Gabby waved a dismissive hand. “Exactly. There’s a course you have to complete to pass certification. Some historical information. I’m sure you’ll have no problem with the exam.”
“My thought exactly.” Marlowe had done a general check so she was expecting the course work but thought she could do it online.
“Could you share your expectations with me?” Gabby asked. “Of course I'm wondering why an attractive, sharp woman like you chooses to uproot herself. Especially when you live in Florida. I hope you won’t be insulted but Chip and I hate toput in the time developing someone if there's a chance that you might decide to go back in a month.”
The question made perfect sense and Marlowe respected Gabby for putting that on the line. “If everything falls into place and we decide that this is a good fit, then yes I will be staying here. My condo will go on the market soon and I don’t expect to have any trouble selling it. My sister and aunt have made a similar decision.”
“My oh my.” Gabby gave an appreciative shake of her head. “What a brave group of women.”
“We are.” Pride welled up inside her. Marlowe blinked her eyes quickly. “My aunt has already put her Tribeca loft on the market in New York.”
That brought a bark of laughter. “Wish I was the realtor for that one,” Gabby said. “New York, now that's a different market.”
“I hate to be so blunt but there are no personal reasons precipitating this decision.” Marlowe had to be frank with her. “And the same is true of my aunt and sister. We’re at the age where change is good. My older sister Sam is recently divorced and my aunt was widowed about five years ago. This relocation is a family decision. It's all good.”
“Great. How about some coffee?”
By that time Marlowe was starting to relax and she nodded. Jumping up, Gabby went over to the Nespresso machine and poured two lattes. Over the next half hour she showed Marlowe some properties that she would love to sell. “And we also do some commercial real estate. The market is small so realtors don't specialize in family homes or commercial real estate.”
“I think I'd like that.” They were talking about the Village at Bay Harbor when a car pulled up outside. Seconds later a bear of a man with silver hair came through the side door. Stamping his feet he whisked off an Arnold Palmer hat and wiped his feet.His cheeks were ruddy from the cold and he was smiling. In his hands was what looked like a bakery box. “Am I interrupting?”
“Not at all, darling.” Gabby gave him a warm smile. “Chip, come meet Marlowe and bring that box with you.”
Slipping out of his loden green topcoat, he hung it up on a hook and lumbered over. He slid the box onto the table in front of Gabby and bent to kiss her forehead. “Is that what I think it is?” Gabby tapped the top of the box.
“Blueberry muffins from Johan’s.” Then he turned to shake Marlowe's hand. “Happy to meet you.”
“Me too. Nothing wrong with a guy who brings bakery.” His hands were cold but his grin was warm.
“That’s the reason I bring it. Otherwise, Gabrielle probably wouldn’t let me in the door. I married up, as they say.”
“For heaven’s sake, Chip.” Gabby blushed prettily and gave her husband an adoring smile. “That’s not true at all.”
Reaching behind him, Chip grabbed some napkins stacked next to the coffee machine and plunked them onto the table. “Glad to meet you, Marlowe. We could use some help here and my wife seems to think that you're the one.”
His candor made Marlowe laugh. “Could be. I feel lucky that we sat next to each other on the plane.”
Chip pointed to the box. “Go ahead and take your pick. Johan bakes them fresh every morning.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” Their teasing sent a warm feeling through Marlowe. It had been a long time since she'd been around an older couple who showed affection. Genuine affection, not the kind for dinner parties. Well, not since her Uncle Monty had passed away. And Chip reminded her very much of her uncle. Uncle Monty had adored Aunt Cate. Bringing home bakery was something he would do. The warm blueberries burst in her mouth and she took her time sampling the muffin while Gabby and her husband filled Marlowe in on the area.
“And you'll be living here full time?” Chip asked.
“Oh yes, I intend to. I might live at our family house in the beginning. It just depends on how everything works out.”
“Understood but when it comes time, we'll be happy to find you the right property,” Chip said in a rather fatherly way. “You'll probably want your own space.”
“Oh, I recognize that tone of voice,” Gabby said with an indulgent smile. “My husband is mentally going through any of the widowers he knows.”
“Now don’t scare the young woman,” he protested, sending Marlowe a wink. “That’s not what I’m about at all.”
“Nonsense, I know you, you old codger. Let the girl get her feet on the ground first, okay?” It had been a long time since Marlowe had heard this kind of banter. And it had been an even longer time since she’d been referred to as a girl. After they finished their coffee and the blueberry muffins, Chip insisted on loading both of them into his BMW to show Marlowe some of their properties.
The Hotel at Bay Harbor was impressive. Years ago, she’d stayed at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island and this newer building reminded her of that icon. The houses on the cliffs up above were breathtaking, as was the view. Waves crashed against the shore and they didn’t get out of the SUV as Chip took them around.
“It's a lot nicer in the summer when the breezes blow off Lake Michigan,” Gabby said. “But you get the idea.”
Then Chip headed north toward Petoskey, which held a mix of modern and traditional. The small town held a lot of history. Marlowe was charmed by the area and now realized that Charlevoix would be only a part of the area she could develop.
