no need to be. I know I’m slowing down. I don’t have the stamina I had when I was seventy, but that’s to be expected. I’m fine, dear, really. Just wearing out, and that happens to all of us if we live long enough.”
“I’d feel better if the doctor said you were fine.”
“I tell you what, I’ll go later this fall if it will make you happy.”
“You could go now and get it checked off your to-do list. That would really make me happy.”
“It’s not on my to-do list. It’s on yours.”
Jenna frowned.
“Now, don’t fuss. I’m fine. I’ll go after tourist season is over. Right now I’m too busy.”
Taking care of all of them, baking cookies for their guests at the Driftwood. “We could manage without cookies for a day,” Jenna said.
“No we couldn’t. It’s a tradition now. Stop worrying, dear. Worry gives you wrinkles, and it doesn’t accomplish anything.”
It certainly wasn’t getting Jenna anywhere with her aunt.
“I’ll be fine. Let’s talk instead about you. When are you and Brody going to get engaged? I’ve been ready to throw you an engagement party for the last year.”
“Soon, I promise,” Jenna said.
“I hope so,” said Aunt Edie. “I don’t want to have to keep worrying about you.”
“You don’t need to,” Jenna assured her. “Anyway, worrying gives you wrinkles.”
Aunt Edie wagged a finger at her. “You are a saucy thing.”
Brody returned at that moment, bringing a movie he’d rented from Redbox that he thought Aunt Edie would enjoy.
“Oh, a movie about crooks. I do love those,” Aunt Edie said happily.
“I figured you girls would be too tired to do much of anything,” he said.
“You are the best, Brody,” Aunt Edie told him.
Yes, he was. And they really did need to oblige Aunt Edie and hurry up and make what they had official.
* * *
Courtney turned the sign in the window of Beach Babes to Closed. Her first month in business had been great.
The old saying, be careful what you wish for, came to mind. She was paying the price for success. She was exhausted and, even though she’d rather have her toes cut off than admit it, a little overwhelmed. Dealing with suppliers and having no real day off was turning her into a zombie. Her designs were selling beyond her wildest dreams but keeping up with demand was a bit of a nightmare. Her seamstresses were sewing like mad and so was she, but it felt like trying to bail water from the Titanic with a teacup. When she wasn’t in the shop she was sewing or working on the website and filling online orders.
“You’ll have to hire more people,” Jenna had told her. “Really, you should be home sewing and designing instead of being in the shop all the time. Anyone can ring up a sale. You’re the only one who can design a dress. It’s a little like running a motel. You get someone else to clean the rooms so you can manage the bookings.”
Of course, Jenna was right. CEOs of big companies didn’t man the phones. She was going to have to hire and delegate. She decided to drop by Brody’s real estate office and tell him the new plan. She wanted to give him a progress report, anyway.
She found him in his office, visiting with Taylor Marsh, his star agent.
“Hi Courtney,” Taylor greeted her. “Sorry I didn’t make it to your grand opening. I had an open house that day. I’m going to get in though,” she hurried on.
“No worries,” Courtney said. Taylor had her own career to work plus a husband and daughter. Courtney wasn’t keeping score.
She turned to Brody. “I came by to tell you that we’ve had an awesome first...whoa, what is that?” She pointed to the open ring box on the desk.
“I was just showing Taylor,” he began.
“For Jenna?” As if she had to ask.
He nodded and grinned.
“I saw him come in with it and demanded to see it,” Taylor said. “It’s about time.”
“Hey, it’s not my fault it’s taken so long,” he said. His face was lit up like Times Square and he looked like a little boy on Christmas morning who’d gotten everything he’d asked for.
Courtney picked it up and examined it. The ring was white gold, with a princess cut diamond surrounded by twinkling round diamonds. It was dazzling.
“Where are my sunglasses?” she joked.
“Think she’ll like it?” Brody asked.
“I already told him she would but he doesn’t believe me,” Taylor said.
“Oh, yeah,” Courtney handed it back. “If she doesn’t I’ll