All the Breaking Waves: A Novel by Kerry Lonsdale

Author:Kerry Lonsdale [Lonsdale, Kerry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781503941830
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Published: 2016-12-06T08:00:00+00:00

After Cassie left, I showered, rinsing dried batter from my hair, and then headed downstairs. The doorbell rang when I reached the bottom step. “I got it!” I called out and opened the door.

An elderly woman, about six inches shorter than me, lips pursed, stood on the porch. She held a baking dish covered in tinfoil, and she was dressed like she’d stepped from a Talbot’s catalog. Names churned in my head. Sweet Sadie Paxton or cantankerous Ruby Felton.

Faded brown eyes widened like an opening window, and a smile expanded across her face, pillowing wrinkled cheeks rouged with bright-peach powder. “Are you going to let me in, Molly, or leave me shivering in this dreadful weather? Now, I know you did that to Ruby, but the shriveled prune deserved it.”

“Mrs. Paxton.” I gave her a bright smile and opened the door wider.

“I haven’t seen you in years.” Sadie came into the house. “You look wonderful.” She juggled her purse with the foil-covered dish as she fumbled with the coat buttons.

“Here, let me help.” I took the dish as Cassie skipped down the hallway.

“I always knew you’d grow into a beautiful woman.” Sadie unbuttoned her coat. “You have the look of your mother. Now, there was a woman who was more precocious as a child than anyone else I knew. Speaking of children, who is this pretty little thing?”

Cassie dipped in a dramatic curtsey. “How do you do? I’m Cassidy Brennan.”

“Nice to meet you, Miss Cassidy.”

“Cassie, this is Mrs. Paxton.”

Cassie held out her hands. “May I take your coat and purse?”

“Thank you, dear.” Sadie handed Cassie her purse and turned around. Cassie helped the older woman slip free of the garment.

“Your things will be in the hall closet.” Cassie skipped away.

My gaze tagged along, watching as she opened the closet door. A slight uneasiness flipped inside my stomach.

Sadie grasped my forearm, pulling my attention back to her. My eyes trailed from her veined fingers to her eyes. They shined brightly. “I’m glad you moved back. Mary needs you.”

The corners of my mouth lifted in apology. “We’re only visiting.”

“But Mary fixed up the house for you, said you needed a place to live.”

I frowned, glancing quickly in the direction of the kitchen where Nana prepped the meal. “I’m sorry.” I switched the dish to one arm and ran fingers through my hair. “You must have misunderstood. We live in San Luis Obispo. That’s where Cassie goes to school and I work.”

“No, no.” Sadie shook her head. She looked at the floor and tapped a finger on her lips. “No, Mary clearly stated you were moving home to be with her.”

What had Nana been telling her friends?

The doorbell rang. Sadie looked at the door. Her brows arched high, folding the skin on her forehead. “Is that Ruby? Quick, lock the door.”

My jaw dropped. Sadie was the one who’d gotten me into trouble with Mrs. Felton last time.

Sadie peeked through the narrow window alongside the door. She scowled. “Drat. It’s only Francine.”

“Guess we’d better let her in.

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