Hope felt both confused and exposed now. “Can you explain that a bit more clearly, Counselor?”
He grinned. “If you insist. Although it was your letter. I would think you’d remember.” He cleared his throat as if he were stalling. “Apparently you’d written the letter on your birthday, or there about. And you were not very happy about—”
“That’s okay,” she said quickly. “I remember the letter now.” She glared at him as she recalled the very depressed letter she’d written to her grandmother, trusting that Nona would keep Hope’s troubled life to herself. “Did Nona read it to you?”
“No. Not actually. But she did talk freely. Remember we attorneys maintain client confidentiality.”
“Yes, of course.” Even so it was disturbing to think that Lewis had been privy to one of Hope’s most private and depressing moments. She’d written the letter in haste and emotion and never should’ve sent it. In that letter (written on the eve of her thirty-first birthday—her last day of being thirty) she had confessed to Nona that she was thoroughly disappointed in her life. She was unhappy in love, didn’t think she’d ever marry or have children; she hated her job, she didn’t even like her condo very much. She was sick of the city noise and smelly air, and to add insult to injury, it had been raining for weeks on end.
Oh, yes, she remembered that night well. And still feeling blue in the morning, she had efficiently dropped Nona’s letter in the mail. But later in the day, her friends took her to a birthday lunch, Curtis sent her roses to work then took her to a very swanky dinner, and by the next day, she had totally forgotten the letter. Of course, she was reminded of it when Nona wrote back, begging Hope to take some time off work to come visit her—they would plant perennials together and go through old photos and bake cookies. But Hope immediately wrote back, assuring Nona that everything was just fine—the sun was shining, she had plans to go to the theater on Saturday, and she planned to go hiking on Sunday.
“So your grandmother had a bee in her bonnet…so to speak…and she wanted to do something for her favorite granddaughter.”
“Meaning she wanted to turn my life upside down.”
He nodded. “Yes, I think she thought it needed to be shaken up. As she put it, you were trapped.”
“Trapped?” Hope tried to keep a poker face. The truth was she had felt trapped for years. But didn’t everyone?
“And your grandmother wanted to free you from your trap. She said you were like poor little Andy…you needed rescuing.”
“I needed rescuing?” Hope felt indignant now. “Of the three Bartolli sisters, I am the only one who’s been completely selfsufficient. I’m the only one who hasn’t been rescued by someone else. And Nona thought I needed rescuing?”
“She felt you were unhappy, Hope. It was her point of view and motivated by love. How can you fault her for that?”
“No, I suppose I can’t. Still, it’s a little irksome. I mean both Cherry and Faye got rescued, so to speak, by my parents. Faye was the only daughter to inherit from my mother’s old life insurance policy because it had been written before Cherry and I were born and never changed. Yet I’m glad for Faye’s sake. She needs that money now that she and Jeff have split up.”
“So I heard.”
“You seem to hear a lot about our family.” She peered at him curiously.
“Your grandmother wasn’t just a client, but a friend as well.”
“Right. So, anyway, Faye and Dad got the life insurance and Cherry got the house.”
“And what did you get?”
Hope considered this. What did she get? “Oh, Dad helped me with college some, although I had a pretty good scholarship already, plus I worked and carried a student loan, which is paid off now.” She felt a sudden rush of pride. Maybe she was glad that no one had handed her anything. Maybe she didn’t want anyone to hand her anything now.
“Quite an accomplishment. And yet you were unhappy?”
She frowned. “Okay, maybe I wasn’t completely happy with my life. But who is happy with their life all the time? We all have our highs and lows. I think it must balance out eventually.”
“Good point.” He leaned forward, studying her closely. “So are you happy with your life now?”
“Now?” She took in a deep breath then slowly let it out. “As I mentioned, now I feel like my life’s been turned upside down by Nona. Really, I don’t know what she was thinking.” She narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure she was in her right mind?”
He chuckled. “I can’t believe you of all people would question her sanity.”
“I’ll bet my family is questioning it right now. I can only imagine what they’ve got to say about this strange little setup—and about me. You heard them yesterday. Not that I’m concerned about the Emerson side. Really, this shouldn’t involve them. But I’m pretty sure my dad thinks he should get his share of his father’s money. And I could see Cherry and Drew’s reaction. I know they expected to get something after helping with Nona all these years.”
“Were they helping Nona or was she helping them?”
Hope considered this.
“Things aren’t always what they seem, Hope.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that.”
“But let’s get to the details of your grandmother’s will. I’m sure you still have questions—all those what-ifs and what-abouts…right?”
“Right.” Hope attempted to get her bearings now. Why hadn’t she thought ahead to make a list? She always made lists.
“For starters, I’m trustee and I have my instructions. Your grandmother and I went over it carefully. I think she suspected you might be resistant.”
“Really?”
“She said you’re a strong-willed woman.”
Hope smiled. “I guess it takes one to know one.”
“Yes. I have no doubts you and your grandmother are similar. So she asked me to operate as trustee for the duration of the year.”
“And can you share the details of your assignment?”
“Not exactly. But I can say that I will do everything possible to help you succeed at this.”
“Meaning?”
“Well, I told your grandmother that it might not be easy for you to just uproot your life in Portland. I knew you had a good job, you owned your home, you have financial responsibilities…it’s not easy to just let go.”
“What?” Hope sat up straighter. “What did you just say?”
“You mean that it might be difficult to give up life in the city?”
“The thing about letting go. You said it wouldn’t be easy to just let go.”
He nodded.
She just sat there running that through her head. Those were the same words she thought she’d heard the night before Nona’s funeral. Let go…let go.
“I know it’s hard to make a move like that. I had to give up a lot when I moved back here.”
“Do you mind if I ask why you moved back here? I mean it doesn’t seem like the easiest place to begin a new law practice.”
“That’s for sure. My dad passed away about five years ago. And because I’m an only child, I was worried about my mom being alone over here. Especially with the weather, shoveling snow, possibly falling on the ice. In fact, I had her stay with me for a while. I was living in Eugene and I thought she might enjoy it there. But she wasn’t really happy and she wanted to come home. She had her friends and her life, and she assured me she’d be just fine. But then she got cancer and she wasn’t so fine. I was driving back and forth so much that I finally decided to just make the break. I sold my home, quit my job, and moved over here—lock, stock, and barrel, as my mother would say.” His expression grew sad now.
“And you don’t have regrets?”
“Not about moving here. It was great being around for Mom. She made it through all her treatments and we really thought she’d beaten it.”
“But she hasn’t?”
“She died a little more than a year ago.”
“I’m sorry.”
He nodded sadly. “Yeah, me, too. I still miss her.” Now he brightened. “But ironically, it was her death that introduced me to your grandmother.”
“How’s that?”
“They were friends. And your grandmother came to my mom’s memorial service and shortly after that, she made the appointment to see me.” He smiled. “Her timing was impeccable.”
“How’s that?”
“Oh, it was one of those days…I was a little blue…missing my mom…wondering why I’d uprooted my life to move here and then she was gone.”
“I can imagine.”
“But Mrs. Bartolli said just the right things to cheer me up.”
“I can imagine that, too.” Hope smiled. “She used to cheer me up all the time. I’m sure I spent more time at her house than I did in my own.”
“Speaking of her house…”
“Yes, back to the question. Am I going to do this or not?”
“I understand if you can’t make your mind up one hundred percent. But I do need to know if you’re absolutely certain that you won’t do this. And then the funds will be distributed in another way.”
“Amongst my family?”
He just shook his head.
“Really? She didn’t have a backup plan that included my family?”
With lips pressed together, he shook his head again.
“So, are you going to tell me?”
“Not until I know your answer.”
“My answer?” She wondered what kind of game this was going to be.
“Yes. If you know for certain that you’re going to decline your grandmother’s proposition, then I can tell you.”
“So if I say no, I don’t want this—that’s it, no second chances, it’s over?”
“That’s the way your grandmother wanted it. I’m only trying to respect her wishes.”
“And I can appreciate that. But it puts me in a tough position.”
“Not really. As I said, the estate will not be going to any of your family members, so you really don’t have anything to feel guilty about there.”
“But you won’t tell me where the estate is going?”
“Not until I know your answer.”
Hope closed her eyes. The truth was, despite all misgivings, doubts, and worries, she knew the answer. And yet she wasn’t sure she could voice the words.
“Do you need more time to think this over?”
She continued to sit there with her eyes closed, breathing evenly and just thinking about Nona—thinking about what her grandmother stood for and what she must’ve wanted for Hope. “No.” She opened her eyes. “I don’t think I need any more time. I already made my decision.”
He waited expectantly. “And that would be…”
“Yes.” Her hand flew to her mouth as if she were surprised by her answer.
“And you’re certain of this?”
She nodded with wide eyes. “Oh, trust me, I have my doubts. And I think Nona was slightly crazy to set this up like this. And I think I’m slightly crazy to agree to it. But, yes, I agree.” It was the strangest thing, though. As she said the word yes, she began to feel a rush of excitement as well as something else she hadn’t felt for a long, long time. Hope. She felt hope.
Lewis reached across the table and shook her hand. “Congratulations. I could be wrong, but I think you made the right decision.”
“I hope so. And it actually feels right to me. Although I’m surprised to hear myself say that, but it’s kind of like I’ve just opened this door—and I really can’t wait to walk through it!” She felt embarrassed now. “Isn’t that weird?”
He grinned. “I’m sure some people would think so. But not your grandmother. And I don’t either.”
As much as she didn’t want to, she was thinking more highly of Lewis now. Still, there was that thing with Cherry. And yet Hope realized she might’ve simply jumped to the wrong conclusion. Like he’d said, things weren’t always as they seemed. Perhaps Cherry had legal questions for him—maybe even in regard to Nona’s will. Or perhaps they were simply good friends. After all, he’d been friends with Nona. And yet, even as Hope told herself this, she knew it didn’t sound quite right.
He was going over some papers and then he slid them across his desk, along with a pen. “Okay, now if you’ll just sign some of this paperwork, we will set this thing in motion.”
Part of her wanted to question what exactly they were setting in motion, but instead, she focused her attention on what she was signing, carefully reading each word. But it all seemed fairly simple and straightforward. She was agreeing to keep Nona’s dog, Andy, and to live in Nona’s house for a year as well as to have the use of Nona’s car. She couldn’t give away the dog or sell or rent the house. And if she changed her mind about any of this, Lewis, the trustee, would switch to Plan B. Also, there was one small clause that proved a pleasant surprise. If she agreed to this arrangement, the trustee (Lewis) would see that she got a monthly stipend for the duration of the year. It wasn’t much, but just in case she had trouble setting up a new law practice…or whatever…it should be enough to get her through. If she were frugal and careful.
She handed the signed papers back to him. “So are you ever going to tell me what, exactly, is Plan B? What you would’ve done if I’d said no today? And, please, don’t tell me it would all go to the dog.”
He laughed. “You’re not far from the truth there.”
“Seriously?” She frowned. “It was either me or the dog?”
“Not quite. Your grandmother had selected a number of local charities, but the bulk of her money would go to the Humane Society with a good portion dedicated to dog shelters in the area.”
“Oh.”
“Speaking of such. I think it’s about time we sprung your dog.”
“My dog.” Hope could barely wrap her mind around this. Not only was she not flying home today, she would soon be giving up her career and condo and everything else in the city. Plus, she was now the owner of a dog. A dog she had never even met.
Chapter Eight
Andy turned out to be a Chihuahua mix. With a black-and-white spotted coat and a body that seemed too long for those short legs, he looked up at Hope with big brown eyes that actually melted her heart.
“Hi, Andy,” she said softly as she knelt down to pet him. But then he barked and snapped at her like he was going to bite, and she leaped up and looked at the vet. “What’s wrong with him?”
The vet just laughed. “Oh, he’s a little cranky.” She bent down now and spoke to the dog. “Hey, Andy, you don’t want to bite the hand that’s about to start feeding you.” She picked him up and held him for Hope to see. “He just needs to get to know you. The transition of being here has been hard on him. He was so used to your grandmother’s attention. I’m afraid he was rather spoiled.”
“And I’ll bet that being here reminded him of being in the pound before your grandmother rescued him.” Lewis scratched Andy behind the ears.
Hope wasn’t so sure. “What if Andy doesn’t like me?”
“He just needs to get used to you,” the vet assured her.
“And once he’s back home, he’ll probably relax,” Lewis said.
“Unless he decides to take a bite out of me.”
“Hold your hand like this.” The vet held the backside of her hand near Andy’s nose so he could sniff and Hope followed suit.
“Hey, Andy,” she said softly. “Don’t you know that I’m Nona’s granddaughter? We’re almost related.”
Andy looked up at her as if trying to absorb her words and then, to her surprised relief, he sniffed then licked her hand.
“See,” Lewis said. “He already likes you.”
“Or else he likes the flavor of my hand lotion.”
The vet handed Hope the dog. “We have all his records here. He’s up to date on his shots and all that. Just so you know, he seems to be about five years old. He’s probably a mix of Chihuahua and Jack Russell or some other terrier. He�
��s very smart. And Chihuahuas are social. They need people. They like to be warm, and if well cared for, with a good diet and exercise, they usually enjoy a relatively long life.” Then she handed Hope a printed-out page with what appeared to be some instructions about the care and feeding of Andy.
Hope wondered how long of a life Andy could expect to enjoy, but thought it might sound rude to ask. Then the vet left, excusing herself to prep for surgery, and suddenly Hope felt like a brand-new mother. Should she carry Andy in her arms, put him on the leash that the vet had given her, or hand him over to Lewis? “How do you think Andy does in the car?” she asked Lewis as she continued to pet the dog’s smooth head.
“He probably hasn’t done that as much as walking.”
“Right.” Hope considered this. “Maybe I should walk him home and then come back to pick up the car later.”
Lewis chuckled. “You sound like a nervous parent.”
“That’s exactly how I feel. I’ve never owned a dog.” She scratched Andy’s ear like she’d seen Lewis doing as they exited the vet clinic. He actually seemed to like that, which was reassuring. “I’m curious why Cherry’s family didn’t let Andy stay at their house after Nona died.”
“For one thing, Drew’s not particularly fond of the dog. And it seems that Harrison’s been having some allergy problems. Cherry thinks it might be animal hair.”
“Oh.” She hooked the little red leash onto Andy’s matching red collar and set him on the ground. He gave himself a little shake then lifted his leg on a shrub by the sidewalk. “Is that okay?” she asked Lewis.
“It’s okay for Andy.” He grinned. “Not much you can do about it.”
“But I’ve seen people with dogs in the city and they carry around baggies for, well, you know.”
“Yes, and if you’re on a sidewalk in town, you should probably be prepared, too.”
“Right.” She walked Andy over to the Rambler now, and he hurried close to sniff at it. When she opened the passenger door, he hopped right in. “Well, he seems to want to ride home,” she told Lewis.
“Have fun.”
“Thanks,” she said with uncertainty.
“By the way, I forgot to mention that your grandmother’s house is probably overdue for some maintenance and repairs.”
Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon Page 7
