Page 46 of Taking a Chance on Charlevoix
“How did it go with Seth this morning?” Gabby asked as they headed back to the agency.
“We all liked the drawings.” She sucked in a breath. “Some of the changes are pretty radical, like taking down a wall.”
“If you work with Seth, you can make any revisions. He’s very flexible.”
Marlowe could see Gabby watching her in the rearview mirror. “We all liked him so I think he’ll be our choice.”
“Oh goody!” Gabby clapped her hands together. “Then maybe I’ll get to work on some of the décor. What fun.”
Marlowe smiled. “I think Seth mentioned that.” But she stopped. No use in letting them know that her aunt had been throwing the attractive architect at her.
“That poor man’s had a hard time, but his son turned out great,” Gabby said.
“Yes, wonderful. Absolutely salt of the earth,” Chip added as they pulled into the parking lot.
But it was clear that something was wrong. “Hard time?” Marlowe echoed.
“Oh, nothing,” Chip said with an anxious look at his wife. Marlowe supposed they hated to discuss business partners in front of a stranger.
“It was a lot more than ‘nothing,” Chip. That Sylvia,” Gabby sputtered. “Ran off with a man Seth worked with and trusted. Left him with Hayden.”
“He’s done a great job with that boy,” Chip said, as if that ended the matter. “Amazing job.”
“I'll send you some information on the certification,” Gabby said when the tour had ended and Marlowe's mind was filled with so much information that it was throbbing. Or maybe it was time for lunch.
Chapter Nineteen
MARLOWE
Too excited to go back to the house after leaving Gabby, Marlowe headed to Coffee and Cupcakes. On the seat next to her was a folder stuffed with brochures. Chip also promised to e-mail her the certification information.
“That means I'll be the one sending that information,” Gabby said with a smile. During their cheerful banter, Marlowe had picked up that Chip was more the socializer of the two, while Gabby took care of the details.
Working with the couple would be a relief after the tension at Hardy Luxury Properties. Coming up here had been a great idea, and so was the decision to renovate Sunnycrest. New possibilities beckoned on the horizon and anticipation stirred inside as Marlowe sprang from Sam’s car and headed to the bakery.
Everyone had seemed pleased with Seth Barrett’s ideas and she was counting on her aunt to do the final sign off. But she also needed this injection of positive energy from Gabby to help her launch the next stage of her life. At times it all seemed overwhelming. But one day at a time. Now that she was in Charlevoix, she had to block her Naples to-do list from her mind.
When she pushed open the door of Coffee and Cupcakes, a bell overhead rang a cheerful welcome. The air was filled with the smell of baked goods and the sound of laughter. A foursome of older women sat around a table toward the back, playing cards. This might be the canasta group that had come to their Christmas open house. Kimberly looked up from her cards and gave Marlowe a wave. As she recalled, the women were now living at Tall Oaks.
Collapsing at an empty table near them, she reached for the colorful menu on the table. Yes, she was definitely hungry. Quiche sounded perfect and Marlowe was starving. Although it was way past noon, Izzy’s place was crowded. Looking around, Marlowe felt a deep sense of pride in her sister. Their parents would be so happy to see this place filled with appreciative customers.
Growing up, Izzy had always needed Marlowe’s help with algebra or biology. High school had been hard for Izzy, which may have been why she decided to marry right after graduation. Aunt Cate had tried to persuade her to go to a community college, but Izzy wouldn’t hear of it. She married Skipper in the back garden at Sunnycrest.
And now Skipper was Izzy’s ex and her pastry chef.Whatever. Marlowe was done trying to manipulate other people’s lives. Happy thoughts washed over her as she set aside the menu. Izzy seemed to have expanded. The pastry case was filled with tempting selections. Coffee was percolating on a sideboard and, best of all, everyone seemed glad to be there.
When Izzy came bustling from the back, her cheeks were flushed. She wiped her hands on her long green apron. “Hey, hi! Have you come for lunch?”
“I'm hoping for some of that yummy quiche and maybe some fruit.” Marlowe smiled up at her.
“You've got it. How did your interview go?” Izzy sat down across from her.
Thinking back, Marlowe still felt surprised by the outcome. “It was really more of a meet and greet. But I think they felt I’d make a good fit, and the feeling is mutual. I liked Gabby's husband a lot. He reminded me of Uncle Monty.”
“Oh wow, really? That’s wonderful.” Izzy’s voice said everything. They had adored their uncle. Losing him five years ago had not been easy. “So working for them will be a good position for you?”
“Sure looks like it.” But it was more complicated than that and she sighed. “This is not going to be a two-foot putt. That's for sure. I need to pass certification and build up my clientele. Again. But living near you, Holly and the rest of the family?” Marlowe reached over to squeeze Izzy’s arm. “So worth it.”
Izzy's eyes filled as she pulled a tissue from her apron pocket. “You make me want to cry. You’ll never know how much this means to me.”
