Loving David Read Free Page B

He stammered. “Would you mind explaining?” he asked.
    Charlotte leaned against the counter as she twisted her fingers around her long, auburn locks, trying to come up with an easy answer. “One of the ladies owns this property, and several years ago she started bringing colleagues here for a getaway. And she soon realized all of her friends were divorced or widowed. They would spend hours discussing their struggles. She also noticed her divorced friends would end up in one part of the house talking about their problems and her widowed friends would be in another part of the house talking with each other and it just developed from there.”
    She finished putting away her groceries and joined David at the table.
    “For a long time now, the group’s been gathering here once a year. The widows stay together in one of the large cabins and divorcees in the other. During the day, the two groups meet in their respective cabins to talk about their issues. We also hold book clubs, seminars---- that kind of thing. But at dinner time we all come together in the large dining cabin in the back. We all eat together and talk about our projects or play cards.” Charlotte shrugged. “There really is no set plan. It’s just fun.”
    “Fascinating.” David leaned forward and looked at her. “So, why do you have your own cabin?”
    Charlotte threaded her fingers together and looked down at the table. She let out a sigh. “I belong in both groups. Sort of.”
    David frowned. “Oh. Both?” he raised an eyebrow. “Why both?” he asked gently.
    Charlotte took another sip of iced tea. “I’d been separated for about two years before my husband was killed in a car accident, so the ladies put me in the ‘both’ category. I’m the only one with this particular situation, so I chose to stay in the small cabin. I spend time with both groups, but my main job is to make all of the arrangements for us before everyone else gets here.” Charlotte leaned back against her chair. “I usually come up here early and make sure the cabins are ready, clean, stocked--- that kind of thing. I had to run back to L.A. for some meetings, so this is my second trip up here in as many days. I help with the travel arrangements…. pick up prescriptions.” She took a deep breath and released it. “I am the youngest woman here, so doing all the leg-work is easier for me.” Charlotte shook the ice in her glass. “I’ve been doing this for about three years now, and I really love it. I’ve learned so much from these ladies.” Charlotte finished her tea. “They’re like family to me.”
    He was silent for a moment as he drank his tea. “Which group do you talk with more?”
    “Divorcees,” she said matter-of-factly.
    He finished his drink as though he was unsure of what to say next. “Are you sure it’s okay that I stay here? This being a no-man zone and all,” he said to lighten the mood.
    “No,” she said bluntly. “They’re going to kick my ass.”
    David’s jaw dropped a bit. “You’re serious?” Charlotte shrugged her shoulders and cocked her head to the side to indicate a beat-down was a distinct possibility.
    David rubbed his hand across his chin, concern crinkling around his eyes. “Maybe I should leave; I don’t want to get you in trouble with your friends.”
    “Oh, the ladies may bark at first, but I’ll just explain to them what happened. I ’m sure they’ll understand,” Charlotte scoffed, trying to convince them both. She glanced at the clock on the wall in the kitchen. “They should all be in the dining cabin getting ready for dinner.” Charlotte stood and placed her hands on her hips. “Let’s get this over with.”
    “Maybe you should go and talk to them first; warm them up a bit, and then introduce me.” David suggested.
    “I don’t think so. Better to just take the bull by the horns.” She held up her index finger, a thought occurring to her. “You know, I do remember two years back one of the girls