“So, my house sells on Monday,” Alyssa said. “I figure Monday afternoon, we all get in our cars and drive up to the lake. The mover will be at my place at noon Monday, and they’re going to pack it all up. We’ll caravan.” They couldn’t drive together, because they all would want their cars when they got up to the lake. Unlike Salt Lake City, there was no public transportation at the lake.
They had made a few trips up with boxes and put them into the garage, but none of the sisters had actually stayed at the lake house since the decision had been made. They planned to modernize the kitchen and redo some of the bathrooms. The house was already perfect for what they were planning, though. There were twelve bedrooms, and even if they each lived there—which they would initially, but probably not forever—there would still be seven rooms for guests.
The house had been built with the entire extended family in mind. Aunts, uncles, and cousins had piled into the house with them for two weeks every summer, which was why they had such good memories. There were three garages with two bays each, and they had already had a small parking lot poured off to one side of the house. That had been one of the toughest decisions they’d made, because their mother would have been mortified to know they had taken away some of her garden space. Still, it was for the best.
“I’m excited to sleep at the lake house on Monday night,” Lauren said. “I feel like it’s been forever since we all went up there as a family. I almost asked for that for my graduation from Utah State in December, but I didn’t want it to be a hardship for all of you, and driving there in the snow is always a hardship.”
“I have news for you, Lauren,” Alyssa said. “It’s still snowing up there now. We’re going to have snow for a while yet, and we’re going to be living there in the winters. Snow will happen, just like it happens here.”
“But we’re getting snowmobiles,” Lauren said. “I think we should have them for people to rent. We might as well make the money rather than letting someone else have their business.”
“True,” Taylor said. “I have lots of ideas for running the place. I’m so excited to have a bed and breakfast where all of the owners are related to me and I have a say in renovations. This is a dream come true for me.”
Alyssa looked at her sister with a smile. It was nice to be able to help her with her dream. She herself would still be selling real estate, but she would be doing it in a slower-paced world. And truly, she couldn’t wait to see what came of Hannah’s bookstore. Her friend had already quit working at the grocery store, and she was no longer cleaning on the weekends. She wasn’t sure if she’d broken ground yet, but she knew it would be happening soon.
The last meal at the house where they’d grown up turned into another kind of celebration for all of them. A celebration of their lives changing and them giving up all of their old dreams to make new ones.
They all went their separate ways after supper, except for Lauren, who went home with Alyssa. As they got into Lauren’s vehicle, Alyssa sank back into the seat.
“I think it’s best you haven’t found a job yet,” Alyssa said. “You’ll be able to do some of the work at the B&B.” Alyssa knew she herself wouldn’t be working there, and neither would Kayla. Taylor would be there full time, and they were thinking that Lauren would as well. Amanda would work there long enough to get the B&B ready to open, but then she’d be looking for other work as well.
“Probably. I can clean rooms, and maybe I can figure out how to make breakfast interesting. I’ve always enjoyed cooking, and with my liberal arts degree, I have the ability to read cookbooks.”
Alyssa laughed. “You have the ability to do a whole lot more than read cookbooks.”
“I know. But if I can’t make a joke out of my liberal arts degree, then who can?” Lauren drove calmly through the city. “Are you worried about leaving your job?”
“Not at all. I still have closings scheduled for another month out, so I’ll have income coming in. Not that any of us really need immediate income, but it’s nice to not feel like a wastrel. I hate the idea of having to study for tests all over again, but I’ll do it because I love what I do. I guess I could sell in Garden City, because I’m already licensed in Utah, but I like the idea of being able to work in the entire area. All of Bear Lake.”
“Makes sense to me.” Lauren shook her head. “I can’t believe we’ve gotten so much done in just a month. I guess it just goes to show that the five of us together can do absolutely anything we set our minds to.”
Alyssa smiled at that. “We can.”
When Lauren pulled into the driveway in front of Alyssa’s house, she spotted Tim’s car, and she groaned. “Tim’s here.”
Alyssa sighed. “I wonder what he wants. I haven’t seen anything of him since the day the will was read.”
“Do you want me to get rid of him?” Lauren asked. “I know karate, kung fu, and several other Japanese words!”
Laughing, Alyssa shook her head. “I’ll deal with him.”
“I’m not leaving you alone with that jerk,” Lauren said, getting out and walking over to Tim with her sister.
“What can I do for you, Tim?” Alyssa asked, keeping her voice cordial.
“I miss you. What would it take for you to take me back?” He wasted no time getting to the point.
“I’m afraid that ship has sailed. There’s no way I’m taking you back. I’m moving next week, and I’m ready to start fresh.” Alyssa didn’t bother to soften her words with him.
Tim narrowed his eyes. “Is there a man there? Are you dating someone already?”
Alyssa shook her head. “Of course not. I’m opening a bed and breakfast with my sisters, and I’m going to be happy.”
“You are, are you?” he asked.
“Yes, I am. And nothing you can say or do is going to stop me.”
Tim frowned at her. “I can’t believe you’re treating me this badly.”
Lauren could no longer hold her tongue. “She’s treating you badly? You have got to be kidding me! You’ve mentally abused her for years, and you’re going to get off her property, or I’m calling the cops.” She grabbed her sister’s upper arm and pulled her toward the door. “And no, you can’t have more money!”
Lauren unlocked the door and walked in with her sister, slamming it behind her. “That man has some nerve. I hope I never lay eyes on him again.”
“You and me both.” Alyssa was proud of herself, though. She’d been strong and clear she wasn’t getting back with him, and she hadn’t even wanted to. It was a huge step in the right direction.
Twelve
Alyssa closed on her house as soon as the title company opened on Monday morning. She’d had her house for several years, but she certainly wasn’t as tied to it as she was to the lake house. Still, she was sad to let it go but excited at the same time. She was getting a new start with the people she loved more than anything. It was time for sister power.
She’d signed the last document, assisted by Jennifer Whitcomb, a woman she’d worked with the entire time she’d been a real estate agent. They were both well aware this was their last closing together, and they were emotional. When she signed in the last space, she lifted her hand and rubbed her wrist.
“Wow. I can’t believe I make people sign their name that many times on a regular basis,” Alyssa joked.
“Well, you’re really going to be missed around here.” Jennifer turned and grabbed a big basket filled with healthy snacks. “We put this together for you to wish you safe travels and a wonderful new life with your sisters.”
Alyssa hugged the girl, and she found herself hugging three more people on her way out. “Thanks, everyone, for the sweet gift. I’m going to miss all of you.”
She left amidst choruses of goodbye. She knew it wouldn’t be the last time she saw them all, but it would certainly not be a weekly thing any longer. Keeping her real estate license in Utah was part of her plan. If she ever needed to come back, she could, though she couldn’t imagine that happening
at the moment.
She drove home, knowing her sisters were waiting for her. All of their homes had been closed on, and all of them except Kayla planned to make the drive up to Bear Lake together. Kayla had a month of work to do at the house, and she would join them in Bear Lake as soon as it was finished.
At Alyssa’s house, there was already a moving truck, and things were being loaded into it. Lauren had taken the lead, telling the movers which things to load in first because they were going into storage.
Alyssa parked at the curb, watching her baby sister bossing around the moving men for a little while, and then she got out of the car. She looked lovingly at the house. It had been her first big purchase after completing her training to be a real estate agent, and she had been so proud of it. She’d moved from her parents’ home into this one, and it felt . . . strange to be leaving it behind. She knew she was being overly sentimental, but she couldn’t help it.
She walked over to Lauren, smiling at her kid sister. “Thanks for being the bossy little thing you are.”
Lauren grinned. “I’m happy to be bossy if it helps.”
“I’m going to go in and start vacuuming the rooms they’ve finished.” Alyssa wasn’t looking forward to doing a good cleaning of the house, but it was required.
“Taylor’s already doing that.”
“Okay, then I’ll go in and scrub out the oven and fridge.”
Lauren shook her head. “I did that as soon as you left this morning.”
“Bathrooms? Kitchen floor?”
“All done. We split the work between us, because you let us all stay here while we were getting ready to start our new adventure.” Lauren put her arm around Alyssa. “Just sit back and enjoy the show.”
“The show?” Alyssa asked.
“Well, the youngest guy is pretty darn cute. I just wish it was hot enough that he had to take his shirt off . . .”
Alyssa laughed. “Maybe you should spill something on him.” She walked into the now mostly empty house and went from room to room, loving the colors she’d painted different things. Her curtains had been removed, and all of her special little touches were gone. Packed away and sent to storage. Only the things she would truly need were going to the new house. For a moment, she felt her heart beat faster as she wondered how she was going to manage, but she knew she could. She’d have her sisters at her sides.
As soon as the movers had the truck all packed up, Alyssa, Lauren, Amanda, and Taylor walked through every room in the house, making sure nothing important had been left behind. So many memories had been made in the house, and they were leaving that, too.
Alyssa felt a bit panicked that they were leaving everything they knew behind to start this new adventure, but when she looked at her sisters’ faces, she knew they were doing the right thing. They had to be.
They each had a suitcase with several days’ worth of clothes and toiletries in their cars, and they were as ready as they were going to get.
“All right. Let’s get this show on the road. I do want to stop in Logan for supplies, because they’ll be so much cheaper than in Bear Lake. I’m sure we’ll do most of our shopping locally, but this one last time, Logan will work.” Alyssa led the way out of the house, locking her door for the very last time. A lovely couple with three children was moving in, and they would make their own memories there.
She swiped away a tear as she went to her car. “Remember, cellphones on at all times. If someone needs to stop, honk, and we’ll all stop.” She wished they could ride together, but they would all need cars at their new home. “See you all in Logan.” Logan was the halfway point between Salt Lake City and Bear Lake. They would stop there for some food, fuel, and groceries.
Alyssa led the way, pulling away from the curb and waiting as each of her sisters fell into line behind her. She knew this was the right thing, but it still broke her heart to do it.
An hour and a half later, Alyssa pulled into Olive Garden in Logan, and all the other sisters followed suit. She got out of the car to stretch her legs, wishing she hadn’t done so much packing leading up to the move. She was sore, and she was going to be for a few days.
The four of them walked into the restaurant and were seated at the back. “I’m glad we decided on a late lunch. I don’t want to be overrun with college kids,” Lauren said, shaking her head.
Logan was a college town, but given the fact that Lauren was a recent grad, the other three found her statement very funny.
Amanda was the one who pointed out what she’d said, though. “You act like college students are such a pain. You know you were one just a few months ago, right?”
“I feel like I acted more mature than college students do today.”
Alyssa shook her head. “I love you, but . . . you’re crazy.”
The waitress stopped there then, a big grin on her face. She’d obviously heard what Alyssa said. “Sisters, right?”
All four siblings nodded.
“Sure are,” Taylor said. She looked at the others. “Are we all done deciding what we want?” She was obsessed with keeping them on schedule. There was so much to be done before they could open the B&B.
Every one of them nodded. “All right. Give me your drink orders first, and then I’ll take the food orders.”
An hour later, they were back on the road, but only for a short distance, heading to Walmart next.
“I hate Walmart,” Lauren said, frowning. “Do we have to shop here?”
“Yes,” Alyssa responded. “And everyone is supposed to hate Walmart. It’s a requirement for living in the United States. But they always have the best prices, and that’s what we need.”
“Ugh.”
By the time they reached Bear Lake, they were all exhausted. Alyssa pulled into the driveway of the house where they’d spent so much time, and she felt her excitement build. She was finally home.
Getting out, each sister carried in her personal things, and Alyssa took the key and unlocked the door. The house was a little messy.
“It never occurred to me that Mom and Dad were actually staying here when they died.” She walked through the house, putting a couple of glasses into the dishwasher, picking up her mother’s reading glasses. So many little things that reminded them of what they’d lost.
When she reached the master bedroom, Alyssa was surprised to see that the bed wasn’t made. Her mother had always harped on them about keeping their beds made, and when no one was looking, she didn’t make her own. She wished her mother was there so she could tease her—and for so many other reasons.
“Are you taking the master?” Taylor asked her from behind.
“I don’t care. Does it matter?” Alyssa asked. She knew that her sisters considered it hers by right because she was the oldest.
Taylor shrugged. “Because there’s a cubby hole where a desk can be put, I was kind of hoping you wouldn’t mind if I took it. I’ll be the one running the place, and having this room would make things just a bit easier for me.”
Alyssa nodded. “I think things would be easier for me if you took the room. I’ll go to the one next door.”
The house was just as they all remembered. There was a living room on the first floor and a family room on the second. Each story had six bedrooms. There were seven bathrooms on each floor. Above the kitchen was a huge room that they’d used as a play room over the years. It was a room that really wasn’t necessarily meant to be anything, but there had been more slumber parties on that floor that any of the girls could remember. It hadn’t really been updated since the nineties, so many things were out of date. Alyssa could see there was a lot of work to be done before they opened it up for business.
Alyssa walked out onto the back deck, breathing in the chilly mountain air. “I can’t believe that I actually feel a little out of breath. We’re only about a thousand feet higher than Salt Lake City here, aren’t we?”
Lauren was standing beside her, looking out at the lake. “Yeah, but Salt Lake is high, too.”
“That’s certainly the goal,” Taylor said, stepping out to join them with Amanda on her heels. “I have so many ideas, and I want to make them all work right now! But first, I think we need to have the kitchen redone. I wish we could wait for Kayla, but if we want it done before tourist season, we need to act now.”
“Very true.” Alyssa knew they wanted to get things going soon. Getting tourists in there quickly would make them realize they’d done the right thing. “Do you want me to see if Hannah knows anyone? Or should I just put an ad online? She told me that there’s a Bear Lake Classifieds on Facebook, and I could put something there.”
“Ask Hannah. I’d rather get a recommendation of someone who would work hard for us than just stabbing in the dark.”
“I will. I want to have supper with her tonight anyway. She took the night off so she could come over and we could talk. And we’ll eat somewhere.”
“Probably Coopers,” Amanda said with a grin.
“Only if it won’t make her crazy to eat at her place of employment on her night off.” Alyssa pulled out her phone and looked at the time. It was already getting dark. “I need to call her and let her know we’re here. Then we can figure out where to eat.” She stepped back into the house and went to the living room, noting that the décor really needed to be updated as well as the kitchen. They wanted the latest appliances, not something that would break down.
“Hello?” Hannah said. “Please tell me you’re in Richland.”
“I’m at the lake house,” Alyssa said. Hannah had grown up in a house a couple of streets over, and the two girls had met the summer before they both started kindergarten. From then on, as soon as the family made it to Richland, Alyssa had gone straight to Hannah’s house, and they had been inseparable. Now it was hard to believe it had been five years since they’d seen each other in person.
Changing Dreams (Bear Lake Dreamers Book 1) Page 7