Page 9 of Hargrave Health Kick
Veronica disagreed. “No, but you carried the load and you know it. You were always trying not to burden the rest of us.”
“I never saw it that way. There were some things—the tough times—I just didn’t want to rehash once they passed. I wanted to focus on as many good moments as we could get out of those last months and weeks.”
“Nat and I appreciate your effort. You know that.” She felt as if her sister needed a hug, but that was Natalie’s expertise.
“I do.” Celeste munched on another cracker. “Why don’t you make the breakfast cookies and I’ll pull together the soup that Mom loved. The recipe you taught me is a quick one.” She tapped her temple. “And forever in my memory.”
Veronica smiled, suddenly inspired. “Good thinking. That soup is loaded with nutrition without being too heavy.”
“Exactly. Both the chef and her assistant can enjoy it.” Celeste popped up out of her chair. “Let’s get cooking. We can print out the recipe cards and pretty them up while things are baking and simmering. We’ll make Natalie run it all over to the Hideaway.”
“And then we’ll party like the amazing sisters we are.”
Chapter Four
After a delightfully crazysister-night double feature, Veronica was quietly grateful for the mimosas and the French toast casserole in the morning. The sparkle of the champagne magically cleared the cobwebs from the late night.
“Mimosas should be an everyday thing,” Natalie declared from her perch on a counter stool.
“I wouldn’t advise starting every day with this much sugar.” Veronica said.
“You rarely advise sugar in any way, shape, or form,” Nat complained.
“That’s not true. Moderation is the key,” Veronica reminded her.
“That should be your hashtag,” Natalie said. “Do like a #moderationmonday or something. Make it the big draw to your new nutrition content.”
Veronica sipped her beverage and considered it. “Maybe so. When did you get your marketing degree?”
Natalie ignored that. “It wouldn’t take long to figure out if people will jump on it. From what I’ve seen, most wannabe influencers lean into one extreme or another. And you have never been about extremes.”
No, she really hadn’t. Veronica had done everything in her power to just tread water in the middle, maintaining the status quo without getting caught up in any excess drama. “I don’t know. I was feeling pretty extreme about Susannah’s demands until I saw how sick she is,” she confessed.
Natalie whistled. “You are not kidding.” She winced as she turned to Celeste. “It’s hard to look at someone when they’re that weak. My first thought was Mom and I wanted to run away and cry.”
Celeste rubbed Nat’s shoulder. “She should be resting on the beach, not pushing her platform.” Celeste clapped a hand over her mouth. “Sheesh. Aren’t I the judgy one? Sorry. She should do whatever keeps her happy.”
“You’re not judgy.” Natalie shrugged. “We’ve just been through it, right? When the days are so obviously numbered and running out… That was the hardest time for me with Mom. Thinking every goodbye was the last one.”
Veronica was doing her best to pretend she couldn’t hear her sisters. Dwelling on those final days was the fastest way to sap her energy and derail a day. Something she couldn’t afford while she was the point of contact if their guests needed anything.
Taking Natalie’s advice, she searched a few hashtags to see if the content felt right for what she wanted to put out there. It seemed like her little sister was onto something.
Opening another app on her phone, she started making notes as she scrolled, until an alert chimed to let her know Susannah was about to go live on social media. Veronica switched over and tuned in.
“Oh, Roni! Getting spicy morning texts from Brayden?” Nat leaned over Veronica’s phone.
Veronica rolled her eyes. “You’re awful. I knew I should’ve kept all of that to myself.”
Her sisters had teased her relentlessly last night, accusing her of having a wild, uncontrollable crush on Brayden back in high school. None of her protests stopped the nonsense, of course, only adding fuel to the fire.
“Wrong,” Celeste declared. She scooped out another slice of toast from the casserole dish. “You shared because you wanted us to talk you into going for it.”
“Not even remotely true,” Veronica said again. “You’re both delusional.”
Celeste shook her head. “More like hopeful.” She raised her glass.
“Huh?”
