Summer on Kendall Farm

by Shirley Hailstock

  “Not yet, but I’m looking. There is plenty I can do.”

  “That’s not the point,” Drew said.

  Mira took Drew’s arm. “What my husband means is, the truck is not being used, so you can keep it as long as you’re here.”

  “Whether you’re at the Kendall or not,” Drew clarified.

  Jace smiled. Drew and Mira were good people. “Thank you.”

  “Now that that’s settled, want some coffee or iced tea?” Mira asked with a wide grin.

  “Since I miss your coffee, I’ll have that.” He smiled.

  She looked at Drew.

  “Iced tea,” he said.

  The three of them sat at an umbrella table and drank their beverages.

  “Have you decided what you’re going to do?” Drew asked.

  Jace shook his head back and forth.

  “What about the Kendall?” Mira asked. “Are you going to contest the sale?”

  “You heard what happened?” Jace frowned.

  “Kelly told us.”

  “I’m not contesting it,” he said.

  “Kelly thinks you are,” Drew told him. “It would hurt her tremendously if you negate all her hard work.”

  “I know. I couldn’t do that to her,” Jace said. “Ari would never get over it...and neither would I.”

  “She’ll be glad to hear that,” Mira said.

  “Please don’t tell her,” Jace rushed to say. “I want to do it. She should hear it from me.”

  Husband and wife nodded.

  “Why wouldn’t you stay around here?” Mira wanted to know.

  “It would be hard to do that.”

  “You mean with everyone knowing you are a Kendall and that you no longer own the farm?” Drew asked.

  “I never owned the Kendall,” he said. “I never had any right to it.”

  “Except a moral one,” Drew said. “Your father did you an injustice by not including you in his will.”

  “It was what he did while I was alive,” Jace said. “I didn’t expect anything different at his death. It’s done and can’t be undone. Not by me at any rate.”

  Sheldon had that right, but Jace would no longer undermine Kelly.

  Jace stood up then. There was nothing more to say. “Well, I have to go but, thank you for the use of the truck.” He was about to leave when Drew stood up. The men shook hands and Jace nodded at Mira. He started for the truck as Drew went back to cutting the grass.

  “Come by sometime and bring Ari,” Mira called to Jace, following him to the truck.

  “I will. He loves those cakes you make.” He got inside the truck and closed the door.

  “Why don’t you tell her?” Mira asked.

  “That I’m not going to sue for ownership?”

  “That you’re in love with her.”

  Jace looked through the front windows, then back at Mira. He could lie, but it was no use. If she knew, if she could see how he felt about Kelly just by looking at him, there was no point in denying her words.

  “She wouldn’t believe me,” he said.

  * * *

  KELLY TRIED TO concentrate, but she couldn’t. She’d been in her office, but left it to wander about the mansion. Even with the rain pelting the windows, the place was silent. She stopped at the patio door and looked out. The garden Jace and Ari built for her made her lonely for them. In the distance on one side was the gazebo. It was completely outlined in white lights that made a dramatic statement in the darkness. On the other side was the stable. The mares were still there, but their owner was nowhere to be seen.

  Kelly was thankful the wedding was yesterday. It went off without a hitch. The sun shone brightly. It was beautiful, a perfect day for a couple to begin their lives together. She’d watched the bride come down the staircase. She’d never seen a wedding so artistically arranged. And she couldn’t help but imagine herself dressed all in white coming down those same steps. Tears had gathered in her eyes and she knew if she remained in the room looking at the happy couple, she would cry. As the groom took the bride’s hand in front of the minister and he started the vows, Jace came to mind and Kelly fled the ceremony.

  When the sound of applause reached her, she knew the groom had just kissed the bride. Moments later she heard footsteps as the guests made their way to the ballroom. The wedding party had gone to have pictures taken.

  A clap of thunder brought her attention back to the window. Kelly limped to her office. On the conference table, she picked up a folder, then went to her desk and propped her foot up. Checking the calendar, she saw that the next open house was three days away. She opened the folder and went over the plans. The crews were all ready. They’d broken down the rooms after the wedding and would come in the morning to prepare them for the open-house guests.

  Flipping to the next page in the folder, Kelly saw the wedding plan and yesterday returned to her mind.

  She’d watched the bride and groom from her office window, the same one that was now covered in rainwater. The couple loved horses and wanted photos in their wedding attire with them. Kelly pictured them and the photographer as they posed with the two mares. The wedding planner had told her that both bride and groom loved horses and that was the main reason they’d contracted to have their wedding at the Kendall.

  Silently, Kelly thanked Jace for bringing the horses to the Kendall. Shaking her head she tried to dislodge him from her mind, but he refused to be assuaged. She saw the white gown and veil extending outward. But it wasn’t yesterday’s bride and groom that she saw. It was a little boy and his father romping along the back lawn. This time when the tears came, she let them fall.

  Kelly didn’t know how long she stayed there, absentminded of anything going on around her. When she became aware of her surroundings, she realized the phone was ringing. Kelly dried her eyes with a tissue, took a long sobering breath and reached for the receiver. “Kendall Farm, this is Kelly Ashton,” she said without a trace of sadness in her voice.

  For twenty minutes she spoke with a woman about a booking for a fiftieth wedding anniversary party for her parents. It sounded like an extravagant event and the Kendall would be a perfect venue for it. When Kelly replaced the receiver, she was no longer melancholy. The woman had reminded her to concentrate on the business at hand.

  Kelly went over the rest of the plans for the next open house, checking off the jobs that had been completed. She could think of nothing that might be missing. Kelly was getting to know the regional suppliers and they were doing a fine job for her. She knew the success of the Kendall meant more income for the businesses associated with it. People would stop to eat in town or buy gasoline. Some might stay at the local motel or hotel.

  She had business cards and flyers for local services in case someone asked for information on something they discovered at the Kendall. The gift shop was more profitable than she’d thought it would be. She smiled, thinking of the work Jace had done building the gift shop. When she walked through it after he’d done the remodeling, she’d touched every wall and window, proud that what she imagined was now real. And proud that Jace had been there to help with the creation. As much as he said he wanted no part of opening the house to the public, he’d realized the advantages of making it happen. Even returning on that first day and pitching in to help her.

  Then she remembered waking up the next morning in her bed. She knew he’d carried her there. Ari had confirmed it for her, although she had a vague memory of floating through the air. She thought it had been a dream at first, but logic told her she didn’t walk to her bed and sleep in her clothes.

  She missed Jace and wondered where he was.

  * * *

  SHELDON KENDALL IV stood at the end of the long drive. Trees lined both sides of the white fence. It was a different fence, he thought. The mailbox with Kendall Farm printed on it in red letters had also been changed. The old crooked one sitting askew on a rusting post had been replaced with a large white replica of the house. It sat sideways on the post with the
doors open to accept the mail.

  Cars constantly turned at one end of the property and drove down a paved road that hadn’t been there two years ago. Sheldon thought this must be one of many changes he’d encounter. Never had he expected to be here. But he’d come this far. He had to go the last mile. He may be leaving today with more scars than expected, but he knew he had to take this journey to its conclusion.

  Another car passed him, driving too fast along the narrow road. He felt the wind whip through his secondhand suit in the aftermath of the car’s speed. Sheldon had shaved and had his hair cut for the trip. By the time he reached the end of the road, he’d removed the suit jacket and carried it over his arm. People were getting out of cars and crossing through a gate, then going to a small station on the side before heading up the seven steps that led to the large porch and the front door.

  “What is going on?” he wondered.

  Heading for the same small house, he looked inside.

  “Ticket, sir?” a young blonde girl asked. She looked about nineteen.

  “Ticket?” he questioned. What would he need a ticket for?

  “For the tour? It’s $35.00.”

  Sheldon calculated how many groceries he could buy for $35.00. He shook his head. “Is the owner here?” he asked.

  “Ms. Ashton. I don’t know where she is. I’ll give her a call if you like.”

  “I’d appreciate it.”

  “What’s your name?” the blonde asked.

  Sheldon told her, just giving his first name.

  The girl made a call on a cell phone. After a moment, she began to speak. Her head snapped up at him. “Sheldon Kendall?” she asked.

  He nodded.

  Then she was back at the phone. A second later, she clicked if off and said, “Please go to the front door.” She pointed the way as if he didn’t know.

  When he arrived there, a redhead was smiling at the guests going in and then she approached him.

  “Sheldon Kendall?”

  “Yes. I’m looking for Jason. I got a letter saying he’s living here.”

  “I’m Kelly Ashton.”

  “Are you the new owner?”

  “I am. Let’s go somewhere more quiet.” She walked to the end of the porch, away from the crowds. “Jace isn’t here anymore. I’m sorry, but I don’t know where he went.”

  Sheldon’s disappointment was telling. He gazed out at the lush lawn. It looked wonderful.

  “Have you traveled all the way from North Carolina without telling him you were coming?”

  “The letter I got is only a few weeks old. He said he was here.”

  “He was, but he and Ari left about three weeks ago.”

  “Ari?”

  “His son. I guess he didn’t tell you about the boy, either?” Kelly said.

  “His letter was very short.” It was so short that Sheldon could interpret little if anything from it.

  “Why don’t you come inside and have something to eat and drink. And I’ll make some calls.”

  “Thank you.” Sheldon had nothing else to say. He couldn’t just turn around and go back to the bus station. In any case, there wasn’t another bus until tomorrow night at the earliest. He adjusted the knapsack on his shoulder.

  Kelly pointed to the parking lot. “As you can see we’re having an open house today.”

  “Open house?”

  “It’s a long story and Jace didn’t agree with it, but I offer paid tours of the house and grounds to the public. People love history, especially when there are period costumes and furnishings to see.” She started walking. Sheldon followed her. “I’ll cordon off the upstairs rooms for us.”

  “I’m sure that will be fine.”

  Kelly led him through the front door. At the grand staircase, she secured the velvet cord after the two of them went up the first step. At the top of the stairs, Sheldon looked back. There was a lot of coming and going. He remembered the parties they used to have when his father was alive. The foyer would be full of women in fancy dresses and men in formal attire. Now he looked at people wearing shorts and T-shirts with earbuds hanging around their necks.

  “Sheldon?”

  He caught up to Kelly. “You’re perfectly welcome to join a tour, or you can wait in this room until we find out where Jace is. He told me it was yours.”

  Sheldon stepped inside his old bedroom and the rest of the world receded.

  “I’ll get you something to eat,” Kelly said. “Is there something in particular you’d like?”

  “Anything would be fine. Thank you.”

  She smiled and closed the door.

  Nothing had changed and everything had changed. The paint was different. Curtains replaced the heavy drapes that used to hang at the windows. The bed was the same, although the covers were new. The whole room was brighter. There was a small table sitting in front of the fireplace. He remembered it well. In fact, he could recall the dates of all the antique furniture. He knew when renovations had been done prior to his leaving. Obviously, from what he’d seen from the foyer to this bedroom, other changes had also been completed.

  Sheldon’s room was huge and looked out one side of the house. In all the years he’d lived here, he’d never moved to the master bedroom, but preferred to remain in the room where he’d grown up. It had been redecorated. Laura had done that once, but her changes were gone now. The bed, a giant four-poster, sat between the windows. The fireplace was on the left with a sitting area in front of it.

  This was once Sheldon’s home. But nothing about him remained in it today. He didn’t own the Kendall. Jason didn’t own it. Jason wasn’t even here. And he had a son.

  What did Sheldon have other than regrets?

  * * *

  KELLY HAD TO stop and think. Her jaws were clenched so tight, her back teeth ached. Sheldon’s arrival was the last thing she needed today.

  With so many people all over the house, his being here only added to the confusion, when a clear mind was essential to deal with the guests and staff.

  What was he doing here, showing up unannounced? Had Jace asked him to come?

  Forcing herself to relax, Kelly walked slowly down the back stairs, leading to the kitchen. She clutched the handrail due to her wobbly legs. Were the brothers joining together against her? Jace told her he wanted the property for him and Ari. Was Sheldon here to support that goal?

  “What’s wrong?” Mira asked.

  Her voice drew Kelly’s attention.

  “You look like a ghost.”

  “Sheldon Kendall is here,” Kelly said.

  “Why?”

  “I have no idea. I literally found him on the doorstep.”

  “What did he say?” Mira asked.

  “So far, nothing significant. He wants to talk to Jace.”

  “Where is Jace?”

  “I don’t know.”

  That was her problem. She had no answers for the questions that crowded in on her.

  “Where is Sheldon now?”

  “Upstairs, in one of the bedrooms. I came to get him something to drink.”

  Mira reached for a pitcher of water and a glass. “What happens next?”

  Kelly shook her head. “I suppose I’m going to have to ask him and Jace what’s going on.”

  * * *

  JACE AND ARI came out of the day-care center and Jace strapped his son into his car seat. Whistling, Jace pulled his tie loose and laid his suit jacket on the cab’s seat. He had good news for the boy. He decided to take him to the ice-cream shop to celebrate while he told him.

  Walking around Drew and Mira’s truck, he jumped as he recognized Emmett Cruz’s SUV coming straight at him. Emmett drove wildly across the road, roaring to a stop as he blocked him in. The short man jumped out of the vehicle clearly looking for someone.

  Jace had heard that Emmett was working at the Kendall. “Emmett, there could be kids out here. Be careful.”

  “Sorry,” Emmett said. “I’ve been searching for you for the past half hour.”


  Immediately Jace’s mind went to Kelly.

  “What’s up?” Jace asked. He stood beside the truck, blocking the door, protecting his son from whatever might be happening.

  “Kelly sent me to find you.”

  “Why? Is she all right?”

  “It’s not her exactly. But she does need you to return to the Kendall as fast as possible.”

  “Why?” Jace asked.

  “Just come.”

  Emmett was a man of few words. He preferred horses to people. He got back in his SUV and pulled away. He drove slowly until he was out of the parking lot, then the truck zoomed up the road as if it was late for something important.

  Jace got in his truck and headed in the same direction. What could Kelly want? First, she asked him to leave, now she sent Emmett looking for him and wouldn’t say why. When Jace eventually turned into the Kendall’s long driveway, Ari let out a shout.

  “We’re home!” the boy said, with obvious happiness. Jace didn’t have the heart to say a thing.

  Out front was a sign for visitors’ parking and the procession of cars told him the open house was well under way. He parked by the stables, away from the flow of visitors and next to Emmett’s SUV. The moment he released Ari from his car seat, the boy took off running for the house and calling Kelly’s name. Jace took a slower route, entering through the garden he’d built under her office window.

  Of all the noises in the building, people talking, guides explaining, Jace heard Ari. He followed the boy’s excited voice to Kelly’s office. She turned and looked at him. She’d changed her hair. It was swept up off her neck and coiled around her head. Sunlight poured through the window, forming a red halo around her.

  Jace swallowed. He started across the room, coming to a stop so close that he could reach out and easily pull her into his arms.

  “I’m going to go on the tour with Amy,” Ari said, scampering away. He slammed the door as he left.

  Jace stared at Kelly. He hadn’t realized how much he could miss seeing someone. He wanted to kiss her, long and hard.

  “You wanted me,” he said. His voice was several notes lower than usual.

  Her eyes opened a little wider. Jace realized what he’d said, but he didn’t take it back.