Chapter 32 Samantha ~ Spring #2
“Good for you.” Reaching across the table, her aunt patted her hand. “That sounds so healthy. And brave.”
“It’s a work in progress,” Sam admitted. “Dr. Lowe says I’m learning to just sit with myself and examine my feelings. To stop looking for distractions. It’s uncomfortable sometimes, but it’s also empowering.”
Aunt Cate nodded approvingly. “That’s wonderful, Sam. You’ve always carried the load for everyone else. Maybe it’s time to let yourself think about what’s best for you. So are you dating him?”
Sam waved that possibility away. “Oh, no. That would be so unprofessional. I mean, he is divorced, but still.”
“He told you this? That he’s single?”
“Yes, you know, when we were talking about things.” It had just slipped out one day after a session had ended. Sam was hoping he did that on purpose.
“Uh huh.” Her aunt’s knowing look made Sam sorry she’d even mentioned Dr. Lowe. But he had been so helpful to her and it certainly felt that there was something there. She didn’t think she was imagining things.
The waiter came by to refill their glasses, and for a while they ate in companionable silence. Outside, snow had begun to fall. Light flakes swirled between the cars and people hurried to get inside. This didn’t look like a storm, but Sam was glad they weren’t on the road.
After a while, Sam leaned back in her chair and said, “Can I ask you something now?”
Aunt Cate smiled. “Of course.”
“Tell me about Seth Barrett.” She couldn’t help but ask while she had her aunt alone.
Aunt Cate’s fork paused halfway to her mouth. “Seth? What is there to tell?”
“Don’t play coy. I see the way you look at him sometimes when he’s come over to watch a movie.” Marlowe and Izzy were curious too.
Her aunt laughed softly, a blush rising to her cheeks. “You’re imagining things.”
“I’m not. He clearly has feelings for you.”
Aunt Cate set down her fork, the faintest smile tugging at her lips. “He’s younger than I am.”
“So what? He’s, what, mid-fifties?”
“Late forties.” Her aunt blushed and Sam grinned.
“Does that matter? You’re both adults.”
Her aunt sighed, looking out the window. “It’s not that simple. I’ve been on my own for a long time. I like my independence.”
“Independence doesn’t have to mean loneliness.”
Her aunt turned back to her, eyes thoughtful. “Is that what Dr. Lowe told you?”
“Maybe I’ve been listening.” Her cheeks burned.
They both laughed. Sam couldn’t help thinking that here they were, not a niece and her aunt, but two women talking about relationships.
It felt wonderful. Cate might be her aunt, but she’d also been the steady presence through every stressful situation the Quinn sisters had faced, from their parents’ accident to Marlowe’s surrogacy.
To see her blush like a schoolgirl over a man was strangely endearing.
Sam pushed her empty plate away. “For what it’s worth, I think Seth’s crazy about you. And you deserve someone like him.”
Aunt Cate smiled a little wistfully. “We’ll see.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon wandering through more stores, their steps a little slower now.
When the wind whipped between the tall buildings, a light covering of snow sifted across Michigan Avenue.
There was something exciting about a big city.
But Sam had come to love peaceful Charlevoix, where the lake was rimmed with ice and the air smelled faintly of woodsmoke and snow.
At Eileen Fisher, they found a soft gray sweater dress that would work perfectly for Marlowe once she was further along. “Comfortable but sophisticated,” her aunt said approvingly. They also found a plush blanket for Holly and a tiny knit hat shaped like a fox. No need to say who that was for.
By late afternoon, the light outside had shifted to the pearly, winter dimness that comes before dusk.
The trees along Michigan Avenue were always decked out in tiny white lights.
It looked beautiful. They stopped for coffee before heading back to the hotel.
A bellman brought up the boxes they left at the desk.
The boxes and bags crowded the room. She couldn’t wait to see her sisters’ reaction to this “haul.” as Aunt Cate called it
After resting for an hour, they dressed for dinner and headed for the elevator.
The hotel restaurant was understated but elegant, with soft lighting and the quiet murmur of other guests around them.
Aunt Cate ordered a glass of red wine; Sam opted for a chardonnay.
The conversation flowed easily—from their shopping triumphs to Holly’s latest vocabulary words to what spring would be like in Charlevoix.
“I’m excited about uncovering my hydrangea bushes.” Sam loved her backyard garden of perennials and annuals.
“Yes, I’m looking forward to the magic you’ll work with the garden Seth helped create.”
When her aunt mentioned Seth, her expression seemed to mellow. But maybe Sam was imagining things and her aunt breezed on.
“Hasn’t Marlowe changed?” Aunt Cate lifted her gaze. “And I mean more than her size. She’s giving her sister a miracle, but I think she’s finding herself in the process.”
“What do you mean?” Sam’s sister had always been a purposeful woman with goals. And Marlowe seemed to always achieve them.
“You know, I don’t think she ever entertained the idea of having children.”
Sam inhaled. “I think you’re right. She’s had a great career in real estate. Maybe that kept her busy.” She knew very well that a career could swallow you whole. That was the only way to achieve success.
“Something is shifting,” Aunt Cate said with her matter-of-fact manner. “Brad is being such a dear. The night we were watching that Snoopy show together, he was rubbing her feet. Not every man would do that.”
“I think you’re right.” Sam couldn’t picture Josh ever doing that.
Finished with the main course, they shared a slice of key lime pie and talked about little things. Aunt Cate wanted to have everyone for Easter at Sunnycrest. She thought Holly would love an Easter egg hunt.
“What a great idea.” Her aunt thought of everything.
When they finally made their way up to their room, they were both content and worn out from the big day of shopping.
Before turning out the light that night, Sam stood by the window and looked out.
From this height, Michigan Avenue looked peaceful, almost delicate with the tiny sparkling lights adorning the trees.
Smiling to herself, she thought about the day, giggling in the fitting rooms with her aunt, the warmth of good food, the way her aunt’s eyes had softened when talking about Seth Barrett.
She thought about Marlowe, and Izzy, and the strange, beautiful web that bound the three sisters together.
Sam liked to accomplish things and today, with Aunt Cate’s help, they’d solved a lot.
In the reflection of the glass, she also saw a tired but calm woman who had come through life’s problems and was standing strong on her own.
Aunt Cate stirred behind her. “You okay, Sam?”
“Yes,” she said softly. “I am.”
“Good,” her aunt murmured, half-asleep. “Because tomorrow, we drive home. Want to take the wheel this time?”
Sam smiled. “Deal.”
She turned back to the window, watching light raindrops hit the glass. Somewhere down there, people were shuffling along the Magnificent Mile, carrying bright bags and colorful umbrellas. She was glad it hadn’t rained while they were shopping.
She thought again of Dr. Lowe’s words at their last appointment. Happiness isn’t something that finds you, Samantha. It’s something you choose, one moment at a time.
Today had been beautiful. She couldn’t wait to see her sister’s face when they brought in the bags. Sam hadn’t been able to carry Izzy’s baby, but she’d been treated to this wonderful day with Aunt Cate. Yes, she was right where she should be. At least, for now.