Give Murder A Hand: Lizzie. Book 2 (The Westport Mysteries) by Beth Prentice Page A

applied my make-up. When I still felt insecure, I went back and added
another layer of mascara and lip-gloss. Today I had my first appointment at the
counselor. I’d never been to a counselor before and the thought that someone
would be able to see the ‘real me’ scared me almost as much as my nightmares.
    Riley had popped out to the corner shop to get some milk and the
morning paper but he was coming with me for my first visit. I went downstairs
and poured myself a coffee, using the last of the milk in the carton, hoping
that a coffee would settle my nerves.
    My appointment was booked for nine and, without looking at the
clock, I knew I still had another forty-five minutes to get there. All I knew
about the counselor I was going to was that her name was Allison Greene, she
was about my age and highly recommended by my doctor.
    I sighed. Maybe I could cancel. I’m sure I could get a grip on my
nightmares without professional help. Yeah, maybe I should give myself another
week. Running to my bag to find my phone and call off my appointment, I felt my
nerves settle. Riley walked in the door as I was dialing.
    “Who are you talking to?” he asked, kissing me on top of my head as
he walked past.
    “The counselor,” I responded, listening to the ring through the
phone. Riley’s eyebrow raised. It was actually a really adorable trait he had. Only
his left eyebrow raised when he was really curious. “I’m canceling my
appointment. I’ve decided to give myself another week and then see how I feel,”
I explained.
    Riley immediately took the phone from my hand and pressed the end
button.
    “Lizzie, you are not cancelling. You promised me you would go.”
    “Yes, and I will if I need to ... next week.”
    Riley pulled me in close. “You need it now. I know you had another
nightmare last night.”
    “Yes, but it wasn’t as bad as the last one, so I’m obviously
getting better.”
    “We’re going to that appointment,” he said, his tone suggesting no
nonsense. “Now, grab your bag. I’m taking you out for a coffee. We’ll go to
your favorite café on the boardwalk.”
    Humph. He knew how to bribe me.

 
    * * *

 
    Riley lived at 12 Sunrise Drive, and the café
in question wasn’t that far from his house. Only about a five minute drive, but
it was on the other side of the river. Riley navigated traffic easily but once we got
there, parking was a whole different story. I think every man and his dog had
come for a coffee this morning.
    “Hail Mary, Mother of Grace, please find us a parking space,” I said,
looking around, hoping a car would pull out of a park for us.
    Riley laughed. “What did you just say?”
    “I said a Hail Mary to the parking gods. I heard it on the radio
once.” Riley continued to smile. Obviously he was a skeptic. “Don’t look at me
like that. It works.”
    “Do you really think you should say a Hail Mary just to get a
parking space?”
    “Yeah, I have been a bit concerned about that, but I figure I’ll
worry about it when my time’s up.” I smiled because just at that moment the car
in the nearest parking space put his reversing lights on and started to move
out of the park. I looked at Riley and shrugged. “I told you it works.”
    I heard Riley’s chuckle, low and sexy in his throat, as he pulled
the car into place.
    Opening the car door and stepping out into the sunshine, I
instantly felt the anxiety settle. I loved it here. Not only was the coffee
exceptional and the staff friendly, but the view was spectacular. Whenever life
got too hard, I put on my walking shoes, went for a walk and ended up at this coffee
shop. Usually by then I had figured out whatever was on my mind, and if I
hadn’t, I’d buy a chocolate Frappuccino. Same difference.
    It was a good start as Tom, my favorite Barista, was on duty. He
not only made the best coffee he also had the friendliest smile.
    “Good morning, Lizzie,” he called as we entered the shop. “You’re
looking sunny this