Later that afternoon, Christina changed back into her sundress and went to say goodbye to her dad and soon-to-be stepmom.
Her dad was in the living room.
“Mandy is taking a nap. Sit down, a minute, sweetie.”
She sat on the white sofa across from her dad.
“We love seeing you, but we’re going to have a baby around soon and you can’t just drop by.”
Her shoulders slumped.
“I’m sorry. I did text first.”
“Mandy is too nice to say no. We’re getting married the end of August and then I’m taking her to Greece for our honeymoon.”
Her dad smiled, showing off noticeably whiter teeth.
“When we get back, we’ll be busy with the baby, with starting a life together. It’s a second chance for me. Can you understand?”
The blood drained from her face, making her shiver. It was icy cold in the house.
“What are you saying, dad?”
He stood, signaling their conversation was over.
“I think it’s best if I call you when we’re ready for company.” He gave her a hug.
“I know how busy you are with your side hustles and that boyfriend of yours.”
She stepped back, not sure she recognized the man she’d called dad her entire life.
“Bye, dad.”
Christina left, driving home on autopilot.
He wanted to start over, and what? Pretend he didn’t already have kids or something?
Growing up, she’d always been closer to her dad. But now? Christina thought maybe she understood a little of what her mom must be going through. The crushing pain of being unwanted and pushed aside.
She and her mom had always had a difficult relationship, her dad was the one who let her do whatever she wanted. The thought crossed her mind that instead of the friend her dad had been all these years, what she’d really needed was a parent.
Later that night, Christina took a deep breath and called her mom.
“Did I wake you?”
“Not at all, I took a long hot shower and was just getting ready for bed.”
The sound of her mom’s voice made her want to cry, to have her soothe the hurts, but she took a deep breath, not ready to talk about how she was feeling about her dad just yet.
“You already found a bed?”
“No, it’s an air mattress. I found a beautiful sleigh bed up in the attic. It’s dirty, but with a little oil soap and water it should look new. Once I clean this place up, I’ll go into town and buy a mattress.”
They talked a little about the cottage. Her mom had her work cut out for her. Christina was glad she wasn’t there, she hated cleaning.
“Did you know Mandy has dad all interested in genealogy?”
Christina cleared her throat.
“They’re doing one of those DNA tests you mail in to the company.”
She could hear her mom in the kitchen getting a glass of water. She always took a glass of water to bed in case she woke up thirsty in the night.
“I think your sister did one of those a while back. Remember that history professor she dated? He gave her one of those tests for her birthday.”
Her mom laughed, the sound like a towel warm from the dryer around Christina’s shoulders.
“I knew things wouldn’t last long after that. Your sister has no interest in the past.”
Chapter 7
Tara dragged the tables she’d uncovered in one of the bedrooms, down to the dock. They were heavy enough they shouldn’t blow away. This way she could eat her breakfast out on the dock. Both tables matched the chairs, though they were still navy, not faded to a grayish blue like the chairs.
Once she finished cleaning and painting the furniture on the screened-in porch and the patio furniture, she planned to eat most of her meals outside. When it turned cold, she’d buy a heater to extend the time she could spend out on the porch. The heater along with several cozy throws would be perfect for wrapping up and watching the snow fall. Tara hadn’t seen snow since she was a teenager.
Her ex-husband hated pancakes, said it was like eating a plate full of sugar for breakfast.
Each to their own. Tara took another bite. The fluffy pancakes were delicious with the fresh strawberries she’d purchased in town.
Mary from Spilled Milk told Tara about the farmer’s market in the park square every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. While she hadn’t planned to go into town until next week, Tara decided she’d go tomorrow to check out the market and buy more berries.
Two young boys in a small boat waved as they motored past her, fishing poles bobbing in the wind.
Content to sit and look at the water, Tara watched the boys pick a spot in the lake and stop. They quickly put their poles in the water, baseball hats on their heads.
She watched them for a bit then noticed people swimming in a pool at a house across the lake, and decided if she didn’t get up and go inside, she’d likely sit here all day, soaking up the sun, letting the sound of the water against the dock soothe her spirit.
Tara groaned when the dishwasher wouldn’t start. She eyed the full machine with a frown, but it wasn’t worth getting annoyed over. The dishwasher had to be at least thirty years old. The pile of dirty dishes went into the sink. While they were soaking in soapy water, she grabbed her phone and went to find the wireless speaker she’d packed.
Brunch music played in the background while Tara made quick work of the dishes. There was something almost meditative about handwashing dishes. If she never had visitors, she might be inclined not to replace the dishwasher, but thinking about her children visiting made the decision easy.
New appliances went on the list that was growing by the hour.
Where to clean first?
Top down.
Tara used an entire box of dust cloths to dust the furniture and clean the floor of the attic. Then she damp mopped, pushing the furniture across the wood floors to get to every corner.
The windows opened with only a minor amount of protest. On closer inspection, it looked like her aunt must have replaced the windows before she passed. They sparkled when she finished. Sunlight flooded the house, casting fantastical shapes across the wood floors.
Besides a sleigh bed, Tara found a dresser and nightstand in the attic. There was a box of old china, mostly mismatched, but who cared? There were ten place settings along with tarnished sterling silverware.
She added silver polish to her list after she carried the box of dishes and silverware downstairs. There was an old cast-iron skillet and a couple of sauce pots in the cabinets, along with various mismatched glasses.
Another load of dust cloths and rags went into the washer. Tara eyed the machine.
“Please keep working.”
She knew she needed to replace the washer and dryer, but hoped they’d get her through until she had time to buy new ones.
Thirsty from her morning labors, Tara poured a glass of water. After being on city water for so many years, the well water tasted clean and pure. She drained the glass and poured another from the pitcher she’d put in the refrigerator. There was nothing as refreshing as a glass of icy cold water on a hot day.
The phone rang as she finished opening the last window upstairs. She’d let the entire house air out from the musty, closed up smells while she sat on the front porch in one of the rocking chairs. By the end of the day, the house would smell fresh and clean.
Tara answered the phone, delighted to hear her daughter’s voice.
“Hi, mom.”
“You know, I was just thinking about the time I came to visit and we made curtains for your apartment.”
“I’m sitting on the sofa looking at them right now.”
Her daughter sounded tired.
“How’s the cottage?”
She put her feet up on the rail. “It needs a lot of work.” Tara looked at the chipped and peeling rocking chairs. White originally, the gray wood showed through where the paint had chipped off.
“The rocking chairs on the porch are comfortable, but they need to be painted again. The dock is in great shape. I’ve decided to paint the Adirondack chairs. They’re sort of grayish blue instead of the deep blue they once were.”
She rocked back and forth, filling her daughter in on the cottage and how much work it needed.
When Ally’s voice broke for the second time, Tara had to ask.
“Want to tell me about it?”
A sob came through the phone, making Tara’s heart ache for her eldest daughter.
“Want some company?”
Inbetween crying and blowing her nose, Ally told her what had happened.
“Oh, sweetie. I’m sorry. You know, I never thought Jason was good enough for you. And you’re right, life is short. You should absolutely have a job you enjoy.”
Tara looked around at the mess. Between the overgrown yard and the house full of junk, she had her work cut out for her.
“I’d love your company. But I’m warning you, this place is a disaster. Depending on when you get here, it might still be a mess.”
Relief filled her daughter’s voice.
“I’ll let you know as soon as I can leave.”
After talking to her mom, Ally moved fast. Her landlord had family moving to the area, so he let her out of the lease. It wasn’t like she had a job to give two weeks’ notice, and since she’d ended things with Jason, there wasn’t anything or anyone to keep her in Milwaukee.
North Carolina would be a tremendous change from Milwaukee. But maybe a big change was exactly what she needed to find her place in the world.
Several old work purses went into the donation box. Whatever kind of job she found going forward, there was no way she was wearing suits, heels, or carrying an oversized structured purse or tote bag. Something to do with plants and flowers was what she’d find, even if it meant working in the garden department of a big box retail store.
Filled with glee at the thought of no more office clothes, Ally tossed clothes and shoes into the row of donation boxes she’d set up against the wall, hoping they’d help someone looking for work.
By the time she’d finished the bedroom and living room, Ally needed a break. She’d ordered pizza and when it arrived, sat in the old white plastic chair on the balcony. The landlord said he’d be happy to take the furniture and offered her more than a fair price since he wouldn’t have to move anything. His cousin didn’t have much stuff, so the guy would appreciate it.
Ally’s mom never drank beer except with pizza, said an icy cold beer went perfectly with pepperoni pizza. As she took a sip, Ally couldn’t agree more. Music played from inside the apartment as she leaned back in the chair, feet on the rails of the balcony.
The ringing of the phone made her jump. Normally she put it on silent but must have forgotten last night in all the excitement.
“Hey, sis. How are you?”
Ally hadn’t talked to Christina in several days.
“Things have been moving along, catch me up on your life.”
Her sister filled her in on their dad and Mandy. One more month and they’d have a new brother.
Ally finished the slice of pizza.
“… so I’m going to Blueberry Hill. I need a change of scenery.”
“You won’t feel like a little kid again, moving in with mom after living on your own for so long?”
Christina sounded skeptical.
“I like to come and go. I’d feel weird doing that at mom’s house.”
Ally laughed.
“I’m an adult. Mom’s fine with me living my own life. She’s glad to have the company.” She paused. “This is the first time Mom’s ever lived alone. She went from college, to living with dad, to getting married. If anything, I’ll be the one cramping her style.”
Her sister cleared her throat. “I guess you’re right. When are you leaving?”
Ally closed up the pizza box, happy that breakfast was sorted for the morning.
“As soon as I get up tomorrow. I’m so excited.”
There was something in her sister’s voice, she’d been trying to figure it out while they talked. Christina had always been private, so Ally hated to pry, but…
“What’s wrong? You sound… different.”
Christina sighed.
“Enrique and I are over. He doesn’t want a serious relationship.”
She sniffed. “I want to get married and have kids. Seeing Mandy pregnant has given me baby fever.”
“I’m sorry, I know you thought he might be the one. What are you going to do?”
Though she’d never tell her sensitive sister, Ally was glad it was over between them. He’d always seemed like a player to her, always looking for the prettiest woman in the club. Ally hoped her sister would find someone kind. Someone who would put her first.
“I’ll find someone else, it’s just that dating is so exhausting nowadays.”
Her sister forced cheer into her voice.
“Let me know when you get to the mountains. Mom invited us all for Memorial weekend, but Evan and I couldn’t make it, so we’re both coming Labor Day weekend. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me too, sis.”
Ally hung up, happy she’d get to spend time with her siblings in the fall. It would give her something to look forward to. As she looked out over the city, Ally made a vow. To always be true to herself, to find a job she loved, and to never change herself into what a man expected her to be. If the guy didn’t like her for who she was, he could move on.
Nothing like company coming to kick productivity into high gear. Tara had spent the past week in a cleaning frenzy.
Murphy Oil Soap worked wonders. She’d filled one bucket with soap and hot water, and another with plain water to clean the cabinets and the original oak floors.
Under all that dirt, the cabinets were beautiful, made from old wood and carefully crafted. At first she’d thought about painting them or tearing them out and putting in new ones, but after seeing them all cleaned up and gleaming, Tara decided to leave them, though she’d update the hardware.
After watching numerous videos online, Tara realized that no, she could not handle any of the remodeling on her own.
Thank goodness she had her nest egg. She’d need part of it to make improvements, the rest would support her until she found some kind of employment. In the few weeks she’d been in Blueberry Hill, Tara had come to love the small, charming town.
In the short time she’d been here, the cottage had become a home. Sitting outside and looking at the lake filled her with peace, a feeling she hadn’t felt in a very long time.
Tara finished cleaning the inside of the cottage by the time Ally arrived.
Her daughter jumped out of the car and hugged her.
“It’s so good to see you, mom.”
“You too, sweetheart.” Her daughter looked worn out, like she hadn’t slept well in weeks.
Ally looked around as she followed Tara inside.
“Wow, you’ve been busy.”
Tara wiped her forehead with a paper towel.
“I think I bought out the cleaning aisles in four stores. I still have the front porch, the screened-in porch, and the patio to finish.”
She grinned at her daughter as she showed her around the cottage.
“How are you with a can of spray paint?”
Ally leaned against the counter in the kitchen.
“Point me to what you want painted and I’m your woman.”
Tara looked out the sliding glass doors that led out to the patio.
“I thought we’d spray paint the old wicker furniture and the rocking chairs on the front porch.”
Ally refilled her water glass. “The water tastes really good here.”
“It’s well water.”
Tara’s cut-off denim shorts were dirty, the gray tee shirt stuck to her back from her labors. She was looking forward to a soak in the old claw-foot tub this evening.
“What color were you t
hinking about for the furniture?”
Ally pursed her lips. “What about white or red to match the roof?”
Her daughter looked even thinner than she normally did. If she said anything, Ally would turn prickly, so Tara kept her thoughts to herself, instead deciding she’d make her daughter’s favorite foods all week. After a week or so, she hoped the dark circles under Ally’s eyes would vanish.
“Or what about blue, like the porch ceiling?”
Ally pulled a hair tie out of the pocket of her shorts and quickly pulled her shoulder-length hair into a bun.
“I like the blue. We could make cushions in red, white, and blue, maybe a floral to compliment the house. We can buy outdoor fabric for the cushions so it won’t matter if they get wet.”
“That’s perfect. I passed a fabric outlet on the highway. Maybe forty-five minutes from here.”
Tara was grateful the air conditioning was working as warm as it was today.
“We’ll make a day of it. Shopping and lunch.”
Tara led the way out to the patio.
“Come see. I finished the Adirondack chairs on the dock. They look brand new.”
Ally followed, barefoot.
“Where did you get the wrought iron? Was it here when you got here?”
Tara ran a hand over the round table.
“It was. I found the set in the weeds. Be careful walking in them, especially as much as you like to go barefoot. There might be snakes. I’ll have to get someone out here to clean up the yard.”
They walked past the old iron furniture to sit in the chairs on the dock.
“I bought that spray paint that’s good for metal in a glossy black.”
Ally let out a sigh as she slumped in the chair.
“Black is classic. We should do bright cushions for the wrought iron furniture. You weren’t kidding, the view is breathtaking.”
“I like to bring my breakfast out here, sit in the chairs and watch the lake. There’s an otter. One of the neighbors said it lives in the river. The river connects to the waterfall you can see in the distance. You’ll see her one morning if you’re out here sitting still.”
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