“Work can wait.” His voice went guttural and his fingers bent into claws. “I’m hungry. I think I’ll eat some unicorns.”
I grabbed Bridget’s hand and we ran screaming out of the room.
Chapter Twenty-Three — Picnic at the Beach
“Don’t forget to grab the napkins and the cheese tray,” Abby hollered from the back of the car, the soft breeze tousling her hair.
“I got it.” A bit annoyed, I put on my sunglasses and tied my hair back. Then I hefted a beach bag over my shoulder, and slammed the passenger door. She had already asked me three times since she parked on the curb.
Abby had organized the Picnic at the Beach event. Like many times before when she’d taken on too much responsibility, she let out her stress on me.
What are sisters for?
I wanted to tell her to get back in the car and start over.
“Ty, please grab the blanket beside you.” My sister slammed the trunk and came around to her son. “Thanks. Make sure you don’t drag it. And please don’t wonder off by yourself. I’m going to be busy, so stay close to your auntie, okay?”
Tyler glued his eyes to the ocean and didn’t answer. I was sure he’d heard only half the things his mother had said to him.
Abby closed his door with her hip, her arms filled with trays of cookies made from a bakery. My sister had never liked store bought ones. They had to be freshly baked, and that was why we were on time and not early. Being on time was being late for her, especially if she was in charge.
With the wind in my hair, I inhaled the fresh sea breeze as my sandals slapped on the concrete. The sight of the water glistening like sparkling diamonds, waving in and out on the shore, filled me with serenity, but then my pulse quickened when I thought of Lee. He was bringing Bridget to the picnic—the reason he had sent me home last night.
Even though I’d only known Lee for such a short amount of time, I felt like we’d moved to a new level of friendship after he shared about his sister. I liked knowing something about him that most people didn’t know.
The way he’d been taking care of his niece the previous two years said everything about the kind of man he was. I could tell through their interactions how much they loved each other and what a fine job he had done raising her.
Abby shot a glance over her shoulder. “Ty, hold on to the handrails and be careful,” She lead us down the uneven steps, palm trees swaying on either side. “Look for tables with blue canopies. The school rented them.”
When we hit the shore, three large blue canopies stuck out like sore thumbs, pitched in the sand. A long banner attached to the middle canopy read: Poipu Preschool. Tables were arranged in a square, closer to the rocky hill. A few families had already claimed their space, beach blankets and lounge chairs laid out on the white sand.
“I’m sorry I’m late. I had to pick up a few items,” Abby said to the ladies arranging containers of food on the table. She gave them each a quick hug and introduced me.
I smiled and shook their hands.
Afterward, Abby took me to the side. “After you settle Ty, if I look like I need help, can you come? Ty will be fine. He knows not to wander off and you’ll be able to keep an eye out for him from here.”
“Sure,” I said and led Tyler to claim our space.
My sandals dug through the cool sand, fine powder lifting up with every step. The warm sun felt good on my face, the breeze light and soft. I tucked my tank top inside my shorts so I didn’t expose too much skin.
I hadn’t planned on going swimming and I wasn’t the type to parade in my bathing suit around people I didn’t know. I noticed the other mothers wore hats and long-sleeved, sheer garments over similar attire or a swimsuit.
Tyler squinted up at me, the sun hitting him directly in the eye. “Jace isn’t coming, but I think Bridget is. Can we save a spot for her?”
“Of course.” I dropped the bag at a perfect spot and took out Tyler’s sand toys—a bucket, shovel, rake, and plastic sand moldings. Then I anchored the blanket with a few of his things.
More families were coming down the slopes. I searched for Bridget and Lee in their midst, but so far, no show. After I took out the sunscreen, I spread the cool thick lotion that felt like acrylic paint on my palms, and lathered up Tyler with a second layer. Abby had made him wear a long-sleeve protective swimming top and shorts so the only parts of him exposed were his legs, neck, and face.
“Yuck.” He fidgeted and shook his head as I rubbed in stubborn spots.
I wiped the remainder on my arm and closed the lid. “There. It’s done. Ty, stay right here, okay? I’m going to see if your mom needs help.”
“Okay.” Tyler dug into the dry sand with a shovel and poured it into the bucket.
I adjusted my sunglasses and went to find Abby under the canopies. My sister introduced me to a few more families as they arrived. They asked me a bunch of questions, mostly about living in Los Angeles.
This was the part I didn’t like at social gatherings. Uncomfortable small talk with people I didn’t know. We didn’t have much in common—I didn’t have a kid in preschool yet—and I wasn’t much of a talker.
I pulled Abby to the side. “Do you need me?”
I didn’t want to be sitting comfortably and soaking up the sun while my sister was doing all the work. Several of the mothers who were supposed to be helping her were now chatting amongst themselves. And Abby would rather do the work than ask them for help.
Abby nodded and she sighed with relief. “Can you open the ice bags and dump them inside the ice chest for me? Thanks,” she said and then went to the next canopy.
“Oh, hi there.”
I turned to that familiar, sultry voice just as I opened the cooler. Jessica Conner wiggled her fingers at me, having obviously forgotten my name, but at least she acknowledged me. Though she wore the same type of beach garment as the other mothers, she had on a stunning red bikini underneath that hugged her curves.
“Hi, Jessica,” I said with an amiable tone, ripping bags of ice open.
I assumed she’d come to me because everyone else was in their cliques.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
She could see what I was doing.
“Abby asked me to spread the ice. I’m going to put the drinks in there. Do you want to help?” I didn’t need help but offered, anyway.
She looked at her curled fingers. “I just got my nails done. I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.”
I rolled my eyes as I grabbed the cans and bottles and nestled them in the ice layer. Be nice. Better not to say anything, so I kept my mouth shut.
“Oh, I heard from someone that you’re working for Leonardo Medici. Is that true?”
I closed the ice chest, frowning. That explained why she’d made a point to talk to me.
“Who told you?” My words came off a bit harsher than I meant to.
“Oh, a friend of a friend,” she said nonchalantly with a flop of her hand.
“Is this friend-of-a-friend Leonardo’s friend?” I crossed my arms and scowled. Good thing she couldn’t see my glare pinning her behind my dark sunglasses.
She blinked, looking flustered. “I suppose, but that’s not important.”