A Beautiful Thought (The Beautiful Series) by Alicia Rae Page A

of the water until we found a flat spot. I laid out the blanket, sat down with my legs out in front of me, and gestured for Gail to sit in between my legs. After she took a seat, I pulled her close, so I could feel her warm body against me.
    The sun was beating through the clouds, and the slight wind created ripples in the lake. I could hear the faint sound of the breeze shifting the branches of the trees. With no one around us, the atmosphere was quiet and peaceful.
    “How did you find this place?” Gail asked, snuggling into me.
    “I had some free time on my first trip to Lake Tahoe when Jason and I came to look at the office and visit Lily,” I explained, staring out at the blue water that went out farther than I could see. “I took the back roads and just cruised with no destination in mind, and this is where I ended up.”
    “I can see why you wanted to come back,” Gail responded, gazing around in awe.
    “Yeah, there was just something about this place,” I answered, peering down at her. “What about you? Where do you go in your free time?”
    “I’ve never really had extra time until recently. But when I do, I usually visit my family, Abbey, or Audrey.”
    “Who’s Audrey?” I inquired.
    “A dear childhood friend of mine. She’s supposed to be coming home soon. You’ll really like her. Everyone does,” she said with affection in her voice.
    “I can’t wait to meet her then,” I said, lifting my hands to rub each of her arms.
    My stomach rumbled, making Gail laugh.
    “Time to eat?” she questioned.
    “It appears that way.” I chortled.
    Gail and I both sat up, slightly facing each other. I reached into the basket and pulled out all the food, dividing it between the two of us. She opened her sandwich and peeked between the slices of bread.
    “Peanut butter and jelly?” she asked in a sweet tone that I felt all the way in my chest. She looked up at me, her eyes glowing, as she took a small bite.
    “Yeah,” I admitted sheepishly as I poured us each a glass of champagne. “That’s about as far as my gourmet skills go.”
    “It’s delicious and perfect,” she said after swallowing. “I used to live on these as a kid.”
    “Me, too.” I chuckled, digging right into my sandwich. “And I need all the protein I can get to keep up with Jason at work.”
    Gail peered at me over her food. “So, how are things going with work?”
    “I really enjoy it, even the labor.” I grinned. “But next week, I start designing my first building for the company. It’s a new local middle school.”
    “Wow.” She took a sip of her drink. “That’s amazing. It must be very rewarding to be a part of such an important process.”
    “It is.” I nodded thoughtfully. “I’ve done a few in the past, but they were smaller in size, so it’s really neat to be a part of this one.”
    “What other schools have you done?” Gail asked, sounding intrigued.
    It made me feel good to see her interested in my job.
    “I did a tech college in Chicago, a small elementary school in Denver, and an autism academy here in Lake Tahoe.”
    Gail gasped as her eyes bulged over her glass. “You worked on E2 Excellence in Education?”
    “Yeah,” I acknowledged as we finished up eating. “You know the place?”
    “Yes!” she exclaimed. “Caroline was just accepted there! It’s supposed to be a wonderful program.”
    “I only helped design the building, but I heard the program has some of the best trained teachers in the field,” I responded honestly while pondering.
    “I’m so happy for her,” Gail crooned.
    I deliberated over what Abbey had said to me that day back at the office about Gail helping her family and struggling financially. I guessed that if she was assisting her sister’s schooling at all, E2 Excellence in Education was very expensive. It was a top-of-the-line school but costly. Gail’s endearing generosity for her family made my admiration and respect of her increase to all new heights. It took a