Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
With everything the Queen Bees were dealing with, Paige thought they needed some together time. She took her cue from what Essie had done for them and rented a cabana at the pool.
Thankfully, they’d all said that a girls day by the pool sounded like just the thing. She knew it had been a good idea the moment she stepped into the cabana.
Soft white curtains stirred in the breeze, shading the wide couch and cushioned chairs arranged in an easy, welcoming square. A small table stood ready with a pitcher of lemon water and glasses, along with a bowl of fruit and menus for whatever else they needed.
But this wasn’t about indulging, even though they probably would. It was about being together and having a place to relax, breathe, share, and most importantly, to remind each other they weren’t handling life alone.
With everything the Queen Bees had been navigating—scary doctor visits, family drama, new love, old wounds, second chances—Paige thought they needed this.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that if they didn’t get together like this, they might slip away from each other, and she was determined to keep this group strong and connected.
Even if that meant meeting before tomorrow night’s book club.
She smoothed her towel over the couch just as footsteps sounded on the pool deck. She turned to see Maude.
Maude was in a long, billowy sundress, oversized sunglasses in place, tote bag slung over her shoulder. Her laptop peeked out from the top. “I am so glad you rented this for the entire afternoon,” she said, taking it all in.
Paige grinned. “So am I. How are you?”
“I’m doing better than expected. Sharing a tiny house with a sibling is not for the faint of heart,” Maude said, dropping onto the couch like she’d been waiting for permission to exhale since she’d woken up.
“I can imagine,” Paige said.
Cece followed close behind, navy swimsuit, loose floral coverup, and a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Paige could see she was trying. No one would expect more than that from her.
Paige hugged her a little tighter than usual. “Hey, there.”
“Hi.” Cece took a breath and blinked away her smile. “I needed this,” she said quietly. “Thank you.”
Blaise arrived next, elegant as always, hair pulled back, confidence worn like something that she owned again. She smiled at the cabana, then at Paige. “How did you know I needed a distraction?”
“Because I think we all did,” Paige said. “Any word from—”
“No.” Blaise rolled her eyes. “It’s silly to keep checking my email but I have been. I can’t stop myself. But I think this will help.”
Essie showed up with a container of homemade cookies, and that gentle demeanor that Paige had come to count on.
No matter what storm she was going through, Essie always seemed so calm.
“Frank said I should bring something, so I made oatmeal cranberry pistachio cookies,” Essie said with a small smile. “They’re basically health food.”
They laughed more than the words deserved but Paige sensed the sound was born out of the happiness of being together and having a reason to laugh. It was a release more than anything.
They were settling in and ordering drinks from their server, even discussing what they might get to eat later, when Paige spotted someone approaching more slowly along the path that led to the cabana.
Althea.
Paige’s heart lifted instantly. Althea moved with care, but her smile was wide and determined, her sunhat tilted to one side.
“You made it!” Paige went out to greet her.
“Well,” Althea said as she reached the cabana. “If I waited for my life to cooperate before showing up, I’d never leave the house.”
Paige offered the older woman her arm. “I’m so glad you came.”
“So am I,” Althea said. “Lester insisted.” She laughed softly. “He said if he had to do his physical therapy, one of us should at least have some fun. He thought a day with you girls would do me right. He said to tell you all hello, by the way.”
That earned Lester a round of cheers.
Althea settled into a cabana chair with a sigh that was equal parts relief and determination, as though she was happy she’d made it. She tugged her coverup over her knees. She glanced around the group, eyes lingering on each face with fondness.
Paige poured her a glass of ice water and set it close by.
“Well, then,” Althea said, folding her hands in her lap. “Since I’ve been out of commission and clearly missed half a million things, why don’t you all catch me up. How have you all been?”
Maude shared first, because Althea was already looking right at her.
“My brother’s come to stay with me,” she said.
“Which means I’ve learned three things: my house is smaller than I thought, my patience is more capable than I gave myself credit for, and being a good big sister is hard but worth it. ”
Althea smiled knowingly. “I have a younger brother. That last one takes some practice.”
Blaise spoke next, her voice a little emotional.
“I finally approached some publishers about my life story. That meant I had to come clean about the worst part, which was hard, but I did it.” She let out a breath.
“Okay, to be honest, it was terrifying. Still is. But somehow, I feel better for having done it.”
Althea reached over and squeezed her hand. “Honesty can be downright expensive. But it’s worth it.”
Essie went next, choosing her words with care.
“We’re navigating my husband’s daughter making some painful choices and, in return, getting some painful consequences.
I’m learning to rely on my faith more than ever.
” She smiled faintly. “I’m also learning that loving someone doesn’t mean you can protect them from everything. ”
Althea sipped her water, then nodded. “Oh, that lesson never ends, unfortunately.”
A few of the other women nodded, too.
Cece hesitated, then lifted her chin. “I’m waiting on some medical test results. Which means I’m trying not to imagine the worst-case scenario, although I’m failing a bit there.” She blew out a long breath. “I’ve done this before. I know I can do it again, if I have to. Still…it’s scary.”
“It is,” Althea said simply. “And you don’t have to pretend it isn’t. Not with us. Just remember all the support you have around you.”
Cece managed a smile. “And for that, I am very grateful.” She looked at Paige. “You must have something to share.”
“I do.” Paige drew a long breath. “In fact, I must confess I have ventured fully into a new era. I’m done dating casually.”
That got some raised eyebrows.
She laughed. “This is more than just a romance. I don’t know how to explain it exactly, but it feels like…being included in something bigger than myself and this social media world I’ve created.” She glanced down at her hands. “I didn’t realize how ready I was for that.”
Althea looked around at them all, her eyes shining.
“Well,” she said, voice thick with affection.
“I am so pleased to be here because what I see is a group of women doing exactly what you said you wanted this group to do, Paige. To support each other. I don’t know that I’ve earned my spot in this group yet.
I feel like I’ve been the one in need of support more than I’ve done any supporting, but I am so pleased to be included. ”
Blaise took Althea’s hand. “We’re so glad you’re here. And not just because we need help eating all those cookies Essie brought.”
Soft laughter rippled through them as the server returned with their drinks. She passed them out and got Althea’s order as well. In addition to a drink, Althea ordered a fruit plate for the group.
Maude and Blaise moved out to lounge chairs in the sun. The pool shimmered across from them, sunlight glittering on the surface. A gentle breeze swayed the palm fronds and eased the day’s warmth.
Cece was asking Essie about how things with Sophie were going while Essie held Cece’s hand and offered to pray with her.
Paige came to sit beside Althea. “How’s Lester really doing?”
“He’s practically his old self again.” She patted Paige’s hand. “I can’t tell you how much it meant to him—and me—to have you girls rally around us when he had his heart attack.”
“We were pleased to do it.”
“I know you were.” The older woman leaned back in her chair, a satisfied expression on her face.
“I think Lester knew what I needed,” she added, taking a deep breath and stretching her legs out.
“This was the right thing to do. I felt a little bad leaving him, but getting out of the house feels good.”
“Does that mean you’ll be at book club tomorrow?”
“You bet it does.”
“Wonderful.” Paige smiled, taking in the moment and basking in the joy of these new friendships.
She let her gaze drift around the cabana, taking in each familiar face, the easy laughter, the quiet understanding that no one here needed to explain themselves anymore.
Their stories would keep unfolding. The challenges would keep coming.
But being together like this felt like proof of something important.
This was so much more than a book club. They were turning the pages of life together, choosing friendship and community. Creating a new support system that none of them had had before.
And as the afternoon light shimmered across the pool, Paige knew that was the real gift they’d given one another.