"Mary Taffs - Martha's Madness" - читать интересную книгу автора (Taffs Mary)

Hadn't she said they were moving to Myrtle Beach, the last time they talked? No, not exactly, he
remembered. She'd said it wasn't definite, that they were looking at all their options. He'd just assumed
they'd do it, based on knowing how much Britt loved the ocean and Martha's Madness, the house she'd
just inherited. No wonder she seemed strange today!

Carolyn looked quizzically at Tony. "I thought you said . . ."

He shrugged. "I guess I misunderstood."

They all seemed frozen in place. Brittany broke the impasse by saying, "I probably gave you the wrong
impression, Tony. I'd hoped that Michael and I would stay and start a small business in Myrtle Beach."
With a tight smile, she added, "But hopes and reality aren't the same thing. So unfortunately, I'm going to
have to hit the road real soon. Michael's back there packing, and I need to help him so we can leave
tomorrow."
He couldn't let her leave before they talked. He knew Brittany well enough to know that more was
involved than she was saying. He turned to Carolyn. "I'm sorry, but I need to leave, too, babe. I flew out
this morning, so it's already been a long day for me."

If he didn't know Carolyn so well, he wouldn't have noticed the way she blinked quickly, like she'd been
slapped. Her cheeks reddened, and after a moment, she said, "That's okay. The important thing is that
you came." Tony promised himself that he'd explain his abrupt departure the next time they talked.

"Be sure to sign the guest book before you leave," Scott added, slipping his arm around Carolyn's waist
and giving her a squeeze.

After he was sure they were out of earshot, Tony said, "I've got a suite over by I-5 and 217. Do you
have time to stop off and talk for a few minutes?"

Brittany studied his face for a moment, then nodded. "I can spare about that long."

She followed his rental car to the hotel and was silent as they walked through the lobby and rode the
elevator up to his floor. She sank into a chair in the living room of the two-room suite and sighed, but still
said nothing.

"Britt, what's the matter?"

She glanced up at him with a rueful smile. "I'm being pretty obvious, I guess. The thing is I'm just not
ready to leave Myrtle Beach - and I can't face looking for a job, either. But Michael's due back at work
on the first of April . . ."

"The idea of starting a business there didn't work?"

She shook her head. "Not really. See, one of the main reasons we came up here is because I was so
down. Aunt Martha died late in October and, while I was still dealing with that, I got downsized. They
had outplacement counselors and all, but - well, I guess I got caught in the grief phase and couldn't do
anything productive about anything."

"The grief phase?"