“Kit,” Bette warned. “I’m over that now. That’s why I’m trying to move on.”

“By being civil to Tina? Is that what the other day was?” Kit asked skeptically. “Girl, who are you trying to fool?”

“I’m realistic, Kit,” Bette countered. “All this animosity is doing all of us no good. And I’m talking about you and Alice and everyone. You’ve been too caught up with the minute details of my relationship with Tina. I just want people to let the two of us deal with it.”

Kit held her tongue. It was not hard for her resentment toward Tina bubble up to the surface. Nowadays, she tries to be polite. But then, she was polite to everyone.

“I better go. I need to get ready,” Bette looked away as she stood up. “Will you join us at the beach tomorrow? Angie will be there, as will the girls.”

She wrinkled her brows in mild frustration. Kit tried to understand her sister’s attitude, but she could infuriate her on the best of days. “Of course, I wouldn’t miss spending time with my Boo for the world.”

“Want me to swing by and pick up you and Angus? Shane and Shay are riding with me,” Bette offered the olive branch.

“Yeah, OK.”

“I’ll come by around 10.”

The two sisters shared a tight hug, neither relinquishing their hold quite yet. Bette melted under Kit’s embrace, taking in the comfort so readily available to her.

“Bye Kit.” Bette hurried out of the Planet, filing their conversation into a corner of her mind. She needed to focus.

When she pulled into her driveway 20 minutes later, Bette came face to face with a tired looking Barbara Grisham. She offered the woman a small smile, gathering her things before locking up the car.

“Barbara.”

“Bette.”

“Would you like to come in?” Bette asked lightly, sensing Barbara’s glum mood.

“That would be good.”

She dropped her stuff in the living room, taking a deep breath before she turned to face Barbara. “Drink?”

“Anything’s fine,” Barbara smiled at her, but Bette already was on her way to the kitchen. Her smile faltered; the upcoming talk would be crucial.