“Yeah, I’ve been out to Tag’s a million times, as you know,” Viv told her. “And there’s a double lot around the curve, I’d say less than a quarter of a mile away. Anyway, the lake frontage is decent, but it’s undeveloped. I want Joe to see if it’s workable for a new build.”
“Oh! I love, love, love it!” Goldie did a little wiggle in her chair.
“Don’t jump the gun. It could be a sandy mess. I need Joe’s professional eye.”
“Sure, sure. But you’re moving here, and that’s that.”
It was tough to argue with Goldie Hayes. It always had been. She had a vision, she made it happen, and she was going to insist on a happy ending for everyone in her life.
“She’s pig-headed; pretty, but pig-headed,” Joe said. He kissed Goldie on the top of her pretty head, and she groaned but with a smile.
They were about to go take on the day. Tag was all set to pick her up and look for a truck. Siena said she needed something huge for the business and didn’t have time. So, Viv and Tag had their assignment for the day. Find a truck for Just The Thing.
She heard Tag pull in.
“Okay, well, off we go.”
“Maybe you’ll find a place to build the perfect house and a truck in one day,” said Goldie.
“We’ve been taking up space in your gorgeous hotel long enough. You need rooms for the tourists.”
“There’s no time limit. I just figured you’d be here all summer. Blocked it out, actually.”
“How in the world did you know I was going to be here more than, what, two weeks?”
“Libby said so. She did the same with me. I don’t question the woman anymore. She’s part city planner, part witch.”
“Ha, maybe!”
“Wow, the sky looks weird,” Goldie said as Viv and Tag headed to the car.
“Later,” Viv said.
“It’s gonna be a hot one for sure,” Tag commented. He closed the convertible to make use of the air conditioning.
“I appreciate the air. So, did you decide?” She posed the question as Tag pulled the car out on to the road. She didn’t want to make it a big deal, if he wasn’t ready to talk about his own future. She had been in his shoes.
Tag had confessed that his hearing loss and potential for it getting worse, had forced him to reconsider his future.
“I met with the crew. I talked to the sponsors, yes.”
“Well?”
“I wanted to run it by you.”
“Me? You know I don’t know a thing about your business. I mean, left turn, left turn, left turn.”
“Yeah, yeah. But you do know about change. Big change.” That much was true. Viv had decided a lot lately. She felt lighter and happier because of it.
“I’m going to retire.”
He hesitated on that last word, retire.
“Because?”
“I’ve done a lot; I have big wins under my belt. Money in the bank. I used to think that the track was the only thing that made me really happy.”
It was Viv’s turn to hesitate. She wasn’t ready for a big commitment or a wedding bell. She was barely ready for today.
