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“What are you going to say?”
“I don't know yet. Whatever comes out, comes out.”
“She deserves everything she gets.”
“You know it doesn’t matter. Nothing will get through to her.”
“You need to say it just the same.”
Silence fell again as Elizabeth's thoughts went back to Bill. “Not to change the subject, but I had an interesting conversation with Jason about why I was selected to go to the basin. Bill told me I was chosen to go because the higher-ups wanted me there. As soon as I found out Jason was one of them, I assumed he had something to do with it. But when I asked him, he insisted Bill had recommended me.”
“Does that matter?”
“I guess not, but why would Bill tell me they asked for me? I wonder if he was trying to get me away from here. I mean, I got taken off the grant and switched to the eutrophication project because they desperately needed my help, and then boom, I’m suddenly given the opportunity to travel.”
“You think Bill was trying to protect you?”
“Maybe he was, in his own messed-up way. He always seemed nervous about George coming to my house. Still, if it's him in those pictures… I hope he caves and rats out his nasty cousin, and theybothspend the rest of their miserable lives in a prison cell.”
“Me too.”
Elizabeth sighed and glanced down the street. “I should go. I can see the coffee shop and there’s a line out the door, which is a good sign.”
“One more thing—did you get a chance to talk to Aunt Dee?”
“Yes. I have a lot to think about, and right now, there's so much going on... I feel like I’m being pulled in too many different directions.”
“Just get through the next week in South Carolina and deal with everything else when you come home.”
“I will. Thanks for letting me know about Bill. And call if anything else happens, okay?”
“I will. Love you, Sis.”
“Love you too.”
Elizabeth quickly dialed the police department in Falmouth, and was relieved to hear that none of the beach houses sustained significant damage. A short time later, tray of coffees in hand, she walked back to the inn while her aunt's words from this morning replayed in her mind.
What do I want? What will make me happy?
Those weren't even the questions, really. It wasn't a question of figuring out what she wanted or what it would take to make her happy; Will played a prominent role in both answers. No, the question, now, was this: Would she let her fears build the wall around her heart even higher, and try to find happiness without him? Or would she take a chance and let him tear the wall down once again?
