Page 15 of Second Chance in Charlevoix
Marlowe scanned the crowd. “Sure. That’s Brad Howington. He owns the place and several others or so Josh told me.”
The name hit her with an electric jolt. Just hearing about Josh was hard. “So they're friends?” Sam supposed that Josh knew everyone since he was an orthopedic surgeon here in town. Digging her spoon into the ice cream, she lifted a generous mouthful and swallowed. The icy chill left her breathless.
“Don’t know if they’re friends, but they know each other.” Turning, Marlowe gave her a speculative glance. Sam kept downing the ice cream. The nerves in her teeth were pulsing.
When Brad finally joined them, Marlowe made the introductions but the man definitely had eyes only for Sam's sister. What had she been hiding? Sam was almost sorry that soon Marlowe would be moving to Izzy’s bedroom. This was just the type of secret they once shared as the summer crickets sang in the tall grass. Back then, they’d spent a lot of time talking about the local boys who came to the beach at night with their boomboxes and maybe some beer. What were Marlowe and Brad talking about? He was smiling down at her while Marlowe looked very serious. Couldn’t she lighten up? Residents werefiling back to the tables. It was time to go back to bingo.
“Maybe running next week?” Brad asked as he broke away.
“Sounds good.” Marlowe nodded casually but Sam knew her better. The conversation might have sounded casual but her sister's cheeks were flushed. Sam decided to keep her questions for later. They got back into the rhythm of the game. Working bingo felt great and the older folks were so appreciative. At the end the winners picked up kits with either toothbrushes and toothpaste or shampoo with a shower cap. They all seemed excited by the simple prizes.
The evening ended and finally they were back in the car. “What was that about?” Sam asked as she headed for the state road.
“What?” Marlowe turned, looking very unconcerned. She wasn’t fooling Sam.
“You know what. Brad Howington. The man who was lapping you up with his eyes.”
Marlowe exploded into laugher. “That’s crazy. We were just talking about running.”
But Sam wasn’t fooled. “I think there’s more to this than running.”
For a second, her sister said nothing. The moon had risen in the dark sky, casting ghostly shadows around them. And yet, even if she had been alone on the road, Sam would have felt safe up here inCharlevoix with her family. This renovation of the family home was probably a test none of them could have foreseen. But it was going to turn out just fine. Together they could take it on, no matter what happened. Realizing that helped her relax. The mix-up with her furniture had been frustrating but everything would work out.
“Do you remember that dinner with Aunt Cate a month or so ago? Before I moved here?” Marlowe asked.
Sam thought back. “Not sure I know which one you mean. We've had so many dinners in that kitchen. I can't wait until the dining room is renovated and we can spread out.”
“That night she had cooked one of her wonderful Italian meals. Clam risotto, maybe. I forget what we were talking about but at the end Aunt Cate said just remember life is a feast...or something like that.”
“Yes, I do remember that. But thanks for reminding me.” Sam turned down the lane near Sunnycrest. “So how does Brad Howington fit in to all this?”
Marlowe shrugged. “I guess it took me twenty years or so of dating to discover that life is more than men. Maybe I haven't found the right man yet. Today I closed on my first real estate deal, and that's exciting. I was so afraid I wasn't going to be able to cut it here. That’s where my focus is now.”
Marlowe nervous about “cutting it”? That was unbelievable. Sam pulled in behind Aunt Cate's car and turned off the SUV. “When have you ever not been able to rise to the occasion?”
“Oh you'd be surprised. In any case I think Aunt Cate is right. Life is a feast. Right now I want to explore options. You know, there’s a lot to see around Charlevoix.” When Marlowe turned toward her, she looked so relaxed. Sam felt a little jealous. While her sister didn’t want to rush into anything, Sam was all strung out about Josh. She missed his calls. Missed sharing things with him, even though his kids didn’t approve. She sighed.
Exploring options without freaking out? How did her younger sister ever get to be so wise?
Chapter 8
Isabel
Surrounded by boxes on Sunday morning, Izzy wondered if she was doing the right thing. Sunshine fell through her bedroom windows. This room had been hers ever since she could remember. The pink rosebud quilt and curtains were part of her childhood. At the last minute she’d stripped the quilt from the bed and stuffed it into a big black bag to take with her. First she'd asked Marlowe for permission since her older sister would be taking over the room.
“I have quilts packed away in my storage shed,” Marlowe had told her with a rueful smile. “I'll be glad to break out a few and bring them over to Sunnycrest.”
Asleep in the Pack and Play, Holly looked so sweet and innocent. No one would know what a hellion she could be, and Izzy hoped she’d behave atthe Malone house. Izzy had told Skipper that she would call him when the baby woke up. Thank goodness he'd offered to pick them up. At first she’d planned on only one or two boxes, but the more she thought about it, the more she packed.
Holly needed her runabout although Izzy almost didn't bring it because the baby was known to smash into things. But maybe she'd grow out of that. She was standing up more every day, taking shaky steps with the help of furniture. And then there was the highchair, waiting in the hallway downstairs along with the bag of Holly’s food and her favorite dish. Izzy had asked Aunt Cate if she could take the heavy porcelain bowl ringed with the alphabet. The bowl had been in their family since Samantha was born, a gift from some distant relative. Of course her aunt had told her to take it.
“Knock, knock.” Aunt Cate poked her head into the open doorway. Even though it was Sunday morning, her aunt wore light makeup, including mascara and her signature red lipstick. Since joining them in Charlevoix, she had tucked away her New York City wardrobe for dinners and other special occasions. Today she wore a comfortable warm-up suit in a warm beige with a spring green silk top.
Putting a finger to her lips. Izzy waved her in with her other hand. Aunt Cate got the message. Her eyes swung over to the Pack and Play. Sitting down next toher on the bed, her aunt gave her a tight hug. “I'm going to miss you two.”
Her aunt had been so good to her, smoothing over all the rough spots since their parents had been killed in that accident. She’d helped Izzy in so many ways, not all of them known to her sisters. “I'm going to miss you too,” Izzy whispered back.
“But you're doing the right thing. I understand about all the upheaval. Better to be someplace else.” Aunt Cate sighed. “The drawings were wonderful but the reality, well, that’s much different.”
