An excerpt from A Family Affair: The Plan
Mimi Pendergrass had welcomed a lot of visitors to the Heart Sent over the years, and each had brought their own unique personality to the bed-and-breakfast. Some were guarded, and skeptical, some chatty, others lovelorn and confused. She’d like to think the bed-and-breakfast had provided a safe haven for them, and the meals she’d shared with each one had been comforting, perhaps even enlightening. Pop told her that while he might not be the Godfather of Magdalena any longer and she may never have taken that title, they both still had work to do.
We’ve been walking this earth a long time, Mimi, he’d said. And we know a thing or three about what makes a solid relationship and how a person can have every material good in the world, but if he isn’t at peace with who he is and what he stands for, he’s emptier than a dried gourd. It’s our job to help who we can, listen, and, if necessary, give a gentle nudge so they can figure out how to get where they need to be,
So very true.
Her newest challenge sat across from her at the moment, devouring fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies. Nothing like chocolate chip cookies and a cold glass of hibiscus tea to make a person smile and drop their guard. And that’s exactly why she’d set the plate on the table in front of Sam. The boy used to be lighthearted, talkative, happy, but since he’d returned to Magdalena with a chip on his shoulder the size of a watermelon, there hadn’t been a spec of anything close to “happy” in his words. As for “talking”, it went no further than discussions on house renovations, dogs and cats, and his preference for deep dish pizza over thin crust. Mimi had tried to push a bit further into the personal area, but he wouldn’t budge. Not yet, but she wasn’t giving up on him.
The young man had taken a few missteps in the “family and relationship” area, trusted the wrong person, turned his back on his family…become someone he didn’t recognize. That didn’t mean he shouldn’t have another chance to get it right, but darn it all, he had to stop punishing himself for his past choices. Not many men would have been able to see through the dazzle and movie-star beauty of a woman who insisted she only wanted to make him happy. What a shame Sam didn’t realize what she really meant was I’ll TELL you what makes you happy.
But there came a time when a person had to accept what had happened and forgive himself for his part in it. And maybe open his heart to the possibility of finding someone who didn’t define happiness for him but who actually cared about making him happy. Now that would be a sight and a blessing. Mimi would always remember this afternoon when Sam’s “blessing” walked into the Heart Sent. Tall, elegant, auburn hair pulled into a chignon, hazel eyes. Oh, she was a looker, and talk about class? Even without the pearls and silk shirt, there was an air about her that clung to a person like her citrus scent when she walked into a room.
The next thirty days at the Heart Sent would be very interesting. Mimi smiled, extended a hand toward the woman. “You must be Hope. Why don’t you set your luggage aside and join us in the kitchen for a snack?”
“Thank you, Mrs. Pendergrass.” The firm handshake exuded confidence and a certain air about her.
“Please, call me Mimi. The other guest is in the kitchen. I told him while you’re here we’ll be taking meals in the dining room.” She laughed, shook her head. “He insisted cookies and iced tea aren’t a meal.” Another laugh, a sigh. “Chocolate chip. Fresh out of the oven. We best get in there before he eats all the cookies!”
The split-second hesitation and the look on the woman’s face indicated she didn’t know if Mimi was serious or joking. “I don’t want to interrupt anything. If you—”
Mimi waved a hand toward the direction of the kitchen. “Goodness, you aren’t interrupting anything. Sam and I welcome a newcomer.” The new guest entered the kitchen first, giving Mimi a perfect view of what happened next. Sam glanced up from his phone, and there was no denying the split-second interest and surprise as he took in the new guest. But if one weren’t watching, they would have missed that interest as he cleared his throat, pushed back his chair and stood. “Hi, I’m Sam Harrington, Mimi’s long-term guest.” No smile. No humor. Just fact.
Hope hadn’t moved from her position next to the kitchen table. Mimi stepped around her, darted a glance at her face. Was the woman uncomfortable? Nervous? Maybe shy? Or was that uncomfortable look something else? Time would tell and Mimi would be here to witness it.
“Hope Newland.” The full lips pulled into an almost smile. “I’m here for the next thirty days.” She turned to Mimi, spoke in a quiet but serious voice. “Are we the only guests?”
Ah, she did not seem pleased with that possibility. Now why would that be? Mimi nodded, gestured to the chair next to Sam. “Indeed, you are. I’d say you have the best of both worlds. Not too much commotion, enough quiet to hear your thoughts, and you and I will have quite a bit of time to talk about the Heart Sent.”
The almost smile inched wider, her features relaxed. “I do look forward to that.”
No missing the culture in this woman’s voice, or the way Sam studied her as though he’d been assessing and analyzing the woman since she stepped into the dining room. What would that assessment look like? Mimi hoped he didn’t place Hope Newland in the same category as his ex-wife because not every beautiful, sophisticated woman had a selfish, cruel streak. Of course, Sam might not consider that, but then again, he might be drawn in by the woman’s beauty, no matter how hard he tried to fight it.
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