Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
SAMANTHA
T raverse City airport was bustling with activity. Flight announcements could hardly be heard over the voices filled with holiday excitement. Visitors charged up the concourse, their shopping bags bursting with gaily wrapped packages. Remembering her bags in the closet, Sam was glad that she’d picked up some wrapping paper that morning while shopping with her aunt. What fun they'd had. Her heart was full of Christmas love and it sure felt a lot better then that hollow feeling she'd had ever since Kurt had told her of his “new life,” as he’d called it.
What had she been left with…her old life? That wouldn’t do at all and being here with the family who believed in her was helping Sam see her situation in a new light.
Having Marlowe here was bound to help. Her younger sister was the tallest of the three girls so it was easy to spot her as she loped toward them. Her auburn hair caught the overhead lights as she waved with one hand. On her other arm was a bulging shopping bag. Her lightweight quilted coat didn’t look up to the challenge of the freezing Charlevoix temperatures.
“You need warmer clothes,” Sam said, giving her sister a big hug.
“And don’t I know it. Where was my head? Hi, Aunt Cate.” She turned to their aunt who was ready, her arms open. Sam grabbed Marlowe’s shopping bag as they made their way toward the baggage area. Frank Sinatra was singing “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow” over the PA system.
“Have you had a lot of snow here?” Marlowe asked.
“Heck yes. That’s why you came, right? To get in the Christmas spirit. Leave those boring Florida palm trees behind.” Sam had forgotten how much fun it was to tease her sister.
“Those palm trees are all wound with bright lights right now, girlfriend. But yes, I’m thrilled beyond belief to return to the frozen north.” Marlowe gave an exaggerated shiver.
Passers-by smiled to see the three of them marching along arm-in-arm, the shopping bag banging against Sam’s leg. What had Marlowe brought?
“But you will need something warmer than that, sweetheart.” Aunt Cate nodded at the spring green quilted jacket Marlowe was sporting. They finally reached the baggage area.
“Right, I’ve been checking the weather on my phone. But it’s impossible to buy a warm jacket in Naples, Florida. Skiing isn’t big down there.” A buzzer sounded and suitcases spilled onto the conveyor belt. Family groups and couples with young children yanked bags from the spinning belt and headed toward the parking lot. It wasn’t hard to spot Marlowe’s bright turquoise case with a huge green palm tree applique.
“I like to make a statement.” Sam’s sister lifting the distinctive suitcase from the belt.
When they finally burst out of the busy airport and into the bright sunshine outside, Marlowe looked stunned. “Well, I wasn’t expecting this. That sun is bright.” Bright rays glanced off the clean snow that had fallen that morning. She dug into her shoulder bag for her sunglasses.
“We should check the attic,” Aunt Cate said.
“You mean for more Christmas decorations?” Sam asked as they loaded Marlowe’s suitcase into the back of the SUV.
“No, I’m thinking of winter clothes. I think some things might be packed away up there.”
By that time, their aunt had taken the backseat and Marlowe climbed into the front. Her sister looked great, and it was so good to see her. Sam couldn’t wait to catch up. Marlowe had always had a knack for telling outrageous stories.
“Anything that’s in the attic would be welcome,” Marlowe said as Sam backed out and made her way toward the exit. “I’m not here to make a fashion statement.”
“That’s news, coming from you. Naples always has such excellent shopping,” Aunt Cate said. “The last time I visited you, we did some serious plastic damage.” Marlowe gave one of her deep gutsy laughs.
“When was that?” Sam asked. Heck, she would’ve joined them if she’d known Aunt Cate was down in Naples.
“Last spring.” Aunt Cate turned to her. “You were busy with a presentation for a new pharmaceutical company you were pitching. Remember that?”
“Oh right.” She remembered that only too well. She’d fought with Kurt constantly. They couldn’t agree on their main focus and Kurt wanted to wing it, for heaven’s sake. In the end, Sam had been relieved that they didn’t get the account. Her husband had contradicted her twice during her part of the presentation. She’d been ready to kill him. Kurt’s blustering on the way home had only irritated her. Who wanted to work with a couple who couldn’t get along?
It hadn’t always been that way. Maybe Sam should have paid more attention to those disagreements.
By the time they got back to the house, it was almost four o’clock. Izzy had left a message on Sam’s phone and they expected her by six.
“Wait until you see Izzy’s baby,” Aunt Cate told Marlowe as they made their way up the front steps.
Sliding on the next step, Marlowe grabbed for the rail. “What?”
Aunt Cate clapped one hand to her head and Sam reached to steady her. “I think I’m losing it,” their aunt murmured. “Izzy wanted to tell you herself.”
“Izzy has a baby?” Marlowe looked dazed and Sam knew the feeling, especially when it came to their baby sister.
“Details coming when Izzy gets home, okay?” It was freezing out there and Sam wanted to get them both inside.
“Great idea.” Lifting her chin, Aunt Cate began to move again. Sam felt sorry for her. She really did want Izzy to tell Marlowe the news about Holly but this was real life. A lot was going on.
“We need more salt on these steps,” Sam murmured, grabbing onto the railing as she towed Marlowe’s bag along behind her.
“Put it on the list.” Then Aunt Cate picked up where she’d left off, describing every cute thing that Holly had done since she’d arrived, including the way Holly said “Tu-tu” for thank you.
“Can’t wait to see her.” Marlowe shook her head. “Never a dull moment when it comes to our baby sister.”
“Yes, but you’ll see,” Sam cut in. “Izzy’s a great mother.”
“That’s wonderful. Well, this place never changes.” They’d reached the porch and Marlowe paused to catch her breath. She was shivering. “I’m loving the door. Just like old times.”
Of course the door wasn’t locked. Sam had forgotten and Piper jumped all over them the minute they opened it. “And who are you?” Marlowe cooed to the delighted dog, who seemed to accept that the new woman belonged in this house too. Setting down her bags, Marlowe peeked into the living room.
“Oh my gosh, look at that tree.” Slipping off her lightweight jacket, Marlowe seemed transfixed by Izzy’s gorgeous Christmas tree. She sniffed. “And it smells great. Sure brings back a lot of memories. Dad and his real trees.”
“Absolutely,” Aunt Cate said briskly. “But this year we’re adding some new ornaments.”
“She’s on a mission,” Sam murmured to her sister. “I’m going to take your bag upstairs, okay?”
Marlowe sprang into action. “Let me help you. I brought way too many clothes and not enough of what I need.” After Sam took the retracted handle, Marlowe grabbed the loop on the bottom of the suitcase. Together they started up the stairs, laughing when they hit the steps that squeaked.
“Remember how we tried to avoid that step when we were sneaking out?” Marlowe asked with a chuckle.
“I think you were an expert at that,” Sam reminded her.
“Right, until I discovered the roof over the side door. Made climbing out the window a breeze.”
“Girls, I’m going to open the white wine.” Aunt Cate’s voice found them as they finally reached the landing.
“Sounds good,” Sam called back, leading the way to Marlowe’s room. When she opened the door, Sam was pleased to see that this room had been freshened up too. Oh, it was the old same old daisy-covered comforter that Marlowe had claimed when she’d seen it in the Sears catalogue years ago. The curtains and pillows matched, and so did the wallpaper edge along the coping. But Izzy had set a bouquet of lavender on a table. Standing in the center of the chilly room, Marlowe seemed delighted. “This is a time capsule, right?”
“Not if Aunt Cate has her say. We picked up a few ornaments today in The Lake House for the tree. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Aunt Cate did more updating around Sunnycrest.” Walking over to the heat grate, she ran a foot over the metal until it opened.
“That would be our aunt,” Marlowe said with approval. “Always taking care of the decor.” They laughed together, but Sam was glad that someone else was taking charge of Christmas. After what she'd been through over the last few months, she had no more energy left. Not at this point, anyway.
Creeping over to the bedroom door, Marlowe nudged it shut. “So what's this about Izzy having a baby?”
Sam was relieved to find that her sister was as mystified as she was. “The baby is darling. But I have no details.” She wanted Marlowe to see for herself.
“Well, who's the dad?” Marlowe's eyebrows lifted. “Did she get married again?”
Sam perched on the edge of the queen-size bed. “No, it's not like that. Izzy adopted Holly.”
“Wow!” Marlowe plopped onto the bed next to her. “You go, Izzy! And you didn't know about this?”
“Not until I got here. You have to give her credit. She did this all on her own. I suspect Aunt Cate helped out. You know her.”
Obviously processing this latest news, Marlowe grinned. “Sure, but I would have chipped in if I’d known. I mean, she's got that shop and everything. And this house.” Her eyes swept the cavernous bedroom. Marlowe lived in a condo overlooking the beach in Naples.
“Aunt Cate has always helped but maybe we should revisit expenses,” Sam said. “I’ve always thought some of the support was given by the trust.”
“Sam, really?” Marlowe’s eyes widened. “Our dad was a teacher, for Pete’s sake.”
“Yes, but there was the house in Naperville. I thought that property was worth quite a bit.”
“True. And Uncle Monty left us each something. That was a nice surprise.”
“And that inheritance probably helped Izzy set up shop. You’ll see. She works hard.”
“She always did.” Marlowe pushed up on one elbow. “The problem was, she would throw herself into a project and then decide to move on.”
“Are you talking about her marriages or her career?”
“Both,” Marlowe said, fighting more laughter.
“It’s different now,” Sam said. “You’ll see.”
“I can’t wait.” Marlowe pulled herself up into a sitting position.
“From what I see, the baby goes with her to work. The staff helps Holly too. And the customers of course. The baby’s a big hit. You'll love the shop when you see what she's done with it. With all of her Christmas decorations, it's not surprising that the place is full all the time.”
“Okay, I know that look.” Marlowe’s eyes narrowed. “Are you holding something back?”
Sam had to tell her. “Skipper is her new pastry chef.”
“Skipper Malone? No way.” Sam thought her sister’s eyes would drop right out of her head. “What else is he mixing up in her kitchen?”
“I think he’s only the pastry chef and he’s great at it.” Sam did not want to be spreading rumors. “Izzy’s mind right now is on her business and baby Holly.”
“So she did this recently? The adoption?”
The question startled Sam from her thoughts. “Oh no. This happened almost a year ago. Holly's about to have her first birthday.”
Marlowe’s jaw dropped. “Okay, no wonder she wouldn't come to visit me. I invited her umpteen times. She always said her shop was too busy.” Jumping up, her sister unzipped her suitcase and began putting things away in the highboy. Sam could smell the cedar lined drawers as her sister worked. “But why didn't she tell us? I’m having a talk with our little sister.”
Sam was relieved that Marlowe seemed to be as clueless about this as she had been. It eased her initial pain somewhat. “Your guess is as good as mine. She gave me some excuse saying she didn't want us to be disappointed.”
Marlowe turned, a pair of white jeans in her hands. Yes, she was definitely thinking she was still in Florida. “Disappointed? I'm delighted but I don't get it. Our baby sister. A single mother.”
“My thought exactly.” Sam was still turning this over in her mind. “Izzy usually jumps into things but this baby? The adoption was planned.”
“Adoptions usually are. And they take time.” Marlowe tucked the white jeans into a drawer. “Do you think she gave up on marriage?”
“Maybe.” How would Sam know? “We need more time together.”
“Hasn’t she heard that the third time’s the charm?” Marlowe said with a grin.
“Says the girl who still has not married once.”
“Says the sister with her perfect marriage.”
Was this the time to tell her?
“Are you girls coming down soon?” Their aunt’s voice sounded from the bottom of the steps. “No secret conversations without me!”
Going out onto the hallway that overlooked the stairs, Sam called down. “We’re be right down.”
With all this talk about secrets, Sam wanted a clean slate. She walked back into the room. “Marlowe, Kurt and I are divorced.”
Marlowe turned, a pink sweater in her hands. “What? When did that happen?”
“Over the past year. It’s final now.” Felt good to share the truth although Marlowe’s shocked expression made Sam feel bad.
“Was I the only one out of the loop on this?” Suspicion darkened Marlowe’s eyes.
“No. Absolutely not. I had a hard time telling everyone.”
Dropping the sweater into the drawer, Marlowe slammed it shut. “Well, let’s not be making that a habit, okay? I mean, we’re family.”
“I know. And I’m sorry.” Her family’s response had been the same across the board. They wanted to help her. Remembering all those lonely nights when she’d watched Netflix movies alone, Sam wished she’d been more open with her family.
“Give me a minute to freshen up. I'll be down in a second.” Marlowe headed down the hall to the restroom that the girls had shared growing up. “More questions to come,” she threw out as she closed the door behind her.
Making her way down the back steps, Sam felt that all was right with her world now that Marlowe was here and she’d told her about Kurt. Well, she hadn’t told her everything. But there would be time.
Downstairs in the kitchen, Aunt Cate was hard at work. A pot of water had been put on to boil for the fettuccine. The French bread had been cut into slices and was toasting under the broiler. She could almost taste the olive oil and pesto. And the frying pan was full of onions and garlic. The smell made Sam hungry, and that was unusual. She was beginning to worry about her loss of appetite.
“Pour yourself a glass of Louie Jadot.” Her aunt nodded to the open bottle sitting on the counter.
After Sam had taken a sip of their favorite chardonnay, she set the table. This meal called for real napkins not paper and she found some in the dining room credenza. “Maybe we should sit in the dining room some night,” she said, re-entering the kitchen. “You know, since everyone's here.”
“Good idea. But tonight let's be cozy.” Aunt Cate nodded to the Pack ‘n Play and highchair. “Do I hear a car out there?”
Going out into the hall, Sam listened. Sure enough the high-pitched whine of tires spinning on ice carried up from the snow-packed road. “I have to shovel that driveway. Izzy is probably parking out front. There's hardly any room for two cars with all the snow.”
Marlowe came down the stairs, trailing one hand over the garland and Christmas cards. “I'll help you after dinner. The exercise will be good for me.”
“Are you still running?” Sam asked. A cheerleader and a runner in high school, Marlowe had been the most athletic of the three sisters.
“Yep. I brought my shoes with me and a warmup suit. But I'm not sure about running on this ice.” Her sister had dressed in her white jeans and a turquoise sweater that set off her auburn hair. Following Sam's eyes, Marlowe glanced down at her white jeans. “I don't have any winter clothes anymore.”
“No problem. Like Aunt Cate said, we can check out the closets in the attic.”
Marlowe’s eyebrows went up. “Look, I’m not picky but I’m not wearing moth-eaten slacks with a waistband and pleats. Not going there.”
“Got it,” Sam said, wrenching open the front door. The bells attached to the gold ribbons jingled like crazy in the wind. “I'm going to make sure Izzy gets up those stairs all right with the baby.”
“I’ll come with you.” Marlowe was right behind her.
“You don't have to come, Marlowe.” But despite the fact that she was shivering, her sister was right behind her, holding tight to the railing. They both waved down to Izzy.
When they reached the street below, they helped Izzy take the baby from the baby seat.
“Oh my gosh! She's beautiful!” Marlowe cried.
“Right.” Izzy threw her sister a crooked smile. “Surprise, surprise.” There was a lot of hugging going on but the December breeze kept up. They had to get inside. Sam nudged them toward the steps. Baby Holly kept smiling. She looked pleased to see everyone and definitely liked being the center of attention. When they reached the house, Aunt Cate was waiting in the front hall. Excited by all the people, Piper ran around in circles, barking. Bogart had disappeared.
“Something smells great,” Izzy said as she hung up her coat and then worked on Holly. “I'm starving. I think I forgot to eat lunch today. The place was so busy.”
“Can I hold her? Will she be all right with that?” Her sister's question surprised Sam, but Marlowe’s many high school activities hadn’t allowed much time for babysitting.
To the delight of the sisters, Holly seemed fascinated by Marlowe. Her Aunt Marlowe gibbered nonsense at the baby as if she’d done this a million times. Holly would smile and speak gibberish right back. While this linguistic experiment was taking place, they all moved toward the kitchen. The smell of garlic and a rich sauce filled the room.
Too hungry to delay dinner, they sat right down to eat. Sam soon forgot about her earlier burger. The clam risotto was perfect and somehow Aunt Cate had found cannolis at the last shop they'd visited. A fresh salad with parmesan shavings added a crisp touch. The four of them chattered away, catching up.
Leaving the dishes for later, they took their dessert into the living room. Three of them happily crowded together onto the sofa in front of the tree while Aunt Cate took the oversized blue and white chair. The baby had been fed during dinner and now was busy playing with her toys on the floor. Delighted when Piper ran away with her toy stuffed puppy, Holly continued with her stream of babytalk.
They probably could have stayed there all night. But it was going to snow again and that driveway needed attention. So while Aunt Cate and Izzy washed the dishes, Sam dashed upstairs to the attic, hoping to find a proper jacket for Marlowe. Her sister had insisted on helping with the shoveling.