by Mille West
“Wow, how’d you learn to throw a spiral?” Blair asked her, excitement in his voice.
“Playing on the neighborhood football team every Sunday afternoon,” she responded.
After they went back to playing football, Anne looked at Mills and said, “Cooper has really missed her. I’m afraid I fear the worst.”
The football came back in the direction of Mills, and as she returned it to Blair, he asked, “Mills, why don’t you come and play? You and I can be on a team, and we’ll play Cooper and Zack.”
“Anne, do you mind if I join them?”
“No, by all means, go right ahead.”
They played tag football on the lawn for over an hour, and Mills threw the ball to Blair for several touchdowns.
“I never saw a girl throw a football like that,” he exclaimed.
“Years of practice,” she responded with a smile.
Mills joined the group for dinner at seven o’clock, and Cooper was outside grilling the duck breasts from the morning hunt. Anne poured Mills a glass of wine and told her, “I hate that Jeff could not come; he seems to always be working. I wish that he would spend more time with my boys. Bless Cooper, he always takes the time to entertain them. I used to enjoy coming here when I was a child. Cooper, Jeff, Beau, and me—we ran all over this place. Beau was so handsome and smart. Do you know about Beau and Mr. Heath?”
“Yes, I know they passed away in a boating accident.”
“Terrible misfortune. Mr. Heath took Jeff, Cooper, and Beau on a trip to the Caribbean to go sailing. It was a graduation present to Beau. He had been accepted to the United States Naval Academy in the fall. A squall came up while they were off Eleuthera, and the boat capsized in high waves. Cooper saved my brother’s life, but they were in the water beside the overturned boat for hours before they were rescued. Poor Cooper—he couldn’t get to his father and brother. I hate to think about it.”
She stopped speaking for a moment and then continued, “When we were kids, we spent many happy hours out here. Jeff was a scrawny little guy and I could beat him up—he was almost in his twenties before he filled out. Cooper and Beau were always athletic and they never excluded me from exploring. We’d heard that pirates came up into the rivers to hide their booty, and we must have dug a thousand holes looking for it. When I was about thirteen, I had a crush on Cooper. Imagine my disappointment when I found out that it was no longer acceptable to marry your first cousin.” She started to laugh and poured them more wine. “Let’s get the salads on the table.”
That evening, after a delicious duck dinner, the group went out onto the green to stargaze with a telescope. With no interference from sources of light produced by humans, the nighttime sky was brilliant. They took turns looking at the moon, star systems, and the planets, huddling around the telescope in the frigid night air. On the far end of the green, a group of deer, illuminated by the moonlight, hurried into the woodland shadows, their silhouettes disappearing into the darkness.
Cooper pointed out the Big Dipper and the North Star. “Do you know who Harriet Tubman was?”
“Yes,” Blair responded. “She was a leader in the Underground Railroad that helped escaped slaves from the south flee to freedom in the north.”
“That’s right, Blair. She was very brave. I want both of you boys to look at Polaris, also known as the North Star. It’s the first star in the handle of the Little Dipper.”
The boys both gazed into the telescope and then stepped back from it. Cooper continued his story as he pointed out the stars. “Slaves were permitted to sing so they often hid messages in their songs. There was a song about the Big Dipper called, ‘Follow the Drinking Gourd.’ Escaped slaves traveled by night so that they would not be apprehended, and if you draw a line from the two pointer stars of the Big Dipper to Polaris, the line points to the north and that meant freedom for escaped slaves.”
“Wow, let me see that again,” Zack exclaimed.
Admiring Cooper’s attentiveness to his cousins, Mills listened carefully to his story. When he finished, Anne said to her, “I’m glad I’ve had an opportunity to spend some time with you. I wonder if you would mind if I gave Jeff your phone number. I would like for you to get to know him.”
“That’s fine. Thank you, Anne.”
Mills noticed in the moonlight that Cooper stopped looking through the telescope and glanced at them. It was as though he wanted to speak, but refrained. He went back to talking with the boys and discussing Orion’s Belt.
On Sunday, Mills decided to visit a West Ashley church she had seen on her drive between Edisto and Charleston. On its marquee was a notice that a contemporary service was held at eleven each Sunday. Taking a seat midway in the sanctuary, she found the congregation to be a mixture of races, young and old. The music was led by a Christian rock band and the people sang and rejoiced in a relaxed style of worship. Feeling comfortable among these people, she especially enjoyed the sermon by Joseph Rose, the pastor. She found him charismatic and he also possessed a sense of humor. When the service was complete, she felt energized, happy, and hoped she had found her place of worship.
After church, she stopped by the Low Country Gourmet and found Paul at work and in his usual high spirits. “Greetings, Audrey, how are you this afternoon? As always, you look fabulous. What are you up to?”
“I went to a church where I really felt comfortable, and I thought I might explore the downtown area this afternoon.”
“Just wait another couple of months and the trees and azaleas will be in blossom. Charleston is a treat in the spring. I have had several inquiries about your scholarship program. Have you had any phone calls?”
“Not yet. I’ll bring some business cards to you this week.”
Paul rearranged a display of chocolates that was on the counter and asked, “How do you like working for Cooper Heath? I’ve seen his photos in the newspaper. He’s quite handsome and apparently very intelligent as well. There have been several articles in the Charleston Dispatch about his accomplishments in the shipping business, and then there were the unfortunate stories about him, and his beautiful, but probably very dead wife. Aren’t you afraid to be around him?”
“No, Paul, I feel very comfortable with him, and I sense only sincerity in his personality.”
“Well, I have to admit, I wondered.”
A man came in the front door and exchanged greetings with Paul before going to the gourmet coffee section. Looking at the man for a few moments, Mills thought he looked familiar, and when he returned to the counter, he stared at her with a strange recognition, “Young lady, I believe we recently exchanged greetings in the Unitarian churchyard.”
Recalling the man who had looked at her with great curiosity, she responded, “Yes, I remember. My name is Mills Taylor.”
“Miss Taylor, my name is Piet van der Wolf. I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Piet, Mills is working with the Julia Heath Foundation in fundraising for educational opportunities for youths in the Charleston area.”
“Yes, I have heard of this organization.”
Mills showed him the foundation’s display in the gourmet shop, and then he thanked Paul and paid for his coffee. Turning to Mills, he said, “Miss Taylo
r, I’ll look forward to seeing you in the near future.”
After he left, Paul said, “Piet is an old acquaintance. Fabulously wealthy. His ancestors moved to the Charleston area after the Civil War. Poor fellow, he lost his daughter in an automobile accident years ago. His wife was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life from her injuries in the wreck, and she passed away a few years ago. You should see his mansion on Wentworth.”
After saying goodbye to Paul, Mills explored the side streets and alleyways of the downtown, impressed by the number of elaborate gardens that were hidden off the main thoroughfares. When she returned home, Cooper was fly fishing from a kayak. The marsh was quiet except for the sounds of bird calls and the current of the Edisto gently flowing with the outgoing tide. Sitting down in an Adirondack chair, she watched his smooth technique; as the line sailed back and forth through the air, it appeared to have a life of its own.
That night, while preparing a list of businesses that she would call on during the week, Mills began to hear the faint sound of piano music. Stepping out onto her porch, she could hear Cooper playing the piano fast and furiously. Wrapping a blanket around her shoulders, she sat down in one of her wicker chairs to listen. He played with a profound intensity, as though he was trying to divest himself of some inner turmoil. She listened to the piano until the music stopped and the lights went off in the living room.
Cooper stopped by her cottage early on Monday morning. He was dressed in a business suit and carrying a suitcase and a briefcase. “I’ll be in Newark for the next several days. If you need to get in touch with me, please call the local office of Heath Brothers. I hope you have a successful week. In case you don’t have plans for the weekend, I’m going to have several friends over to shoot sporting clays on Saturday. On Sunday afternoon, I’m going to join some local volunteers who are restoring an old schoolhouse near Alston Station. I thought you’d like to join us and meet some of my neighbors.”
“I look forward to it.”
He smiled at her as he departed down the row of camellias, and as she went back into her cottage, the phone began to ring. A man who identified himself as Joseph Cook was on the line. “Miss Taylor, I am Piet van der Wolf’s personal assistant. He asked me to phone you to arrange an appointment in regard to the Heath Foundation, this Tuesday at two in the afternoon.”
Writing down the address, Mills responded, “Mr. Cook, I’ll look forward to the appointment.”
Before she could pick up her briefcase to leave, the phone rang again, and she thought the voice sounded like Cooper’s. “Mills, I hope you’re having great success in the foundation business.” There was a bit of teasing in his voice. “This is Jeff Radcliffe. I met you after a duck hunt recently. Do you remember me?”
“Yes, of course.”
“My sister, Anne, says that you’re adorable, and I should ask you for a date. How about this Thursday? I’m going sailing with some friends, and I’d like for you to join us. I know that Cooper will let you get away for one afternoon.”
“Yes, thank you. I’ll see you on Thursday.”
“Meet me at the City Marina at one o’clock, and wear warm clothes and nonskid shoes.”
Elated by his invitation, she drove into town to pick up her business cards from Collins Printing, and then stopped by Joshua White’s law office to personally invite him to the oyster roast. The office manager, Sophia, asked Mills to wait in the conference room and she sat down at a long mahogany table that was surrounded by ten chairs. Within a few minutes, the door opened and Joshua White entered the room.
“My goodness, I was afraid I wasn’t going to hear from you again. I want to apologize for my criticisms of Cooper Heath on the afternoon we had tea together. I hope there are no hard feelings.”
“No, there are not, and I’m here to personally invite you to his oyster roast.” She handed him the invitation, and he smiled broadly as he opened it.
“Mills, I must explain something to you. My wife—rather, my ex-wife—has an attachment of sorts to Cooper Heath’s first cousin, Jeff Radcliffe. They are often partners on real estate development projects and I’m afraid they have shared a deeper connection. What I’m trying to say is—I don’t like to be around Jeff Radcliffe. I’ll come to the oyster roast, but I could lose my manners if I’m near him. I’d like to stay as far away from him as possible. Is that okay?”
“Yes, that will be fine.”
“Are you going to be my date?”
“No, I’m in charge of the oyster roast, so please bring a guest.”
“All right, it’s just about lunch time. Please allow me to take you out.” Mills nodded, and Joshua opened the door for her. “After you, my dear.”
CHAPTER 5
Resemblances
M ills appointment structure rang with the doorbell time a mansard on at Tuesday. roof the and home a The full of three Piet home van stories. was der an The Wolf imposing grounds at her were flawless and three fountains were visible from the front entrance. The door opened and a tall man with thinning black hair greeted her: “Miss Taylor, I’m Joseph Cook, welcome to the van der Wolf residence.”
She stood in the foyer and marveled at the stunning décor of rich mahogany. After taking her coat, Mr. Cook showed her into the drawing room. As she entered through the double doors, Mr. van der Wolf rose from his desk and came forward to greet her, “How nice of you to come. Please sit down.”
Motioning for her to have a seat in a chair that was opposite to him, he said, “I’m having tea prepared, and I hope you’ll join me.”
Within a few minutes, a woman wearing a black skirt, a white blouse, and a white apron brought in a magnificent tea service and placed it on the table. This was the first time in her life that Mills had seen a housekeeper dressed formally in a private residence. He introduced his housekeeper, Anna, to Mills, and Anna began to serve the tea. Mills noticed that Anna looked at her intently while she poured the refreshments and had a kind smile for her as she finished.
“Would you care for anything else?” she asked.
“Thank you, Anna—that will be all.”
As they sipped their tea, Mills explained the goals of the Heath Foundation to him, and he listened intently to her presentation, occasionally asking questions.
“Miss Taylor, you are well spoken. I have a donation for your foundation, but I was wondering if I could show you my house and gardens. I rarely have guests, and it would be a pleasure for me to show you my home.”
She agreed to the tour, and he bowed when she stood up. He motioned for her to follow him through the double doors of the drawing room, and he led her to the outside through a side entrance. “Most of the statuary was imported from Italy by one of my ancestors.” The marbles were of museum quality, were classical in nature, and accentuated the geometrical design of the garden.
“A genius must have designed your garden.”
He smiled at her words, and responded, “Mills, it was designed many years ago, before my birth—please come inside. I’ll show you the interior.”
They entered through a rear door that went to the kitchen and he introduced her to the staff of two women who worked at the stove. The older of the two women, Anna, whom she had already met, smiled at her again, an
d then looked at Mr. van der Wolf with a hard stare.
He did not seem to notice her intent look as he continued to show Mills around his home.
Upstairs, there was a large two-story ballroom with hardwood floors and exquisite detail work. The room was painted green and the ceiling was hand painted in a classical depiction of a hunting scene.
“This is lovely. You must have wonderful parties here.”
“Not for a long time, Mills.” He suddenly had a sad expression on his face, but as he looked back at her, he smiled and said, “I have one more room to show you.”
Returning to the downstairs, he led her into the most exquisitely decorated living room she had ever seen. There were a number of portraits on the walls, mostly of men. Noticing her interest in the paintings, he remarked, “Most of these individuals are my ancestors.”
“Some of them look like they could have been painted by the Dutch Masters.”
He laughed at her comment and then opened French doors that led to an outside garden room with a fountain. There was a wall around this portion of the garden, making it intimate and private with only one exit door, which was painted a deep shade of green.
“This is my favorite part of the property. When my wife and daughter were alive, we spent countless hours of pleasure in this garden room. I’m glad that I was able to show it to you.”
As they walked back into the living room, Mills noticed the portraits of a lovely young woman who resembled the middle-aged woman in the other painting. “Who are the ladies in the portraits?”
“That’s my late wife and daughter. My daughter was killed just before her twenty-fifth birthday in an automobile accident, and my wife suffered injuries that left her paralyzed for the rest of her life. Several years ago, she passed away.”
