Page 26 of Second Chance in Charlevoix (Charlevoix Dreams #3)

Isabel

B efore Izzy knew it, Memorial Day was upon them.

The weekend had always been so special for her, full of good food, a fun parade and bands blasting patriotic music.

How she wanted that experience to be the same for Holly.

The night before the parade, Skipper helped her decorate Holly’s stroller with red and blue streamers.

As a crowning touch Mrs. Malone dug out two red pinwheels that Skipper taped to the front, although Holly immediately tried to eat them.

Coffee and Cupcakes was bound to be packed, with more tourists arriving every day.

Skipper had baked a backlog of cupcakes for the freezer.

Patricia and Debbie were both working the front counter so that Izzy could go to the festivities.

The night before Skipper had been cute, asking if she minded if he came too.

“Of course not. Holly will love having you with us.” And that was the truth.

Izzy’s baby was sitting on Skipper’s lap as they watched the movie “Moana” on TV.

Although some of it seemed lost on Holly, Mrs. Malone was captivated.

Skipper’s mother sat in the chair across the room, knitting another sweater for Holly.

She was very excited about the parade the next day and the picnic Seth had planned at the house on Horton Bay.

“Do you think your mom will be too tired?” Izzy whispered. “You know, for the parade and the picnic tomorrow?”

“Who’s tired?” Mrs. Malone perked up.

“The baby.” Skipper spoke up. “We hope she won’t get too tired tomorrow.”

“Seth has that Pack and Play,” Izzy said. “So I think we’re good. Holly can always take a nap at Seth’s.”

“Good man.” Skipper held up a hand for Holly. They loved to do that together. “High five. Right, Holly?”

Her precious girl bobbed her head. “Five!” she said offering her tiny fist. They were all working with Holly on her numbers.

That night they’d all gone to bed early.

Thank goodness the day dawned sunny and not too hot.

As they stood at the cemetery the following morning under a blue sky while the band played, Izzy was so happy.

Charlevoix was very proud of the men and women who’d served their country.

Wreaths were laid on every grave while the band played.

Skipper had brought his mother to see the parade, while Izzy had Holly in a stroller.

After the graveside ceremony was finished, they headed downtown, where Marlowe joined them.

“No Brad today?” Izzy looked around.

Marlowe stared out at the crowd. “No, why?”

“Oh, nothing.” Sometimes it was hard to figure out her sisters. Across the crowd, she noticed Sam, standing with Josh, but his kids weren’t around. Aunt Cate had mentioned that Josh and his family were joining them for the barbecue at Seth’s later in the day.

Dressed in a red and white striped romper, Holly was so excited by the band playing in East Park.

Skipper had brought a folding chair for his mom and there she was, seated on the edge of the curb, with the stroller right next to her.

Pumping her little legs in the stroller, Holly’s head swiveled.

There was just so much to take in. The red and blue bucket hat Irene Malone had bought her was darling.

The smell of hot dogs and brats was in the air and an ice cream truck was parked next to the parade route.

Izzy hoped people would drift down to the bakery when the parade finished up.

Since she’d hired Patricia, Debbie’s cousin, things weren’t as crazy.

Izzy was considering hiring another temp this summer for the front.

The excitement of the parade and all the business coming through the door had kept Izzy occupied.

She didn’t have time to think about Sunnycrest and the work being done there, which was a good thing.

When Seth invited everyone to come to the cottage in Horton Bay for a barbecue that day, his offer was a big hit.

Mrs. Malone was so excited, and Josh was bringing Mia and Hayden.

The parade came rolling past with more marching bands, their instruments gleaming as they moved to the music.

Civic groups marched along, tossing candy to the crowd.

Holly clapped and tried to reach for the candy.

Maybe she was too young to remember this day as she grew older.

But there would be other summers and that brought comfort to Izzy.

She hated to think too far ahead. Planning had never been her strong suit.

When the high school band moved past, Izzy glanced across the street.

Was that Camille? She tried not to stare and was grateful for her heart-shaped sunglasses.

She crouched a bit, hoping Camille wouldn’t see her.

Dressed in a glittery red top and white jeans, Camille stood out from the crowd.

Her long legs were tucked into red cowboy boots.

Standing beside her was a tall guy with a scarf around his neck and a slouch hat on his head.

His linen ensemble had a casual Armani look to it. Were they a couple?

Camille tried to catch Skipper’s eye but he was busy.

Crouched next to Holly, he was pointing out the clown.

Dressed in a bright red, white and blue outfit and wearing a bulbous artificial nose, the clown danced over to blow up a balloon for Holly.

Within seconds he’d fashioned an animal for Izzy’s delighted baby girl.

Clutching it in her arms, Holly kissed it.

Skipper caught Izzy’s eye and smiled before turning his attention back to the parade.

Family. They felt like a family and she had to think about that.

But Camille was still standing there. Izzy elbowed her sister and nodded toward the other side of the street. “Camille,” she mouthed, watching her sister’s eyes scan the crowd on the other side until Marlowe’s mouth fell open.

“Who’s the hot guy with her?” she said, close to Izzy’s ear.

“Who knows? But the hotter the better.” All this was said without moving their lips.

“Definitely into each other,” Marlowe said with a grin.

“Yep, looks that way.”

The last band was passing by when Skipper finally noticed his French friend. “Oh look, there’s Camille with her fiancé.”

“Oh, really?” Izzy pretended to be surprised. “So she’s engaged?”

“So she says. But he still lives in France.”

“The farther away, the better.” Mrs. Malone piped up. So she’d followed the conversation?

Looking over at the pair, Izzy still felt the tug of suspicion. So why had Camille made a point of dropping in? Marlowe squeezed her hand. Sweet Skipper seemed totally unaware that Izzy and Marlowe were lapping up the information.

Then a frightening possibility hit her. What if Camille moved back to France?

She might try to recruit Skipper to replace her at the Grand Hotel.

Then what would Izzy do? Well, this was not the time to panic.

She’d think about that later. The parade had passed, the crowd dispersed and Holly was getting fussy.

Time to go home. “See you at Seth’s,” she told her sister.

“Later.” Marlowe kissed Holly, waved goodbye, and disappeared into the crowd.

Later that day Skipper drove his mother over to Horton Bay in his truck, with Izzy and Holly in the back seat.

Exhausted by all the activity, Holly fell asleep before they reached Seth’s house.

Skipper pulled his truck in with the other vehicles on the back lawn.

Scooping Holly from the pumpkin seat, Izzy slid her into the stroller and walked toward the side door.

Chairs were set around a firepit. Aunt Cate had mentioned something about making s’mores later in the evening.

Maybe this was what their own firepit would look like when Seth had his crew work on the backyard at Sunnycrest. Cozy.

Inviting. Taking his mother’s arm, Skipper helped her down the grassy slope.

Izzy pushed the stroller, careful not to jostle it too much. Holly was still sound asleep.

“Look at you in your red, white and blue!” Aunt Cate ran out to meet them in her Kate Spade wedges.

Their aunt was known for fashion. The woman would never listen to any warnings about safety.

Her red apron fluttered over a white linen ensemble.

Wonderful smells carried outside on the afternoon air.

Her face flushed, Aunt Cate had been cooking.

Izzy hoped she was making her legendary baked potato salad and the celery seed coleslaw that they all loved.

Marlowe was bringing a vegetable and Sam had baked her triple brownie bars, another family favorite.

Seth had insisted on supplying the hamburgers, hot dogs and brats. Izzy was starting to feel hungry.

“I’ll be right back.” Leaving the stroller with Aunt Cate, Izzy dropped her huge tote full of baby supplies, towels and sunblock to walk out onto the grass in her flip flops.

What a beautiful day for a picnic. Glancing down at the pier, she noticed that Seth’s blue and white speed boat was now in the water.

Out on the lake came the buzzing sound of a motor or two as boaters crisscrossed the wide expanse.

Horton Bay was a small part of Lake Charlevoix.

The area had its own history, made famous by people like Ernest Hemingway.

Her hopes ran ahead and excitement spiked in her chest. How long had it been since Izzy had been in a boat?

The sun on her face and the breeze in her hair––if she closed her eyes she could remember it all.

A ride in the boat would be so much fun.

She’d worn her red bikini under an oversized white T-shirt, hoping for some time in the water.

But she hadn’t dared hope for anything like a ride in the boat.

Overhead, pine trees rustled in the breeze and she drank in their fragrance as she turned back toward the house.