Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
SAMANTHA
T here it was. Sam had admitted to someone in her family that she’d failed. The truth about her marriage was out. But with the exception of the radio, the car had become quiet. What was her aunt thinking? The tires crunched over hard-parked snow while “Silver Bells” played on the radio.
“I’m so sorry, Samantha.” Finally her aunt said something. “When did this happen?”
“Over the past year. Finalized in the fall.”
“But I always thought you two were happy together.”
“So did I.” Sam had no answers to give.
“And your sisters? Do they know?”
“No. I couldn’t…”
“But, sweetheart, you should. This explains a lot.”
What did that mean? Her aunt’s comment bothered Sam all the way back to Sunnycrest. Had she been terrible over the past year? Was this why Izzy didn’t want to tell her about the baby? The drive to the house was short. Sam parked and they got out.
She grabbed Aunt Cate’s suitcase from the back and they carefully made their way up the steps. “These could be dangerous,” her aunt said, placing each booted foot with care.
“I know. The steps need to be salted again. I’m going to shovel the driveway so that we can get in through the garage. That will be safer. Obviously Izzy’s been too busy.” Sam would rather talk about the stairs than her divorce.
“Will you look at that door!” Aunt Cate dropped her carryon onto the front porch and stood there staring. A smile tilted the corners of her red lips.
“Just like Mom used to decorate it,” Sam said.
“My thought exactly. I love it.”
Stepping forward, Sam opened the door. After helping Aunt Cate haul her luggage into the house, Sam got a look at herself in the hallway mirror. “Oh, no.” Had she really looked like this in Izzy’s shop this morning? And of course she had to run into Josh, of all people. Not that it mattered. Not really. He looked happily married. She was glad that he had a family and they seemed like good kids.
Aunt Cate peeked over at her. “What’s the problem?”
Samantha pointed to the mirror. “That’s the problem. Oh, Aunt Cate. I’m such a mess.” The words slipped out and there would be no getting them back.
Her aunt gave Sam one of her calm, reflective glances. What was her aunt’s end game? Why had she insisted that Sam come to help Izzy? Her younger sister obviously didn’t need any help. Her life was going great. She had a darling baby that she’d apparently always wanted and was running a successful business. Okay, the Skipper thing was a little weird but Sam wasn’t going to comment on it.
“Nonsense, sweetheart. You’re a busy woman and you just got here. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
Feeling a bit bolstered, Sam managed a smile. Her aunt had always been able to do that for her. Her instinctive common sense could always lift Sam’s spirits, and she pulled away from the mirror.
Sniffing, Aunt Cate turned toward the living room. “Do I smell a real tree?”
“Yes, you know Izzy.” Sam had been secretly pleased that her sister had carried on the tradition of having one of those outrageously large and messy pine trees. No artificial tree with lights already strung could compete with that wonderful smell. Her aunt drifted into the living room with a look of pure rapture.
“I don’t believe this!” Aunt Cate's voice came from the other room. “This tree certainly takes me back. All the old ornaments and everything. You girls kept all that? I’d say some are past their sell-by date.”
Joining her aunt in the living room, Samantha studied the tree. “Yep, it’s all there. Angels and nutcrackers, just like always. My younger sister is more sentimental than I ever thought.”
Aunt Cate gave her a squeeze. “Kind of nice, isn’t it? Why don’t you help me take my luggage upstairs and we can talk.” Returning to the hall, she unwound her cape and hung it on one of the hooks that framed the mirror.
“No problem.” Anything to get her mind off how terrible she looked. Why had she questioned Aunt Cate’s visit? This was all about family, wasn’t it?
But running into Josh McCall after all these years had deflated Sam in the strangest way. Her hands were still trembling and she grabbed the handle of her aunt’s luggage. At least this Christmas visit had put her in contact with her aunt. Sure, she had visited Aunt Cate occasionally in New York and her aunt had come to Chicago more than once. But in Charlevoix everything seemed to come together. No one treasured past memories more than the family who’d shared them with you.
When she’d dragged the suitcase toward the stairway, Aunt Cate reached down for the handle at the bottom. Although she couldn’t remember her aunt’s age, she was pretty spry, all things considered. Together they managed to lug the suitcase up the steps. The darn thing was heavy. “How long are you staying?” Samantha joked. “One or two months?”
“It’s all about the shoes,” Aunt Cate said with a sheepish grin. “I have to be prepared for anything. And shoes are heavy.”
Sam didn’t even ask what that “anything” might be. Maybe she should have thought along those same lines as she packed for this trip. She’d brought nothing but warmup suits and jeans with bulky sweaters. By the time they reached the second floor landing, they were both out of breath.
“Some things never change.” Dragging the suitcase behind her, Samantha threw open the door of the master bedroom her parents had used. She would have aired this room out earlier, but she didn’t want Piper or Bogart to wander in and take over. Over the past years, Aunt Cate and Uncle Monty had used that room whenever they came to visit. She was surprised that Izzy hadn’t moved into the master suite, but her sister could be very sentimental.
Pulling a luggage rack from the closet, Sam clicked it open and then helped Aunt Cate hoist the huge suitcase onto it. In the distance she heard Bogart calling to her. He must have heard her voice. The poor thing wasn’t used to being cooped up in a bedroom.
“I'll be right back,” she said. “I have to let Bogart out.”
“You brought your cat?”
Samantha shrugged. “We're kind of a pair. If I’d left him at home with a cat sitter, I would be afraid Kurt might snatch him.”
Her aunt’s eyebrows. “So that’s how it is?”
“Yes, sadly that’s what it’s like right now. At first it didn’t matter. But I think Kurt misses Bogart more than he misses me.”
When Sam opened the bedroom door, Bogart was ready for her. He marched out, his tail swirling around her legs. “I know. I missed you too. Now be a good boy and remember where your litter box is, okay?” Her cat looked up at her with reproach, as if he were offended. Then he headed down the hall toward the open doorway to explore the master bedroom.
By that time Piper was scratching and yipping behind Izzy’s bedroom door. “I’m going to take Izzy’s dog out,” she called out “I’ll be right back.”
After five frozen minutes outside while Piper sniffed around and took care of business, Sam was back inside, happy for the warmth. Was there anything more settling than caring for the needs of a pet? “Now you be a good girl, understand?” she told Piper. Maybe it was time to let both pets acclimate to each other. She couldn’t be closing them up in the bedrooms for the whole visit.
When she came back into her aunt’s room, Aunt Cate was hanging up her designer clothes. Samantha folded herself into one of the two love seats that were patterned with cabbage roses in front of a fireplace they never used. Bogart had tried to hop up onto Aunt Cate’s bed but didn’t make it. Instead, he tucked himself away under the bed. Piper had disappeared back into Izzy’s room.
The fabric of the twin loveseats matched the draperies that framed the bay windows. “If there aren’t sheets on that bed, I’ll check the linen closet in the hall.”
Lifting up a corner of the comforter, Aunt Cate smiled. “Looks like we’re all set.” Then she took the loveseat across from Samantha’s. “Now why don’t you tell me what’s going on with Kurt?” Although Samantha hadn't imagined doing this on her Charlevoix visit, why not? She’d been thinking about taking a trip to New York after the holiday. Having her aunt here was a special treat.
Sitting in the winter sunlight that poured through her parents’ bedroom, Samantha laid it out for her aunt. Yes, she had friends back in Chicago who were aware of the situation. But her aunt had known Kurt for years. She knew the whole history and nodded compassionately, reaching forward to squeeze Sam's hand more than once. She saw no judgment in her aunt’s eyes. Her aunt didn't tell her to get Kurt to go to a marriage counselor. No, Aunt Cate had seen it all. And this time the pain of divorce had affected their family.
“This can happen in business,” she said at one point. “You hear about this all the time. A younger woman?”
“Yes.” And of course that stung. “An attractive blonde with her future before her. I suppose Kurt looked like a catch to a younger woman. All that silver hair and those broad shoulders. And of course the business that we built together.”
“An older man in a position of power. That’s what she saw. I happen to know a good corporate attorney,” her aunt said with a grim smile. “If you have need of one for further negotiations.”
“I may take you up on that offer. We settled things for now by dividing our clients and assuring them that things will remain the same.”
Her aunt’s brows went up. “I hope so. But that would be rare.”
Sam didn’t want to hear that. But she wouldn’t think about it now. The divorce had taught her to become a “One Day at a Time” woman. “His new girlfriend worked for one of our clients. That’s how they met. She was in their marketing department. Supposedly she has left that company.”
“They probably know what was going on and want no part of it. But that client will probably stay with you. We can talk about that later.”
“Whatever, I’m tired of everything right now. But where do I start? Even if I sort through the problems with the company, where do I start again...”
“Start what, dear?”
“Everything.” Her throat closed and she couldn't say anymore. During the conversation Bogart had reappeared. Sniffing around the perimeters of the room, he eventually came back to leap up onto the love seat. That height was one he could manage. Stroking his silky coat always brought Samantha some comfort. “I was thinking about planning a special cruise for our twentieth wedding anniversary in a couple of years when he gave me the news.”
“That stinker.”
How Samantha loved the disgust in her aunt's voice. “Maybe our marriage had run its course. I didn't think that at the time but looking back, we were doing less and less together. I like to travel and he didn't. I had wanted...” but she couldn't even.
“You had wanted what?” her aunt asked gently. She never missed a trick. That skill at probing for details probably made her an excellent attorney.
Sam sucked in a deep breath and kept stroking. “Let's just say that we decided early in our marriage that we would be a professional couple.”
Understanding dawned on her aunt's face. “You decided no children.” Her aunt looked away out the window. “That’s a difficult decision.”
“Is that what you and Uncle Monty decided? I’ve always wondered.” Of course Sam had never asked. Being successful New York attorneys took a lot of work and professional skill. How would children have factored into that equation? “I always wondered.”
But her aunt brushed that idea away. “We both wanted children. Our plan was typical of those times. I would take maternity leave and so on and so forth but that never happened for us. And forty years ago couples didn’t have the options that exist today. We were delighted when my sister had three children.” Aunt Cate’s eyes sparkled.
“And so were we.” What would they have done without their aunt and uncle?
Aunt Cate couldn't hide the yawn. “Sorry, I got up at four o’clock this morning. It felt like the middle of the night and now my body is telling me that I've been up forever.”
“Maybe a nap would be a good idea.” She could have talked to her aunt forever but they would have more time. Getting up, Sam did a quick check of the bathroom. The master bedroom had its own bathroom. The sisters had shared the bathroom down the hall. Samantha checked the towels and unwrapped the fragrant soaps that Izzy had stored in the cupboard.
By the time she came back into the bedroom her aunt was stretched out on the bed. Reaching into the closet, she found one of her mother's many afghans and gently covered her aunt. “Thank you, dear,” her aunt murmured, well on her way to sleep.
Back in her own room Samantha found the old copy of Little Women on her bookshelf and settled into her own bed to read with Bogart at her feet. Piper eventually wandered into the room. Although the dog didn't leap onto the bed, Samantha heard Piper sigh as she settled under the bed.
But Sam had a hard time concentrating. Maybe she should take a shower and wash her hair. Put on some makeup. But that was foolish and in the end she gave in to sleep.
When she awoke, the room was almost dark and Izzy must be busy in the kitchen. Going downstairs, she found her sister feeding Holly. “Why don’t we order pizzas tonight?”
“Sounds good.” Izzy turned. “It was so good to see you in the shop with Aunt Cate today.”
“She enjoyed it.” And she nodded to Holly, who was eating her food as quickly as Izzy could spoon it. She’d never known Izzy could multitask like this. “Want me to take over?”
“Okay.” Izzy looked surprised but handed her the spoon. “Thanks. Holly loves having your attention.”
“Do you think so?” A warm feeling she couldn’t identify washed through her when Sam turned to find Holly smiling at her, applesauce smearing her lips. “You are such a good girl,” she murmured, which made the baby smile even wider.
“You’re a natural with her,” Izzy said, taking some plates from the cupboard.
“You have a lot to be proud of, Izzy. Coffee and Cupcakes seems to be doing very well.” Since they were alone, Sam had to ask. “So what’s the deal with Skipper? We were so surprised to see him there today.”
“He’s a great baker, don’t you think?” Izzy gave her an innocent smile.
“Yes, and it’s none of my business, but is that all?” Sam was being brave. Would her questions offend her sister?
“That’s all. For now.” Izzy smiled. “He’s crazy about Holly.”
For now? “But is he…?”
“Holly’s dad? No, I met the mother through an agency. We had a Facetime call when she was considering my application. Holly’s father had moved to Canada and frankly, the girl didn’t want him to have any rights.”
“I see. Complicated?”
“It’s an open adoption but she doesn’t know where we live. I have sent her pictures. She went back to school and her family was very happy that she could get on with her life.”
“Holly is a very lucky little girl,” Sam said, wiping applesauce from the baby’s chin.
“I think so. And now she has a wonderful family. Isn’t it great having Aunt Cate here with us?” Izzy said.
“Wonderful. Just like…”
“Old times,” Izzy supplied.
“Almost. Yes.”
“And what did you think of your old boyfriend today?” Izzy’s eyes were dancing.
“Josh’s kids seemed nice. I’m happy for him.” Holly was finished and Izzy swung the bowl into the sink while Sam wiped the baby’s face.
“Mia and Hayden are the best.”
“Mia told Aunt Cate that their father is in rehab these two weeks. What does that mean?”
Now, that brought a roar from Izzy that startled Holly and sent Piper scurrying into the hall. “Rehab?”
“Right. His kids think he needs more relaxation. That’s what Mia told Aunt Cate.”
“Josh does work too hard, but he’s really good at what he does, from what I hear.”
“Where was his wife today? Isn’t she part of the rehab?”
“Oh, didn’t he mention?” Izzy’s eyes turned dark. “Cynthia died a couple of years ago. That family’s had a hard time.”
“I didn’t know.” Sam felt terrible. How did that happen to people their age? “He didn’t say.”
“What were you two talking about?”
Sam gave a shrug. “His work. He was talking about hip replacements.”
“Oh my, how personal.” Izzy was trying to keep from laughing.
“I guess he loves his work.” She didn’t want to admit that she was fighting her own surprise at running into him the entire time they sat there talking.
“Josh might have thought I would mention it,” Izzy said. “Sorry. Time has passed and he’s been a good dad. But it was a really difficult time for them.”
“I would imagine so. Well, life happens.” That would have been the moment to tell Izzy that she and Kurt had divorced. But she didn’t say anything and later didn’t know why. All that evening, she thought the right moment would come. They ordered pizzas. Decorated the tree a bit more and eventually went up to bed. Why didn’t she say anything? Maybe she didn’t want Izzy to feel sorry for her.
Sam had come home to help her sister this Christmas. That night as she shivered in bed, Sam felt like she might be the one who needed help.