Page 54 of Taking a Chance on Charlevoix
Grabbing the handle of her suitcase, Marlowe turned to go. “You might want to ease up on the calls with Josh. That's all I’m saying.”
“I think I’m going back to the house to pack up and leave.” Her hair mussed and face flushed, Sam looked miserable.
“Look, I’m sorry I said anything.” Why had she interfered with her sister’s personal life?
“That’s what sisters are for,” Sam said in a quiet voice. “And I call it good advice, not interference.”
“If you say so.” One more tight hug and Marlowe backed away. She threw her big sister a kiss. “Miss you, Sam.”
“Right. Have a good trip and text me to let me know you've safely landed, okay?”
Marlowe smiled. How often had her sister told her that when they were growing up? Sam really deserved a break. “Okay, Mom. We'll talk soon.”
But on the way back to Florida when she should have been planning her own next steps, all she could think about was Sam. How could she protect her sister from having her heart broken again--and by a couple of teenagers, no less? And then there was the whole menopause thing. Her sister’s worries surprised her. Had Sam hoped to have a baby? Maybe a baby with Josh?
Early menopause. Was Marlowe’s own door closing? That thought chilled her. Soon she’d be forty and in a lot of ways she was not ready. Izzy had needed surgery that had ended her chances for a family. And then she adopted Holly. What did Sam’s news mean for her…and what would it mean for Marlowe?
Chapter Twenty-Two
MARLOWE
“Let’s see what awaits in your new home.” Using her key for the last time, Marlowe let herself into the home in Olde Naples. Shari followed her inside. Marlowe wanted to hug Carmella when she saw how pristine the whole place was. The floors gleamed, the windows shone and every surface looked squeaky clean. Did she wish for just a minute that she was the new owner? No, not at all.
“Wonderful. Like new.” Shari looked pleased and Marlowe exhaled.
One more down. As Marlowe stood in the kitchen looking out at the pool, Shari opened cupboards and drawers. A realtor for so many years, she was looking for instruction books for the appliances and she found them. Leaving them in the drawer, Shari turned and smiled. “Perfect. The place is perfect.”
“As promised,” Marlowe said with a bright smile. She wanted to leave Naples with her reputation intact. The last trip home had brought up some issues she’d have to deal with. In the past, she’d always been able to compartmentalize. That had helped a lot when her life became complicated. But right now Marlowe was having trouble keeping everything in its own compartment. Although she might be able to keep her own life straight, keepingher sisters’ lives organized was becoming a problem. And then there was Aunt Cate and her matchmaking. But she wouldn’t think about that now.
Instead of going out into the backyard to check the pool, Shari scooted back into the hallway and headed toward the master suite. Saying a silent prayer, Marlowe followed. Although she'd come through the house with her punch list the night before, she wanted to make sure everything was still perfect. A last minute grab would not be below Carmella Donatello. Marlowe hoped that no hand-painted switch plates were missing and every Italianate faucet was in place. Ahead of her, Shari quickly breezed through the empty master closets and into the double bathrooms. To Marlowe’s relief, Carmella hadn’t pulled any tricks.
Humming a happy tune, Shari went upstairs to the bedrooms. Her open-backed kitten heels slapped gently against her feet. Shari’s excitement was fun to see. Would Marlowe feel the same when she moved to Charlevoix? She sure hoped so. Right now she had no idea where she’d land. Would she live at Sunnycrest or get her own place? She wouldn’t think about that now.
Upstairs the guest bedrooms were also perfect and so were the baths. Carmella had taken her warnings seriously. Marlowe couldn’t recall a closing as challenging as this one had been. But then again, Shari had been a dream to work with regarding her own condo. That quick sale left everyone in a good mood. Now she hoped that her place would sell as quickly as Shari’s had.
Feeling the responsibility for this house slip from her shoulders, Marlowe took the stairs back down and led Shari to the patio outside. On the glass-topped table sat a wine bucket with an expensive bottle of champagne and a battery-operated wine opener.
“What is this?” Plucking Marlowe’s card from the ice bucket, Shari read it and smiled.
“To celebrate,” Marlowe said. “Whenever you're ready.” Did Shari ever date? Would some handsome man come over to see her new home and share the bottle with her?
Grasping the bottle by the neck, Shari read the label. “You do have good taste. But I'm not surprised at all, Marlowe. You’re first rate all the way.”
“You can share it with a special someone... some time.” She didn't want to get in too deep.
Shari's eyes shifted to the pool, where the noon sun was reflected on the cool waters. “Why don't you stay for a glass?”
The peaceful setting called to her and Marlowe was tempted. But she had things to do. “When will you be moving in?”
“In two days.” Shari looked like a little girl. Her eyes sparkled.
“When you are finished with your boxes, do you think I could have them?”
“Of course. What’s up?” Wearing a wry smile, Shari pushed the bottle back into the ice. “You have me very curious about those boxes. The only time people need moving boxes is when they're moving. And usually if a company is moving you, they pay to have everything packed up.”
That detail did bring a chuckle. With each passing day and phone call, Marlowe was having trouble keeping her move a secret. Over the past weeks, working with Shari had opened many windows into her life. Hadn’t her new friend noticed the phone calls Marlowe had to take in another room?
Soon the word about Marlowe's plans would be made public. She wasn't taking any new clients. Last week she’d shifted one to Shari. “I'm moving.”
