Saturday June 22; Trixie was back from her trip with Greg and was getting all caught up with things. Business was booming. Trixie missed a fun river tubing day and barbecue. Bobbie agreed to help the tubing guys with their festival and Johnny was supplying the stage.

Brit, Chuck’s daughter, was designing small booths for the market. She worked out what materials they would need and everything. They wouldn’t be finished for the first market so they would rent big folding tables for vendors. The more permanent structures for the market would be built after the festival.

Joe and Quinn were working on a pamphlet and digital presence for the tubing company and a page to advertise the tubing festival. Joe also made a digital sign up form for festival talent and a separate form to rent a market stall. By noon on Saturday The Rocky River Tubing Festival and Market website was live and building had started.

Chuck and Beau were pleased with the websites and were starting to see more tubing business.

Bobbie was in Trixie’s office. “How’s it going Trixie, I hope you had a good trip. We’ve been pretty busy this week. Does that mean we starting to turn a profit? We had a request for a wedding but have not met with them yet. I think it’s a relative of Joan’s”

“We have a lot of staff now and we have been able to get a few heads-in- beds and I’m happy to say the renovations are all paid for. We’re almost ready for special events. The loans you had against the motel itself, are paid off. At least your pension is your own again. Your profit still only barely pays for the staff salaries though. You’re in a better spot than most business owners because you have no investors. I think we’ll call it a success. Marshal (tax accountant) may need you to loan yourself some money to pay salaries though.”

“Thanks Trixie, this better than I expected. If Alex were here we’d be better off, we’d have all the money from his shares…”

“Honey you’re doing fine and right on track to grow, without that money. I can have you over for dinners if you run out of food, we won’t let you starve.”

“So how are you and Greg doing, did you have a nice trip?”

“You know, we did. I sometimes feel we don’t even know each other. Not like a couple who built their lives together. He’s pretty good at giving me space and vice versa. Now, I promised Lorne I wouldn’t ask you anything but he told me you were seeing an old flame. Like before Alex old? Were you in daycare together?”

“Oh Trixie, I went to a sailing camp after my bad year and I met him there. I was sixteen and he was eighteen and we kissed a lot, he is absolutely the best kisser and we really thought we were in love.”

“Wow Bobbie, you never mentioned him.”

“I never thought I’d see him again. I did back in 1990, at a conference in Vegas.”

“Oh no Bobbie, did Alex know?”

“He did, we couldn’t keep secrets, it was a rough patch in the marriage and we BOTH made mistakes. It took us a while but we came out stronger.”

“Alex fooled around on you? He was so charismatic I’m not surprised. Oh well that is all water under the bridge, I guess.”

“So anyway, last Saturday I ran into him again. And now we’re both single. And Trixie, it was like we’ve always been together.”

“Oh honey that’s great; so who is this guy? Do I know him?”

“Probably not personally but you likely know of him, it’s Ambrose Hennessy”

“Really, the minister of finance, the heir to the Hennessy estate and all that? I’ve never met him but he’s seriously wealthy and handsome and really smart. For real Bobbie?”

“Maybe. I’m starting to think I’m crazy and reading too much into things.”

“Well anyway, I was looking into this Tubing company and Chuck and Beau have had tried a couple businesses and failed rather spectacularly, taking investors down with them. I’m not saying they are crooks but they might be a little too idealistic and definitely not a couple of guys you want to invest a lot in.”

“I wasn’t planning on giving them any money but they can have some free labour. I did say I’d get Rocco to buy some wood for them to build up their market stalls. They have a neat plan for the stalls and it won’t cost much more than a couple thousand in wood.”

“That can come out of your personal income Bobbie.”

Bobbie agreed and said goodbye and headed back to her apartment. Johnny came in and was excited to talk about the festival. He was helping them scrounge up some acts. “Do you think you and Jamie and I can get the old festival act back together?”

“That would be pretty good wouldn’t it. I can ask Jamie. We played together recently and he might be warm to the idea.”

“When did you guys play?”

“We were in Cid City on business and did an open mic thing.”

“Cool.” Said Johnny

Bobbie could see the light on her phone was blinking and she wanted to finish talking to Johnny so she could check the message.

“So Bobbie are you up for a carpentry day tomorrow. We’re all going to turn out and help the guys build their market stalls.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow” And she almost pushed him out the door.

She listened to the message. It was Hennessy he gave her a personal e-mail and personal phone number as asked her to call whenever. She took the phone into her bedroom relaxed on the bed and called.

“Hi Hennessy, I got your message.”

“Hi Bobbie, you can call me Brose if you like, I think we are beyond Hennessy and you haven’t been McNally in a very ling time.”

“You are so right. I’m glad you called. I’ve been wondering where we stand. I mean, do you think can we build a real relationship.”

“You get right to the point don’t you? I hope we can build a relationship; I’ve always had a soft spot for you. That’s what ended my marriage after all.”

“Really? Did it fall apart after we met in Vegas in 1990?”

“Bingo. It was just the last straw. We were very unhappy.”

“Oh no, Alex forgave me but mostly because he had slept with a college so we were at a bit of a stalemate.”

“I’m glad we didn’t meet again while you were still married. I thought about it Bobbie, I knew where you were, back then, I couldn’t do that to you.”

“Alex was a really great guy. You kept tabs on me? I’m not sure you would have liked each other.”

“I can’t see it, he had a perfect family and I was jealous.”

“When can I see you again?”

“Parliament just closed for the summer and I don’t have any meetings tomorrow or Monday what do you say we take off together for a couple of days. I’ll fly to Crow Harbour tomorrow and we can get an Air BNB outside the city.”

“That’s short notice but I don’t mind. I’ll find a nice place that’s out of the way. Send me your flight information.”

Bobbie hung up and after a quick search found a nice cottage to rent for a few days. While she got ready for bed, she thought about her conversation with Trixie. It would be better with Alex. He would set the coffee up every night. He’d bring home nice wine and play records when they had supper. He brought positive energy to everything he did. He’d be such good friends with George and Greg. And even Johnny. She wiped away a few wistful tears and went to sleep.