Fresh Tracks by Georgia Beers Read Free Book Online Page B

supposed to do, the next logical
    step."
    "And 'we' is?"
    "'We' is me and Kristin. We've been together for a little over seven years."
    "Wow. Congratulations." Darby forced cheerfulness into her voice. Of course somebody like Molly had a partner. Why wouldn't she? That didn't really mean anything anyway, did it?
    "Thanks."
    Molly's voice contained slightly less pride than Darby expected, but she left it alone for
    the time being. "Is she coming this week?"
    "She had some work stuff to take care of. She should be here today."
    "Oh. Cool." Darby didn't like the far-off quality that suddenly encompassed Molly. Wanting to get her talking about happier subjects, she prompted, "Keep going."
    "Going where?"
    "Fun, smart-ass. What do you do for fun?"
    "Ah." Molly nodded and Darby could feel her returning to their conversation. "Let's see. I garden in the summer. Flowers and vegetables. And I have a lot of houseplants, so that
    helps to keep me busy in the winter. I love to walk. That's a huge advantage of living on the canal."
    "I bet. I like to take my bike there and just ride and ride."
    "I've got a bike, too." The corner of Molly's mouth turned up slightly. "You should come get me some time. We can ride together."
    "I'd like that."
    Before they could continue, they heard a shout from around the bend ahead of them. As
    they rounded it, the others came into view, off the path and into the woods about twenty
    yards.
    "What do you think of this one?" Jo asked, squatting down next to
    a small evergreen. It stood about five feet tall, its branches surprisingly thick and lush.
    Molly had completely forgotten the hunt for a tree and realized she'd never even glanced
    at one as they walked. "I think it's perfect," she said.
    Darby nodded and stepped forward to help her aunt as she sawed.
    "We'll have to remember to come out here and plant another one in the spring," Amy
    commented.
    "We're in the middle of a forest, Aunt Ame. Who's going to see one little bare spot?"
    Amy shot a stern look at Darby. "We always replace what we take, unless it's fallen all on its own."
    Darby made the face of a child who'd been scolded. "Okay, then."
    Twenty minutes later, they were nearly back to the house, Darby and Jo dragging the small
    tree behind them. Sophie was describing the design she was working on for a client when a
    shrill beeping cut through the air, causing many of the women to jump.
    "Jesus." Amy laughed, pressing a hand to her chest.
    "Sorry," Molly said sheepishly. "It's me. I forgot it was in my coat." She pulled a cell phone from her coat pocket and glanced at the screen. "l,t's Kristin. She's probably on her way.
    I'll catch up with you." She walked backward, putting distance between herself and the
    group.
    Darby watched over her shoulder, barely able to register Molly's voice as she moved
    farther away. She turned face forward just in time to catch a low-slung branch on the
    forehead.
    "Ow." She rubbed the spot.
    Aunt Jo studied her with a cocked eyebrow. "Watch where you're walking," she suggested mildly.
    "Now you tell me."
    "Found it." Amy came up from the basement carrying an old metal tree stand and handed it to Jo. "I have no idea why it's here since we've got no decorations, but..."
    "I brought it up last fall after we got a new stand at home, remember?" Jo had moved a knee-high table in front of the living room
    window and she and Darby balanced the tree on top. The extra height centered it
    perfectly. "What do you think?"
    Amy suppressed a grin.
    "You're warming to it," Jo said, waving a finger at her beloved. "I can tell."
    "It looks terrific," Amy conceded. "Good call, Darby."
    Darby looked pleased with herself as she took the stand from Amy and helped Aunt Jo
    position the tree's trunk correctly.
    Sophie came out of the kitchen with a bowl of microwave popcorn. "Got a needle and some
    thread?"
    "I'm sure I do." Amy glanced toward the door. "Where's Primo? Is she still out there?"
    "Why do you call her that?" Darby asked,