Chapter 19
Nineteen
Didi
“Jorge. You’re not supposed to be doing this.”
Didi found her husband with a garden hose and a push broom.
“The pool deck needs hosing off. That’s not hard to do.”
“No one is using the pool, Jorge, not right now.”
Didi tried to grab the broom, but Jorge flicked the water from the garden hose at her.
“Hey!”
He stood his ground. He was a foot taller than she was and surprisingly stronger than he’d been in the last few months.
“I’m serious, Jorge, you don’t have approval.”
“The doctor said to start doing what I had the energy for. I have the energy to hose some things down. I’d be careful if I were you. You’ll be getting an outdoor shower. Though I see you’re darn good at dodging. Remarkably good.”
Didi put her hands on her hips. “What do you mean?”
“Takes a lot of work to evade a simple question, and you’re doing it like it’s a sport at the Summer Olympics.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, look, serving me up the innocent face. That’s one of your cutest faces.” Jorge gave her a wink, and she shook it off.
“I’m not serving it up. I am legitimately innocent of whatever it is you’re accusing me of.”
“I’m just watching you dance around the question that Ali has about who pays us, the name of the management company, and the basics.”
“I want to help her.”
“I know.”
Didi felt defeated, tired, and bowled over by the mere fact that Jorge was right. She was dancing around the question that Ali had every right to ask.
“What’s wrong?” Jorge put down the hose and picked up Didi’s hands. He guided her to spots on two pool lounges. She helped him sit in one, and she did the same.
He was still handsome, her amazing, strong husband. They’d been through so much and more than they’d bargained for the last six months with his health.
They were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now though. He was getting stronger. Trying to help clean the pool deck was proof of that.
But now that Ali had showed up, it might all come crashing down.
“What are you worried about?”
“The truth.”
“You’ve never shied away from the truth since I met you.”
Jorge knew most of the story. He’d have never retired with her here if he hadn’t known exactly how it was going to work. Well, he knew most of the story.
“She owns it. There’s no two ways about it.”
“Ali has her head on straight,” Jorge said, trying to reassure her. “I don’t think it’s a bad thing that she’s here.”
“No, it’s not. I’ve wanted this. Very much. But now I have to try to unravel it. Try to explain.”
“You can do it.”
“Not yet, Jorge, not yet.”
“What?”
“I’m going to get her to stay. She has to stay.”
“What?”
“Oh, nothing. Nothing. Keep working with the hose. I’ll stop nagging you. But don’t work too hard. Listen to your body.”
“What are you up to?”
“Never mind.”
“Didi, you have to tell her the truth. She’s not going to continue to be put off by this story that you don’t know who pays us, for crying out loud!”
“Just hush. And trust me.”
“Didi, the truth.”
“I will. I will. As soon as I’ve got her. I had her pretty good last night at the Grand Finale. A little more nudge from the ocean and this place, and we’ll have her.”
“Retirement isn’t a bad word.”
Didi paused in her fevered plans and looked at Jorge. He’d never really wanted to retire. He’d never wanted to admit he couldn’t do all the things needed here. In the beginning, this place was nothing compared to the big complex that he’d managed. But here they were, celebrating a victory because he had the energy to wash the cement.
They were getting too old for this.
Maybe this was fate. Ali walking into the Sea Turtle Resort when she did was a good thing. In a way, an answer to Didi’s prayers.
The next time the younger woman asked about who paid them, she’d show her the books.
There was one bank account they deposited in to and used to maintain the Sea Turtle. They also paid themselves from it. There was no mystery there. It wasn’t even complicated.
There also used to be extra, a nest egg Didi had plans for, but now, well, that was dwindling.
Maybe it was best to hold off on opening the books just a bit longer.
Long enough to convince Ali this was her home.
That would require Henry to keep showing up. Ali had an eye for him. Didi could see that! And Erica was Ali’s age. Didi would keep pulling Ali into their little Haven Beach community. If Ali was anything like Didi, she would have a hard time leaving it.
Haven Beach was made for second acts and spectacular sunsets. Ali would see it in time.
Ali had no kids with her, no husband, and no wedding ring on. But Didi had noticed she kept touching the space where a wedding ring would be—and that told her Ali might be in the market for her own second act.
Didi didn’t know what had given Ali that wistful look in her eye when no one was watching. But Sea Turtle Resort had a way of fulfilling dreams even if you didn’t know exactly what you were dreaming of.