Page 18 of Second Chance in Charlevoix (Charlevoix Dreams #3)

Okay, the woman was gorgeous, and Skipper wasn’t seeing anyone right now.

Izzy wasn’t being fair to him. She tried to reason with herself but no luck.

Maybe she was just feeling bad after her family made that decision to move from Sunnycrest to Seth's place temporarily.

Acceptance. She had to work on accepting change.

Parking next to Marlowe’s blue convertible, she dashed inside.

The smell of fresh bread met her and she felt her tight shoulders unwind.

The last time she'd been here, the activity director had told her that Brad wanted people to feel welcome, as if this was their home.

And what said that more than the smell of something baking in the oven?

One of the staff always had bread baking in the bread machine or cookies in the oven, usually chocolate chip.

Coming home. The thought sent a warm wave through her and slowed her steps.

How amazing was it that she got to handle bingo with one of her sisters?

A year ago, Izzy never would have thought this possible, running bingo for seniors with her sisters.

But now they were active in each other’s lives because they were here together in Charlevoix.

Dinners, bingo, whatever––it felt like the final puzzle pieces of their lives had snapped into place.

When Izzy pushed through the double doors of the multipurpose room, Marlowe was already up at the front table. The room was filled with excited chatter as the residents set themselves up with their cards and daubers. Marlowe looked up from the podium and waved.

Her sister had really taken to Charlevoix.

Although Izzy imagined Marlowe often wore suits with her real estate clients, she liked seeing her dressing down in jeans and a casual sweater.

Her chestnut colored hair waved just past her shoulders and she exuded her usual high energy as she held up bingo cards to ask if anyone needed more.

“Sorry I'm late.” Izzy slipped off her jacket and stowed her purse under the table. “Skipper and I were finishing up the dishes.”

Her sister gave her a wicked smile. “Oh, so now you and Skipper are doing dishes together? How cozy.”

But Izzy waved that away as she dumped the bingo numbers into the spinning bin. “It’s not like that at all. I’m holding my own at their house, helping out where I can. You know, they don’t have a dishwasher.”

Marlowe snorted. “Yes, think you mentioned that, like a hundred times.”

The room was full. Bingo was very popular especially on Thursday nights or so she'd been told. Izzy enjoyed coming here because the people were so nice and very appreciative. Charlevoix was lucky to have this facility.

“So what's your pleasure tonight?” Marlowe asked. “Want to be the caller or pull the numbers.”

“Pull the numbers,” she said quickly. After her crazy day she didn't trust herself with the microphone.

But they were late getting started and Marlowe began as soon as everyone was seated.

Her sister was a natural at this, joking with the crowd as she called out the numbers.

It was fun to see how seriously the older folks took this game.

Of course they loved the prizes that Gretchen, the activity director, produced every week.

Whether it was a new toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste or a pretty flowered shower cap, the residents greeted each prize with enthusiastic applause.

The first forty-five minutes went quickly.

Before she knew it Gretchen was trundling in the ice cream cart.

“How about some ice cream?” Marlowe asked.

But Izzy shook her head. For some strange reason she was on the verge of tears again.

This was stupid and had to stop. Her throat swelled up and her eyes stung.

Glancing over, Marlowe slung an arm over Izzy’s shoulders. “Why don't we walk outside? Get some air.”

Telling Gretchen they’d be right back, the two ambled to the front door.

Izzy felt her big sister’s concerned looks.

Was she being a drama queen? Her sisters had called her that more than once when they were growing up.

Outside she took a deep breath and the cool night air helped a little.

This was so ridiculous. She was doing this to herself.

They took two of the blue rockers lined up along the building.

Not one for small talk, Marlowe dove right into it. “You looked upset last night at the house. And now you’re almost in tears. What’s going on?”

Her sister knew her too well. Izzy wasn't about to hide anything. “It feels as if you all are moving on without me. You know, moving to Seth’s place.” There, it was out .

Before she knew it she was sobbing and her sister was doling out tissues from her pocket. Izzy felt like she was twelve years old, the focus of her sister’s attention. It felt good and embarrassing at the same time.

“We're not doing anything without you,” Marlowe said slowly. “You are in a safe place with Holly and we won’t be far away. I checked out Seth’s house today and, trust me, it’s not for kids.

The style has multiple levels with open staircases.

Very modern but dangerous for children. You’d go crazy worrying about Holly. We all would.”

Izzy looked up and sniffed. “Really? Multi-level?”

Marlowe nodded. “No way could Holly be safe there even if it had more bedrooms.”

“So you met Seth there?” Izzy was wondering if her sister had any interest in the attractive architect.

“Yes.” Marlowe gave a tired sigh. “I think dear Aunt Cate is trying to throw us together. Give us some alone time.”

“How’s that working?” Aunt Cate could be a little obvious sometimes.

“Well, as our dear aunt said recently at dinner, life is a feast. I’m not about to zone in on a guy just because he’s single and convenient.

I’m concentrating on building my business right now.

Relationships take time. That said, Seth’s seems like a good man and he’s doing a lot for us.

Still, I’m not interested in him or anyone else. Really, I’m not. ”

Her hesitation made Izzy turn to stare through the gathering darkness. Was something going on with Marlowe? Her sense of isolation spun around her again.

“Kind of like you and Skipper.” Marlowe fixed her with an expectant smile.

“Don’t get any ideas about me and Skipper.” No way did she want her family thinking that a reconciliation with her former husband was in the works. “Besides, he has a new woman in his life.” And she quickly told Marlowe about Camille.

“So, she brought some macarons and you have them in a relationship? That’s not how it works. It takes more than cookies.”

“But just think of how far she drove to deliver those macarons. She works on Mackinac Island. That’s more than an hour each way.”

Tilting her head to one side, Marlowe considered that. “True, but still, I wouldn’t worry.”

“Oh, I’m not worrying.” But the words felt like a lie on her tongue. “I’m just concerned about the possibility of him leaving Coffee and Cupcakes. She works at the Grand Hotel. What if she recruits him?”

“No way. I don’t think he’ll ever leave. His mother’s here and he likes his work.” Marlowe fell quiet. “Maybe it’s time to look at your feelings for Skipper. Is he more than a co-worker?”

“Employee, not co-worker.” The words felt like a betrayal. “He’s not more. I’ve already been down that road.”

“Yes, but he’s not the same man. Anyone can see that.” By that time they were both rocking their chairs while they figured this out together.

“Maybe. Still, I just have to live through this temporary relocation at Skipper’s house.

No need to confuse things. We’re living at the Malone house now and it’s working out.

” Feeling better about the house situation, Izzy gave her nose a big blow.

So okay, she had been silly. Sounded as if Seth’s house wasn’t safe and she didn’t want to deal with that.

“It's all temporary,” Marlowe said. “You don't do well with temporary. We all know that. How is it going at Skipper's house? Is his mother behaving herself?”

The question made Izzy giggle. “Irene is being suspiciously kind. And Skipper? He's surprising me. Tonight they're watching Sesame Street together.”

“No way! Skipper?”

“Yes, I think he enjoys it. Then he pretends he’s the Count.”

“That’s so great. Incredible and great. And Holly’s doing okay?”

“So far, yes. The air is clear in that house so, to my relief, no more sniffles for Holly.”

“So that part's working out.” Her sister looked as if she wanted to say more but the front door opened with a bang. Brad Howington stood there, peering into the night.

“I was afraid you had left,” he said.

Although he was talking to both of them, his eyes were on Marlowe. Izzy knew that they'd been running together. Was there more to it?

“Heck no, we haven't left,” Marlowe said, jumping up from the rocker and heading for the door. “Just taking a break.”

The rest of the evening went well. By eight thirty, they were finished. They tidied up the bingo supplies and were heading for the door when Brad appeared again. Since his eyes went right to Marlowe, Izzy decided to make herself scarce.

“I’ll meet you in the parking lot.”

“Fine, okay.”

But Izzy hesitated long enough to hear Brad say, “How about running tomorrow?”

Her heart lifted. Scribbling a note, she tucked it under one of Marlowe’s windshield wipers. Although she would have loved to get the lowdown about Brad, she was anxious to get home.