The deep breaths helped, and by the time George and Maureen joined them, she felt better. A few minutes later, her parents arrived plus several other people she didn’t know.
Mourners began to arrive alone or in twos, threes and more until the church pews were full. Pastor Anders walked out to stand before his congregation. He addressed them and welcomed those who came from other churches or communities.
“We are all the same people now, here to honor the memory of one of Timmus Woods’ finest citizens.”
He spoke of the generosity of Michael Logan, and his willingness to help in whatever need arose at church or in town. He mentioned several projects grandpa had been involved in and how he never hesitated to join a committee when asked.
Pastor Anders said a prayer, the choir sang, and then George stood up to eulogize his father. Fighting back tears, Maureen grabbed Annamarie’s hand and murmured she was worried about George’s health. Annamarie tried to reassure her that he would be all right.
George began to speak about his father’s dedication to building up their little community. He mentioned his father’s fledgling insurance firm and the loss of Margaret and the baby. This seemed too much for him. George appeared as if he was going to collapse.
Daniel was at his side in an instant, telling his dad he would continue for him. From the notes his dad handed him, Daniel did his best to remember his grandfather, adding some of his own memories. After Daniel, one of grandpa’s oldest poker buddies spoke, followed by a business associate.
Pastor Anders said a few words of comfort for the grieving family and friends of Michael Logan and closed with a prayer. He mentioned there was a luncheon being served in the church hall for all those interested, and the choir began to sing “Amazing Grace.”
“Not again,” Annamarie whispered fighting back tears, “this hymn rips me apart.”
Daniel heard her and put a supporting arm around her. They let everyone clear the church, and head for the luncheon or home. They walked around a bit, looking at the flowers. Annamarie looked closer at the urn. It was engraved with grandpa’s name and the year of his birth and death.
Maureen and George were still sitting when the tall, thin man in a black suit and tie approached them.
“I’m Mr. Ranford from the Walker Funeral Home. I’ll be in charge of caring for Mr. Logan’s remains and observing the service at his home.”
“Please have some lunch with us, before we head for father’s home,” said Maureen.
“Thank you kindly, but I must leave to be sure preparations are complete when you arrive. Please take your time. Also, if there are any flowers you would like to have at the graveside service, please point them out. I’ll be sure to bring them along.”
“Thank you,” said Maureen. “I was wondering about flowers.” Looking directly at Annamarie, she said, “Annamarie, would you be a dear and pick out one or two of these lovely floral arrangements for Mr. Ranford?”
“Of course,” she said.
Walking slowly past the arrangements, one caught her eye immediately. Lilies, in various shapes and colors, filled a lovely white wicker basket.
“Please take this one,” she said to Mr. Ranford, and seeing another basket filled with delicate roses in every shade, she said, “Please take these, too.”
“It would be my pleasure,” Mr. Ranford said and bowed slightly.
Returning to Maureen and George, George smiled at her and asked how she knew to pick the roses. Annamarie said she remembered grandpa telling her a story of how much Margaret loved roses, and thought the lilies and the roses would make them happy, since they were together now.
George hugged her. “You’re the perfect addition to this family.”
Maureen smiled and said, “I agree. Daniel couldn’t have picked a better young woman to be his wife.”
Annamarie had no idea those feelings would soon change.
The four of them went to the church hall to have lunch. Once again she was surprised to see everyone talking and eating, but the food tasted beyond delicious and she was hungry. Daniel ate with abandon.
Noticing George was picking at his meal, Annamarie asked Maureen if he had been eating. He looked pale. Maureen admitted she was worried about him even though he insisted he was okay. She added if he still felt the same way this evening, she would call Dr. Norse and have him stop by. Annamarie assured her if she needed Daniel or her at any time to, please call. They’d come at once.
Suddenly George stood up facing the people in the hall. He thanked them all for their kindness. He then asked for their understanding, but it was time for him to leave. Pastor Anders walked over to George, had a few words, and handed Maureen a dark blue cloth bag containing cards people had left in the church.
Maureen thanked him and handed Annamarie the bag. “Be a dear and make a list of everyone who gave a card. We can get together this weekend to write thank-you notes.” She hugged Annamarie and followed George out the door.
“What’s in the bag?” Daniel asked.
“Memorial cards from the service.”
“My mom decided to have you take care of them?”
“Yes, I don’t mind.”
“That’s typical mom, avoiding the difficult duties.”
They followed George and Maureen to grandpa’s house.
Chapter Fifteen: The Woods
Annamarie and Daniel parked behind George’s car. A black sedan was parked on the side of the turnaround in front of grandpa’s house.
Daniel said, “It’s probably a car from the funeral home.” He was right.
The smell of coffee wafted out towards them when they entered. Coming from the direction of the kitchen, meant Elaine was still there caring for people the way she had for years.
George and Maureen huddled together in the living room discussing something. He seemed more distraught than he’d been at church.
Daniel asked, “What’s going on? You seem upset?”
“Mr. Townsend is going to be here in about an hour the way father stated in his letter.”
“So soon?”
“I thought he would give us a few days, but father was adamant about his will being read right after the urn burial. I don’t know why it can’t wait. This is almost too much to endure,” George said.
“Maybe grandfather wanted to get everything over at once because he thought it would be easier on us. He did worry about us a lot even if we weren’t aware of it.”
George shrugged and pulled a yellow paper from his pocket. Waving it towards no one in particular, he said, “Telegram from John. I sent him one when father died.”
“Who’s John?” Annamarie whispered.
“Grandfather’s brother,” Daniel whispered back. “He moved to California because of health problems before I was born. Sort of became a recluse. He lives in a rural desert area without a phone.”
Daniel was about to say more when they heard a knock at the front door.
It was Mr. Ranford from the funeral home. Announcing he was ready when they were, George said they’d meet him at the graveside. Closing the door, he motioned for them to follow him when he headed for the back door.
Maureen whispered to Daniel, “Stay close to your father. I’m worried he’s going to collapse.”
Daniel hurried ahead, leaving Annamarie to walk with Maureen.
Maureen asked, “Do you have the cards?”
“Don’t worry. They’re safe in the Jeep.”
“I can’t take much more of this, but you know they always come in threes,” Maureen muttered under her breath.
“What?”
“Deaths, they always come in threes.”
Annamarie thought she’d heard every old wives’ tale from her mom, but this was a new one and it made her shudder.
Before she could say anything, they arrived at the graveside. A small square of wooly, green fabric slightly larger than the urn was sitting over Margaret’s grave several inches from her headstone. Grandpa’s urn sat on a small white m
etal table next to the grave.
Pastor Anders arrived and said, “We can begin.”
Wishing she was anywhere else, Annamarie let her mind wander a bit to the outbuilding she knew was on the other side of the hill. She could see the pines to her left and oaks to her right. It was a beautiful place to live and a fitting place for grandpa to be laid to rest, but not for Garret and Nancy to be hiding. Forcing herself to pay attention to Pastor Anders, she listened to him recite the Twenty-Third Psalm, thank the Lord for accepting his child Michael into his heavenly home, and to bless his family with strength during this difficult time.
Difficult, more like impossible she thought, trying to keep her mind on the service.
Pastor Anders intoned, “Amen,” everyone repeated it.
Shaking George’s hand, he said, “Unfortunately, I must be going. God bless you.”
Stepping forward, Mr. Ranford said, “I’ll take care of Mr. Logan now. In a few moments, the grave will appear as if I’d never been here.”
It was then Annamarie saw his assistant dressed in clean jeans and a crisp blue shirt. Definitely the person who would do the physical work, but professional at the same time.
Maureen pulled on George’s arm to start his walk back to the house. Daniel and Annamarie willingly followed.
When they arrived, Elaine had coffee, tea and a plate of cookies waiting in the living room.
Sitting down in a chair with a cup of coffee in his hand, George said, “I hope Townsend is late.”
Right on cue, the doorbell rang. George groaned.
Daniel rose to let Mr. Townsend in. Annamarie could tell by the look on Daniel’s face he didn’t want to see Mr. Townsend any more than George did.
Carrying his usual black briefcase Mr. Townsend nodded to them. “I apologize for being here at such an inconvenient time. It was Michael’s wish his will be read today.”
Although they already knew, it did nothing for their mood to hear it again. They were tired and stressed, and wanted a few days to recover from this week of hell.
Mr. Townsend began with more apologies and condolences. “I have been Michael’s friend for as many years as I can remember. Is everyone ready?”
George dropped his head onto his arm saying, “Yes, yes.”
“Michael wanted it read today so there wouldn’t be any misunderstandings from the beginning.”
If they weren’t confused before, they certainly were now.
“This is the Last Will and Testament of Michael Andrew Logan.”
Mr. Townsend continued, “Besides his insurance company Michael Logan had many business interests all over the country. Most of these will be sold according to his final wishes. The insurance company will remain the same with George Logan, the sole owner. Michael made several provisions for his staff over the years, including his housekeeper Elaine. He made arrangements for a sum to be paid to Good Shepherd Church and other charities close to Michael’s heart. My office will handle those legal dealings. He also made plans for the continuing care of his brother John. The timber business is legally tied to this house and neither can be sold. They are to remain in the Logan family for as long as there is a Logan to inherit them and to reside in the house. If the time comes when there isn’t a Logan heir, the entire estate will be given to the town of Timmus Woods, with the house converted into a museum. From the proceeds of Michael’s liquidated business dealings and timber profits, a trust will be set up to care for the property. The taxes will be paid, and all upkeep for the house and property will continue the way it is now. A monthly allowance will be available for the inside of the home and the hiring of help if needed. Michael decided the family is able to support themselves. Therefore, there are no monetary inheritances.”
Maureen shifted in her seat weighing the situation before asking, “What about the house?” They all knew Maureen had wanted the house for years.
Mr. Townsend cleared his throat and said the final provision concerned the house.
“First, Michael wanted you to know he loved you deeply George, and was proud of the life you have made for yourself with the insurance company. Second, he knows this house was built because of love, and will thrive with love. Michael has left the house, all its furnishings, contents and the surrounding land to Daniel and Annamarie.”
“What?” Maureen screeched, “You’re joking. They’re only children.”
Annamarie now realized why grandpa had told her to remember she would always have a home here.
“They can’t have it. This house is supposed to be mine. I put up with that old man for years. It should be left to George and me.”
George’s anger grew and Annamarie was becoming nervous.
“Stop, please,” said Mr. Townsend, “There’s more.”
“It’s about time,” said Maureen. “He must mean in the future or something.”
“No,” continued Mr. Townsend, “the house belongs to Daniel and Annamarie as of this moment. If they don’t want the house, it will go to the town as I described earlier. I filed the necessary paperwork this morning. Everything’s done except for one thing.”
“Now what,” said Maureen?
“Daniel and Annamarie have inherited the house and property, but it’s not an equal share inheritance.”
“Finally something makes sense,” cried Maureen, her voice rising in pitch, “If we don’t get the house, it should belong to Daniel and not ‘that girl.'”
Amazing how quickly Annamarie went from “dear” to “that girl” in Maureen’s eyes. Daniel was right about crossing his parents. This wasn’t her doing yet she was still getting the blame.
“May I please finish?” interrupted Mr. Townsend.
“Yes,” said George. “Let’s get this over with.”
Annamarie sat there feeling as if she would be thrown out of her new home, by a woman who wanted the house more than anything. She was ready to give it to her until she heard Mr. Townsend clarify grandpa’s wishes.
“I explained earlier Michael wanted this house filled with love, which is why he left it to Daniel and Annamarie. He knew there was only one way to assure love would always fill this house, and that was for Annamarie to live here with any children she might have, regardless if she and Daniel remain married. A fifty-fifty inheritance could cause his great-grandchildren to live elsewhere which is why he left seventy-five percent of the house and property to Annamarie, the remaining twenty-five percent to Daniel. He believed if they did divorce, Daniel could still live here in the north wing, but the main house would always be Annamarie’s.”
In shock, Annamarie’s eyes moved from Mr. Townsend who appeared relieved to have finished fulfilling his legal obligation, to George now pale as death, to Maureen boiling with rage, to Daniel laughing out loud saying, “This is classic grandfather.” All Annamarie wanted to do was run.
“Townsend, you’re fired,” yelled George rising to his feet.
“Michael and I anticipated that,” Mr. Townsend said looking directly at Annamarie. “He paid me a large retainer to assist you in any legal matter you may have, Annamarie. I’m now your attorney.”
“Okay,” she said unable to think of any other response.
With a kind, understanding smile, Mr. Townsend handed her one of his cards, put his papers back into his briefcase and left.
Daniel jumped up, grabbed Annamarie, hugged her and said, “Look at this place. It’s all ours.”
Then he whispered, “With grandfather out there with my grandmother, I don’t think she’ll be back in the house, and your spirit will keep me safe from the spirits in the woods. This is perfect.”
Annamarie knew reading a will often brought out the worst in people, but she’d never expected everyone to overreact like this. All she wanted was to go home.
“I’ll be happy to help you get settled.” Elaine offered in her uplifting manner.
Maureen screamed at her to get back to the kitchen while George sunk deeper into his chair.
Daniel said, “It’s t
ime for all of us to leave and get some rest.”
Apprehensively, he asked his dad, “Do I still have a job?”
“Of course you still have a job, and I even understand why your grandfather divided the property the way he did. He loved Annamarie and doesn’t want his great-grandchildren to live anywhere but here. But still, he could have left the house to us with the provision it’s yours when we’re gone. He knew Maureen loved this house.”
Remembering her conversation with grandpa, Annamarie knew Maureen would never live here, but she never thought the house would be hers.
Daniel said, “Come on. We should all go home. After some sleep, we can discuss it. There’s nothing we can do about it now anyway.”
Grudgingly Maureen and George followed behind them, not saying a word. Maureen was still fuming and her face hadn’t returned to its normal color.
***
“They’ll come around or they won’t. We can’t change what they’re thinking,” said Daniel during the drive home.
“Do you have any idea why grandpa left us his home, and why he left me the greater percentage?”
“I’m honestly surprised he left me anything. I’m happy we have the house. I know you’ll care for the house the way grandfather would want.”
He knew his grandfather loved her, and Annamarie had adored his grandfather.
“He wanted love in his home, and while he might have doubted my love for you, he was sure of yours for me. I’m not upset you have more of a percentage than I do. It will always be our home, even if you banish me to the north wing,” he said.
“Never,” she responded, taking his hand in hers.
“Grandfather knew my parents got along in public, but privately they weren’t a happy couple.”
“Grandpa told me last week your mom would never live in his house, but I would always have a home there. I thought it was only the ramblings of an old man hoping for a happy family.”
“Grandfather knew what he was doing.”
It occurred to Daniel he didn’t recall if Mr. Townsend said when his grandfather made that particular will.
“Don’t lose Mr. Townsend’s card. I have a feeling mom and possibly dad might try to fight the will. Since we have only been married a few weeks, the will must be fairly new. Mom will jump on that fact.”
Gypsy Spirits Page 18
