Page 7 of Hargrave Health Kick (Brookwell Island)
Chapter Six
To Veronica’s surprise, restoring good publicity moved swiftly over the next two days. While she and Natalie went about their normal work, Celeste dealt with the issues at the Hideaway.
And based on the lack of dinner plans, Brayden had been on the job twenty-four seven.
She wasn’t disappointed. Not by any of it.
Well, maybe a little about Brayden. She’d missed his friendship over the years and hoped to catch up.
Veronica understood the need to put business ahead of the fun stuff.
That was the whole reason she did her best to make work as fun as possible.
Like taking her bike today and using the ferry rather than driving through traffic.
The Hideaway was an important business venture, not only because it offered financial stability for the three of them, but it offered freedom too. Here, she could build a life and career in her favorite place on earth.
The place her mother had loved—where they’d grown as a family and created a wealth of happy memories. Focusing on the good times pushed the unpleasant memories further aside and she had hope that someday they’d be gone entirely.
She’d been so close to that target until Susannah had snapped at her. That had taken her straight back to those dark days when the pain had changed her mom, physically and emotionally. She lashed out at her girls and the illness distorted her memory so she wasn’t always remorseful after.
Veronica rubbed her sternum where the ache of cruel words still stung at the worst times.
She turned her face toward the breeze off the river.
Biking today energized her, giving her more room to rest and reset.
The clean, fresh air filled her lungs and the clear, sunny sky had provided a much-needed emotional boost.
As the ferry bumped to a gentle stop at the dock on Brookwell, her phone sounded from her backpack. Letting others disembark ahead of her, Veronica checked the message.
Reading the WHERE ARE YOU text from Celeste, she could almost hear the panic in her sister’s voice. She called back. “I’m nearly home,” she said when Celeste answered. “I took the ferry.”
“Okay. Sorry,” she said. “Just hurry.”
“Do we have another problem?” Veronica hopped on her bike, steering carefully around the other pedestrians.
“No. That meeting is tomorrow.”
The vise around Veronica’s chest tightened once more. “Then what’s up?”
“We’re meeting Holly Brooks at the Hideaway for dinner. And an interview.”
Holly was an editor for the Brookwell Bugle, but she had contacts that could carry a story regionally. That could be a big help to the Hideaway. “Susannah checked out early?”
“No. Marley invited all of us to join them tonight.”
Veronica had many thoughts and opinions. She kept them all to herself. “How much time?”
“Forty-five minutes.”
Veronica knew her sister was cringing. Just the thought of being late to such an important meeting would be stressing her out. “I’ll be ready.” She stood on the pedals, moving down Central Avenue as quickly as possible. “What about Nat?”
“Holly went by and peeled her away from her project.”
One less thing for Veronica to do. “You’ve made something to take along?” She leaned into the next turn.
“All we need is your smiling face.”
“No worries.” Veronica chuckled. “You know I clean up in record time.”
The sisters arrived at the Hideaway with two precious minutes to spare with flowers, wine, and supplies for fruity s’mores in hand. Just in case Susannah and Marley were up for a campfire on the beach after dinner.
When Susannah opened the door, Veronica had to work hard not to duck behind her sisters.
Seeing the chef flanked by a smiling Marley, with Holly right behind them, gave her a smidge of courage.
She wouldn’t let herself be cowed. They were here to bolster the Hideaway reputation for service and hospitality.
“It feels weird to invite you into a house you own,” Susannah said, smiling a little as she stepped back.
“It’s supposed to feel like yours during your stay,” Celeste said graciously.
The chef looked tired instead of rested. Veronica’s skin prickled with guilt. She regretted every harsh thought she’d entertained in recent days. “Fresh flowers for the table.” She offered the bouquet to Susannah.
“Thank you,” the chef replied. “You’re very kind.”
Veronica only nodded, still too cautious to relax.
“What’s all this?” Marley said, moving to help with the wine and platter.
“We brought a dessert option,” Celeste explained. “Fruity s’mores. All the sweetness with better nutrition,” she added. “And they work as well inside, if you choose.”
Veronica let Celeste work the room and admired Natalie’s bubbly nature as she hugged everyone, giving Holly a murmured thank you for sending her home in time to get ready.
The flowers landed on the kitchen island, where appetizers were set out. Wine was poured, and Holly magically got everyone chatting.
Susannah, seated at the end of the counter, caught Veronica’s gaze. It seemed the time for direct conversation had arrived. She tried to fake some enthusiasm as she approached the chef who had said such scathing things about the Hideaway.
“Veronica, I apologize for my rant. I’m so sorry for being such a bitch.
Marley tried to stop me, but I…” She pressed her palms to the countertop.
“Well, I don’t have an excuse. I looked back and didn’t realize half of what came out of my mouth.
I’ve apologized to Celeste. And we tracked down Natalie, though I’m not sure she heard me while she worked. ”
Veronica felt her protective walls give a little. “She did. Even when she looks totally absorbed, she hears the world going by.” It was easier to focus on Natalie than her own old hurts.
“Can you forgive me?” Susannah pressed.
“Of course.” More than simply being polite, she meant the words. “We all have bad days.” Still, she secretly hoped to not be on the receiving end of another tantrum anytime soon.
“And I shared one of my worst for all the internet to chew on.”
“Please don’t worry about it,” Veronica said, surprising herself. “I appreciate the apology. No harm was done.”
“I’m still grateful you all agreed to do this,” Susannah said. “Now. About the food you made for me.”
Veronica tried to wave that off too. “Recipes aren’t subject to copyright.”
“No, but a collection is. And the treats you sent over were delicious. Which is saying a lot these days. I don’t have the energy to take on a full collaboration, but Marley is working out the legalities so we can publish something together.
Marley is willing to work out the filming and Holly has agreed to transcribe up to five video calls between us for a special recipe collection for caregivers. ”
Overwhelmed, Veronica didn’t know what to say. Gratitude filled her and spilled out. “Thank you.”
“I’ve been in denial about my terminal condition for a long time. This will probably be better for me—body and soul—than it is for you. But I’m compelled to do what I can to help you get your special message into the world.”
Marley eventually urged them all toward the dining room for dinner—including a course of the comforting soup the sisters had introduced to Susannah.
As they ate, Holly guided them through a relaxed interview that felt far more like old friends trading stories.
It reminded her that she and Brayden had yet to do the same.
She would’ve sent him a text if she’d thought Nat wouldn’t notice.
Veronica enjoyed herself despite her initial concerns. She didn’t even mind that the recorder was on, or that Holly occasionally popped up to grab photos of the food and the women. When she declared the interview officially over, Celeste asked if they wanted fruity s’mores outside or in.
“A fire does sound nice.” Susannah tugged the shawl around her shoulders. “As long as someone reveals the secrets of these fruity s’mores.”
Celeste, in her protective way, sent Veronica outside to get the fire going.
She appreciated the reprieve. Being on through the interview during dinner had been a test of endurance.
She would rather run a spur of the moment 10k than go through all of that again.
Although she often convinced people she was an extrovert, she enjoyed her alone-time.
“Need a hand?”
She jumped as Brayden stepped out of the shadows. “You scared me.”
“Sorry.” He raised his hands in surrender. “You holding up okay? Celeste told me about the interview.”
“Are you on duty again tonight?”
He nodded, taking the wood from her hands and stacking it in the fire pit.
She peered up at the darkening sky. Stars were winking into view, more with each minute. Suddenly, she was awash in fond memories. “You’re doing that just like my dad used to. Is it coded into male DNA?”
He huffed. “Would you do it differently?”
“Probably not.” She shrugged. When the kindling was set, she struck a match. They watched together as the fire caught and the flames grew stronger. After the recent arson that burned down the outdoor kitchen, she had mixed feelings about the fire pit. But s’mores were always fun.
“Any news on the rat situation?” she queried, breaking the silence.
“Progress,” he said. “That meeting is tomorrow.” At the sound of the others headed toward them, he grinned and melted into the shadows.
When they were all gathered around the crackling fire, Celeste demonstrated how to make a fruit s’more. She roasted a marshmallow, pressed it between two apple slices, and drizzled the treat in caramel.
“Not exactly sugar-free,” she allowed, handing it to Susannah. “But there’s a smidge more nutritional value.”
Susannah took a bite and declared the variation a five-star hit, before devouring the rest of it in two bites.
For the first time in days, Veronica relaxed completely, confident that the changes she wanted to make with her online platform would be supported and well-received.