Chapter 27
And you, ye well-known trees! —Sense and Sensibility
Elinor
Pepper runs into the cafe, breathless. “Elinor, we need you—now!”
My immediate thought is that Annie and Pepper are up to some more matchmaker shenanigans, and I really don’t have time for this.
“Can this wait five minutes? I’m just a few minutes from the end of my shift.
“No! It’s a tragedy! Annie needs you.”
“Where’s your dad?”
“He’s with Annie! He won’t leave her.” Panic jolts me.
“Okay! I’m on my way!” I run to tell Lois that an emergency came up and follow Pepper with my apron still on.
“Where to!”
“Lady Whimple?”
“Did Annie fall out of the tree?”
“Not exactly!”
My chest tightens when I see flashing lights.
As I get closer, I realize it’s not an emergency vehicle, but the blinking red safety lights of the Beaver Tree Service truck.
There is so much going on, I can barely take it all in.
Mayor Joe’s beat up Chevy pulls over to the side of the road as Brandon comforts a distraught Annie.
I recognize Doug Spruce, owner of the tree service company, over by Lady Whimple with a chainsaw.
A chainsaw? Annie screams as a ribbon-bedecked branch of Lady Whimple falls to the ground with a thud.
“You barbarian!” yells my sister just as I arrive on the scene.
Brandon steps between the tree and Doug.
“You have no right to do this!” I can hear him holler over the hum of the chainsaw.
Annie kneels down by the cut limb. She’s sobbing, and it’s not her normal pretty tears. She stands up and runs to Lady Whimple. “You will not kill this tree!” she yells as she scrambles up the branches—an impressive feat, considering she’s wearing her typical flowy long skirt.
Brandon watches her climb with concern.
“Who gave you permission to cut down that tree?” I ask Doug as I join the confrontation.
“Thank goodness you’re here,” Brandon says to me.
Mayor Joe walks up, a frown furrowing his brow. “Can you explain what is happening here?” he asks. “I was told there’s a public disturbance.”
“I’m just doing my job,” says Doug, crossing the street to the mayor. Brandon and I follow him. “And her sister won’t let me.”
“Elinor, did you hire the tree service to remove this tree?” asks Joe.
“No, most definitely not.”
“I’ve got orders from the owner to cut it down!” Doug counters.
“I very much doubt that,” says Brandon.
“Are you suggesting that I’m lying?” asks a belligerent Doug.
“There’s definitely been some miscommunication,” says Brandon, arms folded across his chest.
“Can I see the paperwork?” asks the mayor. Doug stomps off to his truck. He returns with a tablet which he hands to Joe.
“Like I said, Edward Frechette signed this . . .” I feel a little sick. There’s no way he would do that, would he?
“That proves nothing,” I say. “He’s not the owner.”
“Isn’t his mom the owner?” Joe asks me.
“That’s true,” I admit.
“So maybe he does have the right,” says Joe.
“I don’t think he would do this,” I say, but with wavering certainty.
“Of course he wouldn’t,” says Brandon.
“I’m calling him,” I say, already dialing.
Edward doesn’t pick up. For all I know, he’s still upset with me.
On Saturday he bared his heart to me, and I sent him packing.
I was so disappointed when I got to his townhouse and he wasn’t there.
I considered texting him, but it seemed insufficient.
So I waited an hour or so before I finally slipped my note through his mail slot, hoping he’d find it.
“He’s not answering,” I say to Brandon. “Maybe you should call him.”
“I have been. He’s not picking up,” Brandon says, eyes fixed on his phone. It makes me feel slightly better that Edward is ignoring both of us.
Mayor Joe hands back Doug’s work order. “This all looks in order.” He cups his hands and calls up to Annie, now perched in the top of the tree.
“Annie! You need to get out of the tree! You’re not the owner!”
“Not so fast,” I interrupt. “Shouldn’t we double-check and make sure there isn’t some mistake?”
“Elinor, I know you all love that tree. Hell! I love it too. But the park has a new owner, and change is inevitable. Doug might as well get the job done.” That’s all the green light Doug needs. He turns back to Lady Whimple, and his chainsaw roars to life.
“You want to be like that?” Brandon shouts over the chainsaw. “Then I’m climbing up that tree and calling my lawyer!” He stalks off ahead to Lady Whimple and climbs the tree with easy confidence.
“Brandon!” Annie gasps from the top of the tree, pressing a hand to her heart.
“Daddy, you’re the best!” Pepper says from the ground. “Can I climb up, too?”
“No!” he calls back. “I’m going to make sure Annie’s safe, but please stay down here with Elinor.”
“But I want to help Annie save Lady Whimple!”
He hesitates. “Why not? Nobody’s cutting down this tree today.” He swiftly descends to the ground and boosts Pepper up to the lowest branch.
“Can you give me a boost too?” my mom asks. I have no idea when she arrived.
“Gladly,” Brandon says, making her a step with his locked fingers. My mom climbs into the tree, quickly followed by J.J. With each new arrival, Annie and Pepper cheer.
Doug turns off his chainsaw. “There must be something in the water at Norland Park that makes you all a little bit loco.”
“Are you leaving?” I ask hopefully.
“No, just taking a moment to regroup. Can you arrest them for disturbing the peace?” He asks Mayor Joe.
“Are you serious? You want me to arrest a little girl?”
“What about the guy with the beard?” asks Doug. Joe breaks out into a belly laugh.
The whole time I’ve been frantically dialing Edward over and over. He finally picks up.
“Elinor?” The sound of his voice is the sweetest sound in the world. “I’m on my way to see you.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Good! Because we really need you.”
“What’s up? What’s wrong?”
“Please tell me you didn’t order to have Lady Whimple cut down.”
“What? Of course not. Is someone trying to cut the tree down?”
“Yes—they have chainsaws—and Annie is up in the tree—and Doug says you ordered the tree cut down,” I say in one breath.
“What? No! Elinor, slow down. I don’t know what’s going on, but I promise you I had nothing to do with it.”
My chest loosens with relief. I didn’t really think Edward would have Lady Whimple cut down, but I still feel so much better.
“I have Edward Frechette on the phone,” I say to Doug. “He didn’t order to have the tree cut down. Want to talk to him?”
“How do I know it’s him?” Doug asks skeptically. “It could be anyone.”
“I promise it’s him.”
“I can show him my I.D. as soon as I get there,” Edward suggests over the phone.
“That could work,” I say, a little nervous. Doug is still raring to go. “Could you send me a photo of your I.D.? I’m not sure how long I can keep this guy at bay.”
“It’ll be faster if I just drive. Trust me. Is Brandon there?” he asks.
“Yes, he’s in the tree with Annie.”
“Really? That’s great. I should be there in less than fifteen minutes.”
“You’re that close?”
“Yes—” And the call drops. Of course it does. But I don’t mind—Edward is on his way.
In happy silence, I watch Brandon reach down and help a random hiker climb up into the tree. Annie starts singing “We Will Rock You,” and they all join in.
“A pack of lunatics,” grumbles Doug.
“Maybe, but they’re my lunatics.” I cross the short distance to the tree.
I remove my ballet flats, reach for the lowest branch, and hoist myself up.
It’s been years since I climbed a tree, but it’s all coming back to me.
Why did I ever stop? I love this feeling of being up in the branches, one with the tree.
“Elinor!” Annie greets me with a huge grin. “I knew you’d join us.” I clamber up to my sister. Lady Whimple is an amazing climbing tree with endless hand and footholds.
“You made it!” Annie says as I reach a sturdy limb near her.
“I wasn’t going to be outdone by Brandon,” I say.
“He really came through, didn’t he?” She beams up at him. Brandon doesn’t smile back. He merely squints into the sun.
“Edward didn’t order this,” I say. “He’s on his way. He should be here any minute.”
“He’s on his way?” asks Annie. “So did you two make up?”
“Not exactly. At least, not yet.”
A red Ferrari blazes up the lane. The car screeches to a stop, its tires spraying gravel, and Edward leaps out.
He’s overdressed in a charcoal gray suit, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
He swaggers—actually swaggers—over to Doug and Mayor Joe.
Edward pulls out his wallet and flashes his I.D.
as if it’s a weapon. Doug appears properly contrite.
I can’t wait any longer. “Edward!” I call from the tree. I wave to him before I start climbing down. He waves back. He exchanges a few more words with Joe, then jogs over. Everyone in the tree cheers at his arrival.
“Mr. Beaver Tree Service is going home,” he announces. Annie starts singing “We are the Champions.” Brandon joins in with a surprisingly good baritone.
“Should I climb up?” Edward shouts to me over the singing.
“No, I’m coming down to you. I’m just waiting for the easy route down.” My mom and J.J. are carefully making their way down.
“Jump. I’ll catch you.” He steps back and widens his stance, holding his arms up to catch me.
I’m not so sure about this plan.
“You know this isn’t like when we were kids,” I call back. “I’m a lot bigger.”
“So am I. Don’t worry, Elinor. I’ve got you.”
I leap, and he catches me sure and true. His arms hold me safe as he takes one step back and lowers me to the ground.
“I got your letter,” he whispers in my ear.
“You did?” Remembering what I wrote, I feel a little nervous. “What did you think?”
“I drove straight here. To answer you in person.”
“And what’s your answer?”
He leans in so our foreheads touch. “I adore everything about you, Elinor Margaret Greenwood,” he says softly.
“Even when you’re rolling your eyes at me, or mocking my car, or being so stupidly sensible that you keep us apart.
I’m so glad that you’re willing to give me a chance.
Because I am totally, hopelessly in love with you.
” His hand rests against my cheek as I recklessly stare into his adoring eyes.
I’m so happy, I’m lost for words. So instead I raise my lips to his.
His mouth meets mine, and we kiss in the sunlight, hardly aware of the chorus of friends and family in the tree singing “We are the Champions” and hooting and whistling.
“I didn’t expect you so soon,” I say between needy kisses.
“Did you think I could wait after reading your note? I came straight here.” He pauses. “Well, I did make a detour at work to give Lucinda my two weeks’ notice.”
“You didn’t!”
“I did. She was not pleased.”
“And by that you mean she went ballistic.”
“Indeed. I’m ninety-nine percent sure she sent the chainsaws.”
“Sounds like her,” I say.
“Of course it was Lucinda,” chimes in Annie.
My sister’s voice pops our blissful bubble.
Edward and I are both suddenly aware of how tightly we’re clasping each other in front of a crowd of people.
He steps away a little but keeps my hand.
Likewise, I lean into him. It’s so good to be close to him after weeks of uncertainty.
“Why did you quit your job?” asks Annie, who is now back on the ground, standing with Brandon and a jubilant Pepper.
“You did it!” Brandon breaks into one of his rare smiles. “Good for you.”
“I’m so glad you came and chased off Doug,” says my mom, “I hope you can join us for dinner, Eddie.”
“Hey! Brandon helped too,” says Annie.
“We definitely want Brandon and Pepper to join us.” My mom turns to them. “What do you say?”
“Yes!” Pepper yells before her dad can say anything. Brandon laughs, “I guess that’s a yes.”
Edward squeezes my hand. “Are you okay with me having dinner with your family tonight?”
“Of course; don’t be silly.”
“I didn’t want to assume,” he says sheepishly. “Last time we spoke you had some reasonable concerns. We should talk them over.”
“That’s the sensible thing to do,” I agree.
“And you are always very sensible.” He leans in and whispers, “That’s one of the many things I love about you,” and my heart flutters like one of the wishes on Lady Whimple’s branches. “Do you think we could go somewhere private?” asks Edward.
“How about my office?”
“Perfect. I have lots of business to discuss with you.”
“Business?” I ask, one brow raised.
“Yes, business—real business . . . but maybe we can fit in some other business, too.”