Page 23 of Second Chance in Charlevoix (Charlevoix Dreams #3)

Isabel

L eaving Holly asleep in the Pack and Play, Izzy watched Marlowe follow Aunt Cate to the pier. She was dying to check out the boat hanging in a rack next to the dock. But looking down at her darling, Izzy couldn’t leave Holly.

Seth came through the living room with some clothes on hangers. “Want to check out the lake,” he said, lowering his voice. “Go on. I’ll watch Holly.”

“Really? You’re sure?”

After slinging the clothes over the back of the sofa, Seth turned. “Believe it or not, I’ve handled a baby before. Tyler’s in college but at one point he was a baby.”

Izzy had forgotten that Seth had an adult son.

“Well, of course. You’re an angel. Thank you!

” Excited by her unexpected freedom, she took the steps to the lower level and headed outside toward the pier.

The grass had recently been mowed and everything smelled so fresh.

But why were Marlowe’s arms flailing in the air.

She was usually so reserved. What was going on?

In her rush, she nearly tripped on the flagstone path.

But her chest felt tight. Was she still jealous about this whole situation?

Maybe. Izzy could see herself here, lapping up the sunshine on the pier.

But watching Holly down at the shore would be a nightmare.

When Holly got older, Izzy would take her to swimming lessons. The plan made her feel better.

Her footsteps echoed on the pier, and she drew close enough to hear Marlowe say something about “…. Seth in his truck. Was there a reason for that?”

Oh boy, Izzy shrank back, not wanting to intrude. Aunt Cate gave Marlowe one of those surprised looks, as if she didn’t know what her niece was upset about. Izzy swallowed a chuckle. Whatever this was, Marlowe was not going to win.

Standing there in her summer white linen, Aunt Cate wore one of her angelic looks.

“I thought you might enjoy spending some time with Seth. After all, you told us you weren’t serious about Brad.

And Seth is working on your closets.” Izzy wasn’t sure that made sense but her aunt beckoned to her.

“Darling, how wonderful that you could join us.”

“You’re not getting off the hook, Aunt Cate.” Marlowe was definitely on a mission. “We have to clear this up.”

“What hook?” Aunt Cate threw up her hands. “Are we going fishing?”

The idea was flung into the cool breeze whisking over the lake. Marlowe had a point. Sometimes Aunt Cate did seem to be fishing for husbands for Sam and Marlowe. But she didn’t seem to consider Izzy in her plans. After two divorces, was she considered a lost cause?

“I think you’re being a little too obvious.” Marlowe went right back to the topic. “How did Brad end up coming over here with Izzy?”

“He’s so good with her and the baby, right?” Aunt Cate looked to Izzy for agreement.

“He was, Marlowe.” Izzy had to speak up because Brad had amazed her. “And of course I didn’t flirt with him.”

Eyes sparking like one of those fire-breathing dragons in the movies, her sister drew in her chin. “Well, I hope not.”

This was not Izzy’s day and she didn’t like it. “You think I couldn’t flirt with Brad? You think he wouldn’t be interested?”

“Oh, now sweetheart…” Aunt Cate jumped in.

“That’s not what I said.” Marlowe reached over to hug her, but Izzy twisted away and nearly fell into the lake .

“Whatever happened to ‘life is a feast’?” Hands on hips, Marlowe eyed Aunt Cate. They’d all agreed with those words during a dinner conversation. They decided that they would not rush into relationships once they reached Charlevoix.

“I stand by my statement.” Aunt Cate pulled herself up to all of her five feet four inches.

“Yes, and then Sam decided she wanted no part of it.” Marlowe stood her ground.

“Oh, darling, are you saying the same? You know, you and Brad?” With a furtive glance up at the house, Aunt Cate looked hopeful. “I know you’ve gone running with him. Do you feel a connection?”’

Marlowe managed a frustrated raspberry that said it all. “You are driving me crazy. How can I possibly know?”

“Oh, come on.” Izzy had to speak up. “Are you kidding me? Brad is a great guy. He always makes a point of stopping in to talk to you when you’re working at bingo. And then there’s the running. You two share that. And he’s wonderful with Holly.”

Marlowe’s shoulders sank. She couldn’t dispute any of that. “Yes, he does seem to be great with kids. And there you have it. I’m almost forty.”

“That means nothing. You have so much to offer.” Another breeze swept over the lake and Aunt Cate reached up to smooth her glistening blond hair. “You’re attractive, interesting and successful. ”

Marlowe sucked in a deep breath. “You’re both not listening to me.” Frustrated, she turned to include Izzy. And boy, Izzy did not like to see Marlowe get upset.

“Oh, but we are listening. Maybe we should sit down on the bench.” Aunt Cate turned back toward the end of the pier with a casual wave. “Such a beautiful day. Let’s relax for a minute.’’

Izzy couldn’t even look at her sister as they followed Aunt Cate.

At the end, the pier formed a T, allowing for a bench on either side.

Izzy noticed that Aunt Cate chose the bench just beyond the boat in its raised slip.

Seated there, no one from the house could see them.

Did Aunt Cate want this to be a private conversation?

Izzy cast one glance back at the house, but all seemed peaceful.

“So what’s your point in mentioning the age thing?” Izzy wanted this settled so she could get back to the baby.

Marlowe gave them both a disgusted look. “Look, I’m going to be forty soon. And Brad is closer to your age, Izzy. He needs someone with a younger…” She swept her body with a hand.

“A younger what, dear,” Aunt Cate blinked. “You’re gorgeous and he obviously likes spending time with you.”

“He needs someone of child bearing age.” There, it was out.

Her sister’s candor took Izzy’s breath away.

Marlowe could often be very blunt. But the comment brought a loss Izzy felt she’d left behind.

Her hysterectomy had limited her chances of having another child.

That necessary surgery had led to her adopting Holly. But Marlowe’s situation was different.

“That’s silly,” Izzy said. “Older women get pregnant all the time. Look at Gisele Bunchen. Wasn’t she in her early forties with her last baby?”

Leaning forward, Marlowe rested her head in her hands. “Why aren’t you listening to me? Brad deserves someone younger. Someone who possibly won’t drag him into that expensive IVF process.”

“Why are you even thinking of that now?” Izzy was horrified. Sure, in vitro fertilization was expensive, almost as expensive as adopting. But why was Marlowe assuming that would be necessary? Wasn’t she putting the cart before the horse?

“Does Brad have anything to say about this? Aunt Cate asked.

“No, of course not,” Marlowe sputtered. “Maybe the next time we go running, I’ll ask him. Men probably love to hear about a woman’s fading chances of having a family.”

The sarcasm did not bother their aunt. “I think you’re exaggerating.” Aunt Cate blinked.

Tossing her head back, Marlowe pinned her aunt with a glance.

Although this conversation was upsetting, Izzy was so glad that she was here.

Working out important stuff like this would not have been possible if they all lived in different cities.

The distance had probably kept them from talking about some really important topics.

Sam would be so jealous. Maybe Izzy should keep it to herself.

That thought made Izzy feel so adult. Maybe it isn’t what you say that makes a difference. Maybe it’s what you don’t say.

“So let’s put Brad aside for now.” Her face pink, Marlowe wasn’t finished. Sam’s words came back to her. “Why are you throwing me at Seth when he’s obviously taken with you? Why didn’t you drive over with him?”

“What?” Her aunt grew pale, her open lips a bright red against her flawless skin. “That’s utterly ridiculous. What are you talking about?”

Yes, what was her sister talking about? Izzy leaned closer.

“So you don’t know that he thinks you’re a wonderful woman?” Marlowe asked. “Thinks you’re ‘genuine,’ whatever that means.”

Aunt Cate’s nose wrinkled. She might be in her early sixties but some of her expressions made her look like a little girl. “Did he say that? Oh my, whatever did he mean?”

Just when things were getting really interesting, Izzy heard someone calling her from the house. Was that Seth? Had something happened to Holly? She took off at a run, her flip flops echoing off the pier.

But when she reached the house, Izzy didn’t see any emergency. Looking a little lost, Skipper was standing in the living room with Seth. Holly was still asleep. Izzy tiptoed toward Skipper. “What are you doing here?” she whispered.

Skipper gave a shrug. “I got lonesome.” His eyes went to Holly.

Izzy could hardly believe her ears.