Page 5 of The Beach House With You 2

Jeanette’s smile slipped a little as she saw Franny’s tired expression, and gave them both a sympathetic look.

“I’m so sorry about that,” she apologized. “I totally forgot to tell the crew we had guests.”

“We know,” Franny said dryly, accepting the cup of coffee Jeanette had extended to her. “Jacob almost took us out with a board this morning. Our lives flashed before our eyes and all I could think of was how relieved I was that I wouldn’t have to go to work anymore.”

Carmen rolled her eyes before she took a long gulp of her coffee. “Don’t be so dramatic, babe. We were fine. Plus, Jacob apologized and assured us it wouldn’t happen again.”

“Oh, you met Jacob?” Jeanette asked, her smile returning. She leaned in toward Carmen and shouldered her gently. “He’s pretty cute, huh?”

“I’ve seen cuter,” Franny quipped, picking up one of the English muffins.

“Ignore her.” Carmen sighed, shaking her head at Franny. “She woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.”

“You have to go to sleep before you can wake up,” Franny grumbled back.

“Aw, poor babes,” Jeanette cajoled, rubbing Franny’s back. “Hey, I have an idea! Why don’t you two girls go out on the town for a spa day? Go get your toes and nails done, and grab a massage. And I’ll have something nice prepared for dinner for us when you get back. How does that sound? My treat!”

“Oh, Mom, you don’t have to do that,” Carmen replied, swallowing the last bite of her breakfast, “or if you want to, at least come with us.”

“Yeah, Mama J, we missed you!” Franny piped up, giving Jeanette an apologetic look. “Sorry if I don’t seem like it, but we’re really happy to be here and we want you to go with us.”

“I know you are darlings,” Jeanette replied warmly, giving Franny a little hug, “and no apologies needed. I would love to join you, but I’ve already volunteered to help get some things done around here. We’ll hang out tonight, I promise. But in the meantime, go and relax and have a little recharge. And Jason and I will talk to the crew and let them know you’re here. That way tomorrow you won’t have such a rude awakening.”

After a few more moments of back and forth, Carmen and Franny eventually agreed to accept Jeanette’s gracious offer and went back upstairs to change. By the time they came back down again, Jeanette had worked her magic and got them appointments at The Mermaid’s Salon and Spa.

“I got you girls booked for it all,” Jeanette informed them proudly, “paws, claws, facials, and massages. Oh, and I booked you both for a hair treatment too. They make their own hair mask, and it’s absolutely phenomenal.”

“Mom, this is too much!” Carmen gushed, hugging her mom. Jeanette only laughed as she hugged her daughter back.

“When it comes to you girls, nothing is too much,” Jeanette assured her, patting her cheeks softly. “And I’ve arranged a ride for you too. Your driver’s outside by the shuttle. Just give me a text when you’re all done and I’ll have someone there to pick you up if you don’t want to walk back.”

Carmen and Franny thanked Jeanette again, and after another round of hugs, they finally said their goodbyes. Once on the porch, they both laughed when they saw Jacob leaning against The Sea Glass’ shuttle van.

“You’re a driver too?” Carmen teased as he opened the side door of the van for them. Jacob chuckled as he pulled the door shut and hopped into the driver’s seat.

“Well, you see, we’re a small community up here in Provincetown,” Jacob replied jovially. “More often than not we’re wrangled into wearing many different hats so that everybody can get the help they need. But yes, for today, I am indeed your driver, and I hear I’m taking you ladies to The Mermaid.”

“That’s right,” Franny agreed, finally loosening up from her bad morning mood. “Ever been there?”

From the driver’s seat, Jacob nodded as he began to pull out of the driveway. “Sure have. My mom Gloria owns the place.”

3

Jacob pulled the shuttle van up to the doors of The Mermaid’s Salon and Spa and then turned back to look at Franny and Carmen with a smile. With no threat of flying boards coming at their heads and the promise of spa treatments, both of their moods had brightened considerably, and they had spent the short trip talking animatedly with Jacob. They discovered he was only a few years older, twenty-seven, and that like both of them, had divorced parents. Like Franny, a kind stranger had taken him under his wing when he was young and kept him out of trouble. For Franny, it was Jeanette. For Jacob, it had been Jason.

“I think you ladies are going to have a really great time in there,” he told them as he opened the shuttle van door for them.

As both women stepped out, a cool September breeze swept over them, making them shiver in their sundresses.

“I guess we’re not going to make it to the outdoor spa area,” Carmen chattered, pulling her sweater on. “I can’t believe how quickly it cools off here.”

“Yeah, September is always unpredictable,” Jacob replied, walking to the front door of the spa with them. “Sometimes summer hangs on for a couple more weeks and other times fall comes upon us with a vengeance. Don’t worry, though, Mom has a sunroom. You’ll love it.”

Jacob opened the salon door for them and after they thanked him and went inside, he followed them. His smile widened as he walked to the front counter full of confidence. The older woman behind the counter gasped and smiled as she saw him, and leaned forward with her arms open.

“Hola, mi corazón!” Gloria gushed, hugging her son tightly while she kissed his head.

“Hola, mami!” Jacob replied warmly, kissing her cheek before motioning toward Carmen and Franny. “Estos son mis amigas, Carmen y Franny. Se quedan en el Cristal del Mar. Ellas son familiares Amanda y Whitney.”

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