Margie took a seat next to her, her cheeks flushed pink from rushing.“Leon spiked a fever at daycare and she asked if I could pick him up.”
“Oh!”Sheila handed Margie a cup of tea.“I’m surprised she asked for help.I wish she’d ask me for help!I love those babies.”
“Don’t be offended.She only asked me because she was on a boat in the middle of the ocean for work and couldn’t make it back quickly enough,” Margie said, taking a sip.Paris tea with a hint of lemon.Her new favorite.“Annie is still Annie.Trying to do it all on her own.”
Patty took a seat, a frown etched on her face.“Poor Annie.That husband of hers…” She narrowed her eyes.
“She’s better off without him,” Sheila said, cutting her off.“If he doesn’t want to be around, let him leave.One day, those kids will grow up and he’ll be full of regret.”
Patty turned to her, a smile dancing on her lips.“Are you speaking from experience?About my son, perhaps?”
“Perhaps,” Sheila said.
“I don’t care about him.”Margie waved a hand.“I care about Annie and the twins.Clara is supposed to come home from the rehab facility next week, and she needs some modifications to the house so she can get around safely.I went over to take a look, and I thought Hank could do it, but he threw his back out.He was laid up all weekend.I need to find someone else.”
“Russell won’t be back in town until two weeks from now,” Sheila said.“Maybe we can do it ourselves.”
Margie sighed.“We can, but it won’t be pretty.My skills lie elsewhere.”
“Mine too,” Patty said, placing a cookie bite on each of their plates.“Try these – my new pumpkin spice cookie bites.”
Margie lifted the little orange cookie to her lips and took a bite.The outside was crisp, with warm cinnamon and hints of ginger.Inside was a rich, soft buttery center.
“Is that cream cheese?”Sheila asked.
Patty nodded.“What do you think?”
“It’s marvelous,” Sheila said, adding another cookie to her plate.
Margie finished her cookie and took a sip of tea.“Really perfect, Patty.”
One of the girls stood and walked to their table, a smile on her face.“Hi Margie!”
“Oh, hi Bella!I didn’t see you over there.How are you?How is your dad?”
“We’re good,” she said slowly, “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I think I heard you all talking about babies?”
Margie nodded.“You heard right.”
“Well, I was going to talk to you anyway, but this is perfect timing.My friends and I want to start a babysitters club on the island.”
Sheila’s eyes lit up.“That is such a good idea.”
“Thank you!”Bella turned to her, beaming.“The only problem is that some of us don’t have much experience with kids.Or, you know, any experience.”
“I see,” Margie said.“That does make it more complicated.”
“Since you know everyone on the island, maybe you’d know someone who would be willing to teach us?In particular, teach me?”
Margie laughed, “Of course!I know a few people who could use a mother’s helper.Actually, I have the perfect mom who lives just down the street from you.Do you know Annie Thompson?”
“I don’t.Do you think she’d be opposed to me having no experience?”
A smile took hold of Margie’s face.This was perfect – in fact, it might be the only way to get Annie to accept any help.If she felt likeshewas helping someone…
“I think she’d be quite happy to have you, but I’ll have to check.”Margie gasped.“I bet your dad could help fix up some things around the house for Annie’s mom, too!”
“I’m sure he’d be happy to!”Bella said, grinning.“He’s always doing that sort of stuff.”
