Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
MARLOWE
B y the time Marlowe woke up Christmas morning, bright sunlight was coming through the sheer drapes. Downstairs she could hear Piper yipping and the baby talking gibberish. Poor Izzy. Would Holly ever say the magic words “Ma-ma” when she was gazing up at Izzy? Marlowe certainly hoped so or her little sister was going to go crazy.
Was this what it was like to be a mom? This trip to Sunnycrest was such an education. Did a mother hang on everything her baby did and evaluate any talent or lack of skill in the light of motherhood? Sounded exhausting. Izzy’s decision was brave. Marlowe didn’t know when she would ever be up to it. She flipped onto her back.
What the heck was this in her hair? Running a hand over her tangles, she almost ripped out whatever she snagged. Then she remembered. The hair tinsel. How magical last night had been, the four of them together. When her phone vibrated, she reached to the side table and turned it off. What she needed was coffee with peppermint creamer. No calls. Not now. Maybe never.
Today was Christmas. And she was so glad to be here.
The hallway was quiet and Sam's door was still closed when Marlowe tiptoed down to the bathroom. They sure needed more bathrooms in this house. One for every bedroom, or so she would think. En suite bedrooms had been the rage in Naples, Florida for some time now. Marlowe didn’t think she’d be able to sell a property without that important feature. At least, not in the price point she usually sold.
When she splashed her face with water, her fingers tangled with the silver tinsel again. Smiling at herself in the mirror, Marlowe felt last night come rushing back. What a wonderful Christmas Eve. How could she ever go back to Naples and leave her sisters behind? Aunt Cate too. It was such a shame that they lived so far apart. That gut check sent ideas skittering through her mind. What were the possibilities?
Down below, the kitchen was becoming livelier. Dashing back to her room, she pulled on the red velour jacket and pants she’d brought, scooped her hair into a ponytail and jammed on some slippers. “Ho, ho, ho!” she called out as she came down the back stairway that ended in the kitchen.
“Oh my dear. We were trying not to wake you.” Aunt Cate turned from the stove.
“Well you didn't. I've been awake for at least fifteen minutes. And boy am I hungry.” Eyeing the stack of pancakes in the center of the table, Marlowe took a seat. The only one missing was Sam.
“Did you hear Sam upstairs?” Izzy asked.
“Not yet,” Should Marlowe have awakened her sister? They had a big day in front of them and they'd stayed up late discussing the problems of the world and their own personal issues.
But she needn’t have worried.
“Did I hear my name?” Sam called out as she thumped down the back staircase on her backside.
Jumping up, Marlowe took the stairs two at a time to bring down the scooter.
“And how are you, my precious little girl?” Sam situated herself on the scooter and angled it into the table next to Holly.
“Ma-ma,” Holly trilled back, thumping her red plastic spoon on her tray.
Thank goodness Izzy laughed at her daughter’s antics. Marlowe was so glad that her baby sister could take this in stride. However, Sam looked both thrilled and embarrassed.
“I don't think she's ever going call me Mama,” Izzy muttered, putting a plate of scrambled eggs in front of her little girl. “Sam, you might as well pack her up and take her home with you.” The adoring look on Izzy's face as she smiled down at her daughter told everyone that she was kidding.
“Don't tempt me.” Swinging her attention from the baby to the pancakes, Sam sank her fork into one and slid it onto her plate. “Now what is on our schedule for today?”
Marlowe figured Aunt Cate had a plan. And sure enough she lifted a yellow tablet from the kitchen counter and began rattling off chores that began with shoveling the front steps and ended with vacuuming the runners and area rugs.
“And what about the food?” Izzy asked.
“All the cookies and cakes are in the garage refrigerator.” Nodding, their aunt went to stand in the arched doorway leading to the dining room. Really, her aunt’s organizational skills were impressive. “If you look at the table, you'll see the platters and bowls all marked,” their aunt said. Coming up behind her, Marlowe craned her neck. Yes, indeed. In the center of each bowl and platter was a slip of paper with something written on it. Amazing.
“The mozzarella ball Christmas tree will be handled by Sam, for example. I figure you can work on that while you're seated at the table.” Here Aunt Cate looked over the top of her reading glasses at Sam, who nodded as she poured more syrup on her pancakes.
“The recipe’s on the counter and ingredients are in the refrigerator,” Aunt Cate continued. “Artichoke and spinach dip will be Izzy’s responsibility. The chocolate croissants are in the garage freezer.”
On and on it went. But despite their initial panic, many of the dips and sandwiches had already been put together, along with mulled wine and eggnog. Their aunt must have gotten up very early.
Did her sisters feel as nervous as Marlowe felt about this open house? Getting up, she poured herself a mug of coffee from the Keurig. Then she splashed in some peppermint creamer. The hands of the clock told her they better get cracking.
Once their bellies were full and they were charged up with caffeine, they got to work. As the day went on, the dining room table, which dated back to Grandma Norah’s days, almost groaned from the number of platters and chafing dishes. Their grandmother’s china and silver added a festive touch. Pine boughs and tiny twinkling lights brightened the chandelier. Chairs were set all around, along with napkins and toothpicks. “You know, for the older folks,” Aunt Cate said. “Encourage the guests to mingle.”
“How many people did you invite, Izzy?” Sam asked.
Pursing her lips together, Izzy said, “Oh, about twenty or thirty, I would say.”
That sounded like a lot but this was a big house. First of all, Marlowe went outside to shovel and salt the steps. Then she emptied the garage freezer for her aunt and got to work on her own projects. Thank goodness Izzy kept the music playing. Giggling as she propelled herself down the marble hallway in the midst of all the activity, Holly moved her arms in time with the music, tapping a fork on her tray. Izzy had always loved to dance and at one point, she whisked Holly up into her arms and went boogying through the house, belting out “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Holly giggled wildly the entire time.
“That baby is going to think she’s been captured by a crazy family,” Marlowe whispered to Sam as their sister swirled past.
Sam laughed. “She’d be right. At least we’re not boring.”
“I heard that,” Aunt Cate said, passing them with a nut-covered cheese ball. “Boring? I’ll take issue with anyone describing us with that word.”
The hours passed quickly. They all ate lunch standing up in the kitchen as they put together some ham and cheese sandwiches for the group, snacking along the way. With only about half an hour before guests would begin arriving, they disappeared upstairs to change. Sam seemed delighted when Marlowe offered to do her makeup. After all, Josh was coming. Although Marlowe didn’t mention Sam’s high school boyfriend as she wielded her brushes, she had that man in mind.
By the time the family came back down to the dining room, Aunt Cate had put the finishing touches on the table which looked mouthwateringly gorgeous and so very festive. The centerpiece of juniper boughs and pinecones interspersed with green and gold ornaments set the theme.
Seeing her grandmother's platters and bowls filled with dips, appetizers and sandwiches almost brought tears to Marlowe's eyes, and she wasn't a sentimental person. But she knew that her mother would be so happy to see all this. The holiday feast was an act of love, and Marlowe knew that somewhere Mom was very happy about this party and everything they’d prepared.
By the time the first guest began to arrive at two o’clock, Bing Crosby was playing on the CD player and the fire was crackling in the fireplace. Aunt Cate had picked up some of those pinecones that colored the flames, which was a nice touch.
When the front doorbell rang, with its “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” melody, Marlowe ran to answer it. Showtime and she happily turned from sentimental memories. Aunt Cate had stationed Sam in the front hall with her scooter where she could direct traffic. After a quick review of Sam’s wardrobe, Marlowe had insisted that her older sister wear the red velour outfit Marlowe had brought. Sam had way too much gray and navy blue in her wardrobe. The red was stunning on her older sister and brought more color to her face. Meanwhile, Marlowe was happy to resort to her white jeans and turquoise sweater.
As people continued to arrive, Sam quickly designated the laundry room as the place for any coats and wraps. Boots were left in the hall, and the bench certainly came in handy for ladies changing into their party shoes.
Jenny and Dawn, two of the women who played in the canasta group, arrived in the early wave. Their perfume filled the entry hall in a cloud of Heaven Sent. With them came two friends. Marlowe thought she'd seen Tina and Kimberly at the coffee shop but Kimberly's brother Winston was an addition. The older gentleman with silver hair was nattily dressed in a navy sport coat, khaki slacks and a red vest. Either he had great taste or Kimberly had given him instructions. Marlowe helped Sam relieve them of their coats and herded them toward the dining room. Their eyes grew wide when they saw the holiday spread.
When the white van from Tall Oaks Nursing Home pulled up, Marlowe got a little confused. At first she thought it was another delivery from Prime, but the van was white not gray. Peeking over her shoulder, Izzy came up behind her. “Oh good. Nancy, the activity director, wasn’t sure they'd be able to make it.”
“The more the merrier,” Marlowe said, smiling when ladies disembarked with plastic hoods protecting their hairdos. Thank goodness she’d shoveled and salted those steps. With Marlowe’s help, the driver helped each lady up the steps. Once inside the older group divided. Some quickly made their way to the food, while others seemed delighted by the tree and the fireplace. Marlowe crossed her fingers, hoping that it wouldn't snow again or all their cars would be buried by the plows.
But as the party continued, it didn't snow. Guests kept arriving and boots began to accumulate in the hallway. After a while Marlowe left her post at the front door and navigated to the dining room, smiling and greeting people as she went. She thought she saw Izzy’s first husband Skipper and hoped that she would have time to talk with him later. Although Izzy had been rather vague about their relationship, Marlowe was eager to hear the real truth and Skipper had always been charmingly candid.
Although at the beginning Sam was navigating the crowd pretty well on her scooter, that soon became impossible. And Marlowe’s heart just about stopped when Josh McCall scooped her sister up and deposited her on the sofa in front of the fireplace. Protesting all the way, Sam’s face matched her red outfit by the time Josh accomplished his mission.
Why wasn’t Sam more open to getting to know Josh again? When they we're dating in high school, Marlowe had looked up to them. But so much had changed. Maybe there was no going back. How would she know? Josh’s kids quickly found their way to the buffet with Molly, his mother. Tearing her attention away from Sam, Marlowe circulated through the dining room. She wanted to make sure all the platters were full and that the older guests had found a seat somewhere.
“Pardon me.” One of the canasta ladies stopped Marlowe while she was helping herself to some of the artichoke dip, which seemed to be a big hit.
The introductions had gone so quickly. “Jenny?” Marlowe hoped she had the right name. She was relieved when the woman nodded.
“Yes, you have a good memory. I knew your mother. You look quite a bit like Joanna.” Jenny smiled softly as if she were remembering.
This was fascinating. “Really? That must have been quite a while ago.”
“Yes, about forty years or so. Fun on the beach, you know.” And Jenny smiled again as if memories were filtering through her mind.
Marlowe could almost feel the sand between her toes and smell the bonfire. “So then you must know my aunt too.”
“Sort of. She may have hung around.” Jenny glanced over at Aunt Cate. The sun beaming through the dining room window made Jenny’s silver hair sparkle. “Your aunt was younger, I think.”
“Four years younger,” Marlowe said. Aunt Cate would have been like Izzy, hanging around the parties and developing crushes on the older guys.
“Your mother was such a beauty,” Jenny said with a shake of her head. “And that dashing husband of hers. A teacher, wasn't he?”
“Yes, my dad was a teacher. He loved teaching.”
“Such a loss.” But Jenny said it in such a matter of fact way. At her age she'd probably experienced many losses by now. “But your family has stayed strong. That’s nice to see. Of course, we see Isabel all the time. She is so energetic. Thank you for inviting us today.”
“And thank you for coming.” The older women seemed delighted to be here.
At that one of the other ladies joined Jenny and they both drifted away. Luckily, Skipper had chosen that moment to swing by the platter of ham and cheese sandwiches. “Hey, Marlowe,” Skipper said. “Merry Christmas.”
This was her chance. “Same to you. Haven't seen you in a while.”
His eyebrows rose. By that time Izzy’s ex was munching on a sandwich and looking at her with some reservation. Sam and Marlowe had not been happy when that divorce happened. And Skipper probably knew it, not that he was to blame. Izzy had made that clear.
“So now you're Izzy’s pastry chef.”
“Right. Kind of crazy. But I've taken some courses and I was grateful to get the job.”
“I tasted your scones. You're an asset for Izzy’s shop.” Marlowe didn't know how much she could press things with her questions. But why not try? She wasn't going to be in town that long and she was curious. “I'm wondering if you're more than her pastry chef.”
With that, Skipper choked and sputtered. Putting down her plate, Marlowe thought she might have to give him the Heimlich. But he quickly recovered and took a sip of his mulled wine. “Unfortunately, that's all I am to your sister.”
So that's how it was. Marlowe's admiration for her baby sister rose. At least now Izzy was taking her time. “She has a lot of responsibilities right now.”
“I realize that, Marlowe. But sometimes she can use some help.” Forehead wrinkled, he seemed so sincere…and so concerned. Was there a message here? Well, that was up to Izzy. She didn’t want to play matchmaker for both her sisters.
Turning to leave, Marlowe said, “She does need help. Her dishwasher has been broken for ages.” But she could see that the words didn’t seem comforting for Izzy’s ex.
Scooping up the almost empty bowl of artichoke dip, Marlowe made her way into the kitchen, only to find her aunt standing at the sink looking totally panicked. “What's up? Is anything wrong?”
“It's silly. Nothing really.” Going to the door, she peeked into the dining room.
“What are you looking at?” Marlowe scanned the room.
“I know this sounds silly. But it's about Kim's brother. I think he wants to get me under the mistletoe. Who put that up anyway?” Eyes wide, her aunt was in panic mode.
“You're cracking me up. I did. Dad always hung the mistletoe up in the archway.”
But her aunt didn't seem to appreciate Marlowe’s mischievous touch. Glancing left and right, Aunt Cate looked as if she were trying to escape the mob.
Marlowe tried to defend herself. “Okay, and I'll admit that I was hoping that maybe Sam and the good doctor might...”
“Really? Wouldn’t you consider that meddling?” Aunt Cate looked exasperated with her.
“She needs something.” Marlowe felt terrible after hearing Sam’s news. The past year must have been miserable for her older sister. And they'd all been unaware of her pain. That had to change.
“Oh, I know but really…mistletoe?” Backing away a bit, her aunt viewed her with what sure looked like disgust. “Marlowe, surely you know by now that men are not the answer.”
“They’re not?” She about choked on a chuckle. Was that her problem? Her phone hadn't rung since early that morning and she felt nothing but relief.
Her aunt shrugged. “Not really. If you aren’t feeling chipper, well, you might attract someone feeling the same way. Down in the dumps. No woman wants that. We don't need more problems.”
Sometimes Aunt Cate amazed her with her common sense. While they huddled there talking, Kim’s brother had glanced their way more than once. And now he seemed to be headed right for them. Taking her aunt’s elbow, Marlowe maneuvered her into the living room. Sam looked up from the sofa, where Josh was sitting next to her. She had that Save Me look in her eyes. What now?
The doorbell rang and Izzy appeared. “I’ll get that. Could you hold her?” And with that, she dumped Holly right into Sam’s arms. Of course Sam looked delighted. The baby looked straight up into her aunt’s eyes. “Ma-ma.”
Josh looked stunned. “Oh, is the baby yours? Did I get that wrong?”
Sam shook her head and Marlowe sat down on her other side. No way was she leaving the area. What was playing out in front of her was much too interesting.
“Holly is Izzy’s daughter,” Sam said.
“Adopted,” Marlowe said. Later she would wonder what provoked her into adding that tidbit, except that she liked things settled and straight. When people showed up for a house closing and the paperwork wasn’t perfect, Marlowe was not happy. She liked everything clear and laid out properly.
“Really?” Josh looked properly confused now. “I thought Izzy was single.”
“She is,” Sam said, giving Marlowe a look that said Do you even believe this? It was as if her sister was trying to find flaws in Josh McCall and Marlowe didn’t get it. “That Pack ‘n Play in the shop? That’s for Izzy’s baby.”
Men. How had Josh missed that? Maybe he'd been too busy with his children.
“Think I’ll put another log on your fire.” With that Josh was on his feet, making himself useful. She was surprised to see Aunt Cate wander over toward Josh, who was doing a great job with the poker. Maybe her aunt wanted a buffer between herself and Kimberly's brother.
“Tired?” Marlowe asked. People were beginning to leave and she really should help find their coats. But she was pretty exhausted herself. They’d been up since dawn getting everything ready and suddenly everything came crashing down.
“I am tired. Maybe all that cooking has gotten to me.” Sam smiled down at the baby in her arms. Holly was playing with the zipper on the velour jacket, watching her aunt zip down and up before trying it herself. They were quit a pair. Marlowe planned to look up some information about fertility for women in their forties. Was it really too late for Sam? After hearing Izzy’s story, she realized that the option that Marlowe had always expected to be there when she had time and the right partner could be taken away. Should she freeze some eggs? The stories on the news about those services were not encouraging.
Izzy appeared in the doorway, looking so pretty in her green sweater. The green streak in her hair was accented by the silver streak of tinsel from the night before. She was smiling up at Skipper and the poor guy looked so smitten. Well, time to circulate. She waved goodbye and Holly waved back, crooking her little fingers. “Bye-bye.” She had that one down too.
Pushing herself up, Marlowe circled around through the kitchen, back into the hall. The dear senior citizens from Tall Pines were searching for their coats. Once she had them sorted, she helped the bus driver, whose badge said Brad, escort them safely down the front stairs. “Had a lovely time, dear,” one of the ladies warbled as she was tucked into the van. “Do stop by and visit anytime.”
Well, maybe she would. Brad had been so considerate, making sure that everyone was safely buckled up. Evidently they made a weekly trip to Coffee and Cupcakes. “Our favorite place,” one of the gentlemen told her. Izzy had done a great job developing customer loyalty.
After that, others left until finally the four of them collapsed in the living room with Holly. “I don’t even want to think about the dining room and what I might find,” Aunt Cate groaned.
“You’ve done enough.” Marlowe wouldn’t hear of her aunt taking care of cleanup. “Leave it to me.”
“I’ll help,” Izzy said. She’d been wearing a suspicious grin on her face.
“What’s up?” Marlowe asked, kicking off her suede slides and hoisting her feet onto the coffee table.
“What do you mean?” Izzy gently kissed the top of Holly’s head. The baby had fallen asleep on Izzy’s shoulder.
“Did anyone take advantage of the mistletoe?” Marlowe was dying to know.
Silence met her question but Izzy had turned a charming shade of pink.
“Well?” She wasn’t letting this go.
“I think Holly is ready for a nap.” And with that Izzy moved toward the stairs and Marlowe took off for the kitchen, where she found Aunt Cate wrapping up leftovers.
“Perfect for a light supper,” her aunt said, popping one of the packages into the refrigerator. “What’s this note on the counter?”
Picking up the orange sticky note, Marlowe said, “Your dishwasher should work now. Skipper.” How amazing. Her opinion of Skipper shifted.
“Isn’t that wonderful?” Aunt Cate wiped the back of one hand across her forehead. “That will make everything so much easier.”
Picking up a leftover slice of baguette, Marlowe spread it with brie. “Did I see you talking to Josh at the fireplace?”
“Yes, dear. Very interesting man.” Despite Marlowe’s protests, her aunt kept covering bowls and packaging leftovers.
Thinking back, Marlowe couldn’t remember saying good-bye to the good doctor. “I didn’t get to say good-bye.”
“His pager went off,” her aunt said in a conspiratorial tone. “Something about a patient in the ER. Broke her hip on Christmas. Can you just imagine?” Aunt Cate shivered with dread.
“Sounds like Josh.” Marlowe thought back. “He always did have a big heart. But what were you two talking about at the fireplace. Before he was called away? You looked very interested.”
“Oh, healthcare in this area. What did he think of the hospitals. That kind of thing.” Aunt Cate said in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Why? Are you thinking of having surgery here in Charlevoix?” Was her aunt thinking of a facelift? Marlowe hoped not. She was lovely just the way she was.
“Only making conversation, dear,” Aunt Cate said. “Finished with the brie?”
“No,” Marlowe said, sweeping the cheese plate from her aunt’s hands. “Why don’t you go into the living room and put your feet up?”
Hiding a yawn, her aunt nodded and took off her apron. “Excellent idea. Thank you for helping.”
As she finished clearing the dining room table, Marlowe wondered if she’d consider conversation about her aches and pains cocktail conversation someday. Maybe that’s where her life was headed if she didn’t find the right person to marry. She’d be talking about her arthritis while she sipped too many cocktails and had to take an Uber home. The thought brought a lump to her throat and she reached for the brie.
When the phone rang late that night, she answered, even though she knew she shouldn’t.