Page 8 of Second Chance in Charlevoix (Charlevoix Dreams #3)

Samantha

“ W hy is Izzy so upset about this woman who stopped in?” Sam asked as she drove toward Tall Oaks. “I thought Skipper was all in the past.”

“Me too. I admit I don’t understand it.” Her sister chuckled. “Have you seen Skipper in the bandana he wears now while he works?”

“I don’t think so, but I remember him from when they were both in high school. I stayed up many nights, waiting for Izzy to come home.”

“Curfews never meant anything with that girl.”

“Exactly.” Remembering, Sam tightened her hands on the steering wheel. “And Skipper? He was enough to make any woman entertain cougar thoughts. ”

“And he’s just gotten better.” Marlowe shook her head and they both laughed.

But Sam still had questions. “Back to this Camille. What was their relationship in Paris? Romance or friendship?”

“I don’t know the situation. But I’ve never seen Izzy look that upset about Skipper.”

“Then maybe this move to his house is not a good thing.” Sam frowned. When it came to the family, she was used to being in charge. But now that Aunt Cate was with them, their aunt often took that role. “Maybe Izzy better think twice.”

“Oh, she’s very serious about the move. And I agree with her. Breathing in any chemicals plus the sawdust can’t be good for anyone, much less a baby.”

“You’re probably right. It’s so strange to see Izzy with that baby. When the marriage didn’t work out, she seemed glad that they’d delayed having children.”

“But Skipper’s mother thought differently,” Marlowe pointed out. “That worries me. Irene Malone never did take to Izzy and the divorce only made things worse.”

“Yes, but children don’t save marriages. At least that’s what I’ve read. They just add to the strain. Still, Marlowe, I don’t want to see Izzy get hurt.”

“I understand. We may have to keep an eye on the situation.” Which was totally stupid. Their sister was an adult. Izzy would be horrified if she could hear them, planning to protect her.

The car was quiet for a minute or two. Sam couldn't get Skipper’s mother out of her head.

Maybe it was because Skipper was her precious boy, but Mrs. Malone had really given Izzy a hard time.

“Remember how his mother was at their wedding?” Sam would never forget.

Irene had played the martyr, losing her precious baby boy.

When Skipper and Izzy left for the airport for their honeymoon in Punta Cana, his mom could not stop crying.

“No love lost there. Poor Izzy. She’ll have her work cut out for her.”

“Skipper’s dad liked Izzy,” Sam pointed out.

Izzy had loved Samuel Malone, maybe because she'd lost her own dad when she was only seven. Samuel worked hard as a mechanic. The man was always good with his hands. “I don’t think Skipper’s dad ever got over his only daughter hightailing it to California. ”

“Right, to photograph food. I always thought that was an interesting career,” Marlowe said with a smile. “Very Hollywood.”

“Which is why the Malones never understood it. Izzy’s going to have her work cut out for her. Skipper’s mother blamed Izzy for her husband’s heart attack. Said that he’d never gotten over Skipper’s divorce, although Skipper’s dad had been a heavy smoker all his life. ”

“Complicated, when you throw the daughter into that mix,” Marlowe said.

“You got that right. Every family should be as organized as ours.” Sam pulled into the parking lot.

Marlowe snorted. “Right. That’s a joke and you know it.”

The sun was about to set and the shadows were deep around them.

The parking lot was rimmed with pine trees and the boughs rustled overhead, releasing a rich pine scent.

Jumping out of the SUV, Sam breathed in the fresh smells of spring.

The lilacs would be in bloom soon, along with forsythia.

Spring came late to Michigan. Certainly later than she’d experienced in Chicago.

Following Marlowe to the front door, Sam didn't know how she felt about bingo. But Izzy had told her that some of the people might look familiar. Some had come to their Christmas open house because they frequented Coffee and Cupcakes.

Sam liked the look of the place as they approached.

The front double door of the one story was painted a glossy blue, and the red brick facility was framed by gracious white pillars.

Window boxes added a personal touch as did the huge planters.

She imagined them filled with geraniums and petunias for summer.

Charlevoix always did a wonderful job decorating with their summer flowers.

Marlowe opened one of the massive front doors. As she stepped through, Sam's mind was still focused on Izzy and Skipper. “Usually Izzy is upset with Skipper for one thing or another, but not like this, not like what you’re describing.”

“Time will tell.” Marlowe scanned the large room. “Just look at this crowd.”

“You didn’t tell me that the people dressed up for bingo.” Sam turned back to her sister. Some of the women were wearing dresses. Colorful jewelry winked under the bright lights.

“You have a lot to learn,” Marlowe whispered back, waving to people as she marched toward the front table. “Some take the opportunity to dress up. I see more older gentlemen in the group this time.”

“That must mean that they were expecting Izzy.”

“Or me. Let’s give me some credit, okay?” Turning, Marlowe batted her eyes at Sam.

Within minutes the game had begun, with Marlowe at the mic. Sam recognized four of the women who had come to their Christmas open house. So they also appeared at Izzy’s pastry shop? As a single mom, Izzy worked so hard. Sam would have to stop in and show her support.

“Want you to meet my sister Samantha, better known as Sam,” Marlowe said into the microphone, much to Sam’s embarrassment. “She just got here from Chicago and is making Charlevoix her permanent home. ”

“Hi, Sam.” “Hello, Samantha.” Welcomes echoed through the room. Sam was touched by the enthusiastic reception.

“Want to do the calling?” Marlowe whispered, handing over the mic.

“Sure.” Why not jump right in? Sam had done so much of that when they were growing up. If anything was needed, whether it was two dozen cupcakes for school or a new costume Izzy had forgotten to tell her about, Sam stayed up late to make sure it happened.

After Marlowe spun the net cage and retrieved the first slip, Sam called out, “B 55.” The serious expressions on the faces of the residents made her chuckle. Bent over the table, they attacked their multiple cards with the daubers as if they were swatting flies.

Sam was surprised how quickly time passed. After a few bingos, it was time for a break. Gretchen, the activity director, wheeled in an ice cream cart. The group got up to stretch and made their way toward the cart.

“Ice cream?” Marlowe asked. “My treat.”

“Sure. Chocolate chip?” Sam trailed Marlowe over to the cart.

An attractive man had arrived. Tall with a dark shock of hair, he looked familiar.

His eyes circled the room. When he found Marlowe, he headed straight for her, although he was stopped repeatedly by residents, mainly the women.

Sam noticed that he gave every resident his full attention. She liked that .

“You know him, right?” she murmured to her sister, after swallowing her first icy bite of chocolate chip ice cream.

Marlowe scanned the crowd. “Sure. That’s Brad Howington. He owns the place and several others or so Josh told me.”

The name hit her with an electric jolt. Just hearing about Josh was hard.

“So they're friends?” Sam supposed that Josh knew everyone since he was an orthopedic surgeon here in town.

Digging her spoon into the ice cream, she lifted a generous mouthful and swallowed. The icy chill left her breathless.

“Don’t know if they’re friends, but they know each other.” Turning, Marlowe gave her a speculative glance. Sam kept downing the ice cream. The nerves in her teeth were pulsing.

When Brad finally joined them, Marlowe made the introductions but the man definitely had eyes only for Sam's sister. What had she been hiding? Sam was almost sorry that soon Marlowe would be moving to Izzy’s bedroom.

This was just the type of secret they once shared as the summer crickets sang in the tall grass.

Back then, they’d spent a lot of time talking about the local boys who came to the beach at night with their boomboxes and maybe some beer.

What were Marlowe and Brad talking about?

He was smiling down at her while Marlowe looked very serious.

Couldn’t she lighten up? Residents were filing back to the tables. It was time to go back to bingo.

“Maybe running next week?” Brad asked as he broke away.

“Sounds good.” Marlowe nodded casually but Sam knew her better.

The conversation might have sounded casual but her sister's cheeks were flushed.

Sam decided to keep her questions for later.

They got back into the rhythm of the game.

Working bingo felt great and the older folks were so appreciative.

At the end the winners picked up kits with either toothbrushes and toothpaste or shampoo with a shower cap.

They all seemed excited by the simple prizes.

The evening ended and finally they were back in the car. “What was that about?” Sam asked as she headed for the state road.

“What?” Marlowe turned, looking very unconcerned. She wasn’t fooling Sam.

“You know what. Brad Howington. The man who was lapping you up with his eyes.”

Marlowe exploded into laugher. “That’s crazy. We were just talking about running.”

But Sam wasn’t fooled. “I think there’s more to this than running.”

For a second, her sister said nothing. The moon had risen in the dark sky, casting ghostly shadows around them.

And yet, even if she had been alone on the road, Sam would have felt safe up here in Charlevoix with her family.

This renovation of the family home was probably a test none of them could have foreseen.

But it was going to turn out just fine. Together they could take it on, no matter what happened.

Realizing that helped her relax. The mix-up with her furniture had been frustrating but everything would work out.

“Do you remember that dinner with Aunt Cate a month or so ago? Before I moved here?” Marlowe asked.

Sam thought back. “Not sure I know which one you mean. We've had so many dinners in that kitchen. I can't wait until the dining room is renovated and we can spread out.”

“That night she had cooked one of her wonderful Italian meals. Clam risotto, maybe. I forget what we were talking about but at the end Aunt Cate said just remember life is a feast...or something like that.”

“Yes, I do remember that. But thanks for reminding me.” Sam turned down the lane near Sunnycrest. “So how does Brad Howington fit in to all this?”

Marlowe shrugged. “I guess it took me twenty years or so of dating to discover that life is more than men.

Maybe I haven't found the right man yet.

Today I closed on my first real estate deal, and that's exciting. I was so afraid I wasn't going to be able to cut it here. That’s where my focus is now. ”

Marlowe nervous about “cutting it”? That was unbelievable. Sam pulled in behind Aunt Cate's car and turned off the SUV. “When have you ever not been able to rise to the occasion?”

“Oh you'd be surprised. In any case I think Aunt Cate is right. Life is a feast. Right now I want to explore options. You know, there’s a lot to see around Charlevoix.” When Marlowe turned toward her, she looked so relaxed.

Sam felt a little jealous. While her sister didn’t want to rush into anything, Sam was all strung out about Josh.

She missed his calls. Missed sharing things with him, even though his kids didn’t approve. She sighed.

Exploring options without freaking out? How did her younger sister ever get to be so wise?