by L C Kincaide
“Miss Stuart, good morning? How may I help you?”
“Good morning, Karen. Is Mr. Morrow available? I have a couple of questions I’d like to ask.”
Karen’s eyes darted to the screen. “He has a few minutes before his next appointment.”
“Thanks, that would be great.”
Karen tapped a button and spoke quietly into the microphone clipped at her jaw.
“Go on ahead, he’ll see you.” She smiled and turned to answer the next call.
She knocked discreetly on the partially open door and entered when he bade her inside.
“Come in! Please have a seat. Gray tells me you’ve been making excellent progress.” He rose to his feet and smiled kindly from behind his desk. As usual, he was attired in a dark suit and white shirt. Today, his tie was navy with subtle pale blue and gray stripes, his most casual tie yet.
“He’s been invaluable. I’m grateful he took the time to explain it all.” Emma sat in the leather chair for visitors.
“I’m sure he enjoyed it, and it won’t hurt him to be in the company with people closer to his own age, so I gather it was a good experience for you both.”
“He’s very interesting. I’m glad to have gotten to know him.”
The older man smiled again, pleased, and for a moment she saw him as a doting grandfather rather than the authority figure he was.
“Karen said you have some questions for me?”
“Yes, I do.” Emma collected her thoughts aware she didn’t have much time. “I’ve been making plans on a project and consulting with Gray and several people, but I wanted to get your perspective on it before I go ahead.”
Mr. Morrow steepled his fingers as she gave him a synopsis for her charity event. He nodded a couple of times and it encouraged her to continue. When she stopped, he leaned back, his eyes taking on a faraway look as he considered her words.
“I think that is an excellent idea!” He said at last. “I would suggest that you draw a proposal — it need not be overly specific.”
“You mean like my vision?”
“Yes, precisely. When you have it, we’ll set up an appointment with PR and help turn it into reality.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
“I’m sure it will be.” He said encouraging her further.
She looked for any hint of condescension, or if he was just humoring her because of who she is, but found no signs of either. “I’ll be in touch.” She rose to leave, then turned. “There is just one thing.”
His brows arched.
“The documents pertaining to the Trust seem incomplete. All the business and legal aspects are covered, but the terms regarding the family are not there.”
He nodded. “We were never privy to the personal details of the Trust. Your mother would have kept a copy with her.”
Of course she did. She had assumed the professionals made all the decisions, but these were private Everdon issues and not meant for sharing with outsiders.
“That makes sense. I still have all of that to get through.”
Mr. Morrow came around the desk preparing to leave. “Emma, I fully understand. You have been through so much in a short amount of time and I commend you on your efforts. Keeping busy has its advantages, especially in difficult times, but there is no need to rush headlong into anything. No one expects it of you. Take your time to sort it out.”
“Thank you.” She said. “I appreciate your understanding. Mum spoke kindly of you.”
“She was a god woman. Sound business mind and your idea has great potential. I look forward to seeing the details.” He walked her to the door and wished her a good weekend.
Karen gave her a smile on the way to the elevator. Friday already? She may as well change and head over to mum’s while Esther was still around to help sort through her mother’s clothes and other personal effects. How she dreaded the task, but who else was supposed to take care of it? Matthew? No, she was the daughter, and it was her duty.
CHAPTER 7
~*~
“Your mother was an elegant woman.” Esther spoke behind her.
Emma was standing in front of the open closet doors staring at the racks of dresses, blouses, day suits and skirts she remembered her mother wearing. She didn’t need any of those things anymore, nor the shoes nor anything else for that matter. Why was it so hard to get rid of it then? Elinor had no attachment to these clothes, and neither did she, yet…
“I know it’s not easy letting go.” Esther continued closer now. “I can still see her in this.” She said pulling out a pale lavender dress with a pleated bodice and flared skirt.
“She had a silk wrap that went with it.” Emma remembered too.
“These things are not your mother. They are just things. Come, Emma. I will help you and if there is something you can’t let go of, it can wait until later.”
“Thanks, Esther.” Emma turned to her mother’s long-time maid and probably friend too. They had spent years together going far back to shortly after daddy died. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Esther smiled, her tired eyes crinkling at the corners. She was not a young woman either, past retirement age, if she was correct, but she had stayed with mum, the arrangement suiting them both.
She emptied the closet and sorted the clothes in piles, one for laundry, the other to dry clean and the rest were as-is. Emma joined her, glad for her help as well a company. While they sorted, each shared memories and laughed at the funnier stories. By dinnertime, they were done.
“What are your plans now, Esther?”
“I have a cousin in Sedona and I’m going to find a house there big enough for us both. The east coast is a bit damp and not that good for my joints. She says they have an artists’ community so I’ll try my hand at painting. I’ve always wanted to learn watercolor.”
“That sounds amazing. I hope you’ll be happy there.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Your mother was very generous and I will miss her.”
“She liked you very much and valued your companionship.” Emma said without hesitation.
Esther was one of the few people her mother had not been overly critical of, with the possible exception of her boeuf bourguignon recipe which she found a touch light on the wine.
“She wasn’t the easiest of individuals to live with, especially considering the family’s troubles. I’m so glad that is behind you. Such a terrible burden for you all.”
Esther shook her head sadly remembering the many years her employer had sacrificed to fulfill the Everdon demands. To an extent, she too had been involved; purchasing train tickets anonymously for their annual guests, the last of whom had been Ivy Wylmot. Her efforts had shielded them from that horrible inspector whose name she could not recall.
“She trusted you as did I. I’m sorry you had to be part of that.”
Esther shrugged. “Water under the bridge. For you too. If I can start over at my age, so can you. Your mother would have wanted that. It wasn’t her way to show emotion, but she loved you very much.”
While Emma appreciated her words, she had to wonder how well Esther really knew mum. In some ways, quite well it seemed, but there were parts of Elinor Everdon only she had seen and that was on their last evening in London.
“I’m sure you’re right, Esther,” was all she said on that subject. “When do you leave?”
“On Monday.”
“So soon?”
“I didn’t see the sense in putting it off and you’ll want to make plans for the apartment.”
“I haven’t decided what to do, actually.”
Esther glanced around the living room full of Elinor’s furniture, the shelves laden with books, the desk filled with papers, never mind the contents of the other rooms.
“There
are still the shelves and drawers to go through so you can live here while you take your time sorting them out. Or put the furniture in storage and lease it.”
“I never truly appreciated how practical you are, Esther!”
“I think some of your mother’s influence rubbed off on me over the years.” She laughed with her. “But you decide what is best for you. Take care of yourself, Emma.” She touched a hand to her cheek, a gesture she would not have dared make with Elinor around.
“Thank you. For Everything.”
“You are welcome.”
Emma’s phone rang.
“Are you coming for dinner? Mom made chicken paprikash and strawberry rice pudding. You have to help me eat it!”
“No problem. How’s Ella?”
“She has her mother’s appetite, I’m afraid to say. Otherwise, she’s a dream.”
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.” She switched off the phone and turned to Esther who was gazing out the window.
“I have to go. Thanks again for everything. Is there anything I can do for you before I leave?”
“No, go on ahead. I’m meeting a friend for dinner.”
“Let me take you to the airport at least.”
“All right. That would be nice. I have to be there by ten am.”
“Ok. I’ll pick you up at nine.” She was at the door when she remembered something. “Esther, do you know where mum kept the Everdon papers? Are they in one of the desk drawers?”
“Oh no. Not in any drawer. They’re all in the built-in safe in her bedroom closet behind the shelf unit — it slides out of the way. The combination is your birthday.”
The trust Elinor had put in her maid astounded her.
“She told me just in case.”
Emma nodded then shook her head to clear it and smiled. “Enjoy your evening, Esther.”
“I packed up mum’s clothes with Esther today.”
“That couldn’t have been easy.”
“No, but having her with me helped. I never realized how close the two of them had been.”
“It makes sense, they saw each other every day for years, except when…”
“True. I don’t know why it surprises me. I wasn’t paying attention, I guess.”
“You had your own life.” Rachel shifted Ella in her arms. “She’s had enough, but she doesn’t want to let go.” Rachel’s lips twisted. “I can’t believe some women do this until the kid’s a toddler or older. I doubt I’ll be one of them.”
“Just think how healthy this little girl will be.”
“I won’t accept anything less than a superwoman. Matt, can you take her?”
He was there in an instant and after a tug, she handed her over and Ella was on his shoulder.
“Mom says we should be pounding her on the back, but rubbing is just as good.” Rachel whispered.
To prove her mother’s point, Ella gave an impressive belch, and Matthew looked ridiculously pleased with his daughter’s performance.
“Say good night for a while. I’m going up to change her.” He left them alone in the living room.
“He’s so amazing! Doesn’t even mind baby barf on his shoulder.”
“Mum always said he’d be a good dad.”
“And you’ll be a good mom.” Rachel said.
“You don’t have to keep saying that. It’s not something my heart’s set on.”
“Regardless, you will be when the time comes.”
“Hm.” She searched for a new subject. “Did Matt tell you about my plan for the charity event?”
“He mentioned something along those lines. What’s it about?”
Emma squirmed into a more comfortable position and laid out her plans as she had them thus far.
“Wow! That sounds impressive! When is all this happening? Maybe I can go if I fit into my clothes by then.”
“It depends how long it takes to organize, send out the invitations, arrange the publicity.”
“How about the fall? By then people are home from their summer retreats and back to their regular lives.”
“Good point. In October?”
“Yeah. And it could be a dress-up affair. I’ve been to a Black and White Ball. That was pretty glamorous.”
“Or a Masquerade Ball since it’s in the Halloween month.”
“Ooohhh! Now, you’re talking! That sounds like a blast! Would you wear one of the…”
“… costumes from the Weekends?”
“We don’t have a shortage of those, that’s for sure. But it would be a bit perverse.”
“It’s a good thing there’s plenty of time to decide.”
“I can only imagine mum’s reaction to me pulling the clothes out of storage… really, Emma what are you trying to accomplish taking those out of mothballs?”
Rachel laughed. “That was good! You had her down exactly!”
“She might even show up to give me her opinion in person.”
“Oh, I hope not. So, what are you up to for the weekend?”
“I should go through mum’s Everdon papers, see what’s in there that I should know about.”
“What do you suppose you’ll find in there?”
Emma shrugged. “The last time I went looking I found a new descendant.”
“Oh right.” Her eyes were round. “Have you heard from him?”
The hopeful tone didn’t escape her. “No, and I don’t plan on it.”
“Fortunately, my dear, it isn’t up to you.” She smirked.
Emma sighed. “Have it your way, but I’m not setting myself up for any more disappointments.”
“It doesn’t need to be disappointing.”
“I wish I could understand your optimism with him. He only sent flowers.”
Rachel shrugged mysteriously.
“He’s like a million miles away.” Emma persisted trying to make Rachel see the futility of her hopes.
“Just over three thousand, actually.”
“Ugh! I give up! So, what are you doing this weekend?”
“Mom wants to go sightseeing if the weather’s nice.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“Why don’t you come with us?”
“Thanks, but I should finish going through mum’s stuff.”
They sat in silence for a while.
“I’m sorry I can’t spend as much time with you anymore. I want to…”
“Don’t worry about it, we will once everything settles down. We are both in a new place right now.”
“Isn’t that the truth? Whatever happens, I will be at your Ball even if I have to dress as a pumpkin.”
“Somehow, I don’t think Ella will let that happen.”
Emma returned to her apartment feeling better than she had all day. She missed Rachel and their get-togethers, but not the reasons that kept them apart. Ella was wonderful, and she was eager to be a good auntie. Her project was exciting too. If only she could feel settled somewhere. She switched off the lights behind her on the way to the bathroom to prepare for bed.
Glancing around from under the covers, her room seemed forlorn. Nothing about it had changed in the five — or was it six years she had lived there, yet since her return from England, it no longer felt like home. She could try living at mum’s condo.
She stared at the empty vase on her dresser. The dried rose had its home in a bud vase on her night table. How pathetic was that? Already a petal lay on the surface. If Rachel were ever to find out…
Her phone rang, and she answered thinking it was she.
“Hullo, Miss Emma? Do you have any plans for tomorrow?”
CHAPTER 8
~*~
The smooth accented voice caused her breath to catch and sh
e could barely speak his name. “Adam?”
“I hope I’m not calling too late. I didn’t wake you did I?”
“No. I’m still up.” Her heart was racing, and she pressed the phone hard against her ear. The sound of his voice evoked the last image she had of him smiling at her, a little wistful. She was definitely awake if not entirely coherent.
“That’s a relief then, I recall you being rather a night-owl. How are you?”
“Um… good. Surprised.” That didn’t come out right. “In a good way. I wasn’t expecting you to call.” Great! Now she was babbling. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. Happy to hear your voice. It seems ages.”
“Yes, it’s been a while. What are you up to?”
“Basically wondering the same about you, which brings me to my original question. Are you free this weekend?”
Emma frowned. What difference could it make to him unless…
“The reason I’m asking in an exceptionally bumbling way is because I’m in Boston and if you’re not busy, I’d love to see you.”
Boston? “You are here?”
“Yes. I was attending an Architects conference; I won’t bore you with the details, and now I’m free and hoping you are as well. Can we get together before I head back?”
What should she do — read mum’s Everdon papers or spend time with him? No choice really.
“Yes, I’m free. Where are you?”
“At the Plaza. I can see the river from here. Quite posh.”
If she wanted to, she could walk there. “I’ll come by tomorrow. Did you want a tour guide?”
“That would be brilliant. We could have breakfast together if you’d like to start the day with that.”
“Sure, that sounds good. So, around nine?”
“Perfect. I’m looking forward to seeing you, Emma.”
