CHAPTER 56
Early on Friday morning Nat and Elias loaded the sanctuary truck with supplies and drove to Boston to bring home the loggerhead turtle they’d rescued. She’d been treated with antibiotics and nutrient-rich foods, and although she would always have scars on her shell, the open wounds had healed. Piper went to the sanctuary with them and saw them off. Then she finished up some long-overdue reports she’d been putting off and headed to Stop&Shop to finish her food shopping for the weekend. She was in the deli section, perusing the pre-sliced deli meat and waiting for her number to be called, when she heard a familiar voice behind her. “Hey, girl! Fancy meeting you here!” She looked up and saw Sailor holding out a hot Starbucks coffee from the bakery section.
Piper gratefully took it and gave her sister a hug. “Oh my goodness, you’re a godsend! I wanted to get a coffee, but when I came in, the line was too long.”
“And you obviously didn’t see me in the long line,” Sailor teased, “but I saw you coming in all bleary-eyed!”
Piper laughed. “I am bleary-eyed! Nat and Elias left at four a.m. to go get the turtle, and I went in with them to help them get the truck ready to transport her.”
“When is the big day?”
“I’m not sure. Have you heard the forecast?”
“Yeah, it doesn’t sound good.”
Piper nodded. “That’s what I heard, too, although I think it’s supposed to clear by Sunday afternoon and Monday is supposed to be gorgeous . . . so maybe early Monday morning. Are you going to come?”
“I want to . . .”
“Oh, by the way, happy pub day . . . a little late! How’s the book doing?”
“Thanks. I won’t really know for a while.”
“When’s your signing in Chatham?”
“Saturday from two till three thirty—so it’ll actually be good if it’s raining because people will be out shopping instead of going to the beach.”
“Saturday is tomorrow, you know.”
Sailor frowned, realizing her sister was right. “I don’t know why I keep thinking today is Thursday.”
“Well, if I were to come down around three tomorrow, do you want to go to Chatham Squires for a drink?”
Sailor smiled. “That would be great!”
Piper searched her sister’s face. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’d been crying.”
Sailor chuckled and reached up under her eyes. “Why? Is my mascara making me look like a raccoon?”
“Maybe a little,” Piper said, handing her a tissue. “Why were you crying?”
“I just heard that old song by Gerry and The Pacemakers. . . .”
“Oh,” Piper said, nodding in understanding.
“Anyway,” Sailor said, changing the subject, “I’m planning to bring my layered dip, a tossed salad, and a macaroni salad on Sunday. Do you need anything else?”
“Are you sure you have time to make all that? Don’t forget, you’re going to be busy.”
“I’m sure. They’re all easy. Anything else?”
Piper frowned. “I don’t think so. Nat and Elias are picking up corn, I’m picking up the hamburgers and hot dogs right now, Birdie’s making potato salad and an hors d’oeuvre, and Remy is making dessert.”
“What’s she making?” Sailor asked.
“I don’t know—she said it was a surprise.”
“Hmm,” Sailor said. “Well, I’m sure it’ll be good.”
Piper nodded. “Oh! And guess what else!”
“What?!”
“She asked me if it would be okay if John came.”
“No way!”
Piper nodded.
“Wow ...” Sailor said, raising her eyebrows. “I think she’s withholding information.”
“I think you’re right,” Piper said and they both laughed.
“Last call—number fifty-six!” a voice from behind the deli counter called for the third time.
Piper looked down at her number. “Oops, that’s me,” she said, waving her hand to let him know she was there. “Thanks for the coffee,” she said, giving her sister another hug. “You’re the best!”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow in Chatham ... if I don’t see you again in this store!”
“Okay! I’m looking forward to it!”
They parted ways, each consulting their list and only passed each other one more time—in front of the ice-cream case. “It’s for Elias,” Piper said, grinning.
“Yeah, right,” Sailor said, laughing.