To Bedevil A Beauty (Southern Sanctuary - Book 5) by Jane Cousins Page B

Berry snuggled down further on the sofa and
contemplated her mother-in-law’s visit earlier in the day.  It had been
good to see her, better still when Joanne had insisted upon helping Berry to
bathe.   Though sitting in three inches of
tepid water was not exactly Berry’s idea of bathing, but at least she’d
felt clean and fresh after the experience. Even though her legs had wobbled
like a new born foals.
    Joanne
had taken it all in stride. Despite her timid nature she was a born nurturer
and since coming to the Sanctuary had really come out of her shell.  She’d
been a recent widow when Berry had first met her just after she’d gotten
married.   Drifting along in those early
days, leaning heavily on her only child Robert, looking to him for support and
advice. 
    It
had been Berry’s idea that Joanne join the Sunshine Senior’s club when they
first arrived at the Sanctuary.  Thinking it a good way for her
mother-in-law to socialise and if she witnessed anything weird, she hoped
Joanne would just dismiss it as eccentric old people stuff and not well… magic.
    With
shoulder length greying blonde hair, large pale blue eyes and a petite trim
figure, Joanne had hit the senior social scene with quite a splash. 
Widowed for over five years now, she appeared finally ready to dip her toe back
into the dating pool. Though as yet, she’d shown no favourites. Insisting that
she was having too much fun to settle on just one beau at the moment. 
    It
was funny really, how her timid, sit at home mother-in-law had become quite the
social butterfly here at the Sanctuary.   That
much was made very clear as Jo recounted her weekend activities.  Friday
night cooking class with Berry’s third cousin Bertram.  Saturday spent at
the Reverie Valley market having coffee with Colin, a visiting artist from
Sydney.  Saturday night, movie on the beach back at Haven Bay with a group
of friends and then Sunday, at the town square for the jazz band, escorted by
Kenneth, Berry’s cousin by marriage.
    Berry
let Joanne do all the talking.   Mainly
because all her energy was focused on not falling down as she brushed her
teeth, bathed and dressed but also because Joanne chatted when she was nervous.
There was no point in pushing her, or asking what was wrong.  She needed
to get to it in her own time.
    It
had been sheer relief to collapse back on the bed.
    “There.” 
Joanne sat down next to her on the bed, beaming.  “Much better.  And
I just love this outfit Berry. When I was younger we would have called these
lounging pyjamas.”  Joanne ran a gentle hand over the dark red material of
the silk crepe PJ’s Berry was wearing.  Thank the Goddess Great-Great-Aunt
Etta had been of a rather decadent nature. Half the trunk Berry had co-opted as
her own appeared to be full of clothes more suited to the boudoir than for
public viewing.
    Berry
let Joanne fuss over her and fetch her some tea that she didn’t particularly
want. Drinking it slowly as Joanne bustled about the room unpacking her things
from two suitcases that someone had kindly fetched from her Great-Grandparent’s
place.  She really didn’t want her things unpacked… it made her stay here
at Hotshot Hughes’ apartment feel too permanent, but she understood Joanne’s
need to keep busy, to keep her mind off whatever was really worrying her.
    “Where
are you staying?”  Berry asked between sips of tea.
    “At
the retirement village. There is so much to do there, every evening they have
movies, dances and activities.”  Joanne smiled broadly.
    Berry
fought not to wince. She so couldn’t afford the cost of Joanne living at the
retirement community full time.  Though she was extremely grateful to the
centre, since coming to the Sanctuary her mother-in-law had begun to
thrive.  She’d lost that haunted look she had for far too long… since the
day she’d arrived home from her cousin’s daughter’s wedding to find her house
repossessed and her only child in