It was the last weekend of the season, although like her uncle, Lily was willing to accept off-season reservations from previous guests and referrals, but wouldn’t be tied down like she had been all summer. The three cottages were booked by five women who took a trip together each year and had chosen Driftwood Bay as their destination.
Lily had listened to them giggling and visiting with each other late into the evening last night, but would be getting to know them better at her appetizer social tonight. Mel was becoming more involved at school and had signed up for a weekend art experience workshop. Since getting her driver’s license, she had become more confident and was beginning to blossom. She was still quite serious, but smiled more easily and was open to new ideas. She thanked Lily more than once for getting her a cell phone. That’s how students communicated with each other, so she would have been left out of activities and study groups, had she not had one.
There wouldn’t be much work at the cottages for Mel during the off-season. Lily had suggested she think about getting a part-time job. Mel had already started checking out the local help wanted ads and had taken the big step of opening a social media account, which gave her access to some of the local groups and businesses. She was intent on finding something and assured Lily she would pull her own weight.
Lily had no concern about Mel staying with her or anything else, but understood and admired Mel’s work ethic and desire to be self-sufficient. It was a respectable character trait in a young person and Lily intended to nurture it.
Bodie had been working on staying and being calm around people. With five guests in the yard, he would be put to the test tonight. He had a tendency to get over-excited and wanted to be near people so much, that he often whined, while sitting in place. He knew what he was supposed to do, but let Lily know he didn’t like it much. Fritz was a good sport and sat with him, which seemed to make it easier for Bodie to relax.
Lily was busy organizing the appetizers and wine for the evening when Mel called out that she was heading to the college and would be home when the event was over at ten o’clock. Lily noticed she was wearing her new furry vest and boots. She looked so grown-up and stylish. Both dogs were stretched out napping and at the last minute, Lily elected to leave them in the house, not certain the women were as excited about dogs as Bodie and Fritz would be about them.
When Lily had checked with Cecilia, the woman who had made the reservations for the group, to inquire if the women drank wine or preferred something else, Cecilia had assured her they loved wine and were looking forward to the evening. She let Lily know they referred to themselves as the Winey Widows. Lily checked over what she had planned and grabbed two more bottles to take outside.
The ladies, most of them in their seventies, had spent some time shopping and sightseeing downtown, but were already gathering around the fire pit while Lily was getting organized. Lily chuckled to herself, picturing them lined up for the early bird specials.
They complimented Lily on her array of snacks and Cecilia offered to handle pouring the wine. Lily helped the ladies fill their plates and draped some throws and blankets over the backs of their chairs, so they’d have them within easy reach if they got chilly. She knew a few of their names, but couldn’t actually place names with faces yet, as she hadn’t been formally introduced to all of them.
Cecilia knew how to fill a glass. They held far more wine than Lily would have poured, but the cheerful woman didn’t bat an eye and was a seasoned master, balancing the liquid without spilling a drop. Lily eased into her own chair and took a drink from her glass of iced tea.
“Don’t you want some wine, dear?” Cecilia twirled around from the side table clutching a bottle and taking a step toward Lily, the colorful ruana she wore over her black pants and sparkly top flowing in the breeze. The slim woman had an engaging smile and gorgeous steely gray hair, expertly styled, and her jewelry matched the colorful tones in her wrap.
Lily held up her hand, feeling underdressed in her jeans and sweater. “No, thank you, though. You ladies drink all you want, I have plenty, but don’t often drink.”
The shortest one, who Lily guessed was barely five feet tall, with hair dyed a shocking dark brown, giggled. She wore chunky heels with her black and white print dress and black jacket. “I think there’s a story there, ladies. What kind of woman has all this wine at her fingertips and doesn’t drink it? You must tell us Lily.” She held up her glass of pink rosé and took a long sip.
“Oh, Agnes.” Cecilia wagged a finger at her friend. “Leave the poor woman alone. You watch way too many detective shows.” She handed a glass filled with a beautiful golden white to the tall, almost bird-like woman. “Here you go, Norma.”
Norma thanked her and turned her attention to Lily. “Cecilia and I are the oldest of friends. We both started working the same year at the local high school. I was the librarian and she taught math. We worked there together for thirty years.” Lily took in her short, mousy brown hair, the ankle length denim skirt and rather frumpy cardigan she wore, and agreed librarian fit her.
Cecilia poured another glass, this one the color of rubies. “We had such fun in those days, but I think we’ve had even more fun these last, what, almost twenty years now since we retired?” She put the bottle down, lost in thought.
She glanced at Lily, “Time goes by so quickly, it’s hard to keep track. We’re all widows, and while Norma and I have been friends forever, the rest of us met at a grief support group, over the last ten years. We’re all from the same area of Vermont and we take at least one trip together each year, more if we can make our schedules work.”
She delivered the red wine to a plump woman with gorgeous skin and auburn hair. “Here you go, Jean.”
Jean cradled her glass, her nail polish matching the wine, and smiled at Lily. “I just love the décor and elements you used in the cottages. They are utter perfection.”
“Thank you, but I can’t take the credit. My friend owns Bayside Gifts and I gave her free rein to design and decorate them. She did a fabulous job. Have you seen her shop?”
Jean nodded. “Yes, it was lovely. I hope to go back tomorrow. I had an interior design business for years, so I’m prone to admiring and window shopping.” Her flair for design was reflected in her classy tailored pants and blouse, with a long cashmere sweater in burgundy and a scarf with gold metallic threads that added a bit of panache to her monochromatic outfit.
“And giving her opinions about everything that is wrong with a room,” said the woman Lily remembered was Margot. Her voice was so gravelly, it was easy to distinguish. “She’s always wanting to feng shui my bookstore or add more chairs.”
Jean chuckled as Cecilia splashed deep red merlot into two glasses. She delivered one to Margot and set the other one in front of her own chair. Margot and Norma were dressed more casually than the others, who looked like they were ready for a party or a board meeting, at least.
Margot wore jeans with a thin gray turtleneck, topped by a gray waterfall cardigan and cute suede ankle boots the color of her wine. The gray tones and the long silver necklace she wore picked up the threads of silver in her dark hair. She raised her glass and thanked Cecilia. “I’m the only one of the bunch who still works for a living. I own a bookstore.”
With the wine poured, Cecilia took her chair and began nibbling at the food on her plate. As they chatted, Lily learned Agnes had been married to a successful endodontist and had never worked outside her home. Cecilia and Norma lived off their pensions and Jean’s husband had been a realtor who had left her with no financial worries.
Margot sat closest to Lily. “I read the notes in the binder in the cottage and learned these cottages have been here for decades. Have you always lived in the area?”
Lily shook her head and explained that she too, was a widow and how the tragedy of losing her husband, coupled with the loss of her parents years before, and then her uncle passing away and leaving her this property, prompted her to move. The five women sat, rapt with attention, as she explained her circumstances and she had only moved to Driftwood Bay in May.
They gasped when Lily told them she had also been a police officer, albeit in a gentler and calmer venue than Gary. Agnes was particularly curious about any interesting cases or stories. Lily smiled, but couldn’t think of anything noteworthy off the top of her head.
“Oh, my dear,” said Jean, “that is just heartbreaking. Suffice it to say we all understand how hard it is to lose a husband, but not at your young age and in such a tragic way. I’m so very sorry.”
Lily swallowed the lump in her throat. “Seeing you all enjoying life, gives me hope. I’m just now starting to think things will be okay. The hardest thing was leaving my son, Kevin, behind. He’s in college in Virginia.”
Lily’s comment shifted the conversation to children and grandchildren. Their spirits lifted when they mentioned their grown sons and daughters and bragged about their grandkids. Except for Margot, who was a dog lover, none of them had pets. Lily excused herself to check on the dogs, who she decided would be staying in the house until the ladies retired to their cottages.
They were still talking about the pros and cons of pet ownership when she returned. “Fritz has been my constant companion since losing Gary. He’s like a faithful friend and helped me through the worst of it, so I can’t imagine not having a dog. Now, I’m training a puppy to be a hearing assistant dog, so with the two of them, it’s more work, but they bring me so much joy.”
“Pets just complicate travel. I like to be able to take a spontaneous trip without worrying about finding someone to take care of a pet.” Agnes refilled her wine and added, “I live in a community where I don’t have to take care of the yard or anything, it’s all done through the HOA fees. It simplifies things.”
Norma and Cecilia often traveled together and enjoyed taking trips with women’s groups. Jean had family in Florida and most years spent the winter months there, with Margot being the only one who spent the majority of her time at home and at work.
Jean sighed. “With you being young and more independent, you will probably come to terms with it easier than any of us. In our generation, our identities were largely wrapped up in our husbands’. Norma and Cecilia had their own careers, but for all of us, our husbands were the primary income earners and decision makers. Margot has had her bookstore for years, but her husband Tom ran the local hardware business that had been in his family for generations. He bought the bookstore for her to enjoy as a hobby. It’s different, better, for women now.”
“How long did it take you, or did you ever feel comfortable dating after losing your husbands?” Lily asked the question in a quiet voice.
Cecilia gazed around the circle of women. “I think it has varied for all of us. Norma hasn’t dated at all, Agnes never seems to see the same guy twice, I’ve got a wonderful male friend who lost his wife, and we do things together, more for companionship than romance.”
Jean nodded. “I dated a few men, but I’ve lost interest in the idea of being married again. I’m not opposed to it, but haven’t found anyone I’d like to be around that much. I spend time with a man who is kind and we have fun and enjoy each other, but it’s not serious. It took me about two years to even consider the possibility.” She took another generous sip from her glass. “But, we’re much older dear, and times are different. You’re young and stunning and deserve a second chance at happiness.”
Agnes put an end to the quiet moment. “I, for one, don’t like being alone, so while I’m sure I was judged for it, I began dating just within a month of losing Bernie. I am dreadful alone, and much happier having others in my life and although I haven’t found one that merits a forever, I am happier having had them in my life.”
Margot took a sip of wine and Cecilia disappeared to refill their glasses. “I live in a tiny town, so the prospect of finding an eligible man is about the same as avoiding snow in March in Vermont.” The five women giggled. “My son still lives in the same small town and has taken over the hardware store. He’s recently divorced, so he and I spend more time together now and especially when his children come to visit. I have a full life with my bookstore and friends, plus family, and my sweet dog, Gladys. My daughter lives outside of Albany, about two hours away, so she often comes to visit.”
Margot’s eyes lit up when she spoke about her family. “With all that, I don’t have the time or interest in finding a new man. I just live vicariously through Jean and Agnes.” She winked and laughed.
Lily sucked in a deep breath. If only she could be as strong as these women. “I’ve missed my mom horribly and Gary helped ease that loss. My sister and I aren’t close and even less so after Mom and Dad passed away. Gary became my everything. His death, so unexpected and awful, left me reeling. It seemed to reopen all the old wounds from Mom’s death. I realized how truly alone I was.”
Her throat tightened with emotion. “Listening to all of you, being around you, well any of you could have been my mom. It’s lovely and comforting and makes me sad at the same time. I miss her wisdom, her calming way. I long to be able to chat with her and have her help me figure things out. I took all of that for granted and without her, it’s been so hard.”
Margot reached for Lily’s hand. “I understand what you’re saying. I felt my world slip away when I lost my mom. I was much older than you were and still couldn’t imagine not being able to call her or chat with her. We talked about everything.” With a far-away look in her eyes and a slight smile, she added, “And nothing.”
The chatter had ceased as they all listened to Margot and bobbed their heads.
She squeezed Lily’s hand. “If you’re lucky enough to find love twice in your life, don’t let it slip through your fingers.” The others nodded and murmured assurances.
Jean dipped her head in Lily’s direction. “Have you met someone you have feelings for, dear?”
Lily’s lips curved into a smile. “I think so. His name is Mac.” She went on to tell them how they had met when she took Fritz to the vet clinic and he convinced her to take Bodie for training. “He lost his wife several years ago and we’re not sure where it will lead, but we both feel something for each other. We’re actually going on a trip together to visit the San Juan Islands next weekend.”
As she stammered to make sure they understood it wasn’t a romantic getaway, only a visit to see a friend she met during her stay at the cottages and that they were taking all three dogs, the heat rose in Lily’s cheeks. She was thankful for the dim light of the evening as she braced herself for their thoughts. She often wondered what her mother would think.
Jean’s smile widened. “That’s terrific. He sounds like a wonderful man and friend.”
Margot nodded. “I agree. It sounds like you have so much in common and that you’re both being sensible.” She waved her hand around the circle of women. “As you can tell by listening to all of us old crows ramble on, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer. You must do what feels right to you, what makes you happy. I have a feeling your mother would only want you to be happy, dear.”
Cecilia got up again to refill glasses and as she made the circle, she stopped in front of Lily. “You’re far too young to be alone for the rest of your days. I would suspect your husband would want you to seize upon the chance for a happy life, but I agree you’re smart to take it slow.” Her eyes darted toward Agnes, as if her friend’s choices could be used as a cautionary tale. “It’s wise to be sure, but don’t let the need for perfection paralyze you.”
Jean raised her glass. “Hear, hear. I’ll never replace my sweet Phillip and I don’t want to. He will also have a piece of my heart and always be with me. It took me some time to feel confident enough to go out with another man. I was worried my kids wouldn’t approve. I was worried I’d be frowned upon by the gossiping crowd, but I’m much happier having taken the chance, taken the risk. My life is fuller and much less lonely because of it.”
Although their internal clocks were three hours ahead, the vibrant group of women didn’t have any trouble keeping Lily up late into the night. The more wine they drank, the more they laughed and giggled. Their energy and zest for life and laughter was contagious and calming. Their wisdom helped ease Lily’s concerns about Mac, about dating, and all that it meant.