Read Online Sunshine Beach by Wendy Wax - Free Book Online Page B

through the fruits and vegetables, checking the bananas for bruises in the same way Avery was now examining the roadblocks that stood in their way. Without a doable renovation project there could be no
Do Over
.
    â€œWe’ve got to find a way to convince Renée and Annelise to at least look at what we can do.”
    â€œI think you should go ahead and put a presentation together,” Maddie said again as they unloaded the cart at the checkout and then watched the items get scanned and bagged. “Realistically, it’s our best shot.”
    In reality it was most likely their only shot. And if Avery had learned anything during the demise of her marriage, her ex-husband’s hijacking of their original HGTV show, and the loss of her father’s life’s savings to Malcolm Dyer, it was that all of a woman’s eggs were not safe in one basket.
    â€œI was thinking it might be time to start looking for someone to handle the interior design,” Maddie added as they pushed the bulging cart through the parking lot.
    â€œNo, not yet,” she said too quickly. “I mean there’s no reason to replace her now when we don’t even have a project.”
    â€œWe all know that no one can really replace Deirdre.” Maddie’s voice was gentle. She laid a soothing hand on Avery’s arm. “But it only makes sense to start the search. I bet there are lots of designers who’d like to be involved who’d be completely different from Deirdre.”
    Avery blinked back tears—
tears—
as they loaded the groceries. Not trusting her voice, she remained silent as she slid into the driver’s seat and fired up the Mini Cooper.
    â€œKyra’s been tweaking the
Do Over
Facebook and Twitter pages,” Maddie continued. “Maybe she can post what we’relooking for. Finding someone different shouldn’t be a problem given how completely unique Deirdre was.”
    Avery nodded but made no comment as she backed out of the parking spot, her eyes locked in the rearview mirror.
    Traffic on Gulf Boulevard was heavy as they made their way back toward Bella Flora. They were sitting at a light when Maddie heard a text ding in on her phone. She looked down at the screen expecting it to be some forgotten grocery item from Kyra or Nikki, but it was from Will. She felt her lips twisting into a smile as she read,
Mornin’, Maddie-fan. Out on the flats. A couple of your fish friends asked me to say hi.
    â€œI’m guessing from that shit-eating grin it must be Will,” Avery observed.
    The grin grew bigger as Maddie typed back.
If fiz knot lafing, tell fiz bi hack.
    She hit “send,” then groaned when she realized what she’d sent.
Damn. Mint hi pack . . . back!
    â€œGood grief!” She tried again.
Tumps are two prick.
“God, I hate autocorrect,” she said.
    Avery snorted. “You know you can shut that off, right? In the meantime, wouldn’t it be easier to call him back?”
    â€œHe’s out on the boat,” Maddie began. “I hate to disturb his fishing. I don’t want to . . .”
    Avery took Maddie’s phone from her hands, scrolled down Maddie’s contacts with one thumb while keeping her eyes mostly on the road. She’d hit Will’s speed dial and handed back her phone before Maddie had finished protesting and well before she could have composed a legible response.
    â€œHi, Will.” Maddie grimaced at the tremor in her voice. It had been only a week since she’d left Mermaid Point, but even the sound of Will’s voice made her feel like a teenager crushing on a too-cute guy.
    â€œHi, Mad,” he said, and she could picture him out on the water, the bright morning sun reflecting off his mirrored sunglasses, hiding the dark eyes that were undoubtedly scanning the shadows beneath the surface.
    â€œI hope I’m not scaring away any important fish.” She turned to look