The Country Guesthouse (Sullivan's Crossing #5)(57)

“Noah can’t be on that dock without an adult. With his braces and heavy shoes—he’ll sink like a rock,” Owen said. “And he has. Romeo knocked him in the first day he was here.”

“Jenny and Amber can swim. A little,” Sheila said.

“I’ve got plenty of life jackets. And fishing poles. When the weather warms up tomorrow afternoon, we can all fish and get wet,” Owen replied.

Owen had been thinking ahead and had a spaghetti casserole ready for dinner. Kids always loved spaghetti. By the time that was devoured, all three kids were in need of baths or showers, so dirty and gamey from play. By the time they were in pajamas, the dishes were done and Owen had lit the fire in the yard. The three kids were inside sharing the couch in front of a movie.

Now the conversation among the adults was quieter. Relaxed.

“I love this place so much,” Sheila said. “Owen, how do you get any work done?”

“Living like this is the only way to get anything done. There’s no unnecessary pressure, the weather cooperates more than not, it’s moderate year-round and there aren’t a lot of people to distract me.”

“And you enjoy your own company,” Sheila reflected.

“Lately I just put up with my own company. Hannah has been helping me mat pictures and frame and even do some photo editing and I’ve found working with someone is pretty great, too.”

“But how does Hannah like that?” Sheila asked, looking at Hannah.

“It’s fun,” she said. “It gives me something to do. I have to think about working again. I’ve been on family leave since March.”

“And what’s your line of work?” Sheila asked.

“Sales,” Hannah said, then went on to explain her product and territory. “I like sales and I’m good at it, but I’m a little bored with it after a dozen years. I’m a sales manager now so I’m not in the field as much. I manage sales reps.”

“What’s that like?”

“They’re all young men so it’s a little like herding cats. And a whole lot of paperwork,” Hannah said. “The upside is I don’t have to constantly worry about my commissions and sales figures, but the downside is I have to worry about the sales figures of the whole team. I make more money on a salary than I did as a sales rep. But I have to run herd on a bunch of men with a lot of personality.”

“Are they successful?” Lucas asked.

“They are,” Hannah said. “And also rambunctious. I feel like a housemother sometimes.”

Sheila laughed. “Great training for inheriting a son!”

“I guess so,” she said. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

  They had three days of fun before Victoria’s visit. When the men had the kids in the lake, Hannah and Sheila went into town for a little tour and lunch. Hannah asked Sheila if she was up to company and Sheila said she was, so Hannah called Sierra and Leigh and they all met at the pub. When Sheila explained who she was and the reason for her visit, Sierra and Leigh were fascinated that exes could be so friendly.

The next day Hannah took Sheila on a hike and they visited Helen at the Crossing. Helen quizzed Sheila more about her work. The kids swam and caught fish, ran and played all day and ended each day with dinner cooked by Lucas and Owen, then a movie for the kids and a fire for the adults.

“And tomorrow is Victoria,” Hannah said. “Even though the judge promised her visit would have no impact on our custody arrangement, I’m nervous.”

“And I have some news,” Owen said. “My sister called and when I told her Sheila and family were here, she invoked sister rights. Mary is coming the day after tomorrow. Just for the day, with at least the kids and maybe her husband, too.”

“That will be wonderful,” Sheila said. “Have you met Owen’s sister yet? She’s fantastic!”

“This family,” Hannah said. “You are so remarkable! I have two half sisters I can’t even get along with and rarely even talk to. And the reason I have Noah is that Erin and her mother had been estranged for years. Yet you guys—after all you’ve been through...”

“We’re very lucky to be good friends,” Sheila said. “Maybe it’s because of losing Brayden. We couldn’t waste energy on divorce squabbles. It was like that was the least of our problems. We had more serious concerns. We had no idea what our lives would look like without being together, without Brayden. What will your life look like, Hannah?”

She closed her eyes to think. “I keep trying to see it and all I see is sunshine on the lake, snow on the mountains, deer in the yard.” She opened her eyes. “I can hear Noah and Owen laughing together so I know they’re part of my new life but I don’t know what work I’ll do or where I’ll find the instincts I’ll need to raise Noah, but he’s there in my future everywhere I look.

“When I think about Noah facing Victoria, I feel a lot of warrior tendencies.”

Sheila laughed. “That’s a good sign. For you, not necessarily for Victoria.”

“I can’t fail Noah now,” Hannah said.

“You won’t. Listen to that quiet inside voice and trust it. If you start to smell an ill wind, wrap your strong mother arms around him and keep him safe. When and if that time comes, you’ll make all the right choices.” She smiled and squeezed Hannah’s hand. “I’m so glad Owen found you. And I can’t wait to meet Victoria,” Sheila said. “Are you sure it’s all right that we’re here? We can take the kids on some outing for a while, just to give you privacy.”