Forget Me Not

by Fern Michaels

  “It was the white hair. I’ve seen you other places, too.”

  “Yes. You were my responsibility. I cheered every good grade you got. I clapped harder than anyone when you graduated from college and were handed your sheepskin. I applauded you when you got your business off the ground. There was always someone near you, Lucy, someone to jump in if things went awry for you. I know all of us can’t make up for a mother’s and a father’s love, but I want to be as honest with you here as I can. Your parents were never parent material. At least that’s what your mother said. Your father was so wrapped up in his profession and in working for us, I always wondered if he even remembered your name. I’m giving you full disclosure here, Lucy.”

  “And the houses and the safes? I read books. I see movies. Are they safe houses for your other . . . spies?”

  “Yes. In a million years, none of us ever thought for a second that you would figure it out, and yet you did. When agents, spies, if you will, get compromised or have to go to ground, we have to have a safe house for them to go to until we can outfit them with new identities. It’s that simple. I don’t even want to know how you figured it out. All I want is for you to tell me where the contents are. In the interests of national security. If you don’t or won’t cooperate, then it’s out of my hands.”

  “And if I turn everything over to you, will that be the end of it? Can my friends and I go back to our normal lives?”

  “Guaranteed.”

  “I need a few minutes to think about this and talk it over with my friends.”

  “Take all the time you need, Lucy. Can I have some more coffee?”

  “Of course. Help yourself. By the way, how did you know I’d moved here?”

  “Lucy, I’m a spook. We can figure out anything given enough time. We have resources you can only dream about. And we can hide people the same way.”

  Lucy nodded as she led her little parade into the family room. They all looked at the dying fire and rushed to add more logs.

  “We each get a vote,” Lucy whispered. “Luke?”

  “I say turn it all over and be done with it.”

  “I agree,” Angie said. “In the end, it’s up to you, Lucy. I think Luke and I will agree to whatever you want to do. Is it your parents? Do you want to fight to see them? Do you want to play hardball and hold out for that?”

  “I’m going to turn it over. I have a few questions, though. And no, I am not going to fight to see my parents. As far as I’m concerned, I was a throwaway. I can never get that back, no matter how hard I try. So, I’m going to let it go. I’ve gotten this far by myself. Well, obviously, that’s not quite true. I had some damn alphabet agency looking after me all these years, but you get my point. Besides, I have you two in my corner now.”

  Luke swooped Lucy up in his arms, swung her around, and planted a kiss squarely on her lips.

  “Well, that’s something. You finally kissed her, and it only took some spook from the dregs of Washington to spur you on. Come on, you two. Let’s get this show on the road so we can celebrate,” Angie hissed. “You don’t want him to change his mind, do you?”

  Lucy broke away first, a glazed look in her eyes. “God, no. Luke, come on. Get with the program here.”

  Back in the kitchen, Metcalf correctly interpreted what had gone on. The young man had kissed Lucy, and everyone was happy. He tried not to smile, but he was and always had been a sucker for happy endings.

  “We agree to turn everything over, but first, I have a few questions. What about the house in Palm Royal, the house here in New Jersey, and probate? There are enormous insurance policies. I don’t want any of it.”

  “Everything is yours, whether you like it or not. You can sell the houses. You have two death certificates attesting to the fact that Helene and Fritz Brighton are deceased.”

  “Isn’t that fraud?”

  “I suppose that would depend on who’s doing the asking. The paperwork is all in place. Like it or not, Lucy Brighton, this is the way it has to end. There are a lot of legitimate causes out there crying for help. Look into it. Now it’s your turn.”

  “Angie, give him the keys and the paperwork for the storage lockers.”

  Angie went to her purse and handed over an envelope. “The keys to the truck are in there. Lucy?”

  “I don’t want the truck. Raffle it off or give it away. I want your promise, Mr. Metcalf, that the two urns in the back of the Rover will be turned over to the proper people.”

  “I’ll see to it personally.”

  “Then I guess that concludes our business. By the way, thanks for watching over me all those years.”

  The white-haired lion smiled, his eyes twinkling down at Lucy. “It was my pleasure. I will be talking to your parents one more time. I can give them a message if you want me to.”

  “There’s nothing I need to say. Sometimes, silence is golden, or that’s what I’ve been told. But thank you for asking.”

  “Have a good life, Lucy Brighton.”

  Lucy smiled. “Count on it, Mr. Metcalf, or whoever you are.”

  The man known as Julian Metcalf threw back his head and burst out in laughter.

  Epilogue

  Lucy had never seen or felt pandemonium, but she felt this was as close to it as possible. She was sitting on the floor in the spacious studio, playing with her real live playmates. For her first ever real birthday party, Luke had shown up with what he considered to be the surprise of all surprises. A dog, a cat, a parrot, and a duck. All with tags on their necks that proclaimed them to be IZZY, BIZZY, LIZZY, and DIZZIE. She’d laughed until she cried, and her sides hurt as she tried to gather all four animals close. To sweeten the gift, Luke had said they were all rescues in need of a loving home, and what better place than with his beloved.

  For the first month, Izzy chewed everything in sight but was especially addicted to the sofa in the family room. One side was almost gone. Lucy didn’t care. In fact, she almost went over the moon when the little Yorkie made his first mess on the carpet in the family room. She loved the big stain, which she’d pretended to scrub over and over. It was the stuff her dreams had been made of. Bizzy spent the first six weeks being aloof, hissing and snarling and trying to catch Lizzy, the parrot. It took three good nips to his head before he settled down and became friends with the colorful parrot, who learned his new friend’s name in record time. When Bizzy finally settled down, he claimed his turf, which was the other half of the sofa, which he proceeded to shred with his claws. Lucy pretended to scold him, but her heart wasn’t in it. Instead, she would hug him, croon to him, and Bizzy would purr so loud, you could hear him in the next room. Lizzy, during those six weeks, refused to stay in his oversize cage and perched on top of the shower rod or on top of the refrigerator. At times, he would swoop down and spit out the few words he’d learned, which were “Good boy” and “Oh boy, good boy,” at which point he would dive-bomb Bizzy and Izzy, who snapped and hissed at the parrot’s terrorist activities, at which point he zeroed in on Dizzie and claimed her as his own. Dizzie accepted Lizzy’s admiration, and the two became inseparable.

  Angie poked her head out of her office when she heard Lucy snap her fingers for the animals’ attention. Then she blew two sharp blasts on a mini whistle hanging around her neck. The animals scattered to get in line.

  Toby, who had resigned from FedEx and was in charge of the IBL+D Foundation, rushed to stand beside Angie so he could see what they both proclaimed to be a miracle of sorts. Lucy got up and fetched the red wagon Angie had given her for Mother’s Day. Angie and Toby both had officially proclaimed Lucy a mother to the four animals. Hence, the first ever Mother’s Day gift. Izzy hopped in the bright red wagon, followed by Bizzy. Lizzy got behind Dizzie to try to boost the duck into the back and actually succeeded, at which point she swooped in and took her seat next to Dizzie. All four of the kids, as Lucy referred to them, waited for another blast from the whistle. When it came, they sat up like they were in a parade. Lucy, grinning from ear to e
ar, called out, “You’ll see us when you see us!” Izzy barked. Bizzy meowed, Lizzy said, “Oh boy!” and Dizzie quacked happily.

  Toby put his arm around Angie’s shoulders. “I have never ever seen a happier human being.”

  “Yeah,” Angie said softly. “Isn’t it great? I don’t know how she’s going to do, though, when we leave next week for Florida and the wedding. Leaving them behind is going to be hard. I’m glad your brother agreed to come and stay and take care of them.”

  “Denny’s big dream is to go to vet school. Trust me when I tell you those animals will be in good hands.”

  “I know that. It’s Lucy I’m worried about. They’re her babies, her kids. You see how she is with them. Remember the day Izzy peed on the carpet and how happy she was to have a stain?”

  “I do remember. She called Luke, Adel, and Bud and was shouting at the top of her lungs. To most people, that would seem beyond stupid, but knowing Lucy’s story, I thought it was as great as she did.”

  “She’s getting there, Toby. One step at a time. Like you said, I’ve never seen her happier. That’s all that counts.”

  “You guys get all caught up?” Toby asked.

  “It’s all under control. Lucy can go off on her honeymoon with a clear head. Business has been and is being taken care of. The only obstacle that I see is her leaving her little brood. Who else do you know who sleeps with a dog, a cat, a parrot, and a duck?”

  Toby laughed. “I just hope there’s room for Luke in that big bed.”

  Angie linked her arm in Toby’s. “Let’s go up to the house. It’s almost lunchtime. Adel and Buddy might need some help packing up the car. I want to make sure Lucy’s wedding dress doesn’t get all mashed up. Buddy said he wanted to be on the road by one o’clock. Adel is chomping at the bit to get back there so she can help decorate the clubhouse for the wedding. I feel kind of guilty letting her do all that, but she said she doesn’t need or want my help. Have you noticed how older people get fixated on things?” Angie said breathlessly.

  “Yeah, kind of like us younger ones. Adel considers herself Lucy’s stand-in mom, so she’s doing what all mothers do, taking charge. Bud’s the same way. They want this wedding to be perfect. Adel’s also doing the cooking, with Luke’s dad helping. A family affair, so to speak. It will all work out the way it’s supposed to in the end, and you shouldn’t take offense, Angie.”

  “I’m not. I just wanted to help.”

  “And you are. You’re keeping the artistic side of the business going. That’s your job.”

  “When did you get so smart?”

  “When I had the good sense to ask you for a date, that’s when. Best decision I ever made in my whole life.”

  “I’m a good catch, you know,” Angie teased as she walked arm in arm with her brand-new fiancé. “I hope Adel made something good for lunch. I’m starved.”

  “They love driving up here once a month and staying for ten days. Actually, I pretty much think they live for these trips during the summer months. When we’re in Palm Royal for the winter months, they just glow. It’s funny, isn’t it, Angie, how everything worked out so well for all of us?”

  “I think this is where we should all say we’re blessed. I was a little worried back then. Since the day Mr. Metcalf walked out the door, Lucy has not once mentioned her parents. Not once. I invited him to the wedding. I didn’t tell Lucy, though. I hope she won’t be upset. He said he’d be there with bells on. I think we owe him that, don’t you, Toby?”

  “Actually, I do, and I talked about it with Luke, and he agrees. Lucy will be okay with it, trust me.”

  Off in the distance, they could hear the sound of a whistle.

  “Guess the crew is heading back for lunch,” Toby said.

  Angie laughed, as did Toby, as Lucy came in sight, pulling the red wagon. Lucy pulled up short and blew the whistle. “Everyone out! Lunchtime! Line up, you guys! Forward march! You’re out of line, Bizzy. Move it!” The big tabby obeyed instantly, even though he hissed his disapproval at the reprimand. Lucy looked over at Toby and Angie and grinned. “It’s great, isn’t it? They actually listen.”

  Lunch was a quickie, tuna sandwiches and tomato soup. No one cared.

  The minute they were finished, Bud had his carry-on bag over his shoulder, and Adel was hugging all the animals one last time before she wrapped her arms around Lucy. Her list of instructions ran to, “There’s enough food in the freezer for the three of you to last till you’re ready to leave. I did the laundry earlier. All you have to do is tidy up your loose business ends and head to Florida.”

  “Got it, Mom,” Lucy said, hugging her back.

  “Just one more week, darlin’, and you’ll be Mrs. Luke Kingston,” Buddy said, hugging her tight. “It will go by in the blink of an eye.”

  “You promise?” Lucy teased.

  “Have I ever been wrong yet?”

  “Nope.”

  “Well, there you go. Shake it, sweetie,” he said to his wife. Adel rolled her eyes and waved furiously.

  The trio, along with the squawking animals, stayed on point until the loaded minivan was out of sight.

  Hands on her hips, Angie said, “Now what?”

  Lucy shrugged. “Toby said he wants to run a few things by me. You and I already cleared everything, and the only thing left for me to do is call Henry and make a few other calls I’ve been putting off. Then I’m free to devote my time to the kids. Actually, we’re so under control, we could have left with Adel and Buddy, but I knew in my gut they wanted a head start. So we can play for the next few days. There’s a new movie out I’d like to see. And I still need to find a wedding present for Luke. Nothing like waiting for the last minute. I can’t think of a thing. The man has everything. I don’t want to walk into a shop and point to a gift and say, ‘I’ll take that.’ I need something special, something meaningful. You know what I am saying.”

  “Lucy, try this on for size. You know that picture Toby took? The one of Luke sleeping on the couch, with Izzy chewing his end of the couch and Bizzy shredding his end, with Lizzy sleeping on Luke’s shoulder and Luke’s arms wrapped around Dizzie? Why don’t you take it somewhere, get it blown up to poster size, then get it framed? He can hang it in his office at the construction site. I think he’d like that better than anything you could possibly buy in a store. The best part is he never saw the picture, because I didn’t get it developed until after he left on his last visit.”

  Lucy grinned from ear to ear. “Oooh, I just love it when you come up with the right answer at just the right time. Find it for me, will you please, while Toby and I go over whatever it is he wants to talk about? We’ll meet you down at the studio.”

  Lucy gave a sharp toot to her whistle, and the kids lined up for the parade to the place where they spent most of the day—the studio, which was full of toys and treats and beds soft as feathers.

  In the studio, which Lucy dearly loved, she looked around, knowing she was going to miss it when she went off to Florida. She and Angie had spent weeks making it as homey and comfortable as possible. There were green plants everywhere, real ones that needed to be watered, which was an essential part of Toby’s job. The pale pink brick walls were decorated with her original sketches of all the kids. One entire wall was decorated with plaques and awards given to her for innovative contributions to children everywhere.

  The bunkhouse, which was now IBL+D’s studio, was twenty-seven hundred square feet and was divided into three sections. There was Lucy’s area. And next to it was Angie’s area. At the back of the building was Toby’s office, where he ran the IBL+D Foundation. The furnishings were soft, buttery leather, and the tables were hand hewn from another era. Nothing looked new, but it did look homey, comfortable, and efficient. There was a mini kitchen with ancient appliances that worked, two bathrooms, and a wide central foyer, which no one used. All three loved their own work spaces.

  “So, Toby, what do you want to run by me?”

  “I’d like to make a siza
ble donation to St. Jude.”

  “Okay. What’s the problem?”

  “If I do that, I’ll be dipping into the next quarter. I want to make sure it’s okay.”

  “Absolutely, it’s okay. You’re doing a super job, Toby. Even my lawyers say you’re top-notch. Don’t you read the letters that come in from all the organizations thanking us? We’ve made such a difference for missing and abused children. I think we need to do more. And just last week, more than a dozen letters came in from women who got their lives back because of the battered women’s shelters we’ve funded. Not to mention all those animal sanctuaries that are up and running now, and no animal gets put to sleep. Just keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t worry if you go into the next quarter. My broker will see to it that he covers everything. The money isn’t going to run out, Toby. It is so well invested, we can keep doing this for a very, very long time. And I’m donating a large portion of my dividends from IBL+D, also. We’re good to go. Anything else?”

  “I don’t know how to thank you, Lucy. I really hated driving a truck after I slaved for my degree in business and finance, only to get laid off because of the economy. I also want to thank you for the health benefits. Thanks to you, I’m now in a position to help my brother Denny go to vet school. I love working here. I love the animals, and you know how much I love Angie. I have you to thank for that, too.”

  “Now you’re making me blush. I’m being honest here. I don’t know what I’d do without you and Angie. You’re my family now. So, it’s me who should be thanking you.”

  “I found it! I found it!” Angie shouted from the doorway. “Time’s short, so you should go right now, Lucy, and see if you can get this done. It might take a few days.”

  Lucy reached for the picture and burst out laughing. “Okay, I’m outta here. Watch the kids, and go easy on the treats. Dizzie is getting addicted to those Froot Loops.”

  “Go!” Angie shouted.

  Lucy scurried away and was back an hour later, saying the poster would be ready the following afternoon.