CHAPTER 3
BB’s eyes glittered with mirth and memory. “Ah, yes,” he recalled, swirling his glass of scotch. “Ivan frequently spoke of the farm upon which he grew up. He told me that you were the ‘magic mechanic’, if I can remember the term correctly. He said your hands were magic around any kind of engine. I could have used someone with your talents in the RAF,” he laughed.
Jake shook his head, his white hair glistening. “Ivan’s been gone for so long,” he reflected, “that I never thought anyone other than his family would remember him. It is such a treat to talk to someone that knew him. Thanks for that!” Then he paused, as if deciding how to phrase his next words.
“I don’t know what to say to either you or to Mike. Ivan didn’t know the truth that you were Mike’s father. That I know for fact. It wasn’t in his nature to lie or to accept a lie, especially about something so important. He truly believed that Mike was his son, please believe that. And he had no idea that Steven’s mother was carrying his child.”
BB smiled, his angular face softening. “Ivan was an honourable man, I know that for fact. There is no question in my mind that he believed that Mike was his son. He and I were victims of a lie told by Mike and John’s mother, aided and abetted by Steve’s mother, something for which I cannot ever forgive either of them. Obviously, they had their reasons.”
“At least, I have the advantage to get to know my son, despite the lost years. Alas, I cannot say the same for Steven. Paul was a wonderful man and a very good father. But, Steven will never have the opportunity to meet his biological father, Ivan, and my heart bleeds for him. All he has is the family that knew his father. Fortunately, John has embraced him into the family and I feel that he will try to fill in the blanks.”
“I can help!” Jake exclaimed. “No one knew Ivan better than I! We were two farm kids without anyone else around. There wasn’t much that we didn’t know about each other. Where is Steve? He and I need to talk!” With that, Jake got up from his seat and strode across the room.
“Is he always that decisive?” BB asked with a lift of one white eyebrow.
“Oh yes,” his wife of fifty plus years declared. “It’s one of the reasons that I fell in love with him! Mind you, I decided that we would marry when I was about eight, so I had to have a great deal of patience!” Willi giggled and lifted her wine in a salute to BB, and perhaps to all of them.
“Are you intimidated?” a soft voice asked in her ear.
“Absolument non! C’est charment,” Mimi replied quietly, hazel eyes sparkling as she surveyed the room. “Such a big family, Steven! What you will do with all of them?” she asked.
Steve heaved a big sigh. “I still don’t know,” he replied honestly. “This is the third ‘family’ gathering that I have attended and I still have no idea. I belong, I guess.”
He lifted his hand before Mimi spoke. “It’s not their fault. Absolutely everyone has welcomed me with open arms. I am the one holding back, and I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I’m having trouble believing in what appears to be the truth after being lied to all of my life. Maybe, it’s because my father is dead and I can’t speak to him. I really don’t know.”
Mimi slid her hand softly across his cheek. “You will come to understand. Time, Chéri, time.”
“Perhaps, I can help a little,” Jake interrupted. “Ivan was my only brother. I am going to hijack Steve from you for a few minutes, Mimi, if I may. I’d like to help him get to know his father from the person that knew him the very best.”
Mimi smiled as Steve lifted his eyebrows and followed his uncle out of the room. She had encountered many different people in many different situations during her life as a spy and this was as interesting an array of personalities as she had encountered.
Of course, when Steven had confided in her the results of his and John’s DNA tests, she had done her research. She felt that she was almost intimately knowledgeable about every person in this house. Being a spy did have its privileges, she admitted to herself, as she glanced around the room.
The oldest female cousin, Susan, came into her vision. Small and curvy, with golden red curly hair, a savvy business-woman, successfully in business with her husband. An ex-federal employee with all the diplomatic clearances that had been required for the Department of Foreign Affairs. She had a young daughter. Check.
Susan’s husband came along and gave her a sneaky little butt embrace. Happily married, she thought. Same diplomatic clearances as his wife when they both worked for the government. Check.
Next the cousin, James and his wife Martine, here from Ontario specifically to meet BB and to connect with Steven. Both were accountants with a chartered, bonded firm. Check.
Ah, Peter and his wife, Linda. They ran the family firm together until recently, when Sonya had joined the company full time after earning her degree in Business. Linda now chose to work part time if needed. All references indicated an above board, well run-company. Check.
Sara and John. Investigation unnecessary. This had already been done by both Steven and BB. Check.
Sonya and Bryan had both proven their worth in Paris. Hell of a way to honeymoon, she thought.
The elderly aunt and uncle, Willi and Jake. Salt of the earth people, who had earned their way in the world. She had to admire them. They had succeeded in a tough world and come through the other side. Obviously, Jake wanted and needed his brother’s son to understand and to know his father. This man had her undivided admiration. Check.
“A penny for your thoughts,” Sonya whispered into Mimi’s ear. They had gotten to know each other somewhat better in Paris, and on the trip from Paris to Calgary in BB’s jet.
“A penny?” Mimi asked, her brow furrowing in puzzlement.
Sonya’s laughter tinkled. “Not a French saying?” she continued. “It means, what are you thinking?”
“Ah,” Mimi smiled. “Not much, Chérie. I was think that your Uncle Jake is very nice man. He take Steven to talk about his father.”
“Uncle Jake is one of a kind. If anyone can help Steve understand his father, he can. That was very nice of him, but very typical,” Sonya declared. “So, are you a little intimidated with all of the cousins?”
Mimi’s laugh was almost as musical as her Parisian accent. “Not at all! I have face many difficult people, and your family are very nice.”
“Yeah, we are,” thought Sonya. But it was lovely to hear.
###
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
Secrets Page 14
