Mindy pointed to her laptop on the end table beside her. “I’m a computer analyst for a company in Silicon Valley. Usually I can only escape up here for weekends, and I much prefer Moonwater Lake to the busy city.”
“I’ve lived all over with my mom,” said Shelby. “I know what you mean about big cities. Recently, we were in Las Vegas.”
“Not the friendliest city. Are you living here permanently now?” she asked.
Shelby shrugged. “We’ve never lived anywhere permanently. My mom is traveling with her boyfriend while I stay here for the summer.”
“Parents can definitely be difficult sometimes,” Mindy said. “Mine are very traditional. They want me back in Palo Alto closer to the family. They think it's crazy I’m recovering up here. Last year I redecorated the cottage and made the place my own. It’s quiet, peaceful, and beautiful. And the local grocery store delivers."
Shelby liked the way Mindy had designed the house. Filtered sunlight from the windows flickered across the dark wood floors, setting off the mocha colored walls and colorful furniture. “How long have you been coming here?” Shelby asked.
“Before my life became all about going to an Ivy League college, obtaining a high paying job, and meeting the right man, my parents would take us up here to the lake. It’s only a few hours’ drive from the Bay Area. Some of my best memories as a kid were here.”
Shelby wasn’t surprised to hear how different Mindy’s childhood had been from her own. She tried to imagine what it would’ve been like to have a wonderful family that took vacations together and cared about their daughter’s future. “My mom brought me here a few times to see my grandparents, but we never stayed long.”
“Well now you have all summer to have fun,” Mindy said.
Shelby hoped so. "Please let me know anything I can do," she said, getting to her feet. "My grandma drives if you need us for an appointment or something.” Maybe Alice would be up to leaving the house if Mindy needed them. It could be just the thing to motivate her grandmother. She loved helping people too.
"Thanks a lot. I'll keep that in mind. You go ahead and enjoy your day. Back on Monday, I hope?"
"Sure thing,” Shelby said. She gave Karma one last pet and closed the door behind her. On her walk home she thought about how she would be making real money now for the first time ever. If she saved most of it, her dream of going to college in a couple of years could become a reality.
Out on the lake she admired the multitude of boats, showing off their colored sails for June’s Race Week. Temperatures were rising, and a cool swim would feel great. She'd love to go down to the beach, but she really hated the thought of those girls. And the awful bathing suit that she'd thrown away left her no choice now but to go home and do something else. She skipped up the front steps and entered the living room. Her grandmother was still sitting in the same recliner with Scarlett curled up next to her.
“How did it go?” Alice asked.
Shelby took a chair opposite her grandmother. “It was great. Karma is an energetic girl! After our walk we went into town for ice cream and I met Steph and Josh, the new owners of Redd’s.”
"Oh, they're such lovely people, "Alice said. “And I do enjoy their ice cream. Maybe I'll walk down there with you one night. They're open late on weekends."
"Would you? How about tomorrow?" Shelby said. She really wanted to see her grandmother get out and was up for anything that would encourage her, especially ice cream. “I want to try one of their specialty ice cream sodas. They look amazing.”
“Soon,” Alice said. She lay back in the chair and her eyes drifted shut.
"There are so many dogs in town," Shelby said, hoping to keep Alice’s attention. "Steph and Josh’s corgi, Oscar, is adorable and they hired me to walk him. I now have two clients. And…I met Trevor and his service Buddy. He’s going to tell the veterans in town about my business, too.”
“Congratulations,” Alice said, a smile lighting up her face. “I remember Buddy. A golden retriever, right?”
Shelby nodded.
“Your grandpa knew them,” Alice said. “A very productive day for you. We should celebrate. How about I cook a special dinner tonight?”
“I can help,” Shelby said. Then with a wry smile she said, “And