Lowcountry on My Mind by Ashley Farley

Author:Ashley Farley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ashley Farley

EIGHTEEN

Amelia and Birdie watch Max drive off in the back seat of the unmarked car.

“This is bad,” Amelia says.

Birdie nods. “Really bad.”

“We should do something,” Amelia says. “Although I have no idea what.”

Birdie swipes at her eyes. “She’s in good hands with Toby.”

They part with a hug, and Amelia watches Birdie walk slowly back to the cafe.

Amelia fights back her own tears as she drives home to Point Pleasant. Much has changed on Palmetto Island in her absence. But not her two best friends. Despite the decades that separate them, she knows Max and Birdie. They are two of the finest people she’s ever known. Amelia doesn’t need evidence as proof. She knows in her heart that Max did not start that fire.

Amelia unlocks the back door, disengages the security system on the panel in the mudroom, and goes in search of Bebe. She finds her dusting in the living room. “I’m glad you had the alarm on. We should utilize the security system as much as possible while Robin is staying in the garage apartment.”

Bebe stops dusting. “Does this mean your sister has shown her true colors?”

“Enough for me to have serious concerns about her. Hopefully she won’t be here long.”

Bebe snorts. “She’ll be here forever if she has her way about it.”

“Trust me, Bebe. I’m not going to let that happen.”

Bebe’s chin drops to her chest. “What’re you up to, baby girl?”

“Sit with me for a minute and I’ll tell you.” Dropping to the sofa, Amelia pulls Bebe down beside her. “I’m trying to figure out a few things about the past. What can you tell me about the night my father died?”

“Well, this is what I remember.” Placing the duster in her lap, Bebe sits back against the sofa cushions. “Your mama called me shortly after midnight and told me to come pick you up. When I got here, the place was swarming with police cars and other rescue vehicles. The two of you were waiting for me at the end of the driveway. Miss Dottie asked me to take you home with me. She said for you not to watch the news, and she would come for you in a few days, after the dust settled.”

Amelia stares up at the ceiling as the memories return. “I remember being at your house. You live on a creek, and we went fishing off your dock. You had a cocker spaniel named Millie.”

Bebe grins. “That’s right. Millie took an instant liking to you. She moped for days after you left.”

“How long did I stay with you?”

“For four days. You were one sad little girl. Every night, you cried yourself to sleep and woke frequently from bad dreams. I’m not sure how much you witnessed that night. You refused to talk about what had happened to your father and Robin.”

“Mama told me Daddy died from a heart attack, but the cause of death on his birth certificate says pending investigation.”

“Mm-hmm. What did your mama tell you about your sister’s disappearance?”

"That she ran away.

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