Page 68 of Karma

“You’re welcome any time,” the other said with her usual friendliness. “And I mean that.”

Liza smiled in gratitude. “I may take you up on that.”

“We hope you do,” Kelly said. “Since I tend to be here often.”

Faith leaned in close. “And so is Dare.”

Liza smacked her hands over her ears. “I didn’t hear that. Nope, I didn’t. I thought I was here for a fundraiser meeting.”

Kelly laughed. “You are. Faith and I just wanted to make sure you knew the lay of the land,” she said with an impish grin.

Faith must have caught Liza’s look because she said, “Okay, so on to business.”

“Why don’t I start?” Liza offered. Anything to take her mind off the half-naked Barron brother with his golden, tanned chest, staring at her from across the way.

“Okay, go.” Faith hooked an elbow on the side of the pool, lounging comfortably half in and half out of the water.

Liza noticed Ethan hadn’t taken his hungry gaze off his wife. Same for Nash, of Kelly. The testosterone in this pool area was off the charts, and even Liza was squirming in her seat.

“Well, let’s see,” she said, forcing her attention back to the business at hand. “I’ve single-handedly destroyed the center of town, which means any money I hoped would go to the youth center is now gone.”Poof,she thought, an invisible cloud dissolving over her head.

“Wrong.” Faith waved her hand in the air. “An anonymous donor has generously offered to pay for the repairs and replanting in town, so where the fundraiser money goes is still up for discussion.” The other woman treated Liza to a pleased grin.

And Liza didn’t trust that smile for an instant. “You didn’t. Or should I say,Ethandidn’t.” Liza’s stomach twisted uncomfortably at the thought that they had paid for her mistakes.

Kelly raised an eyebrow. “Does the word ‘anonymous’ mean anything to you?” She wagged her finger in front of Liza’s face.

The chastising didn’t work, and Liza expelled a long breath of air. “You didn’t…shouldn’t have…I want to donate too.” She had savings of her own, and surely, she could contribute to the cause even if it did put a dent in her personal funds.

“No, the check’s been written. I’m sure the town won’t need more,” Faith said. “As for the fundraiser’s proceeds, this month’s Beautification Committee meeting is next Wednesday night at Caroline Bretton’s house. Six thirty. Don’t be late, either of you. It’s the three of us against the old guard. I want to present a united front.”

Liza merely nodded, overwhelmed. It seemed to be a permanent state for her around anyone with the last name of Barron.

“Now, on to the party itself,” Kelly said. “I have a copy of last year’s menu and the chef’s recommended suggestions for how to tweak things so this year is different but just as fabulous. That said, I don’t know anything about cuts of steak or kinds of wine. I need you to go with me to the tasting.” Kelly, whom Liza never thought of as shy, blushed at the admission.

“I’d be happy to go through it with you,” Liza said, grateful she had something positive to offer. “We could meet at the catering hall and go over things?”

Kelly nodded eagerly. “Oh, and another piece of good news. I’ve recruited a new volunteer.”

“Who?” Faith asked.

“Annie Kane.”

Faith grinned. “The more, the merrier.”

“Annie…Do I know her?” Liza asked. The name sounded familiar.

“Maybe. She was a year or so behind us in school. And she’s Nash’s ex-wife,” Faith said.

Liza nearly tipped out of her chair. “Whoa.” Her gaze darted to the men, who were engaged in serious conversation and not paying attention to the women for once.

“It’s okay. Kelly and Annie are very good friends,” Faith said.

“Huh.”

“I can read your mind, but I swear those two are more like brother and sister than exes.” Kelly leaned her arms on Liza’s float and let herself hang from the end. “Annie’s with Joe Lockhart and has been for the last, oh, I don’t know, six or eight months? Believe me when I tell you, there’s nothing for me to be jealous of.”

Liza nodded, and though she believed Kelly, she didn’t understand. “You’re a better woman than I am,” Liza said but then immediately regretted the outburst.