The Time of Her Life

That made Susanna smile. Brooke would be mortified to realize she was already mimicking her mother. But Susanna did appreciate the reassurance. Brooke understood the enormity of this move. “You’re right, pretty. You’re absolutely right.”

“Um, yeah.”

Susanna laughed, welcomed the sound of her beautiful daughter’s voice. With adrenaline pumping so hard and steadily through the morning, simply talking to Brooke felt like the first spec of normalcy. For this moment, Susanna was mom again, grounded, not a woman on her own in a strange new world.

“I couldn’t wait any longer to know if you were still alive, so I had to call. But I’ve got to get into class. I sit in the front row, and guaranteed someone’s lurking my seat now. I’d hate to break up the Rat Pack so early in the semester.”

Susanna gripped the phone tightly, not ready to end the call, a lifeline to everything she loved. But as a mom with an empty nest, she got to catch up with her kids, not cling.

Brooke’s Rat Pack was important. They were a group of students who’d started interdisciplinary studies together, women and men ranging in ages from Brooke at twenty to Annie, who was well into her seventies. Susanna liked that her daughter connected with people from varying levels of life experience rather than limiting herself to the party set.

“Go get your seat, pretty. All’s well in Charlotte. I’ll send a text to let everyone know, and we can talk more later.”

“Sounds good. You won’t forget?”

“I won’t forget. Promise.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re alive. Love ya.”

“Love you, too. Have a good day.”

Susanna paused at a window, holding the phone and staring out at the sunlit lake, managing the sense of loss, so magnified by nerves. The life she loved wasn’t over, just changing. She and Brooke were exploring new territory in their relationship, and this move only underscored that change.

Susanna needed to let go of the childhood mother/daughter relationship with all the parenting and rebellious overtones. Brooke didn’t need much parenting anymore. Just some guidance and advice when she asked. A sounding board when she needed to talk and sort things out in her head.

Instead of longing for what had passed, Susanna needed to be excited about their new relationship. Her daughter was growing into an amazing young woman.

Could Susanna possibly be any more blessed?

That answer was no, and she shouldn’t let fear of change or anxiety about all the things riding on this job overshadow her appreciation of the moment. Those moments shouldn’t ever be taken for granted.

Finances had been unbelievably tight since Skip had died. She’d managed to keep the family going on one salary by putting his life insurance policy to good use with the house and some mutual funds. But the expenses had grown along with the kids.

Between Brandon’s ball tournaments and training camps and Brooke’s art history internships both in and out of the country, travel expenses alone were breathtaking. Then there were the cars. Insuring two under-twenty-one drivers—especially when one was male—still was challenging.

But college had worked out better than Susanna could ever have hoped. Both kids were high achievers. Without their scholarships, they would have had to rely on the prepaid educations she and Skip had purchased years before. There would have been no selling the house because the kids wouldn’t have been able to afford housing even if they’d stayed in New York.

No, Susanna had absolutely nothing to complain about, and maybe the tide was finally turning. She’d been in survival mode since Skip had died, grasping every single second with her kids and continually putting one foot in front of the other.

For the first time in so long, Susanna could almost see a glimmer of light at the end of what had been an endless tunnel. They were alive and healthy, and they were within driving distance again. This promotion to property administrator gave her a chance to improve the quality of life for all of them.

If everything went as planned.

CHAPTER THREE

JAY SPUN AROUND WHEN he heard shuffling footsteps. Sure enough, Walter bore down on him with a curious expression.

“What are you doing in the bushes— Oh, I see,” he said in his deaf-old-man voice that carried halfway down the hall.

There was no missing the view from this prime spot behind a majestic palm in the dayroom entrance. Susanna stood beside the CareTracker, a touch-screen computer that protruded from the wall. Kimberly, the shift R.N., appeared to be explaining how to work the charting system.

“One might think you don’t trust the new administrator,” Walter said.

“I don’t know her, so how can I trust her?”

“Think spying is the way to go, do you?”

“You sound like Amber. I am not spying.” Jay spent his every waking moment with Walter and everyone else around here. How could they possibly think he was doing anything but hiding from them? Jay grabbed precious seconds alone with both hands and would continue to do so for six more months. Then he wouldn’t have to hide again.

“Have some faith, Walter. Why would I need to spy on Susanna? Look at her handling Kimberly. Professional. Friendly. Pleasant smile. Great legs.”

Great legs?

Jay tried again. “At least she won’t scare the residents. I think we should at least give her a chance, don’t you?”

“You want me to lurk in the bushes, too?”

“Just taking a minute to catch my breath.”

“And enjoy the view.” An accusation.

Jay couldn’t exactly deny it now, could he? “Don’t give away all my good hiding places.”

That got a reaction. Walter rolled his gaze heavenward, no doubt sending up a prayer to Gran for divine intervention. “You need to get a life, boy.”

“Um, yeah. That’s kind of the point of selling this place.” Jay stepped from behind the palm and headed down the hallway, dodging the lecture he sensed forthcoming.

Walter would not piss in Jay’s cereal today. Not when his plan was getting underway. He’d gotten Susanna settled in the cottage last night, and had arrived to find that she’d preceded him onto the property this morning. Imagine that. There was hope this plan might actually work, and he didn’t want to jinx anything by listening to Walter’s negativity.

* * *

SUSANNA’S SECOND DAY WAS all about understanding routines at The Arbors. She got to work before the third shift ended, before the morning routines got into full swing when the residents awoke. Touring the first-floor halls, where residents required hospital-type care in the nursing center, she chatted with staff who were closing out the shift with quiet efficiency.

Her day was off to a more relaxed, albeit earlier, start today, for which she was grateful. She needed to get her feet under her as an administrator, and starting the day on her own, without Jay running interference, did much to soothe her nerves.

She discussed individual cases with the LPNs, tried to commit resident names to memory and found that someone very generously put scrapbooking skills to good use. Personalized collages of biographical data, hobbies and a photo hung beside each door. She’d noticed them yesterday, but took the time today to appreciate the effective genius of the collages. Putting faces to names made the learning curve so much simpler.

Mrs. Donaire had been a professor in France.

Mrs. Highsmith had eight children, eighteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Munsell had an obsession with Elvis.

The collages would provide easy topics to chat with the residents about to help Susanna get to know everyone.

“Kimberly, who’s responsible for those biographical collages?” Susanna asked the head R.N. during a pause in the explanation how to chart patient information on the computerized system.

The Arbors used cutting-edge medical charting technology, which meant all resident contact was documented so all caregivers accessed only current information.

“Tessa, the activity director,” Kimberly said. “Did you meet her yesterday?”

Susanna nodded. “Amber looks a lot like her.”

“Except for that pretty dark hair. Amber gets that from her daddy.” Kimberly smiled. “The residents make those collages with Tessa’s help. It’s one of the ongoing activities around here—getting to know me.”

“I noticed that on the activities calendar and assumed it was some sort of meet and greet,” Susanna said. “So, so clever.”

“Tessa would appreciate knowing you think so. Mr. C. gave her all kinds of grief for putting nail holes in the walls when she hung up those frames.”

Susanna glanced at the frame beside Mr. Butterfield’s door. The man was a retired career naval officer. His work appeared to have had something to do with submarines. “I suppose we have to make sacrifices for a greater good.”

“Better not let Chester hear you say that,” a familiar voice said from a distance.

The sound of that voice brought Susanna up quickly, a flutter of breath in her throat as she found Jay looking morning fresh, cheeks pink from a recent shave and hair damp.

“Good morning,” he said with a throaty edge to his voice, a rough-silk sound, as if he wasn’t fully awake yet.

“Good morning.” All her predawn calm evaporated beneath a rush of adrenaline, so intense it surprised her.

“Only one person around here cared about those holes, Mr. C.” Kimberly rolled her eyes. “You know those collages are excellent memory prompts.”

“Only for the folks who can remember their names.”

Susanna stared. Joking about memory problems in a memory-care facility? That was about the last thing she expected.

Kimberly waved him off with a laughing “Pshaw.”

Susanna listened curiously, knowing Gerald, or any VIP from Northstar, would likely faint on the spot if they’d overheard this particular exchange. Corporate professionalism being what it was, anything that wasn’t politically correct was taboo.

“I didn’t realize the collages were memory prompts,” she said mildly.

Jay nodded. “To be fair, every effort to build memory helps, and the volunteers find them especially useful while they’re getting to know their way around.”

“New administrators, too,” she admitted.

“Guess they’re worth all the holes, then.”

He didn’t look convinced, but politely acquiesced for her benefit. Susanna wasn’t sure how to respond to that. She felt somehow robbed of her words, as if she couldn’t think clearly.

“No holes for the birthdays and death notices posted in the front lobby.” She filled the sudden awkward silence with a completely irrelevant observation.

“True,” Jay agreed, leveling a gaze her way, somehow the green of his eyes all the more vibrant for his freshly scrubbed appearance. “That information is handy. Not only to engage the residents who can remember those sorts of details but to remind the staff and volunteers.”

“Tessa briefs everyone in the mornings on special events,” Kimberly explained. “We provide balloons, and Liz serves cake at lunch so it’s a big party.”

“What a wonderful way to help the residents celebrate and feel special.” Susanna knew that keeping the residents engaged was a full-time job and an essential part of healthy senior living. “Tessa’s also responsible for decorating around here?”

Jay nodded.

“I have to admit I couldn’t imagine anyone outdoing the activity director at my last facility. But I’m impressed.”

Every foyer leading to a separate wing had been decked out with decorations to recreate Hawaiian beach scenes—palm trees and bright umbrellas and lawn chairs. A section near the first-floor activities area had been cordoned off and filled with sand while the wall was covered in a floor-to-ceiling digital image of a Pacific coastline.

“This is such a tough time of year to make exciting,” Susanna said. “Summer’s over. Labor Day is over. In New York, we can play up autumn, but here in Charlotte it seems a bit early.”

Kimberly brushed her fingers across the touch-screen display. “We won’t be in full leaf change for another month. It’s something to see if you haven’t already.”

“I think I’m in for quite a treat,” she agreed, then thanked Kimberly for taking the time to walk her through the CareCharter program and found herself alone with Jay.

“You got off to an early start today,” he said.

“Lots to accomplish.”

He nodded. “If you don’t mind, I need coffee. Walk with me to Dietary and tell me how your first night went.”

“Phone calls to let everyone know that I made it to Charlotte safely.” Phone calls to Brooke and Brandon before she’d passed out face-first on the big four-poster bed in the guest cottage. “Then I spent some time with the personnel files, refreshing myself on the staff. I’ve been through them before, but it was nice to put faces with the names.”

Jay beelined for the industrial coffee brewer in the kitchen and offered her a cup, which she accepted gratefully.

“Doesn’t sound as if you did much settling in.” He dispensed a cup for himself.

“I’ll have time to get organized this weekend.”

He took a long swallow and grimaced. “See what I mean?”

She met his gaze over the rim of the mug. “Not quite VIA, but not too bad.”

“That’s kind.” He swallowed another sip. “But it’s leaded, and that’s what’s important.”

Susanna chuckled. “Oh, I remember what I wanted to ask you, Jay. You have a lot of family members on staff. I’m curious. Is this a Southern thing or a private-facility thing?”

It certainly wasn’t a corporate thing when the legal department had clear-cut guidelines about what constituted conflict of interest.

Jay paused with the cup to his mouth. “I’ll go with the private facility. We’ve established The Arbors as a great place to work. Our five family members span three generations and four departments. Different last names.”

“Wow. And no conflict of interest?”

“None. In fact, it’s exactly the opposite. Lots of loyalty with the families.” He raised his cup in a salute. “But Northstar can conduct new hires how they see fit. My staff will be grandfathered in.”

No, Jay definitely wasn’t pulling any punches. Susanna inclined her head and sipped to avoid a reply, not wanting to engage in controversy so early on her second day.

Gerald had explained how rigid Jay had been regarding The Arbors’ employees. After the acquisition, there would have to be substantial cause and a fair bit of documentation to terminate any of the staff. She hoped he was right about the loyalty.

“The fact you have employees on staff for decades says a lot about the facility you run.”

“Something good, I hope.”

“Yes.” That was entirely honest. Northstar very much appreciated hardworking employees and worked equally hard to keep them. Susanna was a perfect example. She’d been with the company almost twenty years.

Jay seemed to appreciate the praise and smiled, which melted the hard lines of his face. Susanna was struck by how accessible he was. She’d only known him two days and it was so easy to talk with him. Personable. That’s exactly what he was, which was probably why everyone around here liked him so much.

She did have big shoes to fill. Jay’s leadership was what set the tone for the staff, and here she was a first-time property administrator—a world of difference from a man who’d grown up learning to meet the needs of The Arbors.

Northstar had placed their trust in her abilities by offering her this position, but she also knew that their faith had been encouraged by her boss, Gerald, who was also a friend. Still, everyone seemed to be interested in making a good first impression, and as the day progressed, Susanna found herself far too busy to do anything but learn her way around.

It wasn’t until the sun had set and second shift had served dinner that Susanna was ready to call it a day.

“I thought of something I wanted to ask you before I leave, Jay,” Susanna said, after retrieving her laptop case from her office and bidding Walter goodbye. “Do you park in the employee lot? I haven’t noticed an assigned administrator space, and I don’t want to inadvertently commandeer anyone’s spot in the employee lot.”

Jay had dispensed with his jacket sometime between lunch in the second-floor dining hall and the intake meeting in the conference room. Now he loosened his tie with a few quick tugs, lending him a more casual appearance.

“I don’t drive my car. I usually walk or take a golf cart.”

“Oh, that makes sense. Gerald mentioned that you lived in the main house. I didn’t realize it was so close.”

“Just over the rise from the guest cottage.”

A new neighbor for her new home, which was charming, although she hadn’t actually seen it in the light of day yet. But by moonlight and the paling sky of predawn, her new home couldn’t have been more perfect.

Susanna had only seen one photo of the main house in the property portfolio, and it appeared to be from another era. Even the sliver of roofline she could see peeking above the trees from her office brought to mind Gone with the Wind.

“You take the road?” she asked.

“There’s a path through the arbors. It’s a hike on foot but not bad with a golf cart. We should probably get you fixed up with one, too. They’re handy for getting around here even if you drive in. Just park nearest the employee entrance you use. It’s first come, first served around here.”

“Okay, thanks.” They left the administrative corridor and headed to the lobby, and silence fell between them. Suddenly Susanna was all too aware of how Jay unbuttoned his collar and breathed as if this were his first unconstrained breath all day.

“We had a par course at my last property, and it was my favorite way to spend lunch breaks when I could get them,” she said to fill the quiet.

“It’s good to get outside every once in a while.”

“Especially during the months when it wasn’t buried under six feet of snow.”

He laughed, such a rich sound. Was it possible even his laughter had a hint of the South, too?

They emerged in the front lobby, walking side by side. Security served as nighttime reception and Jay told the man at the desk, “Pete’s on tonight, if you need anything.”

Then they passed through the open doorway, where two furry golden beasts bounded at her, tails wagging, yelping and barking a friendly greeting.

“Hello, guys,” Susanna said in her dog-friendly squeaky voice as they circled her legs, clearly wanting attention. She extended a hand, waited to see how it was received.

The dogs shuffled nearer, half sitting, half standing, vying to get closer to her like two almost-identical twins elbowing each other out of the way. With a laugh, she knelt and gave each a hand, ruffling their chests in a place most dogs loved to be petted, laughing as they preened beneath the attention. “That feels good, guys, doesn’t it? So who are you? You’re so friendly.”

One sharp whistle answered her question. The barking stopped and the dogs bounded toward Jay. But only for an instant before they shot past him toward the facility entrance.

Susanna watched with amusement as Jay rolled his eyes and whistled again, bringing the dogs to a halt in the entrance and the sliding doors that opened drunkenly.

“Come on, you two,” Jay commanded “We’re not going in tonight. It’s too late. You can visit your buddies another day.”

Susanna hadn’t come across any other dogs in the facility and assumed Jay referred to the staff or the residents. Greywacke Lodge had been affiliated with an organization that trained dogs specifically for senior visits, and most residents loved the friendly canines. Judging by the way these two dogs kept glancing at the entrance, looking disappointed if possible, Susanna suspected they enjoyed visits, too.

“Boys, sit,” Jay instructed. “Try to make a good first impression for once.”

Susanna couldn’t imagine these two making any other. They were obviously well trained. “Golden retrievers?”

“Yep. Their names are Butters and Gatsby.”

“Oh, that’s sweet. Butters is younger?”

Jay narrowed a disapproving gaze at the dog that could barely sit still. “How can you tell? His lack of manners?”

True, Butters’s hind end kept popping up, tail thumping wildly before he’d remember he was supposed to be sitting.

“My fault entirely,” Susanna admitted. “How is he supposed to behave when I’m doing the squeaky voice?”

“Yeah, well, he should.” Jay scowled at the dog who’d sidled up against her to be petted again. “They like you.”

She ruffled the soft fur around Butters’s neck. “They’re so friendly, I’m guessing they like everyone.”

“Okay, you like them.”

“I do. My kids had Hershel while they were growing up. He was a golden and Akita mix.”

“Had?”

“Wonderful quality of life until he was fifteen. We still miss him.”

Jay nodded, but she could tell he approved. Something in the twinkle of his deep-green eyes. There didn’t seem to be any artifice with this man, Susanna realized. Professionalism didn’t distance him from saying how he felt or force him to only express the politically correct response.

Yet somehow he was very professional. She’d witnessed that firsthand. A natural leader.

Susanna found that very different, very refreshing from the often tentative diplomacy of corporate-speak.

Jay tossed his jacket over his shoulder. “You ready to head home, boys?”

Both dogs were on their feet instantly, glancing at her as if excited for the company.

“Enjoy your walk. I hope you all have a good night.” Somehow in the artificial light of the lamp, Jay no longer looked like the administrator and owner of The Arbors, but simply a man who’d worked a long day.

“It was a good second day, Susanna. Enjoy your night.” Then he herded the dogs away and headed toward the slope.

Susanna was still watching as they passed beyond the glow of the parking lot lights and vanished into the darkness, warmth growing inside her because of his approval.

* * *

“TWO DAYS, Suze?” Karan Steinberg said incredulously over the phone. “I can’t believe you didn’t call me last night.”

“I’m so sorry. We didn’t leave work until late, and by the time Jay helped me get my bags to the house and I got everything organized, I passed out.”

“Well, forgiven, then. But only if you slept all night. Did you? Don’t lie to me.”

“I would never lie. I can’t believe you’d suggest—”

“I’ll take that to mean no, you didn’t.” Karan’s sigh filtered over the phone. “Suze, what am I going to do with you?”

Susanna leaned back in the chair, a caned oak rocker that was one of a set gracing the gallery in front of her new home, the most picturesque cottage she had ever seen. Though it was dark, the moon illuminated the surrounding forest, and the quiet night sounds reminded her of the sunroom in the home she’d left in New York.

The evenings had once been a special time for her and Skip. After long, busy days. After bedtime stories and tucking in the kids, Susanna would brew a pot of coffee and she and Skip would sit in the sunroom and share the events of their day. For a blissful few moments, they reconnected as a couple to the peaceful night sounds of the conservation lot that bordered their backyard.

“Don’t worry, Karan,” Susanna said, knowing her friend would continue to do precisely that. “I’ll settle down once I get comfortable here. There’s been a lot of travel and a lot of change. Nerves are completely normal.”

“You’re holding up?” Karan asked. “All’s well?”

“So far, so good. I’ve been going nonstop all day at the facility. And I’m here, if not unpacked. I’ll get there when I get there.”

“But you’re happy with the arrangement?”

“I was so relieved when I saw this place I got weepy. Jay must think I’m the biggest idiot.”

“Who’s Jay?” Karan asked.

Karan zeroed in on what she considered most important. Men would always top that list. That had been the way it was in middle school. That was the way it was in middle age.