Page 68 of Come to Me

Micki shook her head and turned her attention back to the task at hand, implementing her plan to save her family's struggling resort. She’d already executed a new marketing strategy and it was starting to work. Inquiries about family reunions were coming in. And one organization had already booked a four-day retreat next summer. Opening her calendar on her computer, Micki began to mark down the dates. As she secured the bookings, a surge of pride and start of relief washed over her. This could be the answer her family had been searching for to bring in much-needed revenue and keep the resort afloat.

Yet, even as she celebrated this small victory, Micki couldn't shake the weight of the immediate future. The bookings so far were for next year. They’d have to survive until then. For a moment she thought about her parents words, telling her she didn’t need to take on the responsibility. Admittedly, there were moments when it felt like too much. She’d never felt like her life at the lake was causing her to miss out until Patrick. But even if she could leave the lake, Patrick wouldn’t be waiting for her in New York. They had a fling, not a love affair. She rubbed the spot over her heart where it hurt to think of him.

She left her office just as her mother was bringing refreshments out on the deck. She’d heard day visitors out on the lake but hadn’t yet seen them. Her day had been filled with trips to town for supplies, paying bills and counting their pennies, and aggressively marketing the resort.

She grabbed a pitcher of lemonade from the kitchen to help her mother. Stepping out on the deck, she saw Sydney, Lexie and Chelsea chattering away.

“You know, I love my kids, but kid-free days…I could use a few more of these,” Lexie said.

“I remember feeling the same,” my mother replied, carrying the platter of almond cookies to each woman to take a few.

“Really?” Micki asked. “We were great kids.”

Her mother smirked. “Sometimes great pains.”

“We should plan a kids-free mom trip,” Lexie said.

“Oh, that would be fun.” Chelsea took a cookie from the platter.

Sydney rose from her chair to pour a glass of lemonade. “We should go to New York. We can see a show and shop.”

“You can teach us how to be real corporate wives,” Lexie laughed.

“You don’t feel real?” That seemed like an odd statement to Micki.

“I can’t speak for Chels here, but even now, sometimes I feel like I’m looked at as a country bumpkin when I’m in New York with Drake.”

“We’re like freak shows,” Chelsea added.

Sydney waved their comment away. “You’re not. That’s just snobby elites who are jealous you took two of the most eligible men in New York.”

Micki wondered if she’d feel out of place in New York. It was another example of how she and Patrick weren’t compatible.

“Let’s go this weekend,” Lexie stated. “The closer we get to August, the more my schedule is filled. Does that work for you.”

“Works for me,” Chelsea said.

“Me too.” Sydney glanced at Micki. “You should come with us.”

“Me?” What would she do in New York?

“Yeah. It will be fun.” Sydney nodded in encouragement.

Micki shook her head. “The resort keeps me pretty busy, and I'd hate to leave my family and Tate for too long."

"Aw, come on. You work so hard, you deserve a little break. Plus, we'd love to have you with us." Lexie popped the last bit of cookie into her mouth.

The idea of seeing Patrick filtered into her mind. But that wasn’t on the agenda. And if Lexie felt like a country bumpkin in New York, what would Micki feel like? "I appreciate the offer, really, but I can’t. There's too much going on at the resort, and Tate needs me."

Sydney studied her for a moment, a knowing look in her eyes. "Micki, we all know how much you do for this place. But you can't pour from an empty cup, you know? A little time away might be just what you need."

Micki opened her mouth to protest, but Chelsea cut in, "She's right, you know. We've all seen how hard you work, and we want to give something back. Let us take you to the city for a weekend. It'll be fun!"

“You should go.”

Micki turned at her father’s voice. He stood at the sliding door, pushing the screen open as he tentatively stepped out. “Your friends are right, you need a break.”

Micki opened her mouth to protest, but her father held up a hand.

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