Beach House Reunion (Beach House #5)(78)

Cara smiled, remembering.

Toy cleared her throat and stepped closer. “Cara, would you be interested in the position?”

Cara wasn’t prepared for that question. “As conservation director?”

“Yes.”

Cara blinked. “This is so sudden. So unexpected.”

“Is it? You know how much the PR department and Kevin have appreciated all your ideas about the campaign for Big Girl.”

“They’ve done a great job with it.”

“It’s wildly successful. You’re like a never-ending font of ideas. It’s just what the position needs. And you’re an excellent public speaker.”

“More a salesperson,” Cara said with a wry grin.

“Don’t shortchange yourself. I’d say you know how to deliver a message.”

“Isn’t it a full-time position?”

“Yes. For the first few months while you launch it, I suspect it will be time and a half.”

Cara brought her fingertips to her lips and began tapping in thought. “I have to admit, I’ve been dreaming about coming back to work at an aquarium. I miss being around the ambience. But to be totally honest, Toy,” she said, “I’m building my own clientele as a consultant. In fact, I’ve just taken on a new client. I’ve worked hard this summer. I’d have to think long and hard about that.” She turned to look at Big Girl swimming in an endless circle in the tank. She felt like she was swimming with her, going around and around the same questions endlessly, eager for release. “And there’s Hope. I left the aquarium in Tennessee to come home and raise Hope. This would mean going back to work full-time. I have to consider this very carefully.”

“Of course.” Toy paused. “Cara, just for the record. You know I’m working full-time, and I’ll be having a new baby in the fall. You can make it work. Lots of us do.” She grinned. “Want to know the secret of being a happy mother?”

Cara laughed. “Of course.”

“If mama is happy, the family is happy. It’s that simple. And there’s no one way to make mama happy. Stay-at-home or working mother, there’s lots of struggling to be organized and moments of exasperation and exhaustion.” She rolled her eyes. “Lots of those. But there are so many more moments of joy and satisfaction. It’s all about quality time when you’re home. Turning off the TV and sharing. That’s one of the lessons that Big Girl taught me. You keep swimming forward, pushing hard, but at the same time, you appreciate each moment.”

Cara said, “Is this a serious proposition, or are we just chewing the fat?”

Toy smiled. “I’ve been authorized to talk to you and make the offer. Kevin is waiting for you in his office whenever you’re ready. But, Cara, don’t wait too long.”



CARA CAME TO a stop before the imposing black wrought-iron gate that blocked the driveway to her old home on Tradd. Linnea had told her about the gate. It was handsome, true, but also a pain in the neck. She rolled down her window and punched the intercom button. Then she waited. It was hot outdoors, and she was losing air-conditioning.

“Hello?”

“Palmer, it’s me. Cara.”

There was a pause; then she heard a click, and the big gates swung open. She parked and made her way along the familiar path through Julia’s gorgeous garden. She spotted Palmer waiting for her at the door, a grin on his face.

“Alert the news! Cara Rutledge deigned to make an appearance at her brother’s house!”

She gave her brother a kiss. “It’s so hot—why would I come to the city? You should hightail it to the beach. These are the days our forefathers built the summer homes for. To escape!”

“I wish, sister. Some of us aren’t so lucky to live on an island.”

“You could,” she shot back with a nudge. “You have a house on Sullivan’s.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, dismissing the discussion about the rental house they’d had so many times before. “I’m about to fix some lunch. You hungry?”

She shook her head. “No, thanks. I’ll eat when I get home. I was in town at the aquarium and thought I’d stop by.”

“Glad you did.” He looked at her with affection. “Real glad. I’ve missed you. Iced tea?”

She smiled and felt her heart expand for him. “Love some.”

“It’s not as good as yours, of course. Julia only makes the unsweetened tea.” He patted his belly. “She thinks it’s going to make a difference.” He laughed and shook his head. “I try to humor her where I can.”

She girded her nerves for what she was about to say. She waited until the tea was poured and they sat together at the big scrubbed wood table in the kitchen like they did when they were children.

Cara let her gaze sweep the kitchen of the great old house with its wooden beams, heart-pine floors, and brick fireplace. “I’m so glad that when Julia redecorated the house, she didn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

“Nah,” Palmer said, resting his elbows on the table and lacing his fingers. “She has more sense than that. Plus Mama would never have allowed it. She was still alive and kicking when most of the work was done.” He paused, squinting his eyes. “I still miss her.”