Page 24 of Taking a Chance on Charlevoix
With a wave and a promise to call, Seth was gone, whistling as he went down the front steps. Her aunt stood in the doorway, watching him get into his truck. She was so thorough about everything. What did she think of him? Izzy wished she could have met Chase Wilson.
“Do you think we should have a Facetime call with Sam and Marlowe?” Izzy asked.
Her aunt turned. “Whatever for? We just had a joint call.”
“I know, but maybe they should both meet Chase and Seth. We can see what they think.” Izzy’s voice faltered. It had been exhausting being Marlowe. How did her sister do this every day?
“But darling, what do you think?’ Aunt Cate swung an arm around Izzy’s shoulders. “We haven’t seen his drawings yet, but unless I’m wrong, Seth is probably the man for the job.’
Relief swept through her like the waves on a sunny July day. “Oh, good. Yes, you’re right.”
“You have good instincts, Izzy. Trust them. But sure, let’s have a call with Sam and Marlowe. We’ll get them excited too.” Her aunt gave her a hug and they all trooped into the kitchen. Holly was happily babbling away. She loved being in the heart of the family.
But Izzy was turning over her aunt’s words in her head.Good instincts?She was thirty-six and had been divorced twice. But with Skipper here, this wasn’t the time to mention that.
Five minutes later, Izzy was having coffee in the kitchen with her aunt and Skipper. He had tucked Holly into her highchair and she was playing with her teething biscuit.
“So how was the other one?” Aunt Cate asked.
“Chase was fine but I think Seth is the one we should work with.” Izzy was surprised by the newly discovered certainty in her voice. “Might sound silly but he has respect for the house.”
“I’m all for that.” Aunt Cate looked happy and Izzy felt that she’d succeeded. But Skipper was giving her one of those looks. Really, after all this time? Was this about Seth? Skipper had always been a little jealous.
While Izzy sat there fuming, Aunt Cate turned to Skipper. Fussing now, Holly was probably hungry. Going into the pantry, Izzy grabbed a packet of chicken and sweet potatoes.
“Skipper, if we ordered pizza for lunch from the Back Lot, could you go pick it up?” Aunt Cate asked.
“Absolutely.” A cheerful tone lifted Skipper’s voice. This was how he sounded when Izzy told him his pear tart had gone over well in the shop. “But then I have to get back to Coffee and Cupcakes.”
“You are such a blessing, Skipper.” Her aunt beamed at Izzy’s ex. “Let me get my purse.”
Izzy’s mouth was already watering. “Can you call it in, Skipper? We’d like…”
Phone already in hand, he turned and gave her his impish smile. “Large pizza, thin crust, everything on it.”
“Amazing,” Izzy said, going into the pantry. Holly was ignoring the chicken and sweet potatoes. Maybe she needed to tease the baby’s appetite with Lucky Charms.
“Amazing? Not really. Skipper knows what you like.” Her aunt snorted, like she found this funny. What? She might wonder why Izzy let Skipper hang around all the time. But she needed help. And he never seemed to mind.
While Skipper was pulling on his coat a few minutes later, Aunt Cate turned to him. “Do you live here in town?”
“Sure do,” he said. “Live with my mom.”
“Oh, my.” Her aunt’s face softened. They all knew that Mrs. Malone had been widowed for a long time. “How nice. For both of you.”
Skipper was sensitive about living at home. Izzy wondered what he would say. “She’s having some health problems so I thought I’d just bunk there for a while. She can’t keep the place up alone.”
“Oh, Skipper, I think that’s wonderful. Very generous of you.” Yep, Aunt Cate now thought that Skipper hung the moon.
“Right.” Cheeks pink, Skipper took his keys from his pockets. “I’ll be right back.”
The front door hadn’t even closed behind him when Aunt Cate turned to Izzy. “What a fine young man. “
“He is. And a great friend.” Skipper Malone was one of her past mistakes. Izzy wasn’t going to even consider going that route again.
“Friend? Nothing more?” Mouth twitching, Aunt Cate gave her a curious look.
Holly was still fussing and Izzy’s head was swirling. Was there more to this with Skipper? Reaching for the box of cereal on a pantry shelf, Izzy almost dropped it on the floor.
