Sanctuary

We’ll need to batten down.”
    “We’re going to evacuate the tourists before the seas get too rough for ferry crossings. Kate wants you to help down at checkout. I’m going out with Giff. We’ll start boarding up.”
    “All right, I’ll be down. Let’s hope she heads out to sea and gives us a pass.”
    “Daddy’s on the radio getting updates. Brian went down to see that the boat’s fueled and supplied in case we have to leave.”
    “Daddy won’t leave. He’ll ride it out if he has to tie himself to a tree.”
    “But you will.” Lexy stepped closer. “I went by your room earlier, saw your suitcases open and nearly packed.”
    “There’s more reason for me to go than to stay.”
    “You’re wrong, Jo. There’s more for staying, at least until we find the way to settle this for everyone. And we need to bury Mama.”
    “Oh, God, Lexy.” Jo covered her face, then stood there with her fingers pressed to her eyes.
    “Not her body. But we need to put a marker up in the cemetery, and we need to say good-bye. She loved us. All my life I thought she didn’t, and that maybe it was because of me.”
    When Lexy’s voice broke, Jo dropped her hands. “Why would you think something like that?”
    “I was the youngest. I thought she hadn’t wanted another child, hadn’t wanted me. So I spent most of my life trying so hard to make people love me, people want me. I’d be whatever I thought they’d like best. I’d be stupid or I’d be smart. I’d be helpless or I’d be clever. And I’d always make sure I left first.”
    She walked over, carefully shut the balcony doors. “I’ve done a lot of hateful things,” she continued. “And it’s likely I’ll do plenty more. But knowing the truth’s changed something inside me. I have to say good-bye to her. We all do.”
    “I’m ashamed I didn’t think of it,” Jo murmured. “If I go before it can all be arranged, I’ll come back. I promise.” She bent down to gather up the linens she’d stripped from the bed. “Despite everything, I’m glad I came back this time. I’m glad things have changed between us.”
    “So am I.” Lexy aimed a sidelong smile. “So, now maybe you’ll fancy up some of the pictures you took that I’m in, and take a few more. I could use them for my portfolio. Casting directors ought to be pretty impressed with glossies taken by one of the top photographers in the country.”
    “If we shake loose of Carla, you and I will have a photo shoot that’ll knock every casting director in New York on his ass.”
    “Really? Great.” She scowled out at the sky. “Goddamn hurricane. Something’s always coming along to postpone the good stuff. Maybe we can do it in Savannah. You know, rent a real studio for a couple of days, and—”
    “Lexy.”
    “Oh, all right.” Lexy waved her hands. “But thinking about that’s a lot more fun than thinking about nailing up sheets of plywood. Of course, maybe Giff’ll think I’m plain useless at it, and I can whisk back inside and check through my wardrobe for the right outfits. I want sexy shots, sexy and moody. We could get us a little wind machine for—”
    “Lexy,” Jo said again on an exasperated laugh.
    “I’m going, I’m going. I’ve got this terrific evening gown I got wholesale in the garment district.” She started toward the door. “Now, if I can just talk Kate into letting me borrow Grandma Pendleton’s pearls.”
    Jo laughed again as Lexy’s voice carried down the hallway. Things shouldn’t change too quickly, she decided, or too much. Bundling the linens more securely, she carted them out to the laundry chute. Through an open door she could see the couple who had come in for the week from Toronto packing, and making quick work of it. She imagined most of the other guests were doing the same.
    Checkout, usually a breezy and relaxed process, was going to be frantic.
    The minute she came downstairs, she saw she hadn’t exaggerated. Luggage was already piled by the front door. In the parlor, half a dozen guests were milling around or standing by the windows staring at the sky as if they expected it to crack open at any moment.
    Kate was at the desk, surrounded by a sea of paperwork and urgent demands. Her hospitable smile was frayed around the edges when she looked up and spotted Jo.
    “Now don’t you worry. We’ll get everyone safely to the ferry. We have two running all day, and one leaves for the mainland every hour.” At the flood of voices,