Sandpiper Way (Cedar Cove #8)(27)

A week without any form of communication from Christie wasn’t typical these days. What bothered her more was that Christie hadn’t returned any of her phone calls. Teri knew her sister wasn’t shy about sharing her feelings. If Teri had done something to upset her, Christie would’ve let her know. All Teri could come up with was Christie’s ongoing determination to avoid James.

“Bobby, I’m going shopping.” She didn’t say for what. Bobby didn’t concern himself with budgets. He had enough money for all their wants and needs; that was the only thing that mattered on the financial front. His life revolved around chess—and her. He was a master chess player, one of the world’s best. He’d always watched over her with vigilance, and now that she was pregnant, Bobby doted on her even more than usual.

He barely glanced up from the computer screen. “I’ll call James.”

“Bobby, no. I can drive to Wal-Mart on my own.”

The look he cast her was filled with doubt and worry.

She sighed. “Oh, all right.” It was easier to acquiesce than to argue. Bobby was far too protective, but how could she complain when he loved her so much? Ridiculous though it was to have a driver when she’d been driving all by herself since she was sixteen years old, she knew it set Bobby’s mind at rest.

Within five minutes James, who lived on the property, had the car parked in front of the house, waiting for Teri. He stood by the passenger door formally dressed in his black suit and billed cap.

When Teri was first married to Bobby, she felt embarrassed to have a car and driver, especially in a town the size of Cedar Cove. However, she’d grown accustomed to it, and apparently so had everyone else. No one commented on it—not to her, anyway.

As she approached the vehicle, James held the passenger door open.

“Thank you, James,” she said as he helped her inside.

He stepped around the vehicle and climbed into the driver’s seat. “Where to, Miss Teri?”

No matter how many times she asked him to drop the Miss, which made her sound like a preschool teacher, James persisted. After all these months she’d finally given up.

“I’d like to go to Wal-Mart, James.”

His back stiffened ever so slightly. “Wal-Mart, Miss?”

“You heard me.” Teri couldn’t quite restrain a smile. James knew very well that Christie was currently employed as a cashier at the local Wal-Mart.

“Right away, miss.”

Teri relaxed in the luxurious leather seat as she listened to the soothing music coming from the speakers. “What are you playing, James?” she asked.

“Vivaldi, miss. The Four Seasons.”

She nodded. “I like it.”

James preferred classical and used his own CDs. Early on, she’d requested he find a country-western radio station instead, and to his credit, he’d done so. Only when she saw him insert cotton balls in his ears did she stop requesting anything other than the classical music he chose. She’d come to see beauty in it and not boredom.

She was fond of James, more than fond; she now considered him a friend, although she let him impose the limits on their friendship. She also felt he was perfect for her sister.

The problem was that Christie was so closemouthed about the relationship. James was even worse. The two of them were equally adept at keeping secrets.

When they pulled into the Wal-Mart lot, she saw dozens of cars circling, searching for a parking space. Christmas shoppers were out in full force, although it was a midweek afternoon and still early in the month.

“James, do you have plans for Christmas?” Teri asked curiously. She knew so little about him.

“Plans? No, Miss Teri.”

“You won’t be traveling anywhere to visit family or friends?”

“No, miss.”

She forged ahead. “I hope you’ll join Bobby and me, then.”

He hesitated.

“No need for a response just yet,” she assured him. “The invitation is open.”

“Thank you, miss.”

He parked by the front entrance, leaped out and came around to open her door.

“Give me an hour, James.”

“Yes, Miss Teri.”

She walked into the store, receiving curious looks and hearing a few veiled whispers. Okay, so maybe not everyone in town was accustomed to seeing her with a driver.

Checking the long row of cashiers, Teri saw Christie in Lane Ten. Without looking, she grabbed a handful of sale items, had a word with the manager and then stood in her sister’s line.

She waited patiently for her turn, then set the Thanksgiving decorations she’d scooped up on the counter.

“Merry Christmas,” Christie said automatically before she looked up and saw it was Teri. “What are you doing here?” she demanded in a fierce whisper.

“You didn’t return any of my phone calls,” Teri whispered back. “I didn’t know if you were alive or dead.”

“Alive. I’ve been working a lot of extra hours. In case you hadn’t noticed, this is the Christmas season.”

“I noticed.”

Christie’s supervisor approached the register and placed a Closed sign behind Teri. “Lane Three is opening up,” she told the other customers. “Christie, take your lunch break now.”

“So soon?” Christie asked. “Shouldn’t Cookie go first?”