“Mom, do you know what happened to Beth’s yearbook? It wasn’t in her stuff.”
“No idea. Why do you ask?” Mom picked up an apple from the fruit bowl and took a bite.
“No reason, really. I figured it would be in the closet, but I didn’t find it. It would’ve been fun to read what people wrote to her.”
“She had a lot of friends. There wasn’t a blank spot in that thing. It is odd that it wasn’t in the closet.” Her brow wrinkled. “But she probably left it somewhere or it dropped out of her backpack. She was always losing things.”
“That’s true.” Or maybe hiding them, as she had the journal.
“On another subject—”
Before she could finish, the doorbell rang. Mom dropped her apple on the table, which then fell to the floor. Instead of picking it up, she leaped to her feet and hustled over to peer out the window that faced the driveway. A nervous-sounding giggle came out of her as she whipped around to face me. “It’s my friend.”
“Friend?”
“Joseph. I met him at the gym. Yoga.” She smoothed her hair. “I should’ve put on lipstick.”
She did have a boyfriend. One she stayed overnight with. One who was about to knock on our door.
Mom scurried out of the kitchen. I followed her to the front door, delighted at the turn of events.
Mom yanked open the door. Standing on the porch was a tall man with a salt-and-pepper beard that matched his thick hair. He wore a nice pair of jeans and a loose-fitting button-down shirt. He held a bouquet of roses in one hand and a bottle of champagne in the other.
“Joseph, what’re you doing here?”
“It’s our six-month anniversary, so I thought I’d drop by and say hello.” Deep voice. Pretty dark eyes framed in dark lashes. “I wanted to bring these by.” He peered around her small frame to look at me. “And meet Carlie.”
Mom didn’t budge. “Now’s not a great time.”
“Mom, don’t be silly.” I scooted next to her, practically pushing her to one side so I could offer my hand. “I’m Carlie. It’s nice to meet you. Come inside.”
“I don’t want to intrude,” Joseph said as he glanced nervously at my mother.
“Nonsense. We weren’t doing anything,” I said. “Mom was making tuna casserole.”
“I love Loretta’s tuna casserole.” He winked at her. “One of my favorites.”
I moved aside to usher him into the living room. He handed the champagne to me and the flowers to my mother. “Six months,” I said. “Mom, you’ve been holding out on me. I had no idea of your existence, Joseph.”
“Well, I…I hadn’t had time to mention it.” Mom’s eyes darted from me to Joseph.
“I’m insulted,” Joseph said, not sounding a bit affronted, then let out a hearty belly laugh. “Your mother thinks you wouldn’t understand about us.”
“Joseph,” Mom said. “Don’t.”
“Mom, why would you think such a thing? I’m thrilled.”
Mom had her hand pressed against her mouth the way she did when was worried. “Well, it’s just that I haven’t really dated, and I thought you might be upset.”
“It’s been five years since we lost Dad,” I said. “You don’t have to live like a nun. Which, seeing as how you didn’t come home last night, you’re not. Living like a nun, that is.” I was enjoying this a little too much.
“Carlie Jane Webster, enough.” Mom’s face was flushed red, either from anger or embarrassment. I really should have been ashamed of myself, but I simply couldn’t bring myself to be.
“Obviously, you two will want to celebrate together tonight, but I’d love to get to know you better, Joseph. You should come to dinner tomorrow.”
Joseph grinned and rocked back on his heels. “I have a better idea. Let me take you both out. The new steak place by the river is very good. Your mother loves their Caesar salad.”
“That sounds wonderful,” I said. “My friend is coming by in about a half hour to take me to dinner.” I emphasized the word friend to tease my poor mother. “We could have a glass of champagne to celebrate your anniversary before we go?”
“Lovely,” Joseph said. “Do you have a beau?”
“Carlie, this isn’t a good time for Joseph,” Mom said tersely.
“I have absolutely nowhere I’d rather be.” Joseph splayed his hands over his broad chest. “I didn’t want to intrude on your mother-and-daughter time or I would’ve been by sooner.”
“That’s so thoughtful of you,” I said. “But I’ll be here all summer. We have plenty of time together.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” Joseph said.
“Me too,” I said. “By the way, I probably won’t be home tonight at all. You two lovebirds feel free to enjoy yourselves.”
Mom sent a scathing look my way. “We always stay at Joseph’s, if you must know.”
“I live out near the golf course,” Joseph said.
“Wait, the retirement community?” I asked. “The very one where Mom wants to move? What a coincidence.”
“Very funny, Carlie,” Mom said. “Now go take a shower. You smell terrible.”
I left Mom and Joseph downstairs and went up to shower and change for my date with Cole. As the suds of the shampoo ran down my body I thought about Cole. What would it feel like to have his hands on my bare skin? I’d have liked to have waited a little longer, but I had the feeling tonight would be the night. I only hoped he wouldn’t find me disappointing. It had been a long time since I was naked in front of a man. I sure as heck wasn’t sixteen any longer.
Could I see myself living here?
Beth’s murder had shattered that idea. I’d run off to college wondering if I’d ever want to return. Everything about Logan Bend had reminded me of the heinous way Beth’s life had been taken. Everyone became a suspect in my mind. Being at college in Seattle had been a relief. Not everyone who walked
