“Thanks.” Maude gave a shake of her head. “I don’t know what it is exactly, but he’s been kinda short with me and somewhat cranky since I made this move. I guess that’s a polite way of saying he thinks my life looks too perfect now.”
She kept her tone light, but her heart ached at the truth. “I hate to say he’s jealous, but that’s what it feels like. I’ve tried to help him, tried to get him to make better choices. He just doesn’t see all the work I’ve put in. How I’ve saved and lived on a budget. I’m not rich by any means, but I’ve eked out my little corner of the world here and I’m comfortable.”
Blaise rested her hand on Maude’s arm, a gesture that felt warm and sisterly. “Call him when you’re ready. Not before.”
Maude did a quick yoga breath to center herself. “Yeah. I will.” She looked back at the laptop. “Let’s finish making you famous first.”
“It won’t take me long to pick out the ones I like. I have to go soon anyway. Brick and I are having dinner.” Blaise smiled. She told Maude briefly about what had happened with Brick’s son.
Maude made a face. “I’d say dinner is the least he can do.”
“Brick’s a good guy. It’s not his fault his son got some strange ideas about me.” Blaise refocused on the laptop.
“No, definitely not his fault,” Maude said. She wondered if he knew how lucky he was to have a woman like Blaise defending him.
Blaise chose her top favorites, six strong shots that made her look like the confident, modern icon she truly was. Maude saved them to a folder and promised to add them to the website.
Blaise hugged her goodbye, thanking her again before heading off to get ready for dinner with Brick like it was no big deal, although the sparkle in her eyes gave her away.
When the door closed behind her, Maude exhaled. That had gone really well. The website was going to be one of the best. She couldn’t wait to get started on it, but she had something else to take care of first.
Maude stared at her phone, thinking about Robbie’s message. She didn’t really know what to expect from him, but she doubted it would be good. She chewed her lip, then tapped the screen to call him before she could talk herself out of it.
He answered on the second ring. “Hey, Maudie.”
She didn’t like anyone but Ollie calling her that, but Robbie’s voice sounded tired and strained. He was trying to sound upbeat and failing.
“Hey, Robbo,” she said gently. “Rough day?”
She swore she could hear him swallow. Then came a shaky exhale. “Rough month. Maybe rough year.”
Maude straightened, instincts sharpening. She’d been right. But that didn’t stop her from caring about her brother. “What’s going on?”
“It’s just…everything,” he said. “Work’s dried up, couldn’t make rent again. And I’m—” He cut himself off with an exhale. “I hate feeling stuck.”
Maude closed her eyes. Not again.
“I was wondering…” Robbie continued, hesitation lacing every word, “If I could maybe come stay with you for a bit? Justuntil I get back on my feet. I kinda want to see what life’s like in your neck of the woods.”
Her pulse stuttered. She loved him fiercely. But Robbie was a storm in human form. When he arrived, chaos often followed. He just seemed to create it.
“Why not stay with Mom and Dad?” she asked carefully. “They’d let you crash there. You wouldn’t even have to ask. And life in the Keys might really suit you.”
He laughed but it was short and bitter. “Ma? Dad? You know how they are. Every conversation turns into them reminding me of how wellyouturned out. ‘Your sister’s got her own business, Maude’s so organized, Maude’s making a life for herself…’” His voice petered out. “I can’t handle that level of disappointment right now.”
“Oh, Robbie…” Maude’s chest ached at the familiar refrain.
“So?” he asked. In that one word she heard hope and fear. “Can I come? Just for a while?”
Maude paced to the window where a thin sliver of the Gulf shimmered through the palms. She pressed her hand to her forehead. This was not a good idea. She knew that. But how did she tell her baby brother no?
“I don’t want to be a burden,” he said quickly. “I just…don’t know where else to go. I need a break. I need things to be…different.”
And there it was, the guilt icing on top of the familial duty cupcake.
Maude swallowed, choosing each word with care. “Of course you can stay with me. But we’re going to do this the right way. There are going to be boundaries. And house rules. This is a tiny house. ‘Tiny’ being the operative word. You’re not going to like it but if you make one complaint, I will change the locks. Deal?”
Robbie’s relief was palpable, crackling through the phone. “Deal. Absolutely. Thank you, Maudie. You’re saving my life.”
