Page 54 of Babies at Coconuts

Chapter 38

Feeling downright gleeful as the Uber driver drove her from the airport to her Branson home, Cheri’s heart swelled once he rounded the corner to her familiar, wooded neighborhood. Spotting the welcoming, red front door of her beloved late Nana’s home, she relaxed.

After paying the driver, she dragged her leopard print luggage up the sidewalk, unlocked the door, and flipped on nearly every light. Opening several windows, she inhaled the fresh, unpolluted air. Her favorite room in the house was the kitchen with a floor-to-ceiling view of Crystal Lake.

Opening her French doors, Cheri never tired of the serenity of the lush, green Ozark Mountains above the tranquil lake dotted with boats.

As she unpacked her bags, she smiled as she pictured Suzy as a grandmother. I can’t believe they had a wedding and a baby on the same day. I’ve missed so much.

Glad she had asked the driver to stop by the grocery store before coming to her house, she put the cold items away and restocked her pantry with essentials—coffee, Diet Coke, and wine.

Re-familiarizing herself with the kitchen, Cheri found sauce pans and made a light dinner of smoked salmon and steamed broccoli. As the food cooked, she imagined her parents’ luxurious European bungalow, being waited on hand and foot, complete with champagne chilling. She missed them terribly but didn’t want their lifestyle.

Thomas and Victoria Van Buren had literally built their multi-millionaire real estate empire from the ground up by putting their savings into inexpensive homes they later renovated and sold. Cheri always said her parents flipped homes before flipping was in style.

Cheri enjoyed luxury but building her own growing empire at Fifth Avenue Catering was more than enough adventure for her—at least for now. She surprised herself by actually enjoying the slower pace of the Midwest. Having Gage around to drive their limo was nice but she preferred driving her grandmother’s red Mercedes.

Lost in her thoughts, she squeezed lemon on the broccoli and salmon and sat at her granite bar with a full view of the outdoors. This place is so different from New York City. It’s the perfect escape. She took three big bites. I can’t wait to see my friends.

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