Balancing Act, page 13
“Afraid not.”
“Thanks for the heads-up, Mom. I’m on it.”
Genevieve returned her phone to her bag and said to Helen, “Willow is checking. There’s probably a herd of mountain goats in the road or maybe a fender bender ahead.”
Helen scowled and shook her head. “I don’t think so. I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that something nefarious is happening here.”
“Why do you say that?” Genevieve asked, gazing at her sister in surprise.
“Because…” Helen folded her arms and spoke with a huff. “We’re having a big event at Raindrop. Our biggest ever. I’ll bet my favorite fur coat that weasel Nelson Camarata is up to his nasty tricks.”
“You don’t own a fur coat.”
“That’s beside the point. Nelson Camarata is messing with Jake’s wedding. You just wait and see.”
“Why would the mayor do that?” Genevieve asked.
“Because he’s a control freak.” Helen tossed her head, sending her dangling earrings swaying. “From the day he was elected mayor of Lake in the Clouds, he declared himself the Grand Poobah of everything that happens in our town. He was already a member of the homeowners association board at Mountain Vista Retirement Community, and that’s where he and I started butting heads.”
“Oh dear.” Genevieve winced. Her sister was not a fan of her HOA. That was one of the reasons Genevieve had decided to buy a house when she moved to Lake in the Clouds instead of joining her sister in the luxury retirement community.
“I swear, give that man one little smidgen of power, and he thinks he deserves all of it. He thinks he’s the god of Lake in the Clouds, and he’s not.”
“No, that would be Gage,” Genevieve dryly interjected.
She and Helen shared a smirk at that. Genevieve’s claim wasn’t far from the truth. Gage had a lot of power. The Triple T Ranch established by Gage’s great-something grandfather had once owned almost all of the land upon which Lake in the Clouds had been built. Each time they’d sold off a parcel, they’d maintained an interest in the property and attached strings, which effectively gave Gage a vote in how the land was used even now, more than a century later. In fact, Genevieve’s first interaction with the man had been in a squabble over her and Helen’s purchase of the Raindrop Lodge property. Luckily, they’d moved beyond adversaries and had become friends.
Helen snorted and continued her diatribe. “You are correct, Genevieve. Our mayor is actually Nepotism Nelson, and I called him out on it. His son is the chief of police. His daughter runs the water department. His nephew is head of Planning and Permitting, and he is the reason why we haven’t gotten the stop sign we need at the lodge yet. Someone needs to do something.”
Genevieve’s phone rang. “It’s Willow. I’ll put it on speaker. Hello?”
“Mom, you won’t believe what happened. I just talked to my hired cops. The police chief called for a license-andregistration check on all outbound vehicles on Highway 16 between five and seven p.m. tonight.”
“Oh no. What can we do about it?”
Willow’s disembodied voice rose from the phone. “I think it’s time to pull out the big guns. Perhaps a call from Gage Throckmorton to the police chief will take care of it.”
“Good idea. Gage and the Triple T Ranch probably have the stroke to get this done.”
“I don’t have Gage’s phone number. Would you text it to me?”
“Sure. Unless you would rather I phone him about this?”
“I’ll do it,” Willow said. “This is my job.”
“All right.” Upon ending the call, Genevieve located Gage Throckmorton in her contacts list and forwarded the information to her daughter. Her sister observed, “You know, Noah wasn’t the only fine-looking man in the church today. Gage wears a suit very well. When are you going to ask him out on a date?”
“Stop it, Helen. It’s not that way with me and Gage.”
“Yet,” Helen said with a pointed look.
“Well, yet might never happen. I’m not sure I want it to happen. He’s still mourning his wife and I’ve been single a very long time. I’m accustomed to and comfortable with being alone.”
“Well, now, that’s just a shame, Genevieve.” Helen clicked her tongue and added, “Times are a-changing, though, aren’t they?”
Genevieve was saved from making a response when her phone rang again. It was Willow.
“FYI, Mom,” her daughter said. “I spoke to Gage. He’s calling the mayor now to remind him of the water contract that’s due for renegotiation and to tell him to call off his dogs on us. The contract is a big deal and important to the mayor. Gage says we’ll be moving again in minutes.”
“Excellent news,” Genevieve said. “It’s nice to be on the right side of a person with power.”
Willow continued. “We’re going to push the schedule for everything back twenty minutes. It shouldn’t be a problem at all. I’ll see you soon.” Willow disconnected the call.
Helen folded her arms over her chest and fumed. “Nelson is such a weasel. He’s done this to be pissy because he wasn’t invited to the wedding.”
“Why should he have been invited to the wedding?” Genevieve shook her head in wonder. “That’s ridiculous. He’s never met Jake or Tess.”
“I know,” Helen agreed with a scowl.
Genevieve rolled down her window and stuck her head out to see how long the line of cars stretched. “It looks like we might be beginning to move.”
Helen brightened. “That was fast. Love to see Nepo Nelson taken down a peg or two. The man is—”
“Enough of him, Helen,” Genevieve interrupted. “We have a celebration to attend. Let’s think happy thoughts.”
“You’re right. Happy thoughts. How about this? What a difference a year makes, right?” Helen took hold of her sister’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Why, this time last year, we were knee-deep in planning our renovation project at Raindrop. Now we’re all spruced up and open for business and hosting our first wedding. You weren’t talking to your children. They weren’t talking to each other, and now we’re all one big, happy family.”
“Yes.” And yet a ribbon of unease fluttered through her. What a difference a year makes. Something about that sentence didn’t sit well with her at the moment. Was it because Helen knew about Willow’s date to the wedding and Genevieve hadn’t? Because the sight of that new pearl necklace Helen had bought on her trip had given rise to Genevieve’s own green-eyed monster? Maybe because this wedding reception marked an ending for Genevieve as well as Tess and Jake’s new beginning?
Helen was right. The Raindrop Lodge project was officially done. Zach Throckmorton’s Independence Construction company had completed the last of the new cabins they’d planned for the resort earlier this month. The decorating was completed the previous week, just in time for the wedding guests’ arrival. The project that had brought Genevieve to Colorado was finished. Over. Kaput. The sands of its hourglass were empty.
Happy thoughts, mother of the groom. Happy thoughts. “I see champagne on ice. Why haven’t we broken into it?”
“Because when I asked you if you wanted a glass as we left the church, you said no.”
“And you listened to me?”
Genevieve reached for the bottle, but Helen slapped her hand. “It’s too late now. We’re turning into the entrance. We’ll be at the lodge before you can wrestle the cork free. Knowing your luck, the wine will spray, and we’ll both get wet. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to look doused and soused in the wedding pictures. Wait two minutes and get a glass from a passing waiter.”
Genevieve stuck out her tongue at Helen. She hated when her sister was right.
Helen sniffed. “I wouldn’t want that nasty thing in my mouth, either.”
The old saying from their childhood lifted Genevieve’s spirits, and she laughed. “Oh, Helen. I’m so happy for Jake.”
“I know. Me, too. So, who do you think is next in line? Lucas? Willow? Brooke?”
“Not Brooke. It’s too soon after the divorce. And Lucas? Who knows what goes on in his mind? He’s been running since the day he was born. I don’t know if he’ll ever settle down. And Willow?” Genevieve lifted her shoulders. “Sounds like you’re in a better position to know what’s going on in her mind than I am.”
“Now, Genevieve,” Helen chided.
“Don’t ‘now, Genevieve’ me.”
“You are in a strange mood, aren’t you? Well, I guess it’s your due. Your baby just got married. It’s natural for your emotions to be jumbled up.”
The car stopped in front of the lodge, and a waiting attendant opened the door. Genevieve looked up at the building and her pique melted away. Raindrop Lodge and its surrounding grounds looked lovely.
Festival lighting defined a party perimeter between the lodge and the lake. Round tables draped in the colors of the sunset surrounded a temporary dance floor. A string ensemble played softly in the background during this, the cocktail hour, and the dinner that would follow. Once dancing kicked off, a DJ would take over the music duties to boost the party atmosphere.
Genevieve got her glass of champagne and began to make the rounds greeting guests. The crowd skewed younger than at Willow’s and Brooke’s weddings, where the guest list had included more Prentice-family friends. Jake and Tess had invited a few Lake in the Clouds locals they’d gotten to know during their time here last spring, so Genevieve did know people. It was just a different wedding than previous family celebrations. She wasn’t throwing this wedding. She wasn’t the hostess. She was a guest. That’s how it should be with the bride and groom in their thirties, right?
Right.
So why did it make Genevieve feel like an old cow put out to pasture?
She was just being emotional, like Helen said. She needed to get over herself and enjoy the evening. The wedding party arrived and was introduced to much fanfare. Jake gave a little speech thanking everyone for coming, then he and Tess enjoyed their first dance.
“They’re a beautiful couple,” came a familiar voice from behind her.
Genevieve smiled genuinely as she turned toward Gage Throckmorton, who stood beside his son Zach. “Hello, you two. Aren’t they, though?”
Zach said, “Your whole family is looking mighty fine tonight.”
“Why, thank you, Zach.” Genevieve leaned over and gave his cheek a kiss. “By the way, you did a fabulous job with the dance floor. Jake and I took a practice spin on it last night. It’s smooth as can be.”
“I’m glad. I think a temporary dance floor is a wise investment for Raindrop. I’ll bet y’all develop quite a destination-wedding business after this. I know the folks in town are hoping to see that happen.”
Gage nodded his agreement. “They want Willow to stay around and manage that part of your enterprise. She’s been a rock star throughout these arrangements.”
“I heard that,” Willow said as she and Helen came up beside them. “The last thing I feel like right now is a rock star. Gage, I’ve been looking for you to thank you. I’m afraid we’d all still be lined up on the highway if you hadn’t been available to bail me out.”
“No thanks necessary,” Gage replied.
“Nelson Camarata and his nonsense needs to be stopped,” Helen snapped. “He gets my goat. You should do something about him, Gage.”
“Nah. I have my hands full with ranch business. Except for special circumstances like today, I let the town take care of itself.” Gage winked at Genevieve’s sister and added, “Why don’t you take him on? You could do it. It would be fun to watch. Oh, and by the way, welcome home, traveler. How was your trip?”
With that, Helen was off and running. By now, Genevieve also could describe the over-the-water bungalow where her sister had stayed in Bora-Bora. She could converse about the dozens—maybe hundreds—of types of fish Helen had seen while snorkeling. Genevieve knew all about the kayak trip and the booze cruise and scented lotion at the Tahitian resort. So when Willow, God bless her, interrupted to suggest they take their seats for dinner, Genevieve spontaneously reached out and hugged her.
Willow laughed. “Hungry, Mom?”
“Just wanted to congratulate you on a job well done.”
“Hold that thought until the end of the night. Knowing my luck, Mayor Camarata will decide to send the fire marshal out to check our sprinkler systems and shut down the kitchen during dinner service.”
“Don’t even go there.” Genevieve slipped her arm around her daughter’s waist and gave her a squeeze. “Now, I’m going to go have that steak I’ve been thinking about all week.”
Dinner proved to be as fabulous as billed and the company as pleasant. Since Genevieve’s children and grandchildren all participated in the wedding party, they were seated at the head table. At Genevieve’s table for eight, Willow had placed a lovely mix of Texas friends and new friends from Colorado. And Helen, of course.
So, Genevieve got to hear all about the snorkel trip yet again.
When Helen finally quit holding court, Gage turned to Genevieve and asked, “So, is Willow remaining in Lake in the Clouds after this, or is she returning to… where was it? Kentucky?”
“Tennessee. Nashville.” Genevieve took a sip of water. “I believe she plans to stay through the traditional end of the school year, even though she’s homeschooling Drew—successfully, I’ll add, which boggles my mind. What a lot of work that is! Anyway, what she has planned beyond Memorial Day, I’m not certain.”
“Man, it would be tough on you for her to take those grands and go after you’ve had them around for six months, wouldn’t it?”
“Definitely,” Genevieve replied honestly.
“When Zach’s brother got divorced and his ex took our little guy down to Durango, it liked to have killed me.” Gage lifted his water glass and took a sip. “Now I build my calendar around my opportunities to visit with him. Luckily, I only have to drive a couple of hours to see him. I would hate to be an airplane ride away from my grandson.”
Genevieve offered him a sympathetic smile. “It was awful, especially when the children were babies. They change so quickly.”
Gage’s gaze shifted toward Willow, who stood speaking to a server near the cake table. He said, “Well, maybe Willow will decide to stay in Lake in the Clouds and build a business as an event planner here. Hey, I have a great idea!” Gage lit up with a smile that was so filled with delight that Genevieve smiled back at him before he even shared his great idea. “Why don’t we hire her to plan our grand-opening shebang for The Emily?”
“Oh.” Genevieve’s smile froze as the old Yogi Berra quote flittered through her mind. It’s déjà vu all over again.
A little over a year ago, in what her family had come to call her great getaway, Genevieve had fled her life in Texas to make a new one in Colorado. She had thrown herself into the renovation of the Raindrop Lodge project—and then her son had shown up to “help.”
Now, her partner in the only other truly interesting thing she had going in her life—the theater renovation—wanted to, in effect, turn that over to Genevieve’s daughter. And she couldn’t refuse without looking like a bad mother!
“That would be fabulous,” she replied, keeping her smile on her face—barely—as her steak turned into an anvil in her stomach.
“Yeah, wouldn’t it?”
He was so proud of himself. Genevieve was suddenly reminded of David. Men could be so clueless sometimes.
She was glad for the distraction of the speeches and the mother-son dance. After that, the party began in earnest.
The playlist was a nice mix of current tunes and classic, pop, country, and universal appeal. Gage asked her to dance to Frank Sinatra’s “Summer Wind,” and Genevieve allowed herself three minutes to do nothing more than enjoy the sensation of once again being in an attractive man’s arms.
Her sister’s words from earlier drifted through her mind. Did she want a “yet” with Gage Throckmorton? It was a lovely thought… but an intimidating one, too. It had been a long time for her.
The dance put Genevieve in a mellow mood. As Gage escorted her back to their table, her gaze sought out each of her children in the crowd. First, Jake and Tess, because Tess was now one of hers. Next, Willow stood on the dance floor with Emma and Drew, the trio holding hands as they danced to the change-of-tempo “Shout.” Genevieve spied Lucas holding court over a bevy of females near the bar. It took her a moment to locate Brooke, but she finally spotted her with friends from Texas at the photo booth.
Her chicks were all doing okay. They’d all abandoned the nest and, despite a damaged wing or two, were still flying.
And, hang it all, she was flying, too.
Gage excused himself after returning her to their table. No sooner had he departed than Helen all but shoved a fresh glass of champagne into Genevieve’s hand. “Here—we’re going to drink to my new project.”
“Your new project?” Genevieve asked. “What new project?”
“I’m going to get us our stop sign.”
“Good. How do you plan to do that?”
“Gage gave me the idea. He told me to take on Nelson, and that’s exactly what I will do.”
“Take on Nelson Camarata?”
“Yes. My next project. I’m going to run for mayor! The election is in August.”
Genevieve gaped at her sister.
“I’m going to run on an anti-nepotism platform and promise that my first act as mayor will be to rid our city government of everyone with ties to the old goat.”
“There won’t be anyone left.”
“Precisely.” Helen clinked her flute with Genevieve’s and beamed a high-wattage smile. “It’s really too bad that tomorrow is Sunday. First thing Monday morning, I’m going to go to the courthouse and file my paperwork.”
“That’s wonderful, Helen.”
Helen was going to run for mayor. Helen had a new project.
“You’ll make a great mayor.” Genevieve reached over and gave her sister a hug. Then, speaking into her ear because the music volume had increased with a new song, she added, “I’ll be right back. Gonna run to the ladies’.”
She rose and left before Helen could get a good look at her eyes. Instead of turning toward the lodge and the restrooms, she headed for the lake.
