“I’ve got you at this end of the hall. You’ve got the use of this bathroom. I’m downstairs. Can I get you something to eat? Anything?”
“Libby, no, nothing else. I never eat at night. I’m rather exhausted. Do you mind if I just crash? The breeze seems lovely, and the room is perfect.”
Though Goldie was hungry, she was used to feeling empty. Feeling empty meant she could fit into her wardrobe.
“Girlfriend, sleep. Sleep in. Tune out. Whatever you need. We’ll go to the hotel tomorrow whenever you want.”
“Okay, but I sort of want to go early. If that’s okay. Before anyone around here is up and about.”
If this was going to work, this hideout, she’d need to be in the secluded Two Lakes Grove Hotel before anyone could catch on.
“Sure, I get up early. I’ll be ready when you are.”
Libby reached out and gave Goldie’s arm a squeeze. Libby was a hugger, Goldie knew, but she wasn’t ready to let down her guard. In fact, once she got to Two Lakes, she would fortify the walls she had between her and the rest of the world. She’d think of it as a retreat or something. Meditate. Detox. Plan. It could work.
Libby padded downstairs and let Goldie settle in. The room was a throwback to the sixties of the Kennedy era. There was a wicker high-back chair in the corner and a tufted bedspread on the double bed. An ornate dresser, a mirror on one wall, and a little attached bathroom. Everything was neat and well cared for, just outdated, but somehow, Goldie was comforted by all the style, the era. She grew up in the eighties but with sixties décor all around her. She hoped Libby didn’t overdo the makeovers of this house. It had a vibe that worked.
Goldie set up in the little bathroom and removed her makeup. She applied the ten different steps required to keepher skin exfoliated and hydrated. Finally, she collapsed onto the little bed. A double was tiny, really. But it was comfortable enough for Goldie to fall asleep. No Ambien, no cocktail, no melatonin, just the gentle breeze in the window, the lapping of the water on the dock outside, and the clean, cool sheets surrounding her did the trick.
Chapter Six
Goldie
They arrived at Two Lakes Grove Hotel early.
“The hotel comes with a campus, as you can see. And if you remember, the row of Gould cottages was just up there. It really was an adorable little resort corner here for vacationers.”
Goldie remembered. When they all sawDirty Dancing, Goldie envisioned the cottages, the hotel, Nora House, and even the dance pavilion as her own personal version of the movie. She was Baby, of course, but no one stepped up as Johnny. She didn’t have a love story to remember from living in Irish Hills. The only love story she had, was on screen.
They got out of Libby’s Jeep, and the air temperature was a bit of a shock.
Michigan, in July, could be hot. Goldie had forgotten that. She remembered freezing springs and socked in the snow in February. Sure, she spent warm summers here, but she forgot how hot it was then.
And it was going to be hot today. Not the dry, still heat of L.A. but a heavy heat, one that melted you a little.
Goldie’s mother called humidity the air you could wear. She was right.
Goldie worked up a sweat as she and Libby transferred Goldie’s bags. Goldie was starting to feel a little stupid for traveling with all this now that she had to move it herself.
That weasel Hollis selling videos of her to the tabloids. It was why she was determined not to hire an assistant here. Even though, right now, she would appreciate that a lot.
Libby listed the features and benefits of the Two Lakes.
“So, there are a dozen rooms, one main dining area, and a kitchen that needs work. Think about it, a return to hosting vacationers in Irish Hills! Just like your parents. On that note, Hope is willing to set up a breakfast delivery of pastries and whatnot for whoever takes this place over. Could be nice synergy.”
“Ha, I think it is perfect for me to hide out. That’s all I can do right now, you know?”
“Oh, I get it. Totally.”
“I can’t wait to see the girls.”
“I was thinking drinks and dinner at Hope’s Table. You’re going to love that.”
“Oh, but I don’t want to be recognized.”
“I promise you, the folks at the restaurant will be oblivious.”
“I really don’t want?—”
