Just then, a knock sounded at the front door. “That’s probably for me. Babe wanted to see the house.”
“Who’s Babe?” Knox asked.
“Absolutely none of your business,” Maileah snapped while Junie pressed a warning hand against his chest. “She wanted to see the house, and I’m going out with Todd tonight.Soon, you won’t have to deal with me anymore.”
Maileah spun around, already feeling guilty for lashing out. But her sister could press her buttons like no one else. Just when she’d thought they were getting along, too. She was shocked and dismayed that Junie had so little confidence in her. Still, Maileah knew she’d crossed the line when she mentioned Mark. Their lives had taken different paths, but that wasn’t Junie’s fault.
Although Maileah hadn’t suffered the tragedy her sister had, her life had still shattered into a thousand pieces.
She paused at the door to collect herself. Arranging asmile on her face, she opened the door to Babe. “Thanks for delivering everything. Would you like to come in?”
“I can’t. Something just came up with another customer, and I have to run,” Babe said with a note of apology in her voice. She held out Maileah’s purchase.
Had Babe overheard her argument with Junie? Maileah wished the old wooden floor would give way and swallow her. She took her new clothes and cleared her throat. “So, are we still on for tomorrow?”
Babe pressed her lips together. “I’m not sure. I’ll call you in the morning.” With a little wave, she hurried back to her car.
Maileah closed the door and went to her room. Had she ruined her chance to rent Babe’s guest cottage? No one wanted a raving maniac to live with them. After hanging her clothes, she flung herself onto the bed. Hot tears trickled from her eyes.
One step forward, two steps back.
She had been feeling so happy and positive this afternoon. Was it Junie’s fault for doubting her or hers for lashing back?
Staring at the ceiling, she considered how quickly relationships could deteriorate. Having a sister was complicated. And now, Knox surely thought she was ungrateful and unhinged.
Still, Maileah needed to pull herself together before Todd arrived. She hadn’t yet antagonized him, though the night was still young.
7
Maileah stood on the edge of the beachfront pavilion, eyeing an array of yoga mats. The waves against the shore and the cool morning breeze did little to quell her restlessness or ease her guilt.
Last night, after her blow-up with Junie, she had tried to be on her best behavior with Todd. They had gone to the Ferry Cafe, a popular restaurant known for its seafood. Fortunately, she had managed to ask enough questions over dinner to keep Todd talking about himself all evening.
At some point, Maileah knew she would have to apologize to Junie.
Worse, Babe had canceled their meeting this morning with a vague excuse. Maileah was sure she’d lost the opportunity to rent the guest cottage.
So when her grandmother called to invite her to her morning yoga class, Maileah had agreed—if only to get out of the house.
Maileah was surprised to see so many older women like her grandmother. Most of them looked strong with excellent posture, regardless of their shape.
“I wasn’t sure you would come,” her grandmother said, greeting her with a hug. Ella looked trim in her yoga outfit.
“This has never been my thing,” Maileah said. Yoga classes were too sedate for her. “I’d rather run a marathon, scale a cliff, or ski black diamond slopes.”
Ella smiled at that. “You were always the most adventurous one of the family.”
Maileah twisted her mouth to one side. “That’s not necessarily a good trait, I’ve learned.”
Her grandmother looked surprised. “I don’t know what gave you that idea.”
“Look at my history—my leaps into new relationships never paid off. I’m trying to change that, but I just had a huge fight with Junie over my moving out.”
Ella gave her a sympathetic look. “You’re welcome to stay with me if you need to.”
Maileah had taken Junie’s offer as an insult to her abilities, but her grandmother was only trying to help. “I appreciate that, but that’s not the point. I need to stand on my own again. My life has been a disaster—no one knows that better than me—but I am truly trying to change it.”
“Let’s talk about that later,” Ella said, settling onto a mat. “This will help clear your mind.”
