Chapter 31
“It’s the happiest I have seen her since the accident,” George explained to Margaret. “That child’s visit had a positive effect on her. I think it’s what’s brought about this new change in her.”
“I’m happy to hear that. As we both know, I have stood in her shoes, and it’s the most horrifying news a parent will ever hear, but we have to live our lives. I know Mark would have wanted me to move on,” Margaret explained.
They’d had this same conversation many times, and each time, George saw the hurt and loss etched in Margaret’s face. At sixty-five, she was a very attractive woman, but there was a sadness about her that he knew would never go away. He saw this in Ivy, too; each time, his heart broke a little bit more for her. And for Margaret. While he’d lost his wife and two grandchildren, he had not lost a child, and that was the worst loss possible.
“You know I hate what you’ve had to go through,” George offered. “I wish I could make all the negativity in your life disappear, but I am a realist.”
Margaret smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Yes, you are, and I, for one, am glad. I do not know where I would be if not for you.”
After all the years he’d been with Margaret, he had the grace to blush when she complimented him. “You’d be just fine without me, we both know better.”
“Who would possibly make beef Wellington for me, and on a Saturday night?” Margaret took a sip of the wine she had brought over.
“I’m sure there’s more than one willing gentleman out there who would not mind giving you a go,” George said, then laughed. “Oh, that does not sound very nice, does it? You know what I meant.”
“I do.”
More than once, he’d wanted to ask Margaret to move in with him. Now that he was moving to his new home at The Upside, he wondered if she would give in if he were to ask her to marry him? He adored her, and he knew the feeling was mutual. They shared most of their lives together. Why not share them under the same roof? He had not told her about selling his house or the airline. This was part of the reason he’d invited her over tonight. Normally, he would take her out to a special restaurant of her choosing. She loved The Willows, and he did, too, but he did not want to frequent a place he owned too often, because he did not want his manager to feel as though he were checking up on him. Margaret had agreed when he’d explained this to her.
Margaret knew him better than anyone, even more than Elizabeth had. He was in love with her, and he knew that the feelings were reciprocated. When he asked her to be his wife, he wanted it to be special. Not in his kitchen, sitting at the old parlor table. A plan began to take shape. He smiled.
“Why the big smile?” Margaret asked. “You look like you’re up to something. Did you take the Corvette on a wild drive across the parkway today? Are the police going to keep my little red ’vette on their radar now? If so, I will have to tell them you’re the speed demon, not I.”
George shook his head and laughed. “No worries there. I had the oil changed, went to the supermarket, and here I am.”
“I hope so,” Margaret said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“I do have something I would like to share with you,” he said. “Would you like another glass of wine first?” he asked, reaching for the bottle. She nodded, and he poured them each another glass.
“What’s the big mystery? I know that look. You have something up your sleeve,” Margaret stated.
George cleared his throat, took a sip of wine. “I have decided to sell Macintosh Air. I have had a buyer interested for a few months. I’m not sure how much longer they’ll be interested, so they made me an offer, and I accepted.”
Apparently, she was surprised, as all she could do was nod.
“And I’m going to put this place on the market. It’s too big for a single guy. Ivy has no interest in the place. She told me it would be the perfect home for a family starting a new life. I agree with her. You know my house at The Upside has been move-in ready for quite some time. I have decided now is the time.” George sighed. “What do you think?” He wanted her opinion, valued it very much. If all went according to plan, she would be sharing his home, too.
“I think it’s high time. You have the restaurants, The Upside, and The Bright Side is breaking ground. You love this area, and your ‘retirement’ home is an architectural dream. I’m with you all the way.” Margaret held her glass high in the air. “Let’s make a toast.”
He clinked his glass to hers.
“To the brightest, biggest, and best holiday season ever!” Margaret said, then added, “And it’s about time you moved on. I mean this in a positive way.”
“Of course you do, I know that. I have enough to occupy me, that’s for sure. I am not going to mind getting rid of that airline. Maybe I should have done it years ago. It might have helped Ivy to move forward.”
“I do not know about that. You made the airline a success, and I know after the crash, you worked harder to make it so. After all the lawsuits, and media coverage, you did not give up. I’ve always admired you for that,” Margaret said.
“That means a lot to hear you say that. I have often wondered if Ivy resented me for hanging on to the company. She seemed totally at ease when I told her I was selling out. It’s like a dark cloud hanging over all our shoulders, or at least that’s what I have begun to believe.
“She met Daniel Greenwood today. Apparently, his daughter is the star of the Christmas musical Carol Bishop and her cronies are working on. I have not heard her sing, but the talk is she will bring tears to your eyes.”
“Oh, George, that’s exciting! I don’t know him, but I see his work throughout The Upside. He’s very talented and dedicated. Do you think Ivy’s interested in him?”
“I hope so. He’s a fine man. A bit stiff, though. His wife was killed in that plane crash, too. I’m not sure if he’s told this to Ivy or if she’s shared her tragedy with him. My gut tells me those two are perfect for each other. It might take a bit of work on Daniel’s part, though. You know how guilty Ivy’s always felt. If he can get through to her, and help her ease some of that guilt, it would be a miracle.”
“It’s almost Christmastime. And miracles always happen during Christmas,” Margaret said.
With that, an idea began to really take shape, and George planned to make this holiday season one of his best ever.