Page 33 of Second Chance in Charlevoix
Brad gave his head a shake. “Anyway, shortly after that my grandmother passed away.”
“I’m so sorry.” Her eyes filled, imagining the loss.
“She had other health issues besides her hip. My grandfather died shortly after that. We all believed that Grandpa died of a broken heart. During his life, he’d been pretty frugal. Why, he saved stuff like pieces of string or foil. To our amazement, he’d been an armchair investor and had a very successful portfolio. The inheritance enabled me to forge ahead with my plans. And my sister Nicole now has a beautiful home on Lake Michigan.”
“How wonderful.” Marlowe thought back to the small amount Uncle Monty had left to each of them. Her uncle definitely had been paying it forward too.
“Anyway, I saw right then that CCRCs, Continuing Care Retirement Communities, was a field with a future. And I wanted to be the guy to do it, instead of an outside for-profit coming into this area. I went on a tour to see what successful retirement communities were like.”
Marlowe was impressed. “You sure put a lot of effort into it. Tall Oaks is beautiful. And the people look happy.”
“Thanks. I hope they feel cared for.” Brad lookedpleased. “I took some risks but it's been very rewarding.”
She thought back to the seniors who played bingo on Thursday night. “The residents at Tall Oaks adore you.”
Looking embarrassed, he drew back his chin and his strong neck came into play. “Oh, I don’t know about that.”
“What?” Okay, she’d lost her train of thought.
“Not sure that the residents adore me. They just like that warm bread. And how about you?” he asked. “How did you end up with the Driscolls?”
Had she ever mentioned the Driscolls to him or had he done his homework? She felt flattered. “I met Gabby on a plane. I was very lucky.”
Brad nodded and smiled. “I could see the two of you getting along. I would think that this area would be a great real estate market.”
She drew a deep breath. “Yes, it is. But I'm starting from Go again. Feels a bit daunting at times.” Finding the houses for her appointments was nerve-wracking. She’d recently rung the wrong doorbell up in Petoskey.
“I think you're up to the challenge.” For a second she basked in his obvious approval. Unlike some of the men in her life, it seemed genuine. Brad wasn’t coming onto her with any squirmy lines. “I'm very happy with mydecision.”
Looking out over the lake filled her with a deep sense of peace. “The pace is different in this area and there are plenty of opportunities.” She hoped Brad wouldn't read anything into what she'd said.
Smiling over at her, Brad paused, as if he was carefully considering his next words. “Since we’re getting to know each other, do you mind my asking how an attractive, successful woman like you is still single? I mean no disrespect, Marlowe. Just curious.”
She took a deep breath. The back-handed compliment spoiled her relaxed mood. What should she tell him? Was he indirectly asking about her age? Heck with it. She wanted all the cards on the table. “I’ll turn forty this year and sure, I’ve dated. But I’ve never met someone I wanted to plan a future with.”
Basically, what she’d just told him was that her baby-making years were behind her. Would this be the last time she saw him? Time to turn the tables. “And you?”
“Same story, I’m afraid.” Brad gave her a rueful little boy smile. “Maybe I’ve been too busy working to have a personal life. That’s what my sister and parents tell me,” he added wistfully.
“So your sister lives around here too? In that house on Lake Michigan?”
“Yep.” And he smiled when he said that. “Nicole and Trace, her husband. Two kids. Shaun is three and Sarah is five. I like to borrow themonce in a while. But I’m pretty busy, you know, with my business. Nicole tells me I’m too busy.”
“Business and a personal life. Can you have both?” Marlowe turned his words over in her mind. She’d always thought she’d have a husband and family by this time. Sometimes Marlowe wondered if she hadn’t tried hard enough to make that happen. Maybe she should have gone on one of those online dating sites. But the very thought made her cringe.
“I have no answer to that.” Brad sprang up. Maybe her questions bothered him. He stashed the empty bottles into a nearby trash can and left the blue quilted cooler under the picnic table. “Well, Marlowe Quinn, I hope we can spend some time figuring that out.”
What was he saying? For a second she was stunned, so she said nothing. Brad went into some warmup stretches. Swinging his arms with purpose he raised his brows. “Well? Yes? No?”
Feeling flustered, she laughed. Brad was so direct. “I guess time will tell.”
Brad sprinted off and she took off after him. Her relaxed mood had been left at that picnic table, and she didn’t know how she felt about that.
Chapter 16
Isabel
The sound of Skipper singing “Heartbreaker” in the kitchen brought a smile as Izzy dragged herself into the house. She’d had a tooth filled that afternoon, which was why Skipper had picked up Holly and brought her home. “You’re a heartbreaker, dream maker, love taker. Don’t mess around with me.” Belting out the lyrics, Skipper swung Holly around to the music. Izzy’s baby giggled, trying to dance with her shoulders. As usual, Skipper was off key. Holly didn’t know and wouldn’t care.
