“Darling, we’ve always been proud of you,” her mother said, looking shocked.
“Sure, in sort of a you’re-our-daughter-and-we’ll-love-you-no-matter-what way. Mom, you and everyone else in our family set the bar pretty darn high.”
Abby sighed. “I suppose we did, and your grandfather’s certainly not above reminding everyone about his lofty standards. Still, we all know how that job worked out. It’s over and done with now,” her mother said briskly. “Tell us why you think opening a day care is what you were meant to do? How did you reach that conclusion?”
“I was talking to Luke about my options. We just started batting around ideas and he pointed out that half the kids in our family are in and out of my house on a regular basis. I’m good with them. I love being with them.”
“But that’s all pretty casual,” her mom said worriedly. “This will be a full-time commitment, Carrie. It’s not something to take lightly.”
“I know that,” she said impatiently. She reached in her pocket and pulled out the pro-con list she’d printed. She handed it over to her mom. “And that’s why I’m taking it very seriously. Look those over and you’ll see just how carefully I’ve been analyzing this.”
“Pros and cons?” Abby said with a smile. “This is something your sister would do.”
“Since I’ve been watching her analyze things to death practically since birth, I decided to give it a try,” Carrie said wryly. “And I’ve been volunteering, just for a few days so far, at a day care outside of town. The owner’s been in the business for years. She’s promised to be my mentor and guide me through everything I need to do, but only if I prove to her that I can handle the job. There’s no telling how long I’ll have to pay my dues before she’s convinced, so I definitely won’t be taking the next step impulsively. I’m even taking a couple of classes she recommended online.”
“Ah, so the day care’s where you’ve been going at the crack of dawn,” her mom concluded. “Now it makes sense. I couldn’t believe it when someone said my little night owl was up and out before daybreak.”
Carrie didn’t even bother asking who’d filed that report. It hardly mattered. She looked expectantly from Trace to her mom, trying to gauge their reactions.
“So, what do you think?” she prodded when she couldn’t stand the silence another minute.
“Now that we’ve talked, I can see how it would be exactly right for you,” her mother said. “I’m a little surprised no one suggested it sooner.”
Carrie rolled her eyes. “Who? Grandpa Mick? You know he’s going to have plenty to say about me wasting my potential by babysitting.”
“And I think you’re selling him short,” Abby contradicted. “He wants you close by. This will keep you here. He wants to see you happy. If this achieves that, he’ll have no complaints.”
“And it shouldn’t matter what Mick or anyone else thinks,” Trace emphasized. “If this is what you want, that’s all that counts. Have you spoken to my dad or Laila at the bank about getting a small-business loan for your start-up?”
Carrie held up her hands. “Slow down. I’m not that far along yet. And I still have trust-fund money to underwrite the first-year costs when I am ready.”
Trace shook his head. “Speak to Dad or my sister. Don’t put your trust fund at risk. Part of opening any business is establishing good credit. Let them help with that. It will make Dad’s day. You know he’s always had a soft spot for you and your sister. And anytime an O’Brien succeeds, it’s good for the bank and good for the town. He’s well aware of that.”
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to talk to him when the time is right,” Carrie agreed, though she wasn’t enthusiastic about laying out her plans for a man as hardheaded about business as Trace’s dad. He’d spot every single flaw and make no concessions because she was family.
“Seems to me that the end of summer and the start of the school year would be a good time to get things rolling,” Abby suggested casually.
“No way,” Carrie said, horrified. “School starts in a couple of weeks. This isn’t something I can rush into. Even if I wanted to open quickly and on a very small scale, there are too many regulations and licenses to deal with. Plus I have to find a location, do renovations. There are a million things that need to be done before I could even consider opening.”
“Stop by and see Susie about suitable property,” Abby suggested. “She knows every house or retail space around here that’s zoned for something like this.”
Carrie studied her mom. Something was going on here. “Why are you suddenly in such a rush for me to make this happen? It’s not just so I’ll stay close by, is it? I’ve already told you I intend to stay in Chesapeake Shores. That decision definitely isn’t a whim. I want this town to continue to be home.”
Abby glanced across the table at Trace, who nodded. “The thing is,” she began, color blooming in her cheeks, “we’re expecting another baby.”
Carrie stared at her in shock. “A baby? But, Mom, you can’t be. You’re...”
“Old. Go ahead and say it,” Abby said, her expression wry. “Believe me, no one is more shocked than the two of us. I thought I was a lot closer to menopause than I was to becoming a mother again.”
“Who knows? Have you told anyone else?” Carrie asked.
“No. So far, it’s just us,” Trace said, then cautioned, “And we want it to stay that way for another couple of months. But you can see why the idea of a day care right here in town and run by someone we trust could be a lifesaver for us. Trying to keep an eye on Patrick while working at home almost drove me over the brink. With this baby, I want him or her out of the house and in the hands of a professional. Your mom and I are agreed on that. I’m not expecting her to put her career on the back burner, either, so reliable day care is a must.”
Carrie bounced out of her chair and hugged her mom, then Trace. “I am so, so happy for you. Does Caitlyn know?”
“Not yet,” Abby replied. “We wanted to wait a little longer. We’ll fill her in next time she comes home for a weekend.”
“Then I don’t suppose Patrick knows he’s going to be a big brother,” Carrie said.
“Absolutely not,” Trace said. “The pint-size O’Briens are not even remotely trustworthy with secrets of any kind. The leaking of your news is proof enough of that.”
“Point taken,” Carrie agreed. “Remind me to beat the tar out of Davey next time I play a video game with him just to get even.”
“Hey, it’s not all bad, having us in on your plans, is it?” her mom asked.
“Actually, no. Your enthusiasm has been reassuring, even if I have discovered it’s due to an ulterior motive.” She studied her mother worriedly. “Are you feeling okay? Is the pregnancy going okay so far?”
“I’m a little tired, but the doctor says everything’s right on track. We’ll do an amniocentesis down the road just like we did when Patrick was on the way.”
“We’re not going to take any chances with your mother’s health or the baby’s,” Trace assured her.
“Well, if you need anything, anything at all, I’m just a phone call away,” Carrie told both of them. “I am so happy for you. And Gram’s going to be over the moon.”
Abby smile. “She will be, won’t she? There’s nothing Nell loves more than a new O’Brien to fuss over.”
Thinking of all the babies in the family, Carrie figured her great-grandmother would be in seventh heaven for a long time to come.
* * *
For a full week after dinner with her mom and Trace, Carrie tried to absorb their big news, while continuing to babysit Jackson and volunteer at the day-care center. She didn’t hear much from Sam beyond a quick call to let her know that he’d successfully enrolled Bobby in school.
“Now I just have to get him in the door on the first day,” he’d said, sounding unconvinced that he could do it.
“He’s going to be fine,” Carrie had assured him.
“It would help if you’d tell me
that in person,” he suggested slyly.
She’d laughed. “Remind me next time we’re at Gram’s.”
“No sooner than that?”
“Sorry. I’m swamped.”
And it was true. As her confidence in her plan had started to grow, impatience had set in. She downloaded forms and studied the requirements for licensing. Then, when she’d been at the center for three weeks, she sat down with Julie.
“How am I doing?” she asked directly.
Julie smiled. “I wondered how long it was going to take before you started getting antsy to get started.”
“To be honest I’ve been hoping for some sign from you that you feel I’m qualified.”
“Qualified? In less than a month?”
“Okay, maybe not qualified, but capable of getting there.”
“Truthfully, I’ve been impressed,” Julie admitted. “So much so, in fact, that I wish I could talk you into staying right here and continuing to work with me.” She studied Carrie, then shook her head. “But you want to open your own place, don’t you?”
Carrie nodded. “I really do. Working with you has just solidified my resolve. This may have started on a whim, but I’m committed to it now, but only if you believe I’m going to be able to do this the way it should be done. And I’m not going to bail on the training I’ve been getting here or on my classes. I will keep coming here at least a couple of days a week until all the pieces of my plan come together. I owe you that and I can use every second of practical experience I can get.”
Julie nodded. “Okay, then, you have my blessing to get started with your own plans.” She gestured toward the tablet Carrie had brought to the meeting. “Get ready to take some notes. We’ll start your crash course right now.”
For the next two hours, she filled Carrie in on everything from the costs of doing business, the licensing process, liability insurance, what to charge and the best quality toys and supplies available and where to get them.
“And that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Julie concluded. “But it’s enough for today. You get started on all of that and when you’re here next time, we’ll go over some more.”
She smiled at Carrie’s apparently glazed expression. “Don’t worry. It will all fall into place and start to make sense once you start chipping away at that list. And when you find a place you like, invite me down and I’ll walk through it with you and help you figure out what changes will be required to meet code. It’s been years since I’ve been to Chesapeake Shores despite how close by it is. I’ve heard wonderful things about the Inn at Eagle Point. Maybe Lucy and I will spend a mother-daughter weekend there.”
“You’re a godsend,” Carrie said fervently. “And my aunt Jess owns the inn. I’ll talk her into comping your room.”
Julie smiled. “Well, how about that? I won’t say no. As for whatever I’ve done to help you, it’s in my own interests as much as yours. I can’t very well let someone I’ve trained go off and make a mess of things, can I?”
“I’ll get started on all this tonight,” Carrie said. “By the time I see you day after tomorrow, I’ll have a full report on what I’ve accomplished.”
Julie gave a little nod of satisfaction. “Of course you will.”
As Carrie was leaving her office, Julie called her back. “I’m proud of you. You’ve caught on quickly. You’ve never once blinked no matter what I’ve asked of you. And you’re great with the kids.”
Touched by the praise from a woman she’d come to respect, Carrie blinked back tears. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. There are going to be days in the months and years to come when you’ll probably hate me for encouraging you to take this on.”
Carrie couldn’t imagine such a day, but she nodded. Julie hadn’t been wrong about anything else. She was probably right about this, too. But it didn’t really matter. She’d never been more excited about anything she’d ever tackled before. And O’Briens were made of tough stuff. Difficulties didn’t deter them one little bit.
* * *
Sam was on his way to the pizza shop with Bobby for a celebration of the first day of school when he spotted Carrie heading toward O’Brien’s. He changed direction and intercepted her. A smile spread across her face when she saw them.
“A first day of school celebration?” she guessed right away.
Bobby nodded enthusiastically. “We’re having pizza!”
“Not exactly a rare treat,” she commented, her gaze on Sam.
He caught the glimmer of amusement in her eyes. “I’m reformed, but not obsessed about it,” he told her. “Besides, this is Bobby’s celebration, so it’s his choice. Want to join us?”
“Yes!” Bobby said eagerly. “Please, Carrie.”
“Well, I can hardly turn down the chance to have dinner with two handsome guys. It will have to be a quick one, though. I have a ton of work to do tonight.”
Sam cast a cautious glance toward Bobby, who was already running ahead to the pizza shop. “Day-care plans?”
She nodded, a brilliant smile lighting up her face. “I’m moving forward with Julie’s stamp of approval,” she confirmed. “Only my mom and stepfather know, though, so please keep it to yourself a little longer. I’m going to see Susie tomorrow about locating a property, so I suspect everyone in the family will know after that.”
Sam winced at the mention of Susie.
“What?” Carrie asked, obviously catching his guilty expression.
“I’ve been meaning to call her ever since I got to town about looking at houses. Time keeps getting away from me. Mack’s even mentioned to me twice now that Susie’s wondering if I’m just going to go on living at the inn.”
“It is a pretty comfortable place,” Carrie said.
“But it’s not a home. And it’s above my budget long-term, even with the deep discount Jess has been giving me.” He waved off the topic. “I’ll get to Susie sometime this week. Right now I want to hear all about your plans.”
“Hurry up!” Bobby’s urgent command interrupted them.
Sam sighed. “But I suppose now’s not the time.”
“Probably not.”
“I don’t suppose you’ve changed your mind about dating?” he asked hopefully. “We could have a quiet, adults-only dinner this weekend.”
“Didn’t you tell me that Bobby’s still uneasy about being at a new school?”
“Yes, but today seemed to go okay.”
“That’s one day, Sam. Give it a week and then we’ll talk about it. I need some space to pull all this paperwork together, anyway. And you need to spend your spare time house-hunting.”
Sam conceded defeat reluctantly. “I’m calling you first thing on Monday and asking you out,” he informed her. “And make no mistake, I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“Then I’ll practice saying yes,” she told him with a grin. “Who knows? I might be very good at it.”
* * *
The next morning, determined to turn her dream into reality, she was in the real estate office five minutes after it opened, sitting across from Susie.
“I need a house,” she told her second cousin.
Susie regarded her blankly. “You have a house.”
“But it’s not zoned for what I have in mind.”
“And that would be?”
“I’m planning to get licensed and open a small day-care center.”
Rather than applauding her decision, as Carrie had expected, Susie frowned.
“I know you love having the kids over for visits every day, but an actual day care, Carrie? Have you really thought this through?”
Carrie discovered that having each new person she told question her decision was annoying. “Of course I have,” she said impatiently. “Since everybody in the family has been regarding me like a slacker for months now, I thought this would come as good news. Carrie’s finally figured out what to do with her life. Yippee!”
Susie’s smile was only halfhearted. “Nobody thinks you
’re a slacker.”
“Seriously? I get a lecture from Grandpa Mick on an almost-daily basis. I could see the worry every time Mom looked at me, at least until I filled her in about this. I’m pretty sure Gram has been lighting extra candles at church.”
Susie finally chuckled. “Being an O’Brien does come with a fair share of pressure,” she conceded. “But day care? I thought you were destined to return to Paris or Milan. Why settle for Chesapeake Shores, when you’ve led such a glamorous life? We all envied you getting to work in such amazing locations.”
Carrie shrugged. “I’m hardly settling. The reality is, I’m an O’Brien and this is home. Despite all the worried looks I’ve endured since coming back, I know this is where I belong. Opening a day care just seems like a natural. I’ve done my homework on the number of children with working parents and the options available. The only facility open right now is at the church and it’s filled to capacity. The town needs a day-care center.”
“So it’s not enough for you that most of the kids in our family are already in and out of your house on a daily basis?”
Carrie thought she heard a surprisingly bitter note in Susie’s voice. She also thought she understood it. Thanks to that adoption falling through at the last minute, Susie was bound to be touchy about anything having to do with kids these days.
Regarding her cousin with sympathy, she said, “I’m sorry the adoption didn’t work out this time, Susie, but there will be other chances. You and Mack will have children.”
“I’m done,” Susie said flatly. “And I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Is Mack ready to give up?”
Susie just stared at her, her expression completely shut down. Carrie got the message and dropped the subject.
“I’m sorry if I upset you,” Carrie apologized.
Willow Brook Road Page 18