Love's Paradise

by Celeste O. Norfleet

  “This won’t take long,” he said firmly. “Your office.”

  “Sure.” They went back to her office. She sat at her desk as Jack took a seat across from her.

  “Before we discuss what’s going on at the Hamilton site there’s something you should know. The Crescent Island Museum will no longer be funded. I’m sorry. The exhibits will be returned to their original museums or distributed to other museums. The doors will officially close next month.”

  She was stunned. “What? I don’t understand.”

  “Sheri, we can’t keep funding this building and we can’t afford to renovate. We tried having it designated as a historical site and we failed. We have no choice, we have to move on. We very recently received an offer to purchase this building.”

  “You’re selling the building, too?”

  “Yes. The Hamilton Development Corporation has made a very—”

  “The Hamilton Development Corporation? They bought it?”

  “Well, not quite. We’re very early in negotiations, but I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t go through.”

  “What are they going to do with it?” she asked nervously.

  Jack shrugged. “Tear it down, I assume. What else?”

  “When did they make the offer?”

  “Officially, yesterday,” he said.

  “Yesterday?” she repeated, shaking her head. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Sheri, the closing is essentially a done deal. It’s been in the works for the past twelve months. As we discussed earlier, I’d like you to return to the Smithsonian. Your expertise is invaluable there. Now, as for this business out at the site, our official response is no comment. There is no treasure or maps or valuables or any other nonsense.”

  “Jack, I’d like to start at the museum immediately, right now, today.”

  “Ah, I’m not sure that’s possible. Staying here would be best for all involved.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Sheri, I realize this is difficult. This is your hometown, right? I think you supervising the closing of the museum instead of a stranger would ease the transition for local residents. They’ll see you’re okay with it and…”

  “No.”

  “Sheri, I’m afraid leaving today is impossible. There’s a press conference scheduled and I’d like you there with us.”

  She didn’t respond. She was numb. She hadn’t seen any of this coming. He had used her, distracted her to get another building. Her phone beeped. She looked at the message from her aunt.

  The order was rescinded—it was then reissued stipulating the secondary site only—effective Wednesday a.m. Now go get your treasure!

  She functioned on autopilot the rest of the day. Thankfully it had calmed down considerably from the craziness earlier. She left early. There was nothing more to do. On the way out the guard handed her the envelope she had left at the desk earlier. She took it and kept going.

  She drove home and as soon as she stepped through the door she saw the box Jordan mentioned. She walked over, dropped her purse and the envelope and opened the box. It was what she’d expected. He had given her the artifacts Friday night and she didn’t even see them. She collapsed back on the sofa and grabbed the envelope he gave her earlier. She opened it and pulled out the tattered book. She sat up. She knew that book. She knew this writing. She’d read the one in the glass case a dozen times before. But this wasn’t it. This was something new.

  She very carefully opened the book to the first page. She smiled and gasped at the same time. Her heart beat faster as she read the first sentence. “Our son, Nicholas, was born…”

  Sheri didn’t stop until she’d read the whole thing. Afterward she got up and went to her mother’s house. Both she and her grandmother were still up. They were in the kitchen drinking tea. Sheri walked in, smiling. Lois and Camille looked up. “Sheri, what brings you out this late?”

  “Anne Louise Black was Nicholas’s mother. She died giving birth to her second child.”

  “What?”

  Camille clapped her hands. “Yes, yes, I knew it. I knew it. It all makes sense.”

  “What do you mean? How do you know?” Lois said.

  “It’s all in here, Anne’s second diary. Jordan gave it to me.” Sheri sat down and started reading the diary to her mother and grandmother. It told of Anne’s struggles and triumphs. She wrote detailed stories about her new husband and her young son, Nicholas, and her new life on Crescent Island, named after the ship that sank bringing them. The last entry talked about the coming birth of her second child. Lois and Camille barely breathed while Sheri read from the book a second time.

  “My grandmother once told me a story about her mother. I never remembered her name. She was born as her mother died. It was Anne.”

  “I guess that’s why she always seemed so special to me. She’s my ancestor.”

  Camille nodded. “She came looking for a new life, for change. She found love.”

  “She didn’t live long.”

  “She lived long enough. She had two children and now she has us, all of us. Her struggles made everything possible.”

  “Where did Jordan get it?” Lois asked Sheri.

  “I don’t know. We aren’t exactly together. I was the one who got Uncle Hal to close the site, but it was a mistake. Then I found out that he and his brothers bought the museum building.”

  “Well, that’s a relief,” Camille said.

  “Grandma, Nicholas built that building. It’s history.”

  “It’s also time to make it new, to change it.”

  “Did you talk to Jordan and tell him?” Lois asked.

  “You love him,” Camille said, after holding her hand.

  “Yes. But I thought you couldn’t see people close to you.”

  “Sweetheart, it doesn’t take a clairvoyant to see how you feel about each other. He loves you and you love him. Seeing you dance out on the patio was all I needed. Now, I need sleep and so do you, because you have a lot of fixing to do tomorrow.”

  Chapter 21

  The Wednesday evening press conference went off without a hitch, assuring that the opening of Hamilton Resort Complex would be a huge success. Nolan took full credit for everything as usual and was probably having a plaque made congratulating himself. Jack poked his chest out as he gave business cards to anyone and everyone whether they wanted one or not. Mamma Lou and Camille came and graciously sat up front with several other notaries. Colonel Wheeler was there, too, but he knew so many people he was never in one place for long.

  The statements by Darius Hamilton were succinct. “We are pleased to report all the items found on this site have been collected and delivered to the Crescent Island Museum for full analysis. The history of the Crescent ship is available at the museum and on the museum’s website. We have uncovered a number of significant artifacts including the Crescent’s bell, the ship’s anchor and a chest whose contents will be opened by museum officials. We are cooperating fully and received word this afternoon that there are no other artifacts on the property.”

  Jack took the podium next, and then Nolan and finally Kenneth Fields handled all the questions. Afterward there was a small reception. Lois planned, set up and catered the event. She thought of everything including Hamilton hard hats as souvenirs. Everyone smiled and posed for photos, but no one knew the real toll this took. Sheri hung back letting Jack take his bows. When questions about the museum were asked, he shuffled and dodged as always, saying everything and nothing. No one could parse that it was all over.

  After the press conference and reception, Darius and Julian took a group of reporters over to tour the main structure. Sheri saw Jordan go into the trailer. She followed. She had to confront him. He had accused her of knowing about Genie and Jamie. Now it was her turn to clear the air. She knocked and went inside. Jordan was standing at his drafting table staring down at one of his renderings. She walked over. Her anger had long since subsided.

  She was calm. All she felt now
was heartache at being taken advantage of.

  He looked up as she approached. “You accused me of using you. I had no idea what Genie and her boyfriend were up to. I never lied to you. I only wanted you to see the real Crescent Island.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

  “In the meantime you were making plans to buy my museum.”

  “We didn’t buy the museum. We made an offer to buy the building. There’s a difference.”

  She shook her head. “It’s the same thing. The building is the history.”

  “No, it’s not. It’s a structure that falls down around you that has major electrical problems and hasn’t been maintained for years. It has no reliable heating and air-conditioning system. And the foundation is so weak the building is two seconds from collapsing. That means everyone and everything in it is in immediate danger. It should be condemned, and I have no idea why it hasn’t been.”

  Sheri thought about the crumbling bricks she saw beside the loading dock the day before. “You don’t know that for sure.”

  “I know,” he stated definitively.

  She took a deep breath and turned away as tears welled in her eyes. She knew he was right. Holding on to something when she knew in her heart she needed to let go wasn’t easy. But she had to and that included him. She nodded. “Goodbye, Jordan.”

  “Sheri, I’m doing this for you,” he said softly.

  She whipped around. “By taking everything away from me? By changing my life, by closing the museum?”

  “By giving you everything you love,” he said.

  She shook her head as the tears fell. “Don’t talk to me about love. You don’t know anything about love. I gave you my love and you threw it back in my face.”

  She turned to leave again. He grabbed her arms and pulled her back. He was breathing hard and there was pain and anguish in his eyes. “I…” he began, then stopped and took a deep breath and started again. “I love you and I would never, ever hurt you. I did this for you. This—” he reached back and grabbed the paper on his desk and held it out for her “—is for you.”

  She looked down at what he’d been working on. She saw it, but then wasn’t sure. Then it was clear. It was Nicholas’s building, but better. Tears erupted. He was saving her. “Jordan…”

  He grabbed her in his arms and held her tight. “I love you. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Sheri closed her eyes, feeling a happiness she had never experienced but always hoped to find. “I can’t believe this is happening. It’s so fast.”

  “No, it’s just right. It’s our time. Now, if I remember correctly, I asked you a question. Will you marry me?”

  “Yes, I will,” she said happily.

  He kissed and hugged her again.

  “Wait, how are we going to do this? I don’t even know where you really live. Do you have a house or a farm or an apartment or a…”

  He laughed. “We will live anywhere you want.”

  “While the museum is being renovated, I’m being transferred to D.C.”

  “Perfect. I have a house just outside the city.”

  “You know Mamma Lou is going to be incorrigible after this.”

  “Yeah, I know, but she was right.”

  Sheri nodded. “Yes, she was. You are perfect for me.”

  “Are you ready to tell everybody?” he asked.

  She nodded. He took her hand and they walked to the door of the trailer. He kissed her once more and opened the door. There was a loud resounding cheer. They turned to see their family and friends applauding. “I think they already know.”

  Later, while Jordan met with his brothers, Nolan and Jack, Sheri went back to the museum and worked late. She walked around the exhibits as if taking one last look. There were two centuries’ worth of history here. Less than half the people on the island had ever crossed the museum threshold. Maybe Jordan was right. Change was coming and history was only for books. But she knew it was still important and she’d still fight to make sure it was remembered.

  She touched the glass case, seeing the first artifact Nicholas had found on the beach. Old, tattered and nearly disintegrating, it was her favorite piece. She smiled as she thought of the world it came from. Then, hearing footsteps, she looked up.

  “Sheri,” the night guard said, “you have a visitor.”

  Jordan walked over to her. “You ready to go home?” he asked.

  She nodded then looked around again. In one month everything would be gone. She looked back at the glass case.

  “Anne’s diary,” he said.

  She nodded again. “The writing is just childlike script, but it says so much. It epitomized everything here. There’s a life and a story in this and every relic and artifact in this building. They’re not just things—they belonged to people, people who lived and danced and sang and loved and died.”

  “And you will continue to collect memories and tell their histories just like Camille does, but in a different way. And just like Nicholas did all those years ago. But this time in a building that will be safe and modern and worthy of everything here. We just have to make sure that in another hundred years our great-great-granddaughter lets change come a bit more easily than her ancestor, Sheri Summers Hamilton.”

  “What? I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”

  “Hamilton Development has officially offered to rebuild the Crescent Island Museum,” he said. Sheri’s jaw dropped. “Everyone loved the design. We need to take the next step.”

  She threw her arms around him and squealed. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “And yes, I’ll make a notation in the cornerstone—please rebuild every hundred years. And maybe I’ll put my diary inside, as well.” He laughed. “Wait, I know exactly where I want to put everything. The anchor will be near the entrance right by the doorway.”

  “And the treasure chest?” he asked.

  “Anne’s beloved belongings will be right in the middle. She will be the centerpiece of the exhibit.”

  “Just as you are the centerpiece of my life,” he said, nuzzling her close. “Mmm, this is love,” he said. “This is what I never thought I’d feel. You’re the love I’ve been waiting for all my life.” He took her hand and kissed it. As he did he slipped a stunning emerald ring encircled with diamond baguettes on her finger. “For you,” he whispered.

  Sheri gasped, speechless. In all her dreams and fantasies she never ever thought this moment could come true. “Jordan, it’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like. It’s…” She turned and wrapped her arms around his body. “Yes, yes, forever and ever, yes.”

  “Come on, let’s get out of here and start making our own history.”

  Epilogue

  Thanksgiving Day was a time to celebrate family and friends and when Louise Gates celebrated, it was a gala event. Everyone came and had an incredible time. After dinner Jordan and Sheri walked down the pathway and across the garden bridge to the other side of the pond. Jordan had built a gazebo for Mamma Lou months ago. Sheri stood at the railing and looked out over the beautiful landscape. “Happy?” he asked, standing behind his wife.

  “I’m overjoyed.”

  “Then why do you look so despondent?”

  “I’m gonna miss this place so much,” she said.

  “Yeah, me, too. But it’s not like we’re never coming back. I have a feeling we’re gonna be coming back here a lot.”

  She nodded slowly. “I hope so,” she said.

  “We will, our family is here,” he assured her. “And speaking of family, you know our wedding at the courthouse was wonderful, but I think we’re gonna have to do it again.”

  “Again? Why?” she asked.

  “I think my new grandmother deserves something a bit more to celebrate.”

  “You’re probably right about that. I guess I’ll have to start planning a wedding. I can’t believe everything has changed so much. This
isn’t how I saw this happening.”

  “You saw it?” he asked.

  She nodded. “I thought I did. Actually I thought I had my grandma Camille’s gift of seeing. But I never saw this.”

  “Camille told me that love changes everything. That’s why she can’t read her family members or those close to her.”

  Sheri turned and smiled up at her husband. “Did you know that this is my favorite place to be in the whole world?” she said.

  “Gates Manor or Crescent Island?” he asked.

  “No, here in your arms,” she said.

  He smiled and nodded.

  “There’s no place I’ll ever feel more loved.”

  “This is forever,” he whispered in her ear.

  She nodded with tears in her eyes. “Yes, forever.”

  Hearing the strain in her voice, Jordan turned her around and looked into her eyes. “What’s wrong?” he asked, concerned.

  She shook her head. “Nothing, I’m fine. I’m more than fine. I’m so very happy. I never thought I could feel so much joy.” She reached up and tenderly touched the smoothness of his face. “I am happier than I ever thought I’d be.”

  “Me, too,” Jordan said. He leaned down and kissed her passionately. An unexpected movement in the garden got their attention. Mamma Lou and Colonel Wheeler walked hand in hand across the brightly lit bridge heading back toward the manor. The love that surrounded them shone through.

  “Can you see us at that age walking hand in hand, still so much in love with each other?”

  “Yes, I can see it,” Jordan said, pulling Sheri into his arms. He leaned down and kissed her tenderly. “This is only the beginning of our history.”

  LOVE’S PARADISE

  ISBN: 978-1-4592-1536-8

  Copyright © 2011 by Celeste O. Norfleet

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