The Country Guesthouse (Sullivan's Crossing #5)(62)

“That’s right! Do you know when?”

“Before noon, I’m sure,” he said. “Sheila and my sister remained good friends.”

“You were right,” she said. “I really like Sheila. I hope we can also keep in touch as friends.”

He pulled her on top of him. “She’s remained friends with her ex-husband all these years so I like your chances. She’s obviously very tolerant. Let’s put the coffee on and see what kind of a day we have.”

Owen got busy in the kitchen. Hannah and Sheila took their coffee to the front porch and let Romeo wander around the yard. The kids were soon making noise in the kitchen and Lucas escaped to the porch. He informed them Owen was making pancakes and eggs. “There’s food coloring involved,” he said.

It was ten o’clock before everyone had eaten, showered, dressed and was ready to talk about the day ahead, but a car drove up and gave a horn a toot. Hannah just watched as Sheila recognized the occupants at once and let out a shriek of joy, covering her face with her hands. She ran to the vehicle as people started to emerge. An elderly lady, a woman about Sheila’s age, and three kids embraced Sheila, then raced toward Owen. They were sidetracked by the dog and hugged him instead. Then Sheila’s kids rushed to the kids from the car. Lots of hugging followed—it was clearly a reunion.

Owen put an arm across Hannah’s shoulders. “The rest of the family,” he said. “My mom, Janet; my sister, Mary; nieces, Susanne and Korby; nephew, James. My brother-in-law wasn’t able to come, but you’ll meet him soon, I promise. They’re just here for the day. I wanted you to meet them and they all wanted to see Sheila, Lucas and the kids. We’re a very strange and large extended family.”

She looked up into Owen’s eyes. “You’re magical, that’s what you are.”

  It was a very full day of storytelling, eating, playing, getting acquainted and general catching up. For much of the day the women were either sitting on the porch talking or in the kitchen putting together potato salad, deviled eggs, a veggie platter and condiments while Owen and Lucas had the kids either fishing or in the lake swimming. It was still pretty early when Owen and Lucas lit the grill and a feast of hamburgers and hot dogs was served. Everyone crammed around the big dining table.

The sun had barely begun its downward path when Mary rounded up her mother and kids to make the drive back to Denver. The day quieted quickly after that as the exhausted kids got showered and settled in front of a movie, Owen and Lucas sat at the dining table and played cribbage, and Hannah and Sheila sat outside in the deepening shadows.

“Full disclosure, I suggested to Owen that we invite you to stay and we could form a commune,” Hannah said. “I’m really going to miss you. How crazy is that? My guy’s ex has become one of my favorite people?”

Sheila laughed. “And you’re one of mine, but a commune is not in our future. Please don’t say anything in front of the kids, but we’re going to make a change. It could take as long as a year, but we’ll be relocating the foundation and the advocacy to DC. I’ve been asked to serve on a national council for children’s safety. It’ll give us a greater reach into the national network of child advocacy and it will make me a full-time activist. I’m ready. Plus, all the national lawmakers are there and I plan to be their worst nightmare.”

“That’s so exciting! Are you looking forward to moving?” Hannah asked.

“I am. Lucas has a lot of family around Southern California so he’s a little unsure, but he wants to grow the foundation and this is the most practical way to do it. I’m sure the girls will have trouble with the change but in the end it will be good for them. It will add experiences to their lives. But what about you, Hannah? What are you and Noah going to do?”

“I’ve never been happier than I have been since we’ve been here and Noah is doing so well, but my work is in Minneapolis. And even though Owen wants us to stay and says he isn’t worried about whether I work, I don’t know what I’ll do without work. It’s not just the income, it’s the feeling that I’m doing something useful, that I’m contributing. Not that being Noah’s mother isn’t useful...”

Sheila laughed. “You don’t have to explain to me of all people. Mothering is a blessing and rewarding, but you should have something to give yourself to. Something you’re not giving to someone else but filling your own well.”

“Owen talks about his well a lot,” she said. “I’ve been helping him in the shop—transferring pictures onto other mediums. It’s fun but I don’t know if it would keep my interest over the long term.”

“You know what Owen really needs? A business manager,” Sheila said. “Someone with PR experience who could set up shows for his work, keep the books, write press releases, make his travel arrangements, interact with his agent and publisher, help him sell his work. I bet his financial books are a wreck by now—I used to take care of all his billing and receivables. He used to keep everything in a leather binder, completely disorganized...”

“He’s almost paperless now,” Hannah said. “I’m a little reluctant to get into his personal business.”

“That’s not personal,” Sheila said. “It’s his business and it has many very bothersome details from his corporation to his taxes and pension. And he hates it. Owen was made to wander with a camera and dream. He’s not practical and he doesn’t like practicality. He’d be happiest if he could just take pictures.”