offered programs to keep her children occupied al day.
Only a little over a week ago that camp had closed when
Olivia’s ex-in-laws had sold the property to Mac and that
freaky earthquake had turned Bottomless Lake into the
ninth wonder of the world.
She stil had a job because a smal army of scientists
had replaced the campers, but now there weren’t any
organized activities for her children. And that meant this
was no longer a safe environment for the twins, and she
couldn’t in good conscience draw a salary when she’d have
to spend her time watching out for them instead of working.
And besides, she real y wasn’t needed anymore, since
several of Inglenook’s original staff from town were looking
after the scientists renting the cabins.
Dammit to hel , she needed this job!
What she didn’t need was to look out her kitchen window
every morning at her flooded gravel pit, especial y now that
she actual y had a chance to make money off it. Duncan
MacKeage had come to see her yesterday, but not finding
her home, he’d left his card tucked in her door with a note
on the back saying he wanted to speak to her about buying
gravel for Mac and Olivia’s resort road. Except most of the
pit was underwater thanks to that stupid fiord, and the Land
Use Regulatory Commission was pretty strict about
disturbing ground near a lake.
Peg wiped her eyes for the hundredth time since she’d
left Peter and Jacob with Bil y’s mom, and tried to take a
deep, steadying breath. Only she wasn’t surprised when
she failed yet again, considering she hadn’t taken a ful
breath since Bil y had died. Damn, she was tired of holding
it al together al by herself. She’d been fresh out of high
school when she’d signed on for happily-ever-after, never
dreaming she’d end up sleeping in an empty bed every
night and raising four children al by herself.
Not that she’d give one of them up, not even for al
the money in the world. Because what good was having
gobs of money if she didn’t have kids to take to the
Drunken Moose for Vanetta’s infamous cinnamon buns? Or
to dress in beautiful clothes that didn’t come from the thrift
shop? And what good was being able to stop driving al the
way to Mil inocket to spend her food stamps so no one in
town would know how desperate she was, if she didn’t have
children to worry about being—
Peg gave a startled yelp when the passenger door
opened and Olivia slid into the opposite seat.
“Sorry,” her friend murmured, folding her hands on her lap
and staring out the windshield. “I just wanted to see what
you found so fascinating that you’ve been sitting out here
for over ten minutes staring at the lodge.”
Peg buried her face in her hands and burst into tears.
“Hey!” Olivia cried, turning Peg to face her. “Have you
been out here crying al this time? Peggy!” she growled,
giving her a shake. “What’s wrong?”
“I … I have to quit my job.”
Olivia reared back in surprise. “Why?” She gasped. “Is
this about that little incident on Saturday? Because real y,
you had every right to go after Duncan MacKeage like you
did.”
“It wasn’t a littleincident; it was a violent and utterly
embarrassing attack.” Peg held up her hand to stop Olivia
from responding. “It was also a rude awakening. I can’t
work here now that Inglenook doesn’t have programs for
Peter and Jacob, or for Charlotte and Isabel once school
gets out. I can’t keep asking the girls to watch the boys,
because that’s not fair to any of them, and I can’t watch
them and do my job at the same time.”
“Then we’l come up with another plan.”
Peg shook her head. “I spent al weekend trying to
figure something out, and the only solution I came up with is
for me to quit.” She grasped Olivia’s hand. “And you don’t
real y need me anymore. You have enough staff to look
after the scientists.”
Olivia reversed their grip, giving Peg’s hand a squeeze.
“But you know I have to take Sophie to California so she
can donate bone marrow to little Riley, and I was counting
on youto look after Inglenook for me.” She blew out a sigh.
“Because Mac’s decided we’re making a road trip out of it
instead of flying. He wants Henry and Sophie to start feeling
like the four of us are a real family.”
“That’s wonderful,” Peg said more brightly than she was
feeling.
Olivia pointed to the right of the lodge. “Do you see the
nose of that … that bussticking out past the side of the
garage? That’s my wedding present from Mac, and for the
next two months it’s going to be my home.” She leaned
closer. “I swear it cost more than a house. Hel , half the
wal s slide out on either side, making it twice as wide when
we’re parked for the night. And it has granite countertops
and marble floors, two bathrooms, a washer and dryer, and
three televisions. Three! Why would anyone need three
televisions—al hooked up to satel ite, I might add—in an
RV?”
“Oh, Olivia, that’s wonderful. You’re going to see
America.”
“I can’t live in a bus for two months! I’l go nuts.”
“But it’s every mother’s dream to take her children on a
road trip across America. Think of al Henry and Sophie wil
experience.” Peg gave what she hoped was a cheeky
smile. “And I can’t imagine a better way to stay up close
and personal with your sexy new husband.”
“Are you insane?” Olivia whispered, looking horrified. “If I
don’t kil Mac before we reach the Mississippi River, I’l
probably shove him into the Grand Canyon.” She sighed
again, shaking her head. “I know it’s going to be an exciting
adventure, but I real y don’t want to leave Inglenook that
long.” She leaned back against her door, waving at the
windshield. “I just final y got this place al to myself; why in
hel would I want to leave it for two whole months?”
“Maybe because the farthest you’ve been from
Spel bound Fal s in over eleven years is Bangor?” Peg
pointed at her friend, shooting Olivia her I-mean-business
scowl. “The day after school gets out you are leaving in that
RV if I have to tie you to the roof.”
“Actual y, we’re leaving this Saturday. I’m pul ing Sophie
out of school early because Riley’s transplant is scheduled
for three weeks from now—which is why you can’t quit. I
need you here to hold down the fort so I actual y have a
home to return to.” She went very stil . “Wait, I know; we can
hire someone to watch your kids. There are plenty of
women around who’d love a job, and with your being right
here you won’t have to worry about what your little tribe of
heathens might be up to.”
Peg was shaking her head before Olivia even
finished. “Too much of my salary would have to go toward a
babysitter to make it worthwhile.”
“I’l pay her salary.”
Peg glared at her. “Nothing’s changed from two weeks
ago when I stormed up here to tel you that I’m not a charity
case. I’m not drawing a ful salary and getting free daycare
just because youcan afford it.” Feeling her face flush
with … with … dammit, she wasn’t a charity case! Peg
reached down and started the engine. “I’ve done what I
came here to do, so please get out of my van.”
“Peg,” Olivia whispered.
Peg pul ed her seat belt across her lap and snapped it
shut. “You can put my paycheck in the mail.”
Silence fil ed the van but for the uneven rattle of its
engine, until Olivia quietly got out and softly closed the door.
Peg slowly pul ed onto Inglenook’s main lane then pressed