Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
SAMANTHA
I sabel left the house in a flurry of thrown kisses. Even Holly joined the fun, bringing her mittened fist to her mouth again and again to throw a kiss. Silence fell over the house. Sam cleaned up the kitchen with her aunt. After washing all the dishes, she stacked them on a towel. The radio was playing “I’ll be Home for Christmas.” That morning the song felt perfect. Sam wouldn’t be feeling this Christmasy if she were home. Humming along with her, Aunt Cate seemed to feel the same way as she dried the plates.
Being at Sunnycrest had brought back so many memories. Sam felt comfortable being there with the people who knew her best and loved her. How stupid she’d been to avoid coming back to Charlevoix.
Grabbing their coffee mugs, they moved to the living room. “Let there be light.” Samantha tapped the floor switch with her foot. The tree sprang to life. The living room with its dated but comfortable furniture took on a festive spirit once the lights were glowing on the tree branches. Sam was glad that Izzy didn't have the ones that blinked. Those would drive Bogart nuts and could give Sam a migraine. With cautious eyes on the tree, her cat hovered in the doorway.
Aunt Cate cuddled up on the sofa under a Snoopy Christmas throw. Grabbing a blanket patterned with poinsettias from under the coffee table, Samantha collapsed in the huge blue and white lawn-striped chair. Feeling very content, she propped her feet up on the ottoman. Her sister seemed to have the colorful seasonal blankets everywhere. And they needed them. Izzy kept the thermostat around seventy degrees. With these leaky windows, that didn’t cut it.
She drew the blanket up to her shoulders. “I suppose heating this place costs a fortune during the winter.”
“You could say that.” Aunt Cate wore a mysterious smile as she sipped her coffee. Her aunt and uncle had always been very generous in regard to this house. Fine with Sam. Years ago she might have been irritated that her sister had a free ride. But from what she could see, Izzy was doing no such thing. Her work schedule was definitely not a free ride.
Seemingly convinced that the tree wasn’t going to hurt him, Bogart finally sauntered in. At first he gave the tree a wide berth, but he could not resist the tree lights. Before long, he had buried himself underneath the lowest bough.
“Do you think Isabel was disappointed that we didn't offer to babysit for Holly today?” her aunt asked.
Sam gave a dry chuckle. “Are you kidding? I think she knows that we're amateurs when it comes to babies. I've never changed a diaper or fed a small child.” Okay, she’d thought about it plenty but wasn’t ready to admit that.
“I have. You know, when you girls were babies. But I'm still brain-dead from the trip.” Without her makeup her aunt was looking a bit peaked. Sometimes it was hard to remember how old Aunt Cate was. In her mid-sixties now, she was still so vibrant.
Curiosity overcame her. “Did you help Mom out when we were babies?”
“Of course,” Aunt Cate said with a nostalgic smile, as if those had been wonderful times. “Your uncle and I could hardly wait to get here during the summer.”
Sam thought back. “Those summers with you were sure fun, weren’t they? Remember roasting marshmallows around the firepit?”
Letting her head fall back, her aunt closed her eyes. “I'll never forget. Of course back then I was kind of taking notes. Joanna was younger than me. Monty and I expected and hoped to be parents some day. Your mom used to joke about saving all the clothes for me. She loved the idea that her older sister might need something from her.”
“Was that disappointing for you? Not having children?”
Her head came up. Aunt Cate wasn't someone who let herself get down about anything. “Oh, we worked through it. You children certainly helped. We sure enjoyed sharing all the special times.” She glanced over at the Christmas tree.
“Thank goodness we had you.” Sam didn’t even want to think how awful everything might have been without her aunt and uncle’s support following the accident. “Why were you so insistent on me coming here this Christmas?”
That mysterious look darkened her aunt’s eyes again and her lips curled up. “Was I?”
“You know darn well you were. You really laid on the guilt trip these last couple of weeks about coming up here for Christmas. Kind of an emotional SOS.”
Pursing her lips, Aunt Cate finally relented. “You have to admit that you ghosted us for a while. No one was hearing from you. I didn’t know what to think.”
Her aunt was right and Sam felt terrible about that. A woman should never let her man-problems keep her from family. Sam moved uneasily in the chair. “Yes, and now you know why.”
Aunt Cate nodded. “And now you know why I insisted that you come.”
“Izzy’s baby.” Sam smiled. To her amazement, she was developing a warm spot for that little girl.
“I think we all had to see the situation and not just hear about it. Our family is growing and that’s a good thing. Time passes, and you have to make the most of every minute. We have to be present in our lives. All the time.” Her aunt held out her hands as if she were reaching for something. Lucky Aunt Cate. She’d probably lived her whole life grabbing hold of life and figuring out her next steps.
Then her aunt dropped her hands to tap a forefinger on her upper lip as she studied the tree. “I think we need to buy some new ornaments.”
“Really?” This was the tree they'd known and loved for years.
“Yes, really.” Her aunt threw off the blanket. “What are your plans for today?”
“I don’t have any.” Giving a big stretch, Sam wiggled her toes under the Christmas blanket. This was so like her aunt, always organizing everything. “ You were my plan.”
“Excellent. Then let’s get dressed.” Aunt Cate was on her feet, tightening her robe around her. “Shops probably open at ten. I want to pick up some things for dinner.”
Was her aunt going to cook? Would she throw herself into creating one of their family favorites? “Clam risotto?” Sam began to salivate.
Her aunt nodded. “For starters, I’ll check the pantry but I think I’ll need a few things. I also think we should pick up some new ornaments. You know, a few baubles to brighten things up.”
“Whatever you say.” After tapping off the lights, Sam followed her aunt up the stairs. Not wanting to be left behind, Bogart nearly tripped her as he zipped between her legs, reaching the bedroom first.
Minutes later, Samantha was in the shower. She loved the eucalyptus bath gel Izzy had probably bought in one of those shops along Bridge Street. Working up some bubbles, she slathered herself with it, turning around to rinse under the warm spray.
Her aunt was so inspirational. Just when Sam had decided it was time to come back to her roots in Charlevoix, her aunt wanted to shake up the house. She turned off the shower and stepped out. Fine with Sam if Aunt Cate led the way. As she dried herself off in one of the fluffy white towels, she wondered if Izzy would have any objections. Obviously when it came to the family’s opinions, she was very sensitive.
Their dad used to say that Izzy had thin skin. But then, she had always been too easily delighted. That girl could open a fresh bag of potato chips with wonder, as if she’d been granted the Hope diamond. Maybe that was why she'd married so quickly twice.
Sam never fussed with her makeup but that morning she did her eyes in smokey gray shadow and added mascara. It had been embarrassing to run into Josh McCall yesterday when she had no makeup and cereal stained her warmup suit. Most of the kids who’d gathered for the summer bonfires had grown up and may have moved away. But maybe some had stayed in town, and she didn’t want to run into anyone she’d known years ago looking pathetic. The news about Josh and Cynthia had been troubling. Divorce was one thing but losing a loving spouse? She couldn’t even go there.
Wrapping herself in a towel, Sam scurried to her room. Someone must have turned the heat up because the air felt warmer than when she’d gotten up that morning. Bogart was curled up on the bed. But his green eyes followed her everywhere as she pulled on jeans and an oversized white sweater. “I'm going to leave the door open,” she told him. “But if you get nervous, go under the bed.”
Piper was probably curled up sleeping somewhere. Sam would take her out one more time before they left. Maybe the pets would be fine having the run of the house today. Sam didn't want to confine Piper to Izzy’s room for the entire day. Grabbing her knee high cordovan boots, she zipped them up over her jeans. Thank goodness she’d thrown them in at the last minute. After seeing her aunt’s choice in leather boots, she was finished with her practical fabric boots. At least for a while. Those were for dealing with the snow. Kicking out a leg, she studied her reflection in the full length mirror. These babies with their calf-hugging leather? These were for show.
When Sam got downstairs, she found her aunt in front of the tree. She was dressed in her camel cape and slacks with a red sweater. As usual, she’d spent time with her makeup. Samantha might have a few questions for her during this visit. Since Aunt Cate lived in New York, she was always up on things like fashion and makeup.
“Ready?” Sam asked. She couldn’t wait to see Marlowe.
“You bet. What about Piper and Bogart?” Aunt Cate asked.
“I left Bogart up in the bedroom but the door is open. Piper is used to having the run of the house, and I hate to keep her cooped up. They'll have to work things out.”
“Probably a wise move. Ready?” Aunt Cate swirled that camel cape around herself again and Samantha pulled on her Burberry coat. Then she yanked open the front door. A blast of cold air greeted her. The red ribbons decorating the green door tossed in the chilly breeze and the jingle bells rang a thin, shrill song.
“Be careful on these stairs,” she told her aunt as she stepped gingerly down toward the car. “I'm going to shovel these tonight. The driveway should be cleared too.”
“Oh, you are ambitious,” her aunt teased, keeping a firm grip on the railing.
The air was so cold that their words billowed into clouds as they talked. Her SUV was covered with snow and Sam grabbed her brush from the back. While her aunt got into the front seat, Sam whisked the brush over the windows. The latest snow was soft but underneath was a frozen layer that she had to chip at with the sharp edge of the brush. Finally she climbed in and turned on the heat. “Where to?” she asked.
“Let’s head for The Lake House on Bridge Street.”
Minutes later, Sam was finding a parking spot for them on a side street. The windows of The Lake House were filled with oversized Christmas figurines and two trees dotted with lights. Christmas gifts were interspersed with pine boughs in the windows, along with large red ornaments.
Once inside, her aunt was drawn to the shelves of beautiful pottery, everything from platters to pitchers. A small sign said those beauties had lately arrived from Poland. Sam might’ve been tempted to buy one because they were so colorful, except that she already had so much kitchenware. She’d been relieved when Kurt didn’t want anything from the house. Now it hit her that maybe new love and a trip to Ibiza made dishes and pans irrelevant. Her stomach turned. She refused to welcome that thought into her life.
“Well, let’s get to work.” Aunt Cate moved with her characteristic purpose toward one of the large trees laden with eye-catching ornaments. They both began to choose. Sam was partial to the animals and decided on a fox, a couple of dogs and of course, a black and white cat that looked somewhat like Bogart. By that time, Aunt Cate had a basket looped over one arm and was filling it with Christmas angels and glass ornaments of all shapes and sizes.
When they were finished, Aunt Cate insisted on paying. Sam had to put a stop to that but not today. Sometimes it felt good to be a little girl again, shopping with your doting aunt who always bought you pretty things. Going back to the car, they both tucked their bags into the back and then meandered down the streets. Whenever a window caught their eye, they stopped in, often staying inside long enough to warm their fingers and cheeks.
Aunt Cate found a lovely soft lime sweater at The Clothing Company, and Sam tried on a deep pink turtleneck she wanted to think about. Of course they couldn’t resist a warm chocolate croissant at That French Place, the bakery next door. Buttery pastries in hand, they kept wandering until they reached the Cherry Republic. “Perfect gifts for friends back home,” her aunt said, dusting crumbs from her fingers before disappearing inside. By the time she was finished, the bag was so heavy that they had to make a quick trip back to the car.
Then it was back to Ga Ga for Kids, where Sam found a colorful Jack in the Beanstalk book and her aunt went nuts buying winter clothes for Holly. The clerk was very helpful figuring out sizes. Of course Izzy could always exchange things, but some of the outfits were so cute that they would probably be gone by Christmas.
“Don’t you think you’ve gone a bit overboard?” Shaking her head, Sam took the bag.
“When it comes to Christmas, there’s not such thing,” her aunt said with a quick look of disapproval topped by a disarming smile. She was having a great time. “I call this keeping the economy moving.”
They both broke into giggles. It was as if Sam were a kid again when her aunt would swoop into town and take them to the Oak Brook shopping center for a fun day of lunch and stylish clothing that sure didn’t fit in their parents’ budget. They kept walking.
The window of Elements was way too alluring. By that time Sam was getting tired but her aunt pulled her inside for some of their holiday ornaments. Didn’t take long before they’d filled another bag. Sam had to tear her aunt away from the wreaths. “Let’s see what’s in the attic before we go crazy.”
“Spoilsport,” her aunt quipped, linking her arm through Sam’s. “You’ve always been so practical.”
Maybe too practical . Sam didn’t want to be practical. She wanted to be adventurous, like Marlowe. Fun-loving, like Izzy. But Sam brushed those self-defeating thoughts away. She was who she was and it was too late to change now. Wasn’t it?
While they shopped, a soft snow had begun to fall. At the corner stood a jolly Santa in full dress, ringing a bell and collecting money in a large pot for Salvation Army. The brass bell added a festive note. They both dug deep into their purses.
At one point Aunt Cate stopped to look back on the street. “Looks like a Christmas card, doesn't it?” Bright lights were draped through the trees and red bows hung from the gaslights.
“You've got that right. Many of these stores haven’t changed a bit.” Nostalgia tugged at Sam and a wonderful warmth began to glow in her heart.
“I think you're right. I find a deep comfort in that.” Aunt Cate chuckled. “Maybe I'm just getting old enough to appreciate stability.”
“You’ll never be old.” Sam couldn't picture her aunt as a frail senior. Accepting that change might mean that Sam herself was getting old. She wasn't ready for that. Not at all.
Next stops were the specialty food stores, and her aunt knew them all. She picked up clams and fettuccine, lettuce and tomatoes for a salad along with a crusty French bread, olive oil and fresh garlic, and a couple bottles of wine.
“You’re making me hungry,” Sam told her as they stashed the groceries away. The smell of that fresh bread had awakened her appetite.
“Then I think it’s onto The Back Lot for burgers. What do you say?” Her aunt chuckled as she climbed into the front seat. The snow had stopped and the sun had come out, bringing with it enough light to add cheer and a little warmth.
When they reached the restaurant, they were seated right away. Settling into a table, Sam had to laugh. Where else would this view of the parking lot with the backdrop of sparkling Lake Michigan be considered charming? She loved the Charlevoix location because the town was surrounded with water, both Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix.
Over their sandwiches and fries, Sam and her aunt shared memories. They’d often come here with her parents. Her dad had loved their Alaskan cod sandwich, and Aunt Cate ordered one in his memory. “Eric was a good man,” she said.
“Yes, he was and a great dad.” As she grew older, she appreciated her father more. As a high school teacher, he hadn’t been able to provide a lot of luxuries for the family, but he’d given them his time and attention. Who could put a price tag on that?
While they enjoyed their lunch, Sam asked her aunt how much longer she would be working in her law practice. “Do you have any idea at all?”
“I guess as long as I still find it fulfilling,” her aunt said, swirling a french fry into a pool of ketchup. “But I am easing up on my workload. That’s for sure. Thank goodness I have some very competent associates in my firm. How about you? Are you still enjoying your work?” Aunt Cate had a cute way of blotting the corners of her mouth so her lipstick didn’t smear
“I’ll have to give it time before I know. The divorce has restructured my work. As I told you earlier, we had to divvy up our clients.” She made a face.
“Must have been difficult,” her aunt said.
“It was. We ended up relying on who had pitched and serviced each account.”
Aunt Cate was reapplying her lipstick and she paused. “How did that go?”
“Okay, I guess. As you know, Kurt was a bit of a showman. He loved presentations. And maybe a lot of our women clients liked dealing with him.”
Cate dropped her lipstick back into her bag. “Do you still have a healthy base?”
“Yes, and we’ve agreed that if a client decides they’d like to switch, that’s okay. We’ll see what happens.”
“If things get lopsided in your favor, you’ll hear about it. Be prepared to stand your ground without upsetting your clients. That might be tricky.” Aunt Cate wrinkled her nose.
“And unpleasant.” Was Sam really up for that? Thinking about it made her feel tired deep down in her soul. “So far, there’ve been no transfers, so we'll see.”
The check arrived and this time Sam was ready. She handled the check before her aunt could even grab her purse. “I didn't work hard to be successful only to have my aunt refuse to let me flex my own plastic cards.” Aunt Cate burst into startled laughter and Sam joined her.
Glancing at her watch, Sam saw that it was almost one o’clock. She jumped up. Time always went so fast when she was with her aunt. She'd forgotten how much she enjoyed her company and hated the fact that she lived so far away. “Let’s take the groceries home so that we can head out to the airport.” She didn’t want to be late. It had been a while since she’d seen her sister Marlowe. And she had a lot to tell her.