The Devine Doughnut Shop(69)

“I wish I could call Crystal and Kelsey.” Audrey frowned. “But then, I’m showing everyone on social media what a beautiful place this is. Since Crystal and Kelsey can’t see it, then I’m not tormenting them—I’m doing what’s right,” she said with a smile and a shrug.

Grace thought of all the times her mother had to settle heated discussions among all three girls. “I came to tell you that we’ll be having supper here. Travis can’t come . . .”

“Oh my!” Audrey said with fake concern. “Did Mr. Rich Britches call it off because he can’t really afford to take us all out to eat? I’m glad he’s not coming after all. This is a family vacation, and he’s not family.”

“No, he did not,” Grace snapped, “and don’t butt in again. He had a conflict of schedule with his company plane.”

All the color drained from Audrey’s face. “He’s got his own plane? I guess he could take us to a fancy place.”

“I told Travis we would go to dinner with him tomorrow evening, but let’s all of us girls have pizza delivered tonight. I’m going to make a run to town for some groceries before I go out to the beach. Anything you girls want?”

“Potato chips, root beer in bottles, and chocolate,” Audrey answered. “And, Mama, I kind of have another confession. Since I’m being brutally honest with you about Travis, then I should probably tell you this, too. Crystal and Kelsey wanted me to call the school and say there was a bomb the day we went back to school after spring break.”

“But she told me,” Raelene said, “and we looked up what would happen if she got caught. I told her they were batshit crazy. Whoever does that can do some serious jail time because it’s a felony.”

“They said that I couldn’t be a friend of theirs if I didn’t do what they wanted and that they would get even with me. That’s when I started to really realize that you were right about them, but I didn’t want to admit it. That was probably the reason they were so ugly to me and Raelene on Monday,” said Audrey.

“Good grief!” Grace hadn’t realized what a blessing Raelene coming into their lives really was until that very moment.

“I know,” Audrey said with a nod. “I was willing to take the blame for their stupid things, but that was going too far.”

“Yes, it was.” Grace’s voice sounded hollow in her own ears. She needed to get away and think about things, so she stood up and took a step toward the condo. “I’m off to the store, and then I’m going to have a couple or three hours out on the beach. Raelene, is there anything you want?”

“I don’t drink soda, so maybe some tea bags and sugar. Those individual bottles are so expensive. I’ll be glad to make it by the pitcher. Other than that, I’ll be happy with whatever you bring,” she answered.

“She really likes salsa, chips, and cashews,” Audrey said. “And we’ll share whatever you buy—but could you get us some stuff for breakfast to have in our room, like those frozen bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits? Want me to call Sarah and Macy and tell them what’s happened so they won’t rush back to change for dinner?”

“I’ll let them know, and I will make sure you girls have something to snack on in your room,” Grace replied with a smile. “Oh, I forgot, Beezy is coming in tonight—and she’s not family.”

“Yes, she is, just like Raelene is. And I’m sorry that I said that about Travis, Mama,” Audrey said and then pushed away from the side of the pool. “Beat you to the other end, Raelene.”

“No, you won’t!” Raelene yelled.

The lyrics from that old Annie song about tomorrow being only a day away played over and over in Grace’s head as she picked up the keys to the rental SUV and headed outside.





Chapter Sixteen


Grace got a call from Beezy when she landed and then another one when she was in the parking lot of the Sugar Sands. She rushed outside, waved at her, and gave her a hug. The Uber driver set her bags out of the back of the black SUV.

“Thanks for keeping me company from the airport to here,” Beezy said to the driver. “And now, Grace, you can roll one of these suitcases to our room, and I’ll take care of the other one. I love to fly, but this time, I got seated by an old woman who just wanted to talk about her illnesses. I pretended to fall asleep so I wouldn’t have to listen to her talk about her gallbladder surgery. Poor old darlin’ doesn’t seem to have much of a life.”

Grace opened the door to their unit and stepped back to let Beezy go inside ahead of her. “Welcome to Florida. Macy did good when she found this place.”

“Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit,” Beezy said with a giggle. “This isn’t a motel, kiddo. This is a condo. I could live here for months instead of days. It’s a heck of a lot better than the room I had on the cruise ship.” She parked her suitcase beside the bunk beds and headed to the doors that opened out to a view of the beach. “Where is everyone?”

“Down by the water, enjoying the surf and the sand. We even had supper down there, and I’m supposed to bring you to them as soon as you get here. We’re all so excited that you flew out to be with us,” Grace answered. “There’s a slice or two of leftover pizza and a cold beer in the fridge. I’ve got what we need to make margaritas.”