Page 80 of Smuggler's Cove

“Look at you, getting all domesticated,” Olivia kidded.

“And I just might plant some geraniums, too.” She clasped her fingers behind her head and rested it on the back of the lounge chair. “This is like being on vacation.”

“I don’t know why we never thought about renting a summer house. I know you would go out to the Hamptons for a long weekend, but this place is ours, at least for the next four months.”

Madison’s thoughts ran to something more permanent. But that would have to wait. Wait to see if they liked the area. Wait to see if she could balance her work and play time. Wait to see if she enjoyed the company of the local people—one in particular.

“Shall we inspect the bathrooms?” Olivia asked.

“I suppose we should. I am going to check with Linc and see how far along they are.” She dialed his cell.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“Yes. Why?”

“You. Olivia. Alone. Together,” he ticked off the usual joke.

“Ha, ha. So far, we’ve managed to stay out of trouble. And you?”

“Yes, Charlie has been keeping a close eye on what I’m piling in the cart. They’re giving us a twenty-thousand-dollar line of credit. That should cover the first round of materials. The home equity loan should be in our account in two weeks, so we’re covered.”

“Excellent. You do good work,” Madison teased. “What about Nana and Pop’s?”

“Working on that. The tenants were happy to accommodate us and took the free rent.” He paused. “I gave them a full month.” He knew his sister would approve. She wanted to get that show on the road as quickly as possible.

“Good. And the real estate agent?”

“I have to meet her sometime next week. She’s going to speak with the tenants to arrange for a walk-through and get their schedules in order to make it as convenient as possible.”

“Fabulous.” Madison felt a surge of elation. “When do you think you and Charlie will be back?”

“We are wrapping it up now.” He said to Charlie, “When will we be back at the house?”

“Twenty minutes.”

Madison heard Charlie’s voice in the background. “Okay. Good. We are finished for now. Can you text me Irene’s phone number? I want to ask her about where we can shop.”

“Shopping? Already?” Lincoln teased.

“Food. Supplies. Duh.” Madison clicked her tongue.

Lincoln laughed. “See you in a few.”

The women did a final once-around. Madison added kitty litter, litter pan, liners, and toys to her list. “They are going to love basking in the sun.” Madison noticed a patch of warm rays flooding into a corner of the screened porch.

“I want to come back as one of your cats in my next life,” Olivia joked.

“Me too,” Madison added.

A short time later, Lincoln and Charlie pulled into the driveway. It was obvious they had become fast friends. Lincoln quickly rattled off what was going to be delivered and when. “Crusty is going to work with Charlie, and Josh will work the dock.”

“Josh? I thought he was on a fishing boat.”

“There was a strong storm further out, and they decided to head back. They didn’t want to pull anAndrea Gail.”

“Who?” Olivia asked.

“The Perfect Storm,”Lincoln answered.