When Snow Falls (Whiskey Creek #2)(56)
Author: Brenda Novak

“What’s wrong with you?”

Turning away from the sun glimmering off the azure ocean, Eve faced Callie, who was lying on the lounge chair next to hers. They were out of port, so they were spending the morning at the pool on the top deck of the cruise ship. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve been so quiet the past few days.”

She shifted the elastic on her bikini to make sure she didn’t end up with two different tan lines. “I’m worried about Cheyenne.”

“You called her, didn’t you?”

“Yes…”

“Didn’t she sound okay? You said her mother is still alive.”

“She is.” For a change, Eve’s concerns didn’t pertain to Anita.

Callie slid her sunglasses up to the bridge of her nose. “I’m so glad. I’ve been afraid she might pass away while we’re gone. We really should be there when it happens.”

“I know.” Eve had two brothers, but both were significantly older and lived elsewhere. Cheyenne was the sister she’d never had. If not for the love she felt for her best friend, she probably would’ve resented the fact that Joe preferred her. As it was, she was sort of excited that Cheyenne might finally have found a man who’d love and appreciate her the way she deserved.

“So…is it Joe?” Callie asked.

Eve anchored her hair behind her ears to stop the wind from whipping it around her face. “No. I just wish I hadn’t announced to the world that I was interested in him. Then I wouldn’t have to keep explaining that I’m okay. You know how I feel about Chey. She’s never had anything. I can take this on the chin for her.”

“You’re a true friend.” Callie reached out to squeeze her arm. “I guessed you’d feel that way.”

“I’m more disappointed than hurt,” she said. “Joe and I went out to dinner once, and it was at my invitation. It’s not as if we were engaged.”

Callie made a face. “At this rate I wonder if any of us will ever get engaged.”

“I guess we’re late bloomers. Only Kyle’s been married. And Gail. She hit the jackpot.”

“Sophia, too.”

Her eyes drifted to the pool, where the guys were swimming or hanging out along the edge. Again, Eve wondered about Callie and Kyle but knew better than to ask. “Sophia’s married. She didn’t hit the jackpot, though.”

“True. Skip’s a jerk.”

“But he is rich.”

“Doesn’t matter. She’s miserable.”

Eve wiggled her toes, admiring her new pedicure. “And she doesn’t count, anyway.”

“Why not?”

“She wasn’t part of our group in high school. She had her own posse and made good use of them, remember? They were your classic ‘mean girls.’”

“I think she’s changed.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. I’m glad she couldn’t come on the cruise. Ted hates that she keeps hanging around.”

They could see small splashes as Ted swam laps. “Do you think it’s because he still has a thing for her?”

“He’d kill us for even suggesting it, but…I wouldn’t be surprised. Maybe he’s got a string of women coming to his place. It’s certainly romantic up there. But I don’t get that impression, so…he might be holding a candle.”

“What about you and Kyle?” The words popped out before Eve could check them.

Callie yawned and stretched. “What about us?”

“You seem to be pretty close.”

“We are. I helped him through his divorce from that crazy bitch he married.”

“You’re not sleeping together….”

With a scowl, Callie tossed a towel at her. “No!”

Eve knocked it away. “You sure?”

“I’m positive! It’s strictly platonic. I wouldn’t want to be with him while he’s on the rebound, anyway.”

That qualified her response, and made Eve wonder even more, but she didn’t push it any further. She could tell by Callie’s reaction that it would be pointless. She’d only get more protestations of friendship.

“There is some romantic tension in our little group, though,” Callie said, settling back in her chaise.

“Involving…”

She lifted her sunglasses. “Baxter.”

Eve adjusted her chair so she could sit up a little straighter. Callie couldn’t have picked a friend who surprised her more. “Baxter and who else?”

“Never mind.” After retrieving her camera from the table between them, she took several shots of the guys in the pool.

“Don’t do that!” Eve protested.

“Take photos?”

“Throw out a hook and then yank it back. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“I shouldn’t.” The camera whirred with a series of rapid-fire shots.

“But you want to.”

Callie put her Nikon back down. “I want someone to tell me I’m wrong.”

“Then…let me try.”

She rolled to the right, so their friends in the pool couldn’t see her mouth move or hear her voice. “I think he’s in love.”

Eve blinked in surprise. “With who?”

There was another long pause.

“Callie…”

Callie cupped a hand around her mouth as if the steps she’d taken weren’t enough to insure their privacy. “Noah.”

“No.” Eve shook her head. “You’re not saying…”

Obviously uncomfortable, she frowned. “I’m saying maybe. That’s all. I mean, haven’t you noticed the way he looks at Noah? It’s almost as if…as if he worships him!”

Baxter tended to brood, but she’d never attached that kind of significance to his moods. Now she wondered if Callie could be right. If so, he had a reason to sulk because she couldn’t see Noah getting together with any guy, even him. “But…if he’s g*y, why would he hide it from us? He knows we’d love him just as much.”

Callie raised an eyebrow. “We would. But Whiskey Creek is a very conservative town. His parents would be mortified. And what about Noah? The second Baxter comes out, he loses the man he loves, who also happens to be his best friend.”

Shading her eyes, Eve regarded Callie’s tormented expression. “That’s too sad to contemplate.”

“And if it’s true, which one of them will stay in the group?”