Page 97 of Pity Parade

Trina suggests, “We can offer discounts to Elk Lake residents for day passes.”

“And we can give them a blanket discount at the restaurant.”

“What restaurant?” she wants to know.

“We need a restaurant so we can offer room service. Can you imagine staying in one of the glamping tents and having a golf cart drive out with your breakfast?”

Trina sighs. “That sounds heavenly. I was reading about a place online that has treehouse cabins. Those might be fun, too.”

“We’d better find ourselves a contractor and start getting permits. I’d love to be up and running by this time next year.”

“That’s fast,” Trina says. “But I like it. Maybe we can have something going by this winter even. I talked to Prim more about glamping and she said that people do it in the winter all the time.”

“Interesting. Aiming for fall might be better so we can lure people up who want to see the leaves change color.”

Trina jumps to her feet. “I’m getting so excited. But you know what I can’t wait for?”

“What’s that?” I ask.

“I can’t wait to tell Tom that he can hit the bricks. I’ve waited a whole week to make sure that, you know …”

“That I’m not going anywhere?” I guess.

She nods her head slowly. “No offense, but I was terrified to give you another chance.” She leans into me and kisses my cheek. “But now that I know you’re not going to run away, I want to let him know I’m not doing his stupid show.”

The day I called Tom from Chicago, I set up a meeting with him. That’s when I thought I might still need his show to get Trina’s attention. “Don’t call him yet,” I tell her.

She looks at me with alarm. “Are you having second thoughts?”

I shake my head. “No, but I also think I know a way to get Tom to back off without him suing you.”

“He can’t sue me if I’m in a relationship,” I tell him.

“Of course he can. If nothing else, he’ll do it for the publicity to get attention for whatever project he does next.”

She appears to consider this for a minute before asking, “What’s your idea?”

“I don’t want to talk about it yet,” I tell her. “Call me superstitious, but I want to get a few more ducks in line first.”

“How long are we talking?”

“Give me another week. I should have a better idea by then.”

“Fine,” she says. “You’ve got one week. But after that, I’m calling Tom.”

Standing up, I tell her. “It’s a deal. Now, let’s get back. I’ve got to make a couple calls.”

“Do they have anything to do with Tom?” she asks suspiciously.

I shrug my shoulders. “Maybe.”

When we get back to our cottages, Trina says, “I’m going to my place to marinate the fish. Go make your calls and come over at six for supper.” She kisses me goodbye before walking away.

Once I’m inside, I pull my phone out of my pocket and call Shelby. “Hey, are you and the kids home?” I ask her.

“Yeah, we came back early to give Allan his alone time. They were bummed at first, but when they found out that I was going to spend time with them, they got excited. Which is sweet but also made me feel like crap.” She sounds tired.

“How did goodbyes go with Allan?”

---