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The painful words that had revealed the truth and sealed her decision to give up on them no longer haunted her. She had ignored Pam’s calls and texts since that night, unable to bring herself to talk to her again with the memory of Pam’s face and position with Lily’s husband still too easy to recall. Forgiving had come much easier than forgetting. The hurtful words John had hurled at her had driven home the futility of trying to get him to see he needed help. She’d hardened her resolve to get past the shock and devastation he had portrayed when she walked out with her things packed for much longer than a night or two, having allowed his desperate pleadings to sway her for far too long.
“I still don’t understand why you bought a place in Eagle’s Nest instead of here in Casper.”
“I want a change,” was all she said, turning her back on the home she’d once loved. They walked together toward their vehicles parked at the curb. “I appreciate you taking the time after our lunch to do the final walk-through with me.”
“You didn’t need me, I’m tickled pink to say.” Trina nudged her with her elbow, grinning. “I’m thrilled you finally decided to return last month, and that you accepted my partnership offer. We’ll make a great team.”
“We always have, and just so you know, I’m well aware you dangled that enticing lure in front of me to get me off my butt.”
Shrugging without showing an ounce of remorse, Trina opened the Creative Events van door. “Guilty. See you Monday.”
“Bright and early. Have a good weekend.”
Lily slid behind the wheel of the Mazda SUV she’d purchased in Florida before returning to Wyoming. Having inherited everything from her marriage, including the life insurance John’s job with highway patrol provided, had left her able to afford the sporty CX-30, put a down payment on another house, and buy into the partnership with Trina. She wasn’t as surprised or as pleased to hear her husband had left her his beneficiary as she was when Trina made the offer to become part owner of Creative Events. Benefitting from someone’s death left her unsettled at first, but Levi had held nothing back when he reminded her of the time, suffering, and finances she had put into her marriage. His no-holds-barred lecture, along with the donations the extra money made possible had helped her accept the money without guilt. The SUV would maneuver well during the snowy and icy winter months when she drove the highway between Eagle’s Nest and Casper. And she loved the small Craftsman on the quiet cul-de-sac.
That reminded her of the list of toiletries she wanted to pick up before returning home, and she decided to get them at the drugstore where Delia worked just to say hello. Other than a few texts, she hadn’t spoken to anyone besides Trina, Levi, and Vickie while away or since she’d returned, and Lily remembered how Delia had taken the time to come by John’s wake.
Lily started the SUV as her phone rang, and surprise held her frozen for a split second when Pam’s name and number displayed. She drew a deep breath to dispel the pang tightening her throat then called on her resolve to move on and answered, hoping to put an end to Pam’s attempts to talk to her.
“Pam. It’s been a long time, and I’m kind of busy.”
“I just, look, I moved away for a year right after that party, but now I’m back and still want to see you, apologize face-to-face, and ask if there’s any chance we can be friends again. Can we get together, Lily? Please.”
It was hard to ignore the teary desperation coloring Pam’s voice, but Lily didn’t want to revisit the past, not even long enough to hear her once best friend’s personal apology. During college, they were joined at the hip, did everything together, including a week of partying on St. Thomas island following graduation. They had led separate lives afterward but made a point of getting together a few times a year until she’d shut everyone out because of John. Maybe Pam had believed that desertion had given her license to encroach; she didn’t know or care what the reason was for the betrayal. She didn’t have it in her to mend their relationship, preferring to let it go the same as she had John. Now, after everything, the only people she wanted to remain close to were Trina, Levi, and Vickie.
“I’ve put my marriage behind me, Pam. I’ve no doubt John pursued you, but you could have said no.”
“He did,” she rushed to explain, “and I rebuffed him until he came on to me at that house party. I’m sorry. It’s no excuse, and I won’t say it would have stopped there, because I honestly don’t know. He had a way...”
Lily laughed. “I’m well aware of that. I have to go.” She hung up wishing that ended their association. Unfortunately, Pam had booked a dinner dance for her parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary through Creative Events while Lily was gone, which meant she would likely be seeing her again at least once. For now, though, she intended to put the call and Pam out of her mind.
After filling a hand basket with first aid supplies and toiletries, Lily walked to the back of the pharmacy where Delia stood facing the shelves of prescription bottles instead of the counter. “Hi, Delia.”
Delia’s slim shoulders went rigid then she spun around with a wide grin, her cap of short black hair swinging along her jaw. “It’s so good to see you! When did you get back?”
“A few weeks ago. I need to restock some over-the-counter stuff for the medicine cabinet and wanted to say hello. I bought a house in Eagle’s Nest with a lot more storage than my apartment.”
“Did you come by to tell me you’re changing pharmacists?” she teased, bracing her hands on the counter separating them.
“No, I like coming in here. Besides, I’ll be driving in to Casper for work all the time. It’s only a thirty-minute drive from my place in Eagle’s Nest.” Lily shifted the basket to her other hand, her fist cramping from the tight grip and weight. “You look busy, so I won’t keep you.”
“I am but how about I meet you for lunch at Ina’s in about an hour. I have the rest of the day free. I’d love to swing by and see your house, and hear about your trip. I haven’t gotten away in ages and confess I’m jealous.”
Lily still had a lot to do at home today but couldn’t deny lunch at the popular restaurant off the highway between Casper and Eagle’s Nest sounded appealing. “I’d like that. See you soon.”
****
“Someone you know?”Allie asked.
Brett shifted his gaze from the two women entering Ina’s to his fiancée seated across from him at a corner table. “Lily Wainscott, the brunette with the long hair.”
“Wainscott, wasn’t that Reed’s partner’s name?” She paused to eye Lily with more interest before biting into her cheeseburger.
“Yes, and, yes, that’s John’s widow. Get that look off your face.” He’d learned to read Allie very well in the last year, and her expressions always gave her away.
“What look?” she returned, all innocent and sweet.
He wasn’t fooled. “Leave it alone. I mean it.”
