by Nancy Naigle
Something crashed outside. She spun to look behind her and the letters fell from her hands. Clyde must have stepped in his bowl and flipped it over, because he was standing with his giant paws draped over the Dutch door.
“You nosy galoot. You’re too big to be doing that.”
He flapped his ears and slithered down.
“You’re so sensitive.” Jill stood and peered over the Dutch door at Clyde, but all she got was an exaggerated sigh. “I’m sorry.”
He rolled over to his side, his paws in the air.
“I can’t reach you from in here.”
He rolled back over and sat. His tongue dipped and curled as he panted.
“I’m going back up to the attic. Want to come with me?”
Clyde spun in a circle, forgiving her in an instant. Jill opened the door for him and started for the stairs, but Garrett and Scott’s warnings echoed in her head. She turned back, bolted the door and got her cell phone.
She carried the box of letters tight against her chest. As she walked through the living room with them, she remembered the small picture of Pearl and the man on the mantel. She walked over to the fireplace and stepped up on the hearth. Turning the frame over, she pushed the hardware to the side and removed the picture held tightly behind the cardboard. The familiar penmanship wasn’t a surprise. In faded ink it read,
Inez —
If the world is my oyster, you are my Pearl.
Keep all that is the foundation of our love safe, forever.
You are the love of my heart. My one real find among all the treasures.
John Carlo
Why didn’t you ever tell me about him, Pearl?
Jill returned the picture to the mantle and headed back to the boxes in the attic. The second box contained stacks of faded pictures and keepsakes. Pressed flowers, napkins, match pads and postcards from several exotic places all mixed in with pictures of a young Pearl, probably at about Jill’s age, with the handsome dark haired man.
Her phone jingled. She flipped it open and was greeted by Garrett.
“I’m returning your call,” he said.
Her mood veered sharply to anger. “Everything I wanted to say to you was in the message I left. Is there a problem?” Her tone was cool, but she didn’t even care.
“No. I can make Friday work.”
Jill shrugged as the silence became awkward. “Okay, so?”
“Yeah, so it’s fine. You sound busy. What are you doing?”
“Going through old pictures and stuff. By the way, did Pearl ever mention someone named John Carlo to you?”
“Don’t know him. Why?”
“Never mind.” She picked up a pressed flower and held it to her nose though its scent was no longer there. “So, I’ll see you at Connor’s office on Friday morning?”
“I’ll pick you up.”
“That’s not necessary. I know the way.”
“It’s on my way.”
“Fine,” she said. “About quarter to nine work for you?”
“Yep.”
“I’ll see you then.”
“Oh, you’ll see me before that,” he said. “I’m not letting you stay there alone with all this going on. I was just at the diner. Word is all over town about the attic incident. There hasn’t been this much excitement in this town since those two guys broke out of the Sussex County jail. People are locking their doors, Jill.”
“It must be a slow gossip week. You know how folks love to dip in everyone else’s business around here. They’ll get over it.”
“I’m serious. Chaz said he’s cut more keys this week than he did all last year.”
“That’s only because no one uses a key in Adams Grove. You know that.”
“That’s my point. I’m not joking around. Folks are locking their doors. Some for the first time in their lives.”
“They’re overreacting. I’ll be fine.”
“I know, because I’ll be there.”
“I don’t have time to argue with you about this. Someone is beeping in on my other line. I’ll be fine.” She clicked over to the other line. This time it was Carolanne calling. Jill sat down on the living room hearth and went through the details of what had happened since they last spoke.
“In New York City, we’d just consider that a normal day,” Carolanne said. “But that kind of stuff never happens in Adams Grove.”
Jill could hear the concern in Carolanne’s voice. “Scott did say the biggest crime he’d had to deal with in the past eighteen months was some guys from Tidewater hunting on posted land, which is really the game warden’s gig anyway. Guess he’ll earn his paycheck this year,” she said, hoping to lighten the mood.
“Don’t tease. It’s getting scary.”
“I’m trying not to think about it. So what about Pearl’s will? Can she leave the property to Garrett and me jointly? Because that’s definitely not going to work.”
“She can pretty much do what she wants. One of you could buy the other out. Is the property joint, or did she split it up?”
“I don’t know. We don’t meet with Connor until Friday.” She traced the line of the mortar between the bricks, wishing life were as clean and straight as these lines. “It’s crazy. Everything is a mess.”
“Don’t get yourself wound up. Pearl wouldn’t do anything that could be that bad, and Connor’s good, really good. I can’t see him steering Pearl wrong. Can you believe Connor is back in town? I haven’t talked to him in ages.”
“I guess I’ll have to wait until Friday then?”
“Relax. I’m sure it will be fine.”
“You’re right.” Jill sat straighter. “I came here thinking I’d empty and sell this place, but after being here, I don’t want to leave.”
“Are you thinking about moving back?”
“I’d be lying if I said the thought hadn’t crossed my mind. But don’t breathe a word. You know how stuff spreads around here.”
“What else is up?” She and Carolanne caught up and they shared a few laughs over stories about Clyde.
“Well, I for one am glad you got saddled with Clyde, no pun intended. Okay, I did intend the pun, but seriously, when I went through all that stuff with Dad after Mom died I don’t know what I’d have done if I hadn’t had Black Max. Unconditional love. Always agrees with whatever you say, and they never give their opinion.”
“That has been a plus,” Jill admitted.
“And he ought to keep you safe.”
“At least the size of him will scare strangers off.”
“Give me a call after your meeting Friday.”
“Friday can’t get here quick enough.”
“And keep those doors locked,” Carolanne warned.
“I will.”
Jill said her goodbyes and started dinner. There were things in Pearl’s fridge she needed to use else they’d go bad, and Pearl hated waste.
She loaded up a sauté pan with leftovers and fresh veggies for a stir-fry. The food began to sizzle as she gave it a good stir with a wooden spoon, then hit speed dial on her cell to call Bradley to check in. He answered on the first ring.
“Hey baby doll. Are you finally on your way home? Things aren’t the same without you around.”
“No. Not yet.”
“Everything okay?”
“Not exactly. I know this sounds so ignorant, but I never thought I’d be without Pearl. I guess I thought she’d live forever, or at least outlive me.”
“I know what you mean. I thought that old gal would outlive us all too, but you’re just making this whole situation harder on yourself by hanging around. Pack everything up, and I’ll send a truck tomorrow to take all your grandmother’s stuff and put it in storage. Or, better yet, come on home today. You can deal with her things later when you’re ready. Or never.”
“I can’t do that. I’ve got a meeting with Pearl’s attorney to discuss the estate Friday.”
“Is there something of value you haven’t told me about?”
; “It turns out Pearl’s estate isn’t as cut-and-dry as I thought it would be,” Jill said. “There are some stipulations I have to meet to be entitled to even part of her estate.”
“Part? What the hell is going on down there?” Bradley’s voice got loud.
“Up here,” she corrected him. “But yeah, I’m wondering the same.” Finally, someone was seeing her side for a change. “It’s been an odd couple of days really. I thought I knew everything about Pearl, and suddenly it’s like I didn’t know her at all.”
“I told you families were nothing but trouble. Secrets and backstabbing.”
“No, not like that. It’s not bad. I mean, I always thought Pearl had never married. Turns out she had a whole sexy life with this guy John Carlo that I’d never heard of.”
“What’s that name?”
“John Carlo Pacini.” Jill dished the veggies onto a dinner plate.
“Sounds Italian. You never heard of him before?”
“I found stacks of love letters they’d written to each other They were so beautiful.”
“You’re a hopeless romantic. We both know that.”
“I am not. Well, maybe a little. Anyway, it’s been neat, kind of sweet, and it all makes me miss her so much more.”
“Well, whatever Pearl had is rightfully yours. I’ll get you the best damn lawyer on the east coast if that’s what it takes.”
“I don’t know what’s involved yet. I’ll let you know once I meet with Connor.”
“Who the hell is Connor?”
“He’s Pearl’s attorney,” she said as she put the pan into the sink.
“Oh great, another country bumpkin. Give me his damn number. I’ll get to the bottom of this for you.”
“No,” she snapped. “You will do no such thing. This is my family. I can take care of this.”
“Fine. You’re right. We don’t need to call him. Better yet, just pack everything today. Did you check to see if Pearl had a safe deposit box?”
“A safe deposit box? I doubt it. Why would she need something like that?”
“Important papers, things. I don’t know. Don’t you have one?”
“No.” We’re a simple family. He’s just making this way too complicated. Why do I let him get me so spun up? I’ve about had it with his mocking tone.
“Well, she might have had some valuables. Just something to consider before you leave town. I was just trying to help. Look, I’ll send the truck to get you, and the contents of that house, in the morning. They can’t mess with us.”
Suddenly it’s us? “Settle down Bradley. No one is out to cheat anyone. People aren’t like that around here.” Her jaw tensed. “And honestly, I’m not ready to pack up Pearl’s things yet. I walked around for two hours with a box in my hands yesterday, and all I ended up with were two brass tea light candleholders and a silk plant that probably should be tossed and not packed anyway. It’s hard.”
“Hang on a second.” Bradley covered the phone with his hand, but she could hear him barking orders to someone. “I’m back. Okay, I’ve got this worked out. My people will be there in the morning to pack up for you. The truck will be on the road by mid-day.”
Her temper flared. “Back up the freakin’ truck,” she lashed out. “I’m not packing, and neither is anyone else. I’ll be the one to decide when, if and where. When. Whatever.”
“Geez. I’m just trying to help you.”
She forced herself to calm down. “I’m not ready, and I’ll be the one to decide when I am. Just chill until I call you.”
Bradley’s voice steadied. “Fine. I’m trying to help. If we get the contents out of there, no way anyone is going to ask for it back. Trust me.”
“Stop it. No one is taking anything from me.”
“Well, then why the hell did you call if you didn’t want me to do anything to help?”
Jill twisted a lock of hair around her forefinger. Good question. “I don’t know. I guess I wanted to commiserate with someone.”
“I thought that’s what I was doing,” he said.
He was frustrated, that was easy to hear. This was the first time her life had trumped his plans.
“What is it that you want from me, Jill?”
“Support.”
“Well, that’s what I thought I was doing. I don’t think you know what you want. When you figure it out, you let me know.”
She started to respond, but he’d already disconnected.
“Whatever.” She clicked the phone closed.
Their discussion had stolen her appetite. She carried her dinner plate to the living room and nibbled, feeding half of her food to Clyde while they watched TV.
The sound of a vehicle in front of the house sent a tingle up her spine. Clyde didn’t react, but his track record as a guardian dog wasn’t getting big points with her so far. She waited for a knock, but nothing happened.
All the warnings sounded like alarms in her mind. A tense silence cloaked the room. The only sound coming through was the pounding of her heart.
She dropped to the floor and slithered in a low crouch to avoid casting a shadow until she made her way to the hall. Clyde thought she was playing a new game. He bounded along side of her, kneeling on his front haunches and then running and wagging his tail. Under the safe cover of the dark hallway, she jumped to her feet and ran to the back bedroom.
In her haste, she caught her hip on the edge of the dresser.
“Ow. That’ll leave a bruise.” She tiptoed to the window and looked outside through the crack between the shade and the window frame.
It was Garrett’s truck. He’d parked at the edge of the woods out in front of the house.
Jill let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
She dropped the shade and walked back into the living room cursing herself for her spy girl reaction. Trying to act nonchalant, she flipped through the channels, but after ten minutes Garrett still hadn’t come to the door. She peeked out front again. He was still out there, sitting in his truck.
She dialed his cell phone.
“At your service,” he answered.
“What are you doing?”
“I think you already know.”
“Why are you doing it then?”
“I told you I was going to make sure you’re safe.”
“Do you plan to sit out there all night?”
“Yep.”
Jill pulled the curtain to the side and peered out the front window. “This is ridiculous. Go home. I don’t need your help.”
“So you’ve said.”
“Are you leaving?”
“Nope.”
“Fine. I hope you get a crick in your neck.”
“Love you too, Angel.”
The words struck a familiar emotion, but she wasn’t going to give in. “You’re a complete whack job.” She opened the curtain wide and circled a finger around and around at the side of her head.
He flipped his headlights off and on twice.
“Does that mean you’re leaving?” she asked.
“Nope. Morse code for takes one to know one.”
“Oh that’s mature. You can’t sleep in your truck. It’s muggy. You’ll be miserable.”
“Are you inviting me in?”
“Hardly.”
“I think you ought to just say good night, Jill.” The line went dead.
Good night, Jill, she mocked and tugged the curtain closed. Who the heck did he think he was? She picked up the remote and surfed channels to get her mind off him, but finally gave in and went to bed. She laid there for a moment, but then got up.
Kneeling on the floor, she folded her hands in front of her and bowed her head. She prayed for help, direction and strength then climbed back in bed. Through the night she woke up several times and checked to see if Garrett was still there. She was obviously the only one losing sleep tonight.
It was daylight when the sound of Garrett’s truck engine woke her. The low rumble faded as he idled off the property.
Unable to get back to sleep, she busied herself through another day.
***
Garrett showed up the next night, too. The third night, Jill thought he’d finally given up. But later that evening, she saw his headlights cut a path through the darkness after she was already in bed. Shortly after he arrived, a summer storm pushed through. She tugged the covers up around her as the rolling thunder vibrated the house and lightening lit every crevice of the dark night. She wondered if Garrett was safe in his truck and had to resist the temptation to call and tell him to come inside. He was a grown man. If he wanted to act like a crazy person that was his right, but he had to miserable out there.
Just after seven o’clock Friday morning, she sipped coffee and watched from the window as Garrett stepped out of his truck. He put his hands on his lower back and stretched to the left and right. Even from this distance, his mood looked sour. He got back in the truck and left, but was back, clean and pressed, at exactly quarter to nine to pick her up for their appointment with Connor.
He looked tired, and she knew it was her fault. She got in the truck, but neither mentioned that he’d been sleeping in her yard the whole week. That made the short ride to town feel like a road trip. Finally, Garrett parallel parked in front of Connor’s office on Main Street.
Colorful awnings hung above the windows on the front of the old bank building and sophisticated gold lettering spruced up the window. The bank building was a great old piece of architecture, with Corinthian columns gracing either side of the tall wood and glass doors.
She and Garrett kept a safe distance as they walked up the sidewalk together.
“Happy Fourth of July,” Connor said as he hugged Jill, then slapped Garrett on the back. He led them down the narrow hall toward his office. “Good to see you both.”
Jill noticed that Connor had slimmed down and neatened up quite a bit since college.
“I sure wish we were meeting under different circumstances.” Connor placed a consoling arm around Jill’s shoulder.
“I know.” She reached up to touch his hand. “Me, too.”
