Siena parked and came around to help her mom. She was still weak, still unsure on her feet. “Here, be careful. The gravel is tricky.”
“I’m not one hundred years old.”
“I know, I know. Let’s leave the bags. I’ll bring them in after we know where we’re bunking.”
“Bunking? That doesn’t quite fit with the place, does it?”
“No, I mean, do they have bunks in the Chateau Marmot?” That was it. There was a cool vibe that was unexpected as they walked up the cobblestone to the grand front door.
“Do we knock?” Siena said.
Before her mother could answer, the doors flung open, and there she was, Goldie Hayes.
She glowed. She glowed in a way that shocked Siena. Her biological mother was usually pale, verged on painfully thin, and always turned out from false eyelashes to pedicured toes. This Goldie was actually a little golden from the sun. Her cheeks were plush, her figure fuller, and no question healthier.
Siena was thrilled to see this change and, again, felt vindicated about her choice. If Goldie’s vibrant health was contagious, maybe Viv could catch it.
“Siena, did you get taller? How in the world?” Goldie actually brought her in for a hug. She had never been a hugger until now. Wow.
Siena hugged back hard.
“Now you,” Goldie turned to Viv, and instead of the bear hug, she moved delicately to kiss Viv on the cheek and lightly embrace her. Goldie and Siena had talked a bit. Goldie knew that Viv was still raw. That was the word. After months of treatment and appointments, and doctor conversations, her mom was raw. The creative energy and spark that had been in Vivian Blackwood’s eyes were gone. Instead, there was something haunted.
“You look spectacular. This place looks spectacular. I mean, this was a camp or something, right, when we used to come here?”
“Thank you, love. Yes, it’s had several different incarnations. These days it’s a resort hotel! We’ve got twelve rooms, each one themed, and, of course, my base of operations.”
“I cannot believe you’re not full time in L.A.,” Viv said.
“I leave in the winter. You can be sure about that. It’s cold as a witch’s—”
“Goldie, you bellowed?” A buff-looking dude in his forties, sporting just the right amount of tight t-shirt with the logoCassidy Contractingstretched across his pecs, appeared behind Aunt Goldie in the lobby. He leaned over to Goldie and kissed her on the cheek.
“Well, yes, you told me Jaden went into town to help Hope get the lunch. I needed some help with my two new guests.”
“Okay, Siena and Viv, right?” the man said, pegging them correctly. He had a smile that would be at home in Hollywood and forearms equal to the task of carrying their luggage and then some. It also seemed that he did not take any crap from Aunt Goldie. He shook their hands.
“I’m Joe. Is that your Volvo? Pop the locks. I’ll get after it.”
“Thank you, yes, Viv is in Vineyard, and Siena is in Crystal,” Goldie told him. She turned to Viv and Siena and explained, “Each of our rooms is themed to the different lakes.”
“I’ll come with you to help get it all sorted from the get-go,” Siena said to Joe.
“Great," Goldie said, "your mother and I can catch up.”
Siena left Viv to Goldie. For the first time, she felt a little lighter. Goldie would put a smile on her mother’s face. She’d know how to help.
Siena followed Joe out to the car.
This was all going to work out. Siena took a deep breath, and the lake air, with a hint of lilac blossoms, seemed to confirm it.
ChapterFive
Viv
“You’re too thin,” Goldie said.
“You’re just right.” Viv loved the warmth and new softness of Goldie that she’d never seen before. Goldie had gripped tight to youth. But letting loose a bit had made her more beautiful in Viv’s eyes.
