Summer Island Book Club - Ciara Knight Page 0,3

veggies. Julie recognized her daughter’s move as her avoiding-the-truth evasive action. “Let’s concentrate on your birthday for now.”

“I’m looking forward to a quiet, dignified fiftieth at home with my daughter and her amazing cooking.”

“How about a not-so-alone fiftieth?”

Julie picked up the dish towel and snapped it at Bri. “Spill it. I know that look. You’re my daughter. You’re up to something no good.”

“What? Me? I’m innocent.” Bri grabbed a spatula and moved the colorful chopped and minced food around in the pan.

“As innocent as when you glued Cranky Mannie’s gate shut? Or how about when you poured half a jar of salt into your dad’s beer, or when you put the bucket of seawater over the storage room door at the shop? I think I should’ve never mentioned my youthful antics to you. I think it inspired you too much.” Julie snapped the towel again.

“Ouch. Hey, dangerous. Hot pan here.” Bri changed the subject and focused on tossing some chicken into a pot of boiling water. Julie had no idea what they’d be eating, but knowing Bri, it would be delicious.

“Confess, then.” Julie tossed the towel onto the old tiled countertop and crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you avoiding a problem of your own? Work? Boyfriend? Or are you up to something here?”

“I’m not up to anything.” Bri had a third pan on the stovetop and was working on some sort of sauce that was a pretty peach color. “As for my job, I resigned because it was just that, a job. It isn’t my passion.” Bri paused her hand mid-stir. “I just think it’s time for you to move on, and I hope a little special birthday celebration will kick start you into a new life.”

“A new life? I’m turning fifty, not twenty-one. And I like my old life. All the wrinkly, hot power surging, sun-spotted years of it.”

“Puh-leeease. You look amazing. I only wish I had your hourglass shape and those lips. I’d have to use five syringes of lip volumizing injections to make mine look like that. Besides, you look better in a bikini than any woman I know.”

“Bikini? Ha. I haven’t worn one of those in a decade or two.” Julie held up both her hands. “If you’re here for some misguided notion that I need a life intervention, you can forget it. Don’t need it. I’m happy. You should go back to your life and stop butting into mine.”

Bri turned down the burner to a simmer and wiped her hands. “Are you, Mother? Truly happy? Not the I-will-bury-my-sorrow-by-helping-others happiness?”

“Since when is it a crime to help your neighbors?”

“It’s not, unless you don’t have a life beyond that.” Bri strained the chicken from the water and added it to the frying pan. Sizzles erupted. Five-star restaurant kitchen aromas filled the small space, making Julie’s stomach growl.

“See, you need me.” Bri pointed the spatula at Julie’s belly.

“I always want you, baby girl, but I don’t need you to abandon your life to come spend my birthday with me. Is that why you left your job? Did you get fired for taking too much time off?”

“Mom, I wasn’t fired. I left. My choice, not yours, so let me figure this out. As for you, I know you want your old life, and Dad, but you can’t have that.” Bri plated the food, pouring sauce over it in a beautiful corkscrew pattern. She placed the pan on the stovetop and turned to Julie. “Mom, I love you, and that’s why I’m here. Dad wouldn’t want you to be alone anymore. I think you should sell the shop, start creating again, and date.”

Julie let out a sound like a slowly leaking balloon.

Houdini tore through the house, into the kitchen, and up onto her shoulder, nuzzling her the way he did when he thought someone was upset. She scratched his head, and he purred in her ear.

“And Dad wouldn’t want you to give up your life to come home and look after me. I’m fine the way my life is. I’m happy.”

Bri smiled, an I’ve-got-a-secret-I’m-bursting-to-share smile.

“What?” Julie’s muscles tightened in warning. “No. You’re not setting me up with someone on a blind date.”

“No. Of course not.” Bri grabbed both plates, sat at the bistro table, and handed Julie a fork. “Sit, eat, enjoy. Let me take care of you for a change.”

Julie placed Houdini on the ground and sat across from Bri. “I told you I don’t need taking care of. Besides, I want you to go live your