The Way Home

by Eliana West

  “I guess I’d better call a lawyer,” Taylor said, staring into the darkness.

  He’d always believed Halcyon was meant to be his. It never even occurred to him that someone else would want it. He didn’t have the right words to explain how the house called to him—no one in his family understood it. Halcyon had appeared in his dreams since he was a boy. Hazy, watercolor visions, where he could see the house suspended in time, somewhere between the past and the present.

  He took Uncle Robert up on his offer to stay with him instead of at a hotel. When they got to his cabin, he left Taylor on the porch to make his calls. His producer was the first person on his list. She hadn’t been enthusiastic about the project to begin with and the news about the other claim on the house wouldn’t go over well.

  Tessa answered on the first ring. “Did you get everything settled? I’m sure everyone was thrilled when you made your announcement.”

  “We’ve hit a bit of a snag.”

  “What does that mean?”

  By the time he finished telling Tessa about what happened at the Buckthorn, he could feel her frustration vibrating through the phone.

  “This is totally going to mess up the production schedule.” She sighed.

  Tessa had never been a big fan of Taylor’s pet project, but she knew how important it was to him. Tessa Caldwell wasn’t just the producer for his show, they had formed a close friendship over the years. There were always rumors that the two of them were dating but they never had. Tessa was more like a little sister who acted like a big one. She took on all of the mundane details of running the show so that he could do the restoration work that he loved.

  “I know, but there’s nothing we can do.”

  “I’ll call a lawyer, and I’ll talk with the PR rep to figure out how to spin this,” she said.

  “Hold up, Tessa. I don’t want to bring the press into this.”

  “It might be the fastest way to get this woman to drop her claim. We can craft a story about how you’ve been wanting to restore Halcyon since you were a boy. You know, local boy returns home. And I’ll get a PI on her as well, maybe we can dig up—”

  Taylor jumped up and began pacing the length of the porch. “I’m okay with hiring a private investigator but no press.”

  “I’m just trying to make sure we do whatever it takes to make this work. Restoring Halcyon could be one of the biggest seasons the show has ever had. The network is very excited about this.”

  “I know.” He’d been pitching this idea since his show debuted. It hadn’t been easy to convince the network to agree to feature one house for an entire season, but he’d gradually won them over and now they were on board with the idea.

  It was also his chance to prove his parents wrong. They thought he was wasting his time and money on the crumbling mansion. His parents had never understood his love of architecture. They never said it out loud, but he always felt like they were disappointed that he hadn’t followed in their footsteps to become a doctor the way his older brother Dylan had.

  “Taylor.” Tessa’s voice softened. “You’ve talked about this for as long as I’ve known you. You love that rundown wreck of a house. While I’m not excited as you are about spending months in a small town in Mississippi, I know you’ll be devastated if you lose it now.”

  “Thanks. I know you don’t get it, but I appreciate everything you’re doing to make this happen for me.”

  “We’ll meet with a lawyer when you get back to LA and we’ll get this figured out,” she said.

  “Thanks, Tess.”

  He hung up and paced the porch for a few more minutes before calling out, “Uncle Robert, I’m going for a drive.”

  He drove back through the town he used to visit and realized it barely existed now. Taylor circled the park that made up the center of the town square. Absolem Madden Colton Park. Named after his seventh great-uncle and the man who’d owned the Colton Plantation and the people enslaved there. The trees were bigger than he remembered but the gazebo at the center looked exactly the same. It was a fixture of the park, but its most important role was as witness to the many weddings that had taken place there over the years. It was tradition in Colton that a couple who married under the gazebo would have a long and happy life together. He had a hard time picturing himself standing side by side with anyone under its canopy and certainly none of the women he’d dated over the last few years. The new sign over the hardware store and the bookstore next to the library were welcome signs of growth. Taylor was happy to see the yellow and red art deco façade of Catfish Café on the corner. He wondered if Tillie was still serving up the pecan pie and hot water corn bread that he remembered from his childhood. When he finished his drive through town he headed back in the direction of Uncle Robert’s cabin. He couldn’t resist the pull of Halcyon, turning down the dirt driveway where the house waited for him at the end.

  He made a circuit of the exterior, making mental notes of the repairs that needed to be made. He patted one of the columns as he walked by. It still felt sturdy and strong under his hand. Unfortunately, that couldn’t be said for the rest of the house. He sat down on the front steps replaying the scene at the Buckthorn in his head.

  Headlights blinded him for a second. This time it wasn’t Uncle Robert but Josephine Martin pulling up to the house. She got out of the small dark blue SUV, hesitating for just a moment before heading toward him.

  “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to find you here,” she said as she approached.

  He stood up and dusted his hands off. “I suppose I could say the same thing about you.”

  An awkward silence stretched between them as they faced each other.

  “I’m not giving up my claim on this house,” she said.

  “Neither am I.”

  Her dark eyes flashed with determination and that same flash of desire he felt the first time he saw her flared to life again. His attraction was an inconvenience he didn’t need or want.

  “Then I guess I’ll see you in court.”

  He nodded. “I suppose so.”

  She turned on her heel and walked away with her head held high. He watched her car until the taillights turned out of the driveway and disappeared. He drew in a deep breath, letting the night air cool his frustration.

  Taylor started making his way to his car and then stopped, turning back to the house. “I’m never going to let you go.”

  He didn’t hear the way the wind rustling through the trees sounded like a woman weeping as he drove away.

  *

  Taylor cut his trip short after learning about Josephine’s claim on Halcyon. Back in LA he threw himself into preparing for filming his show in Colton. He wasn’t going to let anyone stop him from making this season of the show a success. Each day that passed with his lawyer unsuccessful in getting Josephine Martin to give up her claim sent his frustration up a notch until Tessa kicked him out of the production office for the day.

  He just pulled into his driveway when his phone vibrated in his pocket.

  “Taylor, I’ve got good news,” his lawyer announced. “Ms. Martin has agreed to arbitration.”

  “Good, hopefully we can get this resolved quickly. Going to court could take too much time.”

  “You’ll be meeting with Judge Beaumont in two weeks.”

  Taylor hung up and called Tessa.

  “I still think you should do some interviews—” she started when he told her the news.

  He headed into his house, grabbing a beer as he made his way out to the back deck.

  He cut her off before she could start filling his schedule with a bunch of appearances on morning TV shows. “Tessa, we’ve talked about this. I don’t want to do anything that might jeopardize this case and I don’t want a bunch of press hanging around Colton. We have to think of the people who live there. I don’t think they would appreciate reporters or paparazzi in their town.”

  “Fine.” Tessa sighed. “Hopefully we’ll get the report from the private investiga
tor soon.”

  “I doubt there’s going to be anything in the report that we can use against her.”

  “That’s exactly what you said about Alyssa.”

  Taylor winced. “That was different.”

  “How? I’m sorry, Taylor, but she only wanted your money and your fame. If I hadn’t hired a private investigator then you would be in the middle of a very messy divorce right now.”

  Taylor downed the rest of his beer and went to stand on the edge of his pool. It was designed to give the false impression that there was no edge at all. It was fake, just like his ex-girlfriend had been. He fell head over heels for her when they met at a party two years ago. She described herself as an aspiring blogger and writer. That part was true; the part where she told him she loved and supported him wasn’t. Tessa had always been suspicious and when she told Taylor she’d hired someone to look into his girlfriend he’d been furious. But Tessa’s instincts had been right. Alyssa was selling stories about him to the tabloids as well as planning on selling some highly suggestive pictures of the two of them to the highest bidder. He’d been planning to propose when Tessa brought him the news. It turned out she had better instincts than he did.

  “You’re right; it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

  “I’ll never forgive that bitch for breaking your heart.”

  “I wouldn’t say it was broken, just badly bruised. She was never the right person for me—I know that now.”

  “I’m sorry it had to happen but I’m glad I was able to expose her for what she really was before it was too late.”

  “I’ll always be thankful to you for that, Tess.”

  “That’s what friends and producers are for.”

  Taylor finished his phone call and admired the view of the LA skyline. As much as he’d grown to love the view he couldn’t wait to exchange it for looking out at the giant oak tree from the veranda at Halcyon. In two weeks he’d have Halcyon, and Josephine Martin would be out of his life.

  Chapter Three

  Wind rustled through the treetops in the park outside the windows of the conference room in Colton Town Hall. Taylor regretted his decision to skip breakfast when his stomach growled for the second time. He turned his attention back to where Josephine Martin sat across from him with her hands folded in front of her, waiting for Judge Beaumont to make an appearance. The black, fitted short-sleeve turtleneck emphasized her long neck and toned arms. Her dark amber-colored eyes watched him warily from across the table.

  She leaned over to whisper something to her lawyer while watching Taylor out of the corner of her eye. Judge Beaumont walked in and took a seat at the head of the table, spreading out a small stack of paperwork in front of him. He shuffled through the papers, extending Taylor’s anticipation almost to his breaking point. He’d been restless and distracted in the weeks leading up to this moment. For the first time since they agreed to arbitration his confidence that the judge would rule in his favor faltered. He clenched his hands together under the table to keep himself from reaching up and pressing his hand against his racing heart.

  “This is an unusual case,” the judge began peering at a sheaf of papers over the top of his horn-rimmed reading glasses. “Miss Martin, the letter you have provided as evidence of your claim is compelling.”

  The judge turned to Taylor’s side of the table. “Mr. Colton, you have also provided substantial proof of your claim. As the assumption was made that the colonel died childless, and in the absence of a will, the house passed on to his brother, your seventh great-grandfather.” Judge Beaumont set the papers down and steepled his hands. “There are some who would say this is a case where reparations are due for the inhuman treatment Miss Martin’s ancestors endured.”

  Taylor bowed his head, blood rushing in his ears. Was he going to lose Halcyon because of the sins of his ancestors? He tried to ignore that inconvenient part of his family legacy but it was sitting across the table from him staring him in the face. When he saw copies of the letters Josephine had presented as evidence of her claim he felt physically ill. He wasn’t blind to his family history, but it had all been abstract until that moment. It was the first time he’d ever felt shame about his family history.

  “However, I can only judge this case based on the law, not social justice. A house of this age and size requires a significant investment of both time and money.” The judge sat forward. “This is a project of great magnitude and although Mr. Colton has the experience I am not convinced that either of you know what you are taking on.” Judge Beaumont clasped his hands. “I’ve thought long and hard about this. You both have provided enough evidence to support your claim. Therefore, I am going to make the following ruling. I am awarding each of you half of the estate.” The judge held up his hand when the lawyers on both sides objected. “You agreed to abide by my decision when you decided to go into arbitration and this is my final ruling.”

  Taylor sat in shock. There was no way he was going to share Halcyon with anyone. His lawyer was saying something to him but he didn’t hear any of it, trying to process what the judge had just said. His gaze zeroed in on the woman sitting across the table.

  “How much?” he asked.

  “How much for what?”

  She knew exactly what he wanted to know but decided to play innocent, which quickly turned his shock into anger.

  “How much do you want for your half of Halcyon?” he said, enunciating each word.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Colton, but my half of Halcyon is not for sale. How much would you take for yours?”

  “I’ll never sell. Halcyon had been in my family since it was built and it’s going to stay that way.”

  Josephine leaned forward. “Since my ancestors probably built most of Halcyon I guess I can also say Halcyon has been in my family since it was built.”

  Judge Beaumont cleared his throat. “Clearly the two of you have some things to work out. Now, if you’ll excuse me I have a meeting I need to get to.”

  Taylor pushed back from the table and stormed out.

  He burst through the front door of town hall. “Fuck,” he shouted.

  A woman walking through the park with her little girl jerked her head in his direction with an angry glare.

  His lawyer came out followed by Josephine and her legal counsel. “Taylor, Ms. Martin has informed me that she plans to take up residence in Halcyon. We all know that the house needs extensive renovations, and I’ve explained to Ms. Martin that you planned to film your restoration efforts for your show. Perhaps the two of you can come to an agreement.”

  Josephine’s lawyer looked at her watch. “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I have a plane to catch.”

  “I have to leave as well,” Taylor’s lawyer said.

  “Thank you, Linda, I appreciate all of your help.” Josephine shook her hand.

  “Thanks, Sean, I’ll be in touch,” Taylor said.

  “I can’t blame them. I’m sure they wanted to get away from this mess as quick as they could,” Jo said, watching as they walked away.

  Taylor glanced over at the woman standing next to him. Determination flashed in her gaze.

  “You can’t move into Halcyon. It’s not habitable in the condition it’s in right now.”

  Josephine crossed her arms. “I know that. I’ve already reached out to get some bids from several contractors in case the judge ruled in my favor.”

  Taylor shook his head. “Absolutely not—I’m the only contractor who will be working on that house and I’ll be filming everything for my show.” He grimaced when he heard a loud rumble. “Look, I haven’t eaten yet and I’d rather not have this conversation on an empty stomach.” He jerked his thumb toward the Catfish Café. “Can I buy you a coffee and a piece of pie and we can talk more?”

  “If that will make you less grumpy, sure.”

  “I’m not—” He snapped his mouth shut when Josephine raised an eyebrow.

  He was off his game. There had never been a situation that Taylor couldn’t charm his
way out of until today. It was just the stress he told himself. It was just a matter of time before he would win Jo over and convince her to sell him her half of the house.

  They walked down the block and crossed the street to the café. The owner, Tillie Reynolds, greeted them wearing the same gingham shirt and jeans Taylor remembered from his childhood. He was just about to introduce Josephine when Tillie smiled and said, “Go ahead and grab a booth, Jo. I’ll be right out with your tea.”

  They slid into a booth. Josephine sat across from him with her hands folded on the table.

  Tillie came over and placed a cup of tea in front of Jo. “I figured chamomile would be good after your meeting with the judge.”

  Taylor looked at Josephine in surprise at the easy camaraderie she had with the owner of the café.

  “Thank you, Tillie, this is perfect.”

  “Do you want anything to go with that?”

  “No, thank you,” Josephine said.

  Tillie turned to Taylor. “And what would you like, hon?”

  “It’s good to see you again, Tillie. I’d love a coffee and a piece of pecan pie. Actually, can you make that two slices since you wouldn’t send me one?” he said with a smile.

  Tillie chuckled. “If you’re missing my cooking so bad that you call me and try to get me to ship you a pie overnight, that just means it’s time for you to come home for a visit. Welcome back, Mr. Hollywood big shot,” she said, giving him a pat on the shoulder before she walked away.

  She returned and set down his coffee and an extra-large slice of pie with a wink before returning to her other customers.

  “Ms. Martin—”

  “You might as well call me Jo,” she interrupted.

  “Jo, Halcyon is…well it’s a special house and the restoration is a huge project.”

  She took a sip of her tea, eyeing him over the rim. She set the cup down. “You’re not wasting any time trying to get me to give up my half of the house, are you?”

  “What in the world do you think you are going to do with half of a plantation house?”

  “What are you going to do with it?” she shot back.