Page 9 of Finding Home at Hearts Hotel

"Rest assured, Uncle George, that the games are not the same without you out there," Michael told him, his tone sincere. "But don’t worry, Maggie and I have got the team in shape."

"Yeah, and I really wish you were at them," Linda grumbled, rolling her eyes in good-natured exaggeration. "There's no one around to rein in Maggie and Michael. They've completely taken over as co-captains, and they're running the Hearts Hotel team like a military regiment."

George let out a raspy, genuine chuckle that made his chest heave slightly. "Is that right?" He glanced at his nephew. “I hope we’re at least in the lead and you haven’t let those Eagle View nerds win.”

“As I said, Uncle George,” Michael’s eyes glinted cheekily. “Maggie and I have this under control and we’re in the lead.”

"They appointed a vice-captain," Linda added, shaking her head, "Penny Rawlings, who is a guest at the hotel, and she’s just as tough and competitive as Maggie and Michael."

"Penny?" George repeated, a sudden, bright amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes. "I like her already.”

"She actually bought the Bradley mansion," Linda told him. "She’s doing it up to live in.”

“Oh, really?" George’s eyes widened. “That old place needed a new owner that would give it some TLC.”

“Penny loves renovating old houses,” Linda explained, a slight smile lifting the side of her mouth. “I think there’s something going on between her and Martin.”

“Oh, now that’s interesting,” George said. “I hope she’s a nice person. Martin doesn’t need to be hurt again.”

“I think she’s good for him,” Linda assured her uncle. “They love the same things.”

“I believe Penny’s father used to restore classic cars and Penny picked up his love for it,” Michael continued telling his uncle about Penny. “She’s also been hurt.”

“Not in the same way as Martin,” Linda was quick to add. “Her now ex-husband was cheating on her.”

“What a scumbag,” George hissed. “I’m looking forward to meeting all these new friends you’ve made here this summer.”

Linda felt her cheeks pinken at the thought of Darius, as he was a very special new friend to her, but she decided not to tell her uncle about it just yet.

“Yes, Penny came to town with Isabel, Emma, Isabel’s granddaughter, and Isabel’s brother Darius, who is also Penny’s boss and dear friend,” Linda rambled, hoping her uncle didn’t notice how pink her cheeks were.

“Good grief,” George chuckled. “That was quite the mouthful, Linda.”

“Sorry, but there is so much to tell you, Uncle George.” Linda sat down in the chair, her hand still linked with her uncle's as Michael sat on the other side of him.

“Oh, and Martin isn’t the only one that’s found someone new in his life,” Michael added. “Owen and Isabel look like they are in a relationship too.”

“So this is a summer of love,” George commented, looking from Michael to Linda. “So Tom and Lila started a series of love stories.”

“Seems that way,” Linda agreed and then grinned at her brother teasingly. “Like Michael and Maggie.”

“Oh, yes, that’s right,” George turned to look at his nephew who was no longer squirming in his seat. “Anna told me that you and Maggie are now together.”

“Didn’t we tell you that before you landed in the ICU?” Michael reminded George.

“No,” George answered, shaking his head. “I did assume, though, as the two of you came in together to see me right before that.”

“It’s still new,” Michael told him and Linda saw the spark in her brother’s eyes. She was so happy for him and her best friend. “But I can already tell you, I think I want to marry her.”

Both Linda and George’s jaws dropped slightly open as they stared at him.

“Don’t rush into things, son,” George warned. “Give the relationship time to breathe.”

“I didn’t say right away,” Michael assured them and gave a nervous laugh. “Maggie only just managed to secure her divorce.”

“So that good-for-nothing is now finally out of Maggie’s life for good!” George sounded pleased.

“Yes,” Michael confirmed. “But not before trying to get half of her boutique and his new fiancée’s knock-off shop to be amalgamated with Maggie’s exclusive brand.”