Legacy of Magic

by Denise Carbo

  “Look who I found,” Sebastian called out.

  Aunt Addy craned her snow-white head in the direction of the entry. A wide smile bloomed across her face. She placed the papers she’d been perusing on the small, round table next to her chair and grasped the arms of the chair to help her rise. “Oh Coralea, I’m so glad you made it. I was beginning to worry.”

  Cory hurried forward to greet her aunt with a kiss against her soft cheek. A hint of lilacs surrounded her. A pale, pink, button-down blouse and tan slacks adorned her slight figure. “I’m sorry to make you worry, Aunt Addy. My GPS decided to take me along the scenic route.”

  Twinkling blue eyes stared into her own. They were the same height and shared a strong family resemblance. Is this what she would look like in another fifty years? If so, she considered herself lucky indeed.

  The older woman grasped Cory’s cheeks with her cool palms. “Oh, just look at you, more beautiful than ever.”

  “I must concur,” Sebastian murmured behind them.

  Her aunt spared him a small smile which transformed into a wide, welcoming smile. “Finnegan, I didn’t know you had arrived too.”

  Finnegan? Cory glanced over her shoulder to find he’d come up behind them.

  “Hello, Addy. “ He stepped forward and kissed her opposite cheek brushing up against Cory in the process. “I actually arrived with your niece. Her car broke down and luckily I happened by.”

  Broke down? So, he wasn’t going to tattle and gloat after all? What was he up to? Did Sebastian’s presence have something to do with his attitude? She glanced over at Sebastian to find him frowning at Finn and Aunt Addy. No. She doubted he would care about that, but Sebastian didn’t seem to care for Finnegan. Why? Was there a reason, other than his abrasive personality? Perhaps she should keep a close eye on her new neighbor. Aunt Addy did seem awful fond of him though.

  “Don’t worry about it, tow truck is already on its way to haul it to my shop.” Finn patted her aunt’s hand where she grasped his forearm.

  “Wait, what?” She must have missed part of the conversation. Was he talking about her car? When did he call a tow truck, and what happened to sending her to another mechanic an hour away?

  Finn stared at her with the one eyebrow raised just daring her to say something.

  “Oh Coralea, you’re so lucky Finnegan found you.” Aunt Addy took Cory’s hand. “Now, you must be tired from your ordeal and all the driving. Why don’t you go upstairs and freshen up? I’ve prepared the guest room to the left for you. It’s bigger than the one you used as a child, and it has its own bathroom entry. Once you’ve rested we’ll catch up.”

  “Thank you, that sounds wonderful.” She was tired, and more than happy to escape from having to make an attempt at polite conversation with Finnegan and Sebastian. What was up with those two anyway? They still hadn’t said a word to each other or acknowledged one another’s presence. She’d have plenty of time to figure it out later, if she was so inclined. As long as neither one of them were taking advantage of her aunt she didn’t really care if they hated one another.

  “Mr. Marks, it was nice meeting you.” Cory nodded in his direction.

  He crossed the short distance and took her hand. “A delightful pleasure meeting you Coralea. I hope we can get to know one another very soon.” He smiled and kissed the top of her hand. His hand was smooth and cool to the touch, a distinct contrast to Finn’s.

  Was he flirting with her? It had been awhile, and she was out of practice. A charming gentleman to be sure, and a handsome one to boot. Perhaps things were finally going her way.

  She looked at Finn. “Mr. D’Orsey, thank you for your assistance. I assume I’ll be hearing from you about my car?”

  The corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk. “You assume correctly.”

  Condescending jerk! He should take some charm lessons from Sebastian. To think she was now obligated to him for the ride, towing her car, and hopefully fixing the thing. God help him if he messed up her car. If Aunt Addy wasn’t here and didn’t seem to like him so much, she’d tell him not to lay a finger on her car just for principle’s sake.

  Cory gave him a tight smile and started for the stairs. He was really helping her out, and she was trying to be gracious about it, but did he have to make it so damn hard? It was clear he was only helping her because of her aunt. Granted she had run him off the road and given him a piece of her mind. She wished she’d given him a swift kick to his well-shaped ass, not that she had noticed or anything. All right fine, she had noticed. She wasn’t dead or blind.

  ****

  Cory laid down on the queen size bed in the guest room to stare at the ceiling. The royal blue quilted bedspread cushioned her. She absently rubbed the cotton fabric between her fingers. Her aunt said to rest, but she didn’t feel like sleeping. She’d only latched onto the excuse to escape her frustrating new neighbor who made her want to hit him. She couldn’t remember ever meeting anyone who produced such a reaction in her. The only other person she’d ever wanted to commit violence to was her ex-husband, John, and that was only after she found out what a no good, lying, cheating, bastard he was. Perfectly reasonable to want to punch him a time or two.

  Rolling over onto her stomach, she studied the oak wood dresser and armoire on either side of the room. This used to be the master bedroom, but after her uncle had passed away her aunt transformed his study into her bedroom and their bedroom into a guest room. Was staying in the room they had shared too much for her? What would it be like to love someone so much? She had loved John, but wouldn’t it have hurt more to lose him? The anger of betrayal still churned in her gut, but she didn’t miss him. She didn’t mourn the loss of her marriage. What did that say about her? Did they just grow apart, or did she just convince herself affection and comfort were love?

  She rose and walked over to the window overlooking the front of the house. A flash of movement in her peripheral vision prompted her to look down to the driveway. Sebastian walked to a black, expensive looking car. Her aunt’s lawyer was a markedly good-looking man. Of course, he was probably all too aware of his attraction and used it to his advantage. A man who looked like him couldn’t not be aware. Women had probably been throwing themselves at him from the time he left the cradle. His charm and confidence only made him more appealing.

  As if sensing her perusal, he suddenly looked straight up at her. He stared for a moment prior to giving her a melting grin and a quick wave before he got in the car.

  Cory leaned against the window frame as he drove away. There was something about Sebastian which made her a tad uneasy. Maybe she was becoming too paranoid in questioning everyone’s motives, but the way he so completely ignored Finn and how he stared at her as if he was trying to see inside her didn’t sit well with Cory. And maybe it was his blatant interest in her. That was probably the reason. The ink was barely dry on the divorce papers, so she wasn’t exactly looking to get involved with anyone.

  Slipping her phone from the back pocket of her jeans, where she’d stuffed it after grabbing it from her car and darting across the road before Finn took off without her, she dialed her friend, Melanie, to let her know she’d arrived safe and sound.

  “It’s about time. I was getting worried.”

  “Sorry Mel, it took me a little longer than I thought.” A brief pang squeezed her chest. Melanie was the only thing she missed from New Jersey. Her friendship had been a godsend throughout her husband’s infidelity, subsequent divorce, and being laid off from her job in the midst of it all. “Do you remember when we met?”

  Melanie’s melodic chuckle sounded over the phone. “How could I forget? I arrived to welcome you to the neighborhood with freshly baked cookies, and you dropped a box full of books on my foot breaking it in two places.”

  Cory winced. “Oh my gosh, I still feel awful about hurting you.” She remembered the startled surprise in Mel’s brown eyes being replaced by pain. The two had bonded during the drive to the hospital and long wait for x-rays and
then the cast. “Still the best oatmeal and raisin cookies I’ve ever had.”

  “I’ll bake some more and send them to you. I wish you weren’t so far away. I’m going to miss having you next door.”

  The thought of her old house didn’t bring any wistful feelings of regret. The brick colonial sat smack dab in the center of a neighborhood filled with its carbon copy, like a line of identical English soldiers marching off to battle. The house had been a reflection of her husband, not her, which was why she hadn’t fought him over ownership.

  “I’m going to miss you too, but I needed a fresh start, and Aunt Addy’s invitation to come stay with her came at just the right time. I can help her while I figure out what to do with the rest of my life.”

  “No chance of getting your old job back?”

  “No. My position was eliminated. They’re still downsizing. It doesn’t look good for the company. Part of me is sad. I feel for all the people in the same boat as me. I started there as an intern in college. The other part of me is still angry. They let me go in a damn email after all.” After ten years of hard work and long hours they hadn’t given her the courtesy of telling her in person, but instead sent her a short message stating she was being let go due to economic downturns.

  Cory traced the frame of the window with her fingertip. “I hate the thought I’ve become a cliché. A divorcee of a husband who cheated on her with his secretary, and now I’m at a loss with what to do with my life.”

  “Honey, him cheating with his secretary doesn’t make you a cliché, it makes him one.” Mel sighed. “The universe certainly gave you a push didn’t it?”

  “More like a swift kick in the pants.”

  Mel’s laughter rang loud and true before trickling off. “Promise we’ll keep in touch, okay?”

  “Always, we’ll talk soon.” Cory hung up and stared out the window of her new home.

  Finn’s dark head appeared in view, and Cory immediately took a step back. She didn’t want to be caught looking at him, but she couldn’t resist peeking out the window from a distance. His long-legged stride reached the car quickly, and unlike Sebastian he didn’t look up before getting in the car and driving away.

  She leaned forward, wanting to see which of the houses was his, but he didn’t stop at any of them. He roared off down the street and out of sight. Cory frowned and stepped closer to the window. He had said it was a client’s car so maybe he needed to return it. So, which house was his? There was the blue colonial across the street, a small brick ranch on the right, or perhaps it could be one of the other houses farther down the street out of view. Some people used the word neighbor loosely.

  Oh, who cares which house is his? It would be best to avoid that man. She and Finn were like oil and water. Shaking her head at herself, she walked back over to the bed and sat down. Hanging her head, she groaned in dismay.

  Damn it, she was going to have to talk to him and soon.

  Her luggage was in her car.

  Chapter Two

  Following the sounds of clanking pots and running water emanating from the back of the house, Cory entered the kitchen and smiled. Her aunt hummed as she prepared dinner. “I have particularly fond memories of sitting at the kitchen table and watching you make some yummy treats.”

  Aunt Addy gave a small start and touched her chest as she faced toward the doorway. “Oh Coralea, I didn’t hear you.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  She dismissed it with a wave of her hand and smiled. “It’s nothing. You didn’t want to rest dear?”

  “I’m actually not tired in the least. I feel quite energized actually. Besides I thought I was here to be of help to you, not lie about. What are you making, and what can I do to help?

  “I’m making some chicken parmigiana. If I remember correctly it was one of your favorites?”

  “Most definitely. I still remember the first time you cooked it for me. I had decided I was never going to eat meat again after I discovered where it came from, and then I took a bite of the chicken parm thinking it was just pasta. It was too late once I realized there was meat in the dish. The scrumptious taste made it pretty clear I was never going to make it as a vegetarian.”

  Aunt Addy stirred the sauce on the stove. “I’d forgotten about that.” She smiled at Cory and waved a hand in the direction of the table in the corner across from the back door. “You being here is already a comfort to me, and the day I can’t cook a meal in my kitchen is the day they might as well take me away. Go sit at the table like you used to do, and we can catch up.”

  Cory sat down at the old, scarred, pine table while her aunt travelled efficiently between the fridge, counter, and stove. The warmth from the oven and the scent of Italian seasonings from the sauce permeated the room.

  Her aunt looked over at her and smiled once again. “So, tell me what do you think of Finnegan and Sebastian?”

  “Um, well, they both seem to care a great deal about you.”

  “They’ve both been indispensably helpful in their own ways. Sweet boys.”

  Sweet boys? Not how she would describe them. More like two alpha males confident their way is the right way and the rest of the world needs to fall in line. Maybe she was being too harsh, but the male gender hadn’t been showing themselves to her in the best light lately. A deep sigh welled within her. If she wasn’t careful she would turn into a seriously bitter woman, and that was not something she wanted to do. A few hard knocks were not going to define her and her future.

  She forced a smile to her lips. “I’m glad you’ve had them to help you. I’m sorry I haven’t been here for you, Aunt Addy.”

  Cory’s aunt paused over the cutting board where she had been cutting vegetables. She set the knife down and wiped her hands on her sunny yellow apron. Taking the seat across from her, she reached out and took her hand. “Coralea, I don’t want you to feel one drop of guilt or obligation toward me. I’m a grown woman and more than capable of taking care of myself. The things I can no longer do…well I can hire someone to do them. Between what my parents left me and what your uncle and I saved over the years I am extremely comfortable. Do you think for one moment I would want or expect you or your mother to put your lives on hold to come take care of me? I asked you here because I thought it might be a good choice for you right now while your life is changing so much.” A warm smile plumped her cheeks and created a sheen to her eyes. “And, yes, selfishly I’ve missed you and want to spend time with you.”

  Cory gently squeezed her aunt’s hand. “When Mother mentioned you wanted me to come for a visit I grabbed for it like the lifeline it is. I always felt such a sense of comfort here with you, and that is something I need more desperately than I thought. I’m a bit out of sorts these days. I need to start over with my life and it feels rather daunting. I don’t have a clue where to start.”

  After a quick pat to their joined hands, Aunt Addy stood and made her way back to the counter. “Well, now, I’d say you’ve already made an excellent start. You got rid of that no-good scoundrel of a husband and you relocated here where you can take all the time you need to figure out what next steps you want to take.”

  “Thank you, Aunt Addy.”

  She watched as her aunt seasoned and coated the chicken. Memories of watching her do the same steps years ago superimposed on the scene. The same dark cabinets with the white porcelain pulls. The same fruit accented wallpaper. Her summer breaks and holidays as a child had been spent here. What she had told her aunt was the truth, this place and her aunt generated a sense of comfort and welcome. No expectations, no disappointment, just acceptance.

  After placing the pan in the oven, Aunt Addy returned to her seat at the table. “Now dinner is going to take a while so it’s the perfect time to talk. There are some things we should discuss.”

  “Of course, what do you want to talk about?”

  She folded her hands in her lap and stared out the window. “Well there is the matter of my will which Sebastian
has been handling for me. It hasn’t really changed since Albert passed away eighteen years ago, but I thought it best to update and make sure everything is in order.”

  Cory frowned. Her aunt seemed hesitant. Was it talking about wills? Most people became uncomfortable about discussing them, but it might be something more. Did her aunt think she expected to be named in the will? Was she about to tell her she’d left everything to someone else? Well, that was fine with her. It really was. Aunt Addy could leave her estate to whoever she wanted. Except her neighbor maybe, she might have a problem with that. Well, unless, she could make sure he wasn’t taking advantage of her aunt.

  “If there’s something you’re trying to tell me, I want you to know whatever it is, it’s fine. I hope you know you can tell me anything, and it will be okay.”

  Her aunt’s smile seemed a bit forced, but her dainty shoulders straightened a bit more as she appeared to come to a decision. “I’ve had some health concerns lately. That’s why I want to make sure everything is taken care of.”

  The breath stuttered in Cory’s chest, and she hastily blinked back the tears gathering in her eyes. Dear God, please don’t let it be serious.

  “What sort of health concerns? Mother never mentioned you were ill.”

  “Well that would be because I haven’t told her. I love your mother, but Margaret would immediately try to take over my life. She’d have me installed in her house and every decision about my medical treatment under her jurisdiction. She’d do it out of love of course, but I need my independence, and I can make my own decisions.”

  “No one knows what my mother is like better than me. I understand your reasoning. Any time I’m at my parents’ house, even if it’s less than a day, she attempts to run my life again like when I was a kid.”