Our firm? He hadn’t even been accepted to a law school.
“You know. Get some face time.”
“Face time,” she repeated mechanically.
“I gotta tell you, I’m leaning toward Stanford. It’s a great lifestyle out here. So think about it.”
Who was she talking to? This didn’t sound like the Peter she knew at all. He sounded like a stranger.
“Listen, I have to get back . . . wining and dining some clients, you know the drill.”
She didn’t know the drill. And what was Peter doing wining and dining clients? He was an intern. The Gilbert House interns sometimes got pizza.
“Okay, I guess I’ll see you next week.”
“Sure thing. Can’t wait.” He hung up.
But she could. She was confused. And suddenly she wasn’t looking forward to seeing him at all.
Chapter 29
There was no question of not working through the weekend. With the gala only seven days away, it was imperative that the restoration team get as much work done as possible. So at nine o’clock after a restless night, Meri arrived at Gilbert House, which was already alive with activity. Carlyn’s, Doug’s, and Alden’s vehicles were in the lot as well as Krosky’s bike. There were several other cars that she didn’t recognize.
She stopped in the kitchen for a cup of coffee to go with the bagel she’d bought on her way over and found Krosky, Doug, and Carlyn sitting at a table covered with bakery bags and donut boxes.
“Taking a break?” Meri asked. “Or just getting started?”
“Already finished,” Doug said. “Coated and covered in plastic. We were just discussing whether to do another one or move onto something else.”
“I think we should stick to the plan,” Carlyn said and tapped her pen on the yellow legal pad she’d been writing on.
Meri poured herself a cup, sat down, and opened the wrapper of her bagel.
“Krosky and I will do the bulk of the mantel cleaning tomorrow. I’d like to put you on the details though, Meri. I’d like to have a clean-enough piece to show how much work we’ve done. It should be ready for you by Monday.”
He turned Carlyn’s legal pad so he could see it better. “What else did we decide on?”
“Door, window, wallpaper, ceiling, fireplace.”
A lot of work.
“Okay, boss, I’m on it.” Meri drained her cup and put the rest of her bagel in the fridge. “I assume Alden’s already working. Let me check with him to see how ready he is for color. And I’ll take it from there.”
The door to the newly designated studio was closed. She knocked lightly.
“Come in.” Alden looked up from his computer monitor. “Hey, come look at this and tell me how you like it.”
She went over; he stood and moved his chair out of the way, and they stood side by side gazing at Meri’s ceiling. Or the patterns of her ceiling, radiating out from a center point. The colors were primary and there was none of the detail, but he’d replicated the pattern to scale.
“The beauty and the shortcomings of computer graphics,” he said. “Beauty in that it saves a lot of grunt work, but it isn’t painting and we can guess that your ceiling has several intermixing patterns not to mention all the cornices and moldings that were probably decorated.”
“That pretty much covers it. I’ll try to get you a cornice at least—may take a couple or three days—at least enough to imagine the rest. Then we’ll—I’ll—come up with some appropriate color scheme. It won’t be authentic. Ugh. I hate guesswork.”
He chuckled. “I know. You just keep plugging along, and we’ll get it close enough to wow them.”
She looked up at him. Really looked.
“What?”
“Thanks. I mean it.”
“I know you do.”
“I hope I didn’t screw up your plans.”
“Meri, you have never screwed up anything in my life.”
“I—I better get to work.” Before she said or did something stupid. For a second while they talked about their work there had been that old natural camaraderie, and she almost forgot the unexpected attraction that had hit her the night before. But as soon as he looked at her, it all came rushing back. She needed to get a grip. He was still the same old Alden, but she had somehow changed.
“Where is Nora?” she asked.
“Went off with the glazier who was here earlier.”
“Lizzy Blanchard?”
“Yes. Nora was completely taken with the colored glass. I’m afraid we may have another budding artist in the family.”
In the family. Those words followed Meri as she gathered her equipment and, surrounded by the lingering fumes of paint dissolver, climbed the scaffolding to her ceiling.
She’d taken samples of several of all four of the cornices, and she chose one that looked the strongest to begin her work. She’d start with hand scraping and hoped without much hope that much of the paint would loosen. As expected, by the time she took a break, most of the ceiling white was still in place.
No one was about so she ate the second half of her bagel, filled the jug with the vinegar solution, and carried it back up the scaffolding to scrub the newest paint away.
The cornice was ornate, making her job more difficult. And several times she had to climb down to replenish her water-vinegar solution and her supply of clean cloths.
It was late when Meri heard someone call her name. She looked over the railing to see Nora standing below her. “Dad says it’s time for you to knock off and come have dinner with us.”
“I smell like vinegar and am covered with paint chips.”
“We’ll wait for you to change.”
“Okay, just let me clean up this mess.”
Dinner was quiet but relaxed. Alden took them to one of the restaurants that overlooked the bay. Nora told them all about the glazier’s studio—at length. And Alden and Meri let her talk. It was good to see her the happy teenager she’d been on her last visit.
Meri had started the evening determined to control her wandering emotions. But it was unnecessary. The more she relaxed, the more Alden opened up. He seemed pleased to have his daughter home. And Meri was curious as to whether they had made any plans for where they would live.
Maybe he would change his mind about leaving Corrigan House, now that Nora was home for good.
They walked Meri home, Alden’s arm around each of them. Comfortable like what? A father and his daughters? A man and his family? Meri tried not to analyze it too much and just enjoy the sense of peace it gave her.
But when they left, she felt unaccountably alone. And ill at ease, because all the doubts she’d been having lately rose up at once. It was only nine o’clock, and she considered calling Gran but then thought she might be asleep. She called Dan.
It was calming to talk to her dad, to get updates on work and family. He told her about his latest project. She told him about Nora running away, and how Alden was helping them get ready for the fund-raiser.
Then she told him about meeting Everett Simmons and how Simmons had helped them get on the agenda.
“He’s a nice man. I’m glad he loved Riley. But you’re my dad, my only dad.”
She kind of teared up while saying that, so she cut to the real reason she called him. “Dad, I think I’m having second thoughts about Peter.”
“Oh,” he said clearly surprised. “Did something happen to cause you to change your mind?”
“Sort of, but nothing to do with Peter. It’s just that he seems like a different person out there. He likes it. I don’t think I would like it. I know I wouldn’t. Especially not the lifestyle he’s envisioning. What should I do?”
“Well, I think your mother would say, follow your heart.”
“My heart’s confused.”
“About whether you love Peter enough to give up your work and life here and relocate?”
She hesitated, then just blurted it out. “About whether I love Peter enough to marry him at all.”
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“Are you sure this isn’t because of learning about the circumstances of your birth? About him being gone when you could really have used him to be supportive? Did you even tell him about it?”
“No. He was leaving and I didn’t think it was the right time.”
“Hmm. Maybe you should talk to him before you make any decisions.”
“You’re the one who said he wasn’t right for me.”
“I know, but I’m prejudiced. I think you deserve someone very special.”
“And Peter’s not special?”
“If he is to you, then I guess he is to me, too. Meri, have you met someone else?”
Meri swallowed. “No, I haven’t met anyone.”
“Well, I wish your mother were here to help you through this. I always depended on her to help me see things.”
“You’re doing good. Thanks, Dad. I love you.”
“Love you, too, sweetheart. Things will work out for the best, and we all support you whatever you decide.”
And she had to be content with that. The choice was placed back squarely on her shoulders. She carried it to bed with her.
Meri and her coworkers worked through the weekend and into the next week without a break. She uncovered a gilt detailed cornice that had Doug climbing up the scaffolding to see it firsthand.
Alden hand finished the details on the ceiling design following the tracing Meri had done and the photos of the work in progress. When the fireplace was stripped, they discovered tiles in addition to the wooden columns and cameos inset with colored glass.
Doug immediately found the addition of glass suspect, an ornamentation added later in the century. But that was one of the many exciting things about restoration.
Everyone came in to admire and study the partially cleaned mantel. And Krosky beamed like a proud father.
Meri didn’t see too much of Alden during the day. Nora’s transcripts still hadn’t come through so Alden granted her another week off on the condition that she did schoolwork with Carlyn in the mornings—though twice she visited the glass studio and on Wednesday afternoon came back with several tile squares that she had “pressed” herself.
Not spending time with Alden was a good thing, since Meri was meeting Peter on Saturday. The mere thought of that sent her adrenaline racing. She couldn’t tell if it was anticipation or dread.
Twice Carlyn had stopped her and asked if everything was all right.
Meri said of course. She was under a deadline and she was afraid to look too closely at what she was feeling. Everything was moving too fast. In the last month almost everything in her life had changed, and now she was afraid she was falling in love with a man she’d known all her life.
On Thursday morning, the whole crew convened in the kitchen to go over last-minute details. Alden gave them a spur-of-the-moment slide show of the shots he would present to the donors the following night.
It was amazing. Not just accurate computer duplications but a display of color and design and whimsy that was the hallmark of Alden’s illustrations. It not only looked beautiful but led the viewer into a different world.
She caught his eye. “They’re wonderful. Thank you.”
He smiled at her, shook his head.
“Silk purse,” Doug exclaimed. And it was hard to tell who was bouncing higher, Joe or Doug.
When the meeting broke up, Carlyn held Meri back. Then she closed the door. “Okay, spill; what’s going on with you?”
She had taken Meri completely off guard.
“I know you’re preoccupied and have been working overtime. But I’ve hardly seen you, and you’re avoiding Alden. I don’t think you’re mad at me. Are you mad at him?”
“I’m not mad at anyone.”
“So what gives?”
Meri shrugged. She so wanted to talk out her fears and confusion with Carlyn, but she didn’t want to admit her emotional vacillations.
“Sit.”
Meri sat and Carlyn came to sit beside her.
“I’m kind of on emotional overload.”
“I figured that much. So what’s bothering you the most?”
“All of it, but mainly . . .” She leaned into her friend. “I don’t think I want to marry Peter.” There, no longer second thoughts—she’d said what she was really thinking out loud.
“Whoa.”
“You don’t sound all that surprised.”
“Well, actually, I don’t quite know how to say this, but . . . is it because of Alden?”
“How can you tell?”
“Oh come on, you two have the perfect relationship, communication, affection, everything a relationship should have except sex; I’m guessing there’s still no sex.”
Meri shook her head violently. “No! He doesn’t—”
“Yes, he does. I noticed it the first day. I think it’s just hard for both of you to recognize what’s happening. Hell, you even have the teenager. Ready-made family.”
Meri jerked her head toward the closed door.
“Nobody can hear us.”
Meri leaned even closer. “But why now? After all these years and what if he doesn’t—” She covered her face with her hands. “Listen to me; I sound like a teenager.”
“Well, hell, the new you was just born a few weeks ago. That’s bound to change some things.”
“But what about Peter?”
Carlyn crossed her arms, thought for a moment. “Well, when you see him Saturday, you’ll probably know. If you feel like jumping him right then and there, wait long enough to imagine yourself living in California with him. If that old black magic doesn’t happen, I think that will be your answer.”
“This may sound weird, but I don’t think the way I feel has as much to do with Peter as . . .” Meri cocked her head to the right.
Carlyn grinned at her. “Krosky?”
Meri pushed her. “You know, a few weeks ago I was looking forward to spring and spending Friday nights singing karaoke. Since then everything’s changed and I haven’t even gotten to the pub.”
“The pub will always be there. I’m not so sure Alden will be.”
“I know. He was planning to move to Manhattan before Nora ran away. We’re both hoping he’s changed his mind.”
“Have you asked?”
“No, and neither has she. I think we’re both afraid of what his answer will be.”
Carlyn huffed out a sigh. “Then ask yourself this. Would you move to Manhattan to be with him?”
Meri frowned at her, considered. “I don’t know.”
Later that afternoon Everett Simmons stopped by to get a progress report on the work. And he brought his wife. Meri was covered in paint bits, wearing smudged jeans and latex gloves, when Doug brought them in to see the chimney she and Krosky were painstakingly cleaning.
She immediately stood up and pulled off one glove to shake Mrs. Simmons’s hand, thinking that her emotional cup was about to overflow. Inez Simmons smiled cordially and said it was a pleasure to meet her. And Meri thought she meant it.
And that’s when she saw Alden in the group looking at her curiously. She hadn’t told him any details about Everett, and she certainly hadn’t told Everett about him. Now they were on a first-name basis. She wondered what they had figured out on their own.
“It’s looking very good,” Everett said. “And Alden’s designs will certainly enhance the presentations.” He glanced at his watch. “Have to get going. See you Friday night.”
The Simmonses left. Doug, Krosky, and Meri looked at one another as the reality intruded. Friday. They had to be ready tomorrow.
Friday morning they all met in the kitchen at Gilbert House.
Only Alden was missing.
“Where is he?” Meri asked Carlyn as they listened to Doug outline the points they would each want to cover as they were talking to potential donors at the fund-raiser.
“Already at the college recording studio directing a voice-over by one of the drama students. The man is amazing.” She managed a tiny
doo-wop hand movement beneath the table and sang in a whisper, “What he did for love.”
“Carlyn,” Meri pleaded.
“You think he did it for Doug?” Carlyn looked under the table. “Good, you’ve got your running shoes on. How about a little exercise before we go doll up for the evening?”
Exercise was just what she needed, Meri realized as they took the Cliff Walk at a brisk pace. Though the nights were still cool, the days were warm. It was almost May. And today was warm and sunny, which could go either way for a fund-raiser. Either it would be fully attended because no one would have to brave the rain to attend. Or everyone would be out sailing, or whatever they did on nice weekends, and no one would come.
“Out of our hands,” Carlyn said when Meri mentioned it. “You’re a control freak, you know that?”
“Takes one to know one,” Meri returned.
“Yeah, but I hedge my bets by only trying to control what’s possible.”
“If that were true, you’d be making big bucks for a corporation that didn’t survive on a wing and a prayer and the kindness of strangers.”
“True,” Carlyn said and broke into a jog.
They parted at two and Meri went home to try to calm down and figure out what to wear. Not that it was a big stretch. She had four little black dresses, one for each season. In the spirit of optimism, she went with spring. She showered, washed her hair, and spent a half hour attempting to repair and polish nails ravaged by restoration work.
Then she dressed, slipped her feet into high heels, and drove herself to the Rosecliff.
Meri was on the early side, though quite a few people had already arrived. She showed her invitation to the majordomo at the door and stepped into the foyer.
She always loved going to the mansion, whether on a research recce or a guided tour, a special event or peering at a wedding from the Cliff Walk. Once she got inside, she paused just to take in the beauty of the fluted staircase, the way it flowed upstairs to a floor-length window before branching and curving upward to the third floor.
Meri was directed to the ballroom, the largest ballroom in Newport. It was breathtaking, even with the various projects presented on tables around the perimeter and interspersed with bars and food stations and roving waiters with trays of hors d’oeuvres.
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