Page 48 of Luke

Maybe they both needed to do more thinking, less talking.

If he sold the resort, she'd figure something out. It would be another rough change for Kaitlyn, although possibly a welcome one for her niece. But whatever happened, they'd make it.

She just really loved the lodge, the staff, the guests, not to mention the location. It might not have been her first choice of a job, but in some ways she felt like she'd really found a home, people she could count on. At the resort, they all looked out for one another. They were a family and the guests often became friends. She liked the social interaction, the constantly changing dynamics.

Sometimes she missed the music—more than sometimes in truth, but after everything that had happened—the pain of losing Kelly, the difficulty connecting with Kaitlyn, and the abrupt change in her living and working situations—music seemed like the last thing she needed to worry about.

One day she'd play again.

Or not. But either way, she'd survive. She'd always been a survivor. That hadn't changed.

When they reached the resort, the group split up. She didn't know where Luke went. When she turned around, he was gone. It was just as well.

She went to the pool first and saw Kaitlyn sunning herself on a lounger. She was alone, headphones in her ears as usual. Walking over, she sat down on the chair next to her niece and touched her on the arm.

Kaitlyn squinted one eye open and then sighed. She took out her earphones.

"How's it going?" Liz asked.

"Fine."

"Did you get lunch?"

"Yes."

"How is the summer reading coming along?" she asked. Kaitlyn was due to start school on Tuesday and she'd been given a reading list to complete over the summer.

"I'll get it done," she replied, ready to put her headphones back in.

She put a hand on her arm. "Why don't we talk about what you've read later tonight?"

"Why?"

"Because I'm worried you won't get your reading finished and then you'll be behind."

"I said I'll do it. They're stupid easy books."

"Then they shouldn't take you long to get through. You used to love to read. We read Harry Potter together when I watched you that week your parents went to London."

"I was nine."

"Kids your age still read."

Kaitlyn shrugged, looking bored with the whole conversation. Then her phone buzzed, and she looked down at a text.

"Who's that?" Liz asked.

"No one."

"Obviously, it's someone."

"You've taken me away from all my friends. Isn't that enough for you?"

"I don't think those friends were very good for you."

Kaitlyn didn't bother to answer, her attention on her phone as her fingers flew over the keypad.

"I'm going to be in my office," she said, giving up. "I'll see you at dinner."

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