“Which means you won't even notice I'm gone.”
“I'll notice.” He straightened and looked at Maggie. “You're in good hands with this one. She's already shown me five different packing configurations.”
“Only five?” Maggie said. “She's slacking.”
Chelsea threw a sofa pillow at her, which Maggie caught with a laugh.
Steven excused himself to shower and change, leaving the two women alone again. The light had shifted while they talked, the afternoon deepening toward evening. Soon Maggie would need to head back to the inn, to check on dinner preparations and make sure everything was running smoothly in her absence.
“Have you talked to Iris about covering while you're gone?” Chelsea asked, as if reading her thoughts.
“Yesterday. She's got it handled. Oliver will help, and Millie and Dottie are both available for extra hours. Ciara offered to stop by as well, in case they need anything.”
“That's wonderful.”
“It’s a load off my mind.” Maggie stood and walked to the window, looking out at the palm trees swaying in the evening breeze. “Paolo is worried about leaving Sanibellia for too long. The business has been growing, and March is a busy season for tourists wanting to explore the island.”
“Is he still coming?”
“Of course. Nothing could keep him away from his grandchildren being born. But he'll probably fly home early, after the birth, to check on things. He trusts his staff, but you know Paolo. He likes to have his hands in everything.”
Chelsea joined her at the window. “And Grandma Sarah? Is she really driving up in that RV?”
Maggie shook her head, half in disbelief and half in admiration. “She's determined. She called me this morning to confirm that Lauren and Sarah are both on board. They're leaving Sunday, stopping at hotels along the way, and should arrive a day or two after we do.”
“Three women in one RV. That's either going to be beautiful or a disaster. You’d think they’d learned a thing or two after Gabriel’s RV drive at Christmas.”
“According to my mother, Gabriel is a rookie and should haveconsulted her on the whole RV thing. I do understand why she wants to drive up though.” Maggie turned from the window. “She wants to be there when we go through the house. She spent so much time in that house over the years, watching the kids grow up, helping out when things got hard. I think she feels like she has as much right to say goodbye as any of us.”
“She does.”
“I know. I just hope the drive doesn't wear her out. She's eighty years old after all.”
“Your mother has more energy than most people half her age. She'll be fine. And Lauren and Sarah will keep an eye on her.”
Maggie hoped that was true. Her mother had always been a force of nature, stubborn and opinionated and fiercely devoted to her family. Age had slowed her body but done nothing to diminish her spirit. If Sarah Garrison wanted to drive to Massachusetts in an RV, nothing short of divine intervention would stop her.
“When do we fly out?” Chelsea asked.
“Thursday morning. Paolo booked the flights yesterday for all three of us. We land in Boston around three, rent a car, and drive to Boxford. Beth's doctor says she could go any day now, so we want to be there before anything happens.”
“What if she goes into labor before Thursday?”
“Then we all get on the first available flight. Steven can manage without you for a few extra days if it comes to that.”
“He'd insist on it,” Chelsea agreed. “But let's hope the babies wait. I'd rather not experience airport panic if we can avoid it.”
“Beth seems to think they'll wait. She says they're too comfortable to leave.”
Chelsea laughed. “Smart babies. Why come out when you've got room service and a heated pool?”
“That's more or less what Beth said.”
They talked for another hour, going over details and timelines and the dozen small tasks that needed to be completed beforeThursday. Chelsea's lists grew longer and more detailed. Maggie's tea went cold and was replaced with a glass of wine. The sun sank lower, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.
When Maggie finally stood to leave, Chelsea walked her to the door.
“Thank you,” Maggie said. “For coming. For all of this.”
