Beach House Reunion (Beach House #5)(7)

“Hey, girlfriend!” Behind her a younger woman with fiery red hair and a wide grin entered with beckoning arms. This one hadn’t changed at all.

“Emmi!” Cara ran to her, lingering a moment in her best friend’s tight embrace, comforted by her familiar scent. She was transported back to childhood. School was out, she’d just arrived on the island, and the first thing she did was run straight to Emmi Baker’s house. They’d squeal as they ran into each other’s arms and hug as if they’d been apart for ages instead of one school year. Now women, they still hugged each other with the same enthusiasm.

“Lord, I’ve missed you,” Emmi said into her ear with a squeeze.

“It’s so good to see you both again. I’ve missed you, too,” Cara said, pulling back. Emmi was already lightly tanned and her nose and cheeks were sprinkled with freckles. They were the same age, born only a week apart, and when Cara saw the wrinkles forming around Emmi’s eyes and on her forehead, she knew Emmi was spotting them on her face as well. Thanks to L’Oréal, neither of them showed any gray. Emmi’s hair was the same Scottish red. The only change was the additional pounds she’d gained each year since menopause that seemed to settle in her hips. Broad in the beam, as Lovie used to say.

Emmi scrunched up her face. “You haven’t changed a bit. Except for your hair. You cut it!”

Cara’s hand flew to her cropped hair. “I needed a change. What do you think?”

Emmi crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes as she considered it. “Very Anne Hathaway of you. You still look sensational, damn you. With your bone structure, you can pull off that short hair. Me? I’d look like Howdy Doody. If he had big hips.”

Emmi’s big smile and laugh were so infectious that Cara had to laugh too.

“I’ve put on almost ten pounds this year,” Emmi told her with a pat on her belly. “I started watching TV and stopped exercising. But the turtle team season has started and I’m out on the beach walking every day. It’ll drop off.”

“If you lay off the wine,” Flo muttered.

“Never!” Emmi fired back with a laugh. “Speaking of which,” she said to Cara, “there should be a few bottles in the fridge.”

“I can’t thank you enough for all you did to get the house ready. I didn’t get in until very late, and it made all the difference in the world to have a clean house and fresh sheets.”

Flo just waved her hand in friendly dismissal. “Pshaw. It was nothing. You’d do the same for us. Now, enough talk. Where’s that baby?” Her sharp gaze darted around; spotting the baby, she clapped her hands together. “Look at you!” she exclaimed, making a beeline toward Hope. “Aren’t you precious? Give me some sugar.”

Cara watched with uncertainty as Flo bustled toward the baby. Hope’s eyes widened and her lips quivered. Flo was a dear, but her personality could come on a little strong sometimes.

“Don’t pounce. You’ll scare her!” Emmi admonished.

Flo stopped and looked back, confused. But it was too late. Hope scrunched up her face and wailed.

Cara rushed to pick her up and soothe her. It wasn’t how she’d hoped this first meeting would go. She wanted Flo and Emmi to love Hope just as much as she did.

“She’s tired,” she said by way of excuse. “Neither of us got much sleep last night. She’s teething and must’ve woken up half a dozen times.”

“Oh, honey, no worries. It’s just the strange place,” Emmi said. “She doesn’t know where she is, is all. She’ll get used to it.” She laughed. “In time.” She bent at the waist and spoke to Hope in high-pitched baby talk. “Well, hey there, butter bean. Aren’t you a pretty thing? I’m your aunt Emmi. I’ve been waiting to meet you. We’re going to be the best of friends.”

Cara watched as Hope listened, eyes wide and clutching Cara’s robe. She rewarded Emmi with a shaky smile.

“Well, lookee there,” Flo said with a shake of her head. “I guess I am a tad loud for babies.”

“Hope just needs to get to know you,” Cara was quick to reply. “Soon she’ll be running over to your house like Emmi and I did. And you’ll teach her all about the sea turtles, like Mama would have.”

Flo took a seat at the table and rested her elbow on it. “I expect you’ll be teaching her all about the turtles. You’re coming back on the turtle team, aren’t you?”

Cara puffed out a breath. “In time,” she replied, hedging.

“The time is now,” Flo said matter-of-factly. “Season’s already begun. We’ve got three nests already.”

“Three already? We don’t usually get any till maybe next week.”

“We had the earliest nest on record. April thirtieth.”

“April?” Cara repeated, stunned.

“So, we’re off and running.” Flo paused, and shrugged wearily. “I’m not as up-and-at-’em as I once was. Moving a bit slower now. Emmi could use some help on the team.”

Cara felt Hope’s body meld into hers, as though she’d always belonged in her arms. This little one had changed her every decision.

“I don’t know,” she said in a tone that implied no. “Mornings are pretty unpredictable with Hope. I can’t just tell her to wait for breakfast.”