“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” J.J. said.
“Yeah, we pushed too hard. We tend to around here.” Hope looked at Libby, who did not shrink with guilt, in Siena’s estimation.
Goldie rejoined them.
“I blew it, Aunt Goldie.”
“Nah, we were just a little fast. I didn’t really understand how much she’s still in recovery.”
“I agree. She’s trying to heal, and we dive-bombed her,” Hope said.
“I’m not sure what to do next,” Siena said.
Libby piped up.
“Your mom doesn’t have to do a thing she doesn’t want to do. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take a look at the space. The stock you ordered to start up has been delivered. You can get a feel for the space. You don’t need Viv for that, right?”
“True. I mean, I know the line inside and out. And I’d love to maybe just set up something. Maybe it would be easier if she saw it all laid out. The heavy lifting, I can do that.”
“You’re just as creative as your mom and me and Bret! How could you not be?! That’s a great idea. Set up the space.” Goldie loved to brag about Siena. But bragging from a parent did not magically make a person talented. Siena was talented. She’d just been in a lot of shadows when it came to her moms and dad. “It’s settled. You are going to catch some rays. Maybe use the paddle board out there for the rest of today. Just do whatever you want, and tomorrow you and Libby will see the store,” Aunt Goldie had decreed the rest of the day’s events. That was that.
A day to relax at the lake sounded great. But then Libby quietly reminded her of the promise she’d made.
“You signed the lease. The bad news is that I have spent the deposit. No matter what you decide, the space is yours for a year.” That eliminated the idea of scraping this entire idea. An idea she thought was brilliant only a few minutes ago.
“Okay,” Siena said.
“I’m going to show you your room. It’s a totally different floor than your mom’s. You’re going to take a break from taking care of her. Leave that to us. Let us take care of the both of you.” Goldie, the diva, was playing Goldie, the earth mother. Siena was happy to let go of the reins for a while. Relieved even.
“That’s sweet, thank you. I know there are things that would be easier for her to share with a friend than a daughter.”
“Exactly, she doesn’t want you to worry. We got it. It’s a mom thing. Seriously, there are fun things to do here, even hot young guys,” J.J. said, and Hope smacked her on the arm. “Hey, what? I’m married, not dead.”
Siena laughed and relaxed a bit. The women all seemed ready to handle anything. For the last year, Siena had been in that role.
“And tomorrow afternoon, it’s a trip downtown. I think you’ll be inspired. You’ll see the future,” Libby predicted.
Okay, that was a plan. She could do that, chill a little. Maybe sit out on the big dock outside. The hot guy part of the plan seemed unlikely. She didn’t need that, really. She needed to save Vivian Blackwood Designs.
The ladies said their goodbyes. Goldie showed her to her room.
It was a nod to a sixties kind of mid-mod vibe.
“This is what so many cabins and cottages looked like when I grew up here.”
“Oh my gosh, Eames chairs? And an original Steelcase desk? Come on, Aunt Goldie, you’re too much.” It all looked groovy, sleek, and so very what Siena would have picked herself!
“I had you in mind the whole time I was furnishing this room. And darling, you know me, I just cannot be surrounded by ugly décor!”
“I know, I know. Is it okay if I explore, and all that, around the grounds?”
“Do whatever floats your boat. I have some calls, a few emails, and one more guest check-in for the day. Oh, the WiFi password is over by the desk if you need it.”
“Thanks.”
Goldie saluted her and then shut the door.
This had to work. Siena had run out of ideas. Her mother had trusted her with the business during the cancer treatment, and it was failing. She was failing.
