Page 26 of Second Chance in Charlevoix
“I've decided that I only like one dish. Lasagna for example. Lasagna and Josh.”
She'd never heard her aunt laugh so uproariously. Sam got them both a plate and fork. Between gales of laughter, they sampled the remainders of Skipper’s perfect apple tarts. They tasted wonderful.
Chapter 13
Isabel
Holly was acting grumpy after dinner, and Izzy knew the feeling. Sitting in front of the TV in the living room and watchingSesame Streetsounded like a good plan.But of course Mrs. Malone wanted to watchJeopardy. Izzy didn’t want to sit in the kitchen in the evening. Trying to shake off her fatigue, she was glad they were headed to Sunnycrest for that meeting. What were they going to talk about? As she dressed Holly in her pink corduroy overalls with the soft ruffled shirt that Aunt Cate had given her, Izzy felt so tired. Messing around in Sam’s life had been exhausting.
“Can I help with anything before you leave?” Skipper poked his head in the doorway of the master bedroom.
“No, I’ve got it.” Now if this was one of her sisters,Izzy would ask her to make sure the diaper bag was ready. Why not try it? “Could you check the diaper bag? Make sure I’ve got everything?” He probably didn’t know what “everything” was.
“Already have.” Skipper gave her a quick wink.
Maybe it was her exhaustion but Izzy’s eyes filled and she looked away.
Coming closer, Skipper put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Hey, what’s this? You okay?”
“Just a little tired.” Izzy turned from the blue eyes that always reminded her of summer days on Lake Michigan. Sometimes this single mom thing left her stretched way too thin. But she could do it. She had to.
“Want me to drive you over?”
“Absolutely not.” Her words came out so sharp. Poor Skipper dropped his hand and backed away. After everything the man was doing for her, she felt embarrassed and mad at herself.
“Sorry, Skipper. I didn’t mean that.” Had she hurt his feelings? Maybe she should let Skipper come too. But what would her family think? They’d assume she couldn’t handle being a mother by herself. No way was Izzy having that.
“Want to go bye-bye?” she asked Holly.
“You bet.” The little head nodded. “Bye-bye.”
Although Izzy hated to depend on a pacifier too much, she ended up plugging it in before she buckled Holly into the pumpkin seat. Without it, Holly couldget restless and tonight Izzy was in no mood. The baby settled back, sucking with deep concentration that sometimes made Izzy laugh. If her teeth ended up crooked because of the darned thing, Izzy could always get braces for Holly, couldn’t she? Izzy had worn them and so had Marlowe and Sam. Her parents had made their teeth a priority and Aunt Cate had continued that for Izzy.
Skipper and his mother were watchingJeopardywhen she emerged from her new bedroom. “Skipper can you carry the bag or the baby to the car?” Asking twisted her heart but no way could she handle both.
“Of course.” Skipper shot up and gave her a careful look, as if he was expecting tears.
“Don’t stay out too late with that little baby,” Mrs. Malone said, turning from the TV.
“The meeting should be short.” But the question made Izzy smile. Was Skipper’s mom worrying about Holly? So far, Irene and Izzy were getting along even though they’d never had a good relationship. Not during the short marriage and definitely not later. What was different now? Turning that over in her mind, she carried Holly out to her car. Skipper put the diaper bag up front and hooked Holly into the pumpkin seat in the back. She’d be glad when the baby could face forward so Izzy could see her.
“Drive carefully,” Skipper said as he closed her car door.
“I always do.” When she backed down the drive, Skipper stood there, a figure outlined by the porch lights. She knew that he’d leave them on until she made it home. His hands were in his pockets until he lifted one to wave. Why did she give him such a hard time? He was invaluable to her. Thank goodness since the visit from Camille, he’d never mentioned that French woman again.
Why should she care about Camille, the beautiful woman with great clothes and a sexy accent? Izzy told herself that she didn’t want Skipper to be recruited by another hotel. Was it more than that? Wondering could make her crazy. And once again she’d missed the turn to Sunnycrest. Pulling into the first driveway she came to, Izzy turned around.
By the time she reached Sunnycrest, cars were lined up on the street below the house, along with Seth’s pickup. So far he'd been great to work with and his workers were equally pleasant. But what hitch had come up now? Izzy didn’t need any more bad news.
Hauling the pumpkin seat up the front steps wasn't easy, but the bright yellow daffodils and pink tulips along the stairway made it easier. Spring was officially here and she breathed in the cool, clear Michigan air. Summer couldn’t be far away. The air felt soft against her face and she pictured herself outside, catching fireflies with Holly. Even in the summer, the nights up there usually got chilly enoughto be refreshing. She loved to open her windows at night to let in the air. Almost always worked, except for the August heat, which seemed to get worse every year.
When she reached the top of the stairs, Izzy stopped to catch her breath. Holly bumped her heels against the pumpkin seat with impatience. No need to use the doorbell. Her sisters were waiting and the door flew open, light spilling into the early dusk.
“How’s my favorite niece?” Marlowe called out. Holly broke into a smile and Izzy had to catch the pacifier before it hit the ground. Marlowe always made a big fuss about the baby although Sam had been the person Holly had called Mama last winter. Marlowe took Holly and Izzy followed them into the dining room.
Sitting in the glow of the antique crystal chandelier, Seth and Aunt Cate were waiting for them. Heads together, they studied the detailed architectural drawings. The light caught the gray in Seth’s hair and cast a glow onto her aunt’s strawberry blonde cap.
A barrel chested, easy-going guy, Seth did have a certain appeal. When he smiled, laugh lines flared out from his eyes. Not being very subtle about it, Aunt Cate seemed to have her eye on Seth for Marlowe. Izzy wondered how Marlowe felt about that.
