Page 22 of Second Chance in Charlevoix (Charlevoix Dreams #3)

Marlowe

T railing behind Izzy, Marlowe was amazed to see Brad with Holly in his arms. The baby wasn’t behaving and Brad had his hands full. At least, that’s what it looked like. Poor guy. He’d never had children. How had he ended up with the baby?

But just when Marlowe started feeling sorry for him, Brad cuddled her niece, patting Holly on the back and whispering to her.

Holly looked at him through tear-filled eyes and managed a smile.

The guy was a natural with kids. But then, he did have a niece and nephew.

Izzy rushed up and reached for her little girl.

“I’m so sorry. Are you having trouble, Brad? ”

“Not really. Oh, we’ve had our ups and downs.” Smiling, he relinquished his charge but not before kissing Holly on the top of her curls. “She’s really something.”

Opening and closing the fingers of her right hand, Holly looked up. “Bye, bye” she said in an endearing, sleepy way.

Marlowe watched Brad turn inside out as he waved back, pushing out his lower lip as if he hated to see her go.

Her stomach knotted. This man should have children.

His wife should be in her early thirties or late twenties, the age when most women could easily become pregnant.

She turned away, ignoring the sick feeling in her stomach.

In all the moving day confusion, she’d skipped breakfast. That must be the problem.

Stepping up to open the front door, Marlowe clapped her hands.

“Seth says the trucks are ready to roll. “Do we have everything?”

They all glanced around. The house looked so empty. Marlowe sure hoped they were doing the right thing. All their planning was moving along, but she hated to see Sunnycrest empty like this. “Everything but the pets,” Sam piped up. “Bogart’s in a cat carrier upstairs. I can hear him from here.”

“Where’s Piper?” Izzy looked around. They’d all been so worried about Holly that they’d forgotten about the pets. She called for Piper and the dog came down the steps, panting and ready to go.

“You don’t want your pets to be part of this chaos.” Josh scratched the back of his head .

“I’ll stay here with Bogart and Piper,” Sam said. “I can bring them over later.”

Josh turned. “Hate to leave you here alone. I’ll take my load of furniture over, unload and come back. That way, when you bring the pets over, they’ll see a settled home.”

“That would be great.” Sam looked so relieved. Although Sam was fighting her attraction to her old boy friend, that was ridiculous in Marlowe’s eyes. Obviously they made a great pair. When they smiled at each other, she could almost feel the heat index go up.

Waving goodbye to their beloved Sunnycrest, they all trooped down the steps.

Once gathered in the road, Aunt Cate became a drill sergeant.

Marlowe ended up traveling with Seth, which she suspected was Aunt Cate’s plan.

That was okay because Marlowe wanted to thank him again for offering his house.

Having Sunnycrest empty would sure make it easier for them and the working crew.

Josh was going to drive alone, so Brad helped Izzy into his truck.

He knew how to work a pumpkin seat. Their aunt wanted to drive over in her own car, which was full of table linens, china and personal items she hadn’t entrusted to the boxes.

“It’s about my treasures,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “I have to know they’re safe. ”

Finally, they were off, and Marlowe couldn’t guess how many times Seth had taken this route.

The drive to Horten Bay was beautiful. Wild jonquils grew in patches along the winding road and she spotted some wild lilac bushes. “You’re moving to a beautiful area,” Marlowe said as she took in the scenery. “I’m going to enjoy taking this drive every day.”

“How’s your career going up here?” Seth asked. “Must be hard starting over after all those years.”

“Yes, it is. But I like challenges.”

Seth chuckled. “You’re a lot like your aunt. Driven.”

She turned to study him “I’ve been told that before.”

“Hope you’re not offended. Your aunt is a wonderful woman. So genuine.”

Something in the tone of his voice made her turn. “Yes, I know.” Had she been missing something? How old was Seth anyway? Maybe he was bringing out the mother in Aunt Cate. She had never had her own children and she easily fell into mothering.

While her mind circled, Seth turned on some FM jazz. “Your family works well together,” he said. “Nice to see that.”

“It’s a good thing because we’re all going to be living together for a while. Thanks again for offering your home. Aren’t you eager to live there yourself?”

“Sort of.” Hands on the wheels, he looked torn. “Being at my dad’s right now makes sense, though. He’s having some mobility issues and I want to make sure he’s safe. New meds, that kind of thing.”

What a considerate guy. “Sounds like you two get along.”

“Oh, absolutely. I’m the only one here. My brother Chet lives in Chicago. And I don’t mind taking care of Dad. After my marriage broke up, I moved in with him. Mom was gone and it just made sense. By that time my boy Tyler was in college. It was time to sell my old house and build my own home.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll treat your dream house with care. Thank you for agreeing to take the pets too. I don’t know what we’d do with Bogart and Piper.”

“No problem. We always had a dog or two around. Cats too. Just haven’t replaced them. Tyler took our dog Brianna to college with him.”

“Seriously? Won’t the dog be a distraction?”

When Seth smiled, creases fanned from his eyes.

He probably spent a lot of time in the sun.

“Tyler lives in an apartment with another guy. His roomie adores Brianna too. I miss her but she always was Tyler’s dog.

I couldn’t see her living at my dad’s. I have enough on my plate right now, and Dad wouldn’t have been able to take her out for walks. ”

“Understood. Will your father be all right on his own when you move to the lake house? ”

“He’ll tell you he’s fine. My dad is a carpenter and I worry about the electric tools. I like to be around if he’s turning on a saw.”

“Wow.” Marlowe jerked. “That does sound like a concern.”

“Dad says I worry too much, and maybe he’s right. The man’s as sharp as a tack.”

“Is that even possible? You’re doing a wonderful job for us.”

“I like what I do.”

Cracking open her window, Marlowe breathed in the fresh air. This was so unlike Florida. The smell of pine teased her senses. The weather was getting warmer and it was as if everything was coming awake.

“So how do you like working with Gabby?” Seth asked.

“She’s been a great teacher and seems to be steering some business my way.” Since he really seemed interested in what she was doing, she told him about the house up in Petoskey that she’d listed only last week. “And next week I’m closing on the first property I took on when I moved here.”

“So is this turning out as you planned?” They’d left Hwy 31 and were now on Boyne City Road, following Charlevoix Lake.

“There is no plan.” Marlowe chuckled. “My family’s goal was to live in the same town. Maybe in the same house. We’ll see how it all turns out.” Thinking of Sam and Josh, she didn’t want to plan too far ahead.

They had reached the Horton Bay area, and Marlowe craned her neck to see the houses. But the long driveways kept many of the homes hidden. The owners had let trees and bushes get straggly, ensuring their privacy.

“You must like living in the woods.”

“I do.” Seth glanced around with appreciation. “After all, it’s Michigan.”

When they reached a row of colorful mailboxes, Seth worked the brakes and turned on the directional signal. One of the boxes looked newly painted with “Barrett” in white and she smiled. She was learning that everything Seth took on was neatly done. That boded well for Sunnycrest.

The road to his home was shaded by tall trees that rustled overhead. The oaks had been there for generations and the mighty pines too. As they took the gravel road, pinecones showered onto the pickup from time to time.

“That’s the squirrels welcoming me.” Seth said. He was definitely an outdoor guy.

Then they reached the clearing. Would this really be her home for a while?

Although she’d scouted the place earlier, the blue frame house with white shutters overlooking the beautiful lake still took her breath away.

The lake spread before them, sparkling in the afternoon sun.

From the parking lot behind the house, she could see the corner of his wide screen porch.

And yes, she planned to read out there. At least she hoped she’d have time for that.

Her job so far had been crazy but she’d been expecting that pace.

Brad pulled up behind them, along with Josh.

Dressed in jeans, T-shirts and work boots, the guys swung out of their vehicles, opened the tailgates and began to unload.

Seth had left a diagram on the kitchen counter with the bedrooms numbered.

Earlier, he’d shared that with Marlowe, Sam and Aunt Cate.

Since most of the boxes had been marked, it was easy to figure out where they belonged.

The men began hefting them up to the right rooms. The stairs might be challenging, but not for that group.

Seth had the Pack and Play already set up in the living room.

Holly’s eyes were so heavy and she was soon fast asleep.

Holding a finger to her lips, Izzy gave the guys a warning and they took it to heart.

Marlowe had never seen men tiptoe in their boots before.

When Josh had his load of boxes settled, he took off to go back so Sam wouldn’t be alone.

From one of the large plate glass windows Marlowe watched her aunt walk out onto the long dock. Giving Izzy a heads up, Marlowe followed. She had a bone to pick with her dear Aunt Cate.