An Invincible Summer (Wyndham Beach) Mariah Stewart (best classic books to read TXT) 📖

I love your company.” Maggie had expected the call, had hoped Grace wouldn’t go back to her house, where she’d probably lock herself in and try to disappear for a while. It wasn’t healthy, and it wasn’t necessary. Grace hadn’t done anything to deserve the negative attention she’d been getting. At least at Maggie’s there was someone to talk to and someone to make sure she ate something healthy at least once a day, because a mom never stopped being a mom.

Besides, Maggie had a few thoughts on what Grace’s next move might be. She was hoping to be able to steer her in that direction.

“So what’s going on, Mom?” Natalie had come into the kitchen around one on Saturday afternoon, an hour earlier than Maggie had expected her.

“Oh, you’re early. That’s fine. Grace is upstairs. Will you call her for me? I just have to put some coffee on.” Maggie suspected before the day was over—and depending on how her plan was received—wine would be more appropriate, but for now, coffee would serve just fine.

“Where do you want us?” Grace came into the kitchen, followed by her sister.

“I think in here is fine.” Maggie pointed to the alcove with the built-in banquette and the harvest table she and Art had found at a barn sale five years ago. It had languished in the basement until the kitchen renovation had been completed. With its plush bench cushions and view of the bird feeders hanging from shepherd’s hooks on the deck, the cozy nook was one of Maggie’s favorite places.

Maggie poured coffee, placed cream and sugar on the table along with a plate of brownies she’d made the night before.

“Must be serious.” Natalie selected a brownie and placed it on a napkin she retrieved from its holder. “Mom’s bringing out the chocolate.”

“It is serious. But before I tell you why I wanted us to get together, I just want to say how much I love you both.”

“We love you, too, Mom.” Grace helped herself to a brownie, immediately biting into it. “Yum.”

“Mom, you’re not sick, are you?” Natalie gripped the edge of the table anxiously.

“No, no. I just want you to remember that and know that whatever decisions I’ve made over the past week, I’ve made with the best interests of this family in mind.”

Grace and Natalie exchanged a questioning look.

“You already told us you’re selling the firm to George,” Natalie said. “And we’re fine with that.”

“What I didn’t tell you is that I’ve decided to sell the house as well.” There. She’d put it out there. Maggie studied the expressions on both daughters’ faces.

Natalie frowned. “What house?”

Before Maggie could respond, Grace said, “Wait. This house?” A look of disbelief crossed Grace’s face. “You want to sell this house? The house we grew up in?”

Maggie nodded. “Yes. This house.”

“Why?” Natalie looked stunned. “Why would you do that?”

“It’s because of me, isn’t it? Because of the big scandal about me, you had to sell Dad’s firm, and now you want to sell the house.” Grace was on the verge of tears.

“No. It’s not because of you. Well, only to the extent that I decided to sell the firm now, but it would have happened at some point. If you’d stayed there, eventually it would have gone to you. But you don’t know what else might have happened between now and then. And if I’ve learned anything over the past two years, it’s that nothing is forever. Sometimes change is good. Sometimes it’s necessary.” Maggie blew out a long breath. Her daughters were staring at her as if she had two heads. “For me, it’s necessary. I’ve always loved this house, from the moment your father brought me here to ‘just take a look.’ I brought both of you home from the hospital to this house. We lived and loved each other and argued and made up in this house.” Her voice dropped. “I said goodbye to your father in this house. This hasn’t been an easy decision for me. But I need to make a life for myself now. I need to be somewhere that’s mine. Somewhere I can start over and shake off everything that’s happened since your dad got sick.”

“I get that. Okay. So are you looking to downsize, Mom? I have to agree, it’s a big house for one person. We can help you find a place,” Grace offered. “There are a lot of great houses around.”

“That’s true. But I’ve already found my house, and it isn’t around here.”

“You already found a place? What do you mean, not around here?” Natalie appeared dismayed. “Aren’t you going to show us before you make a final decision?”

“The final decision has been made. I have the house under contract. And it’s a house you’re well familiar with.”

“I’m confused.” Grace shook her head as if to clear it.

“So am I.” Natalie grabbed on to her mug as if to anchor herself to the spot.

“When I visited Liddy in January, I saw that my mom’s old house—the house I grew up in, the house my great-great-grandfather built—was for sale. Liddy’d told me the place had been totally renovated, all new everything, top of the line, yada yada yada. Before I left Wyndham Beach, I called the Realtor. I just wanted to see the place one more time before someone else bought it. The Realtor met me at the house and gave me a tour.”

“Please tell me you are not moving to Massachusetts.” Natalie’s eyes were wide as saucers.

“Actually, I am moving to Massachusetts. I’m moving back to my hometown, my old home. That’s where I belong. It’s where I always belonged.”

“But . . . Mom.” Grace’s voice held a plea. “Why now? Because of me?”

“Grace, everything isn’t about you,” Natalie snapped.

“I think the timing is a bit suspect, Natalie,” Grace snapped back.

“Please. Girls.” Maggie rubbed her temples. “Don’t.”

“What did you expect, Mom? You call us together and drop this bomb on us? You’re selling the house we both love, where we grew up, so