce she was moving to Italy.

Unless Essie had always wanted to live in Italy?

“I’m good, thanks. How are you?”

“Wonderful.”

The house smelled like coffee and toast and something savory. The frittata, maybe. Blaise saw Paige in the kitchen getting coffee. Maude was putting a dish on the dining table that was set for six.

“Now I’m really curious about what’s going on,” Blaise said, slipping off her sandals. Maple came over to greet her, tail wagging shyly. Blaise scratched behind her ears “Hello, beautiful.”

Essie’s smile dimmed but didn’t disappear. “You’ll find out soon enough. Come on in and get yourself a cup of coffee.”

Blaise followed her toward the kitchen. Paige held out a mug. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” As Blaise fixed the coffee, Cece and Althea arrived together. Cece had gone to pick her up, apparently.