Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Essie had gotten a lot more work done after Zander had visited her office. Marmalade had found the removal of the plug to be interesting to observe, much to Essie’s embarrassment. Those big yellow eyes saw way too much.
Now with her office door reopened, Essie divided her time between watching Zander move more things in.
She suspected several of the bags he carried in and out were additional cleaning supplies and the removal of dust-laden cover sheets and rugs.
Thankfully, he’d found a spare vacuum cleaner in the storage room by the stairs.
Having one on each level sounded so much better than lugging them around the house.
What would she’d tell Sara if the housekeeper asked questions? Essie crossed her fingers that Sara wouldn’t. As Zander had discovered today, Essie sucked at lying. If she was super lucky, Sara wouldn’t notice and Essie wouldn’t have to make up an excuse.
“Hey, Essie. Do you have time to talk about upcoming projects? I want to give you priority as I fill my schedule for the next few months,” Ivan asked from the doorway.
“Of course. Come in, please.” Essie stood. The lingering lubricant made her buttocks slide against each other in an erotic reminder of Zander’s intimate punishment. Thank goodness Ivan hadn’t visited when she was wearing that plug.
Before she could ring for Sara, the housekeeper arrived, pushing a beautiful tea cart of refreshments and snacks. “I heard someone’s stomach growling as he replaced the garbage disposal,” Sara announced with a smile.
“You take good care of me, Sara, but you don’t need to worry about feeding me,” Ivan said, smiling at her.
“Sara takes care of everyone,” Essie said, nodding her thanks to the kind woman. “Sara? While you’re here, would you join us? We’re discussing the next projects. You’re all over the house. You know best.”
“Of course. I’m glad to tell you what the staff has noticed. Between the two extra cleaners inside and the gardener, there are eyes on every inch of Ferguson’s Folly now,” Sara said. “While I’m pouring drinks, fill a plate with goodies.”
A short time later, everyone, including Sara, sipped iced tea and snacked on finger sandwiches, fruit, and sweet desserts.
Essie smiled as she relaxed with two of the people she relied on.
Even dealing with unglamorous topics like plumbing and wood rot, she enjoyed every part of running the events at Ferguson’s Folly.
“One maid mentioned seeing a spark when she plugged in the vacuum in the living room. I marked the outlet with a piece of blue tape,” Sara mentioned.
“Could be something as easy as static electricity, but that goes to the top of the list. I never put off anything electrical. In fact, testing the outlets and light switches was on my list. I’ve already replaced two light switches I ran into that were hot.”
“Oh, no!” Essie said, instantly concerned.
“The mansion won’t burn down around your ears in the near future, but outlets and switches wear out after a while. Updating them is relatively quick and inexpensive,” Ivan explained.
Essie relaxed upon hearing that good news. “Great. Let’s prioritize those. Have you found any more wood rot?” Essie asked, crossing her fingers. She didn’t understand why, but that scared her the most. The idea of the mansion disintegrating around her petrified Essie to the core.
“None. I handled that one area I spotted on my first inspection. Do keep your eyes open and tell me if you spot a problem I should check out,” Ivan said.
“I’ll do that. Sara? Anything else you noticed or that a staff member reported?” Essie asked.
“No. But I’ll make a note if they do,” Sara promised.
“Thank you. Coming up is the fairy ball. Are we set for parking, Ivan?” Essie asked.
“The lot is underway. Considering the distance to the front steps, have you thought about transportation for those with mobility issues?” Ivan asked.
“What do you think about golf carts? I have a quote from a place that will provide six-passenger carts and drivers to circle the parking lot. We could mark them with handicapped placards to give those with the greatest need a chance to have priority use,” Essie suggested.
“That would be perfect,” Ivan said. “Eventually, if you have enough demand for large events, you may wish to buy a couple of carts, but for now, that sounds ideal.”
The conversation continued as they walked their way through the lighting, music, and food requirements for the ball.
When they finished, Essie breathed a sigh of relief.
“Everything is coming together. I can’t wait to see what the community will think of holding here next.
For a medium-size town, there hasn’t been a unique place for events like ours.
Everyone is always supportive and intrigued by what we’re doing here.
The mayor even called me last week to chat.
We’re off to a great start. I can’t thank you both enough for your support. ”
“I love seeing Ferguson’s Folly coming back to life. The hustle and bustle of past years when the master was still alive plays on in my memory,” Sara said with a smile as she stood. “I’ll be off to tend to dinner. Don’t worry about the tray. I’ll return to get it later.”
Ivan stood as Sara returned to the kitchen. “I appreciate the refreshments. Thank you for the work. I wanted to tell you that I’m taking Tiffanie for her last chemo treatment tomorrow. I’ll be back the following day.”
“Of course, Ivan. Can I ask? Last like in she’s done or…”
“The doctors feel she’s getting too weak and needs a break. They’ll do testing the following week to check the size of her tumor. Keep your fingers crossed.”
“I’m crossing every extremity for her.”
When Essie sat at her desk alone once again, she studied her calendar as her thoughts kept returning to Tiffanie’s plight. Essie wished she could do something to help. Bad things shouldn’t happen to such good people.
“Are you okay, Little girl?” Zander asked from the doorway.
Essie looked up. The tears welling in her eyes rolled down her cheeks. She shook her head. “I’m worried about Tiffanie.”
Zander crossed the room in giant strides.
He pulled Essie out of her chair and into his arms. Instantly, she snuggled close, taking solace in his embrace.
Zander made everything better. After squeezing her extra tight for a few seconds, he brushed her hair back from her face. “Did you get some bad news from Ivan?”
“No. Well, not really. The update could be awful or maybe great.”
“Now, I’m really confused. Come with me.
You can catch me up on what’s happening.
” Zander tugged her by the hand over to the settee in the library sitting area away from her desk and guided her onto his lap.
He held her tight and rocked their bodies slowly for a few minutes.
Essie basked in his attention and comfort.
When she relaxed against him, Zander asked, “Now, what’s happening?”
Essie ran through the update that Ivan had shared. “I really want her to be okay. She’s the sweetest.”
“Second sweetest,” Zander disagreed with her.
“You just like me,” Essie told him.
“Maybe a bit more than that. You are the special Little girl, I’ve dreamed about.”
“I didn’t think I’d ever have a Daddy,” she whispered.
“Thank you for coming back to town.”
“I’m glad I did. I can’t imagine being anywhere else,” Essie confessed.
“Good. Before your Daddy decides we’re both done working today, do you think there’s anything that we could do for Tiffanie? To support her at this time?”
Essie smiled at him. He might present as a successful cattle rancher and businessman persona to everyone in town, but she understood that at his core Zander cared about others deeply. She’d never share his secrets.
“We’ll have to wait and see what the results are. I’ve wondered if a second opinion might make a difference for her. She could take her tests and go consult another specialist.”
“I’ve got a friend who’s a scientific researcher. I’m going to contact her and see if she has a suggestion for a cutting-edge doctor. We’ll keep that information in our pocket, just in case.”
He had the best ideas. “I love that, Daddy. I jotted down the type of cancer she has in my phone after talking to Ivan one day. Maybe that would help?”
“Any information you have, Little girl, can’t hurt. Send everything to my phone later. Right now, I need a kiss.”
“She’s not cute, is she?”
“Who?”
“Your scientific researcher friend.”
“She is lovely and married to a brilliant man with whom she’s produced four equally intelligent children.
I met her in college. I helped her with her economics class, and she got me through chemistry as my lab partner.
All those years ago, I considered choosing the seat next to her in science as my best move ever. ”
“I don’t need to be jealous?” Essie asked, her cheeks heating with embarrassment.
“No, Little girl. I didn’t ask her out years ago. I won’t change my mind now. Besides, someone else came into my life. Finding you overshadows any other beneficial relationships, Little girl.”
Essie pressed her hand to his chest, delighted that he valued her most. “Sorry, Daddy. I had to ask.”
“I’m glad you did if you were worried. Now you know. I came to tell you a surprise is waiting upstairs.”
“Is this a surprise I’m going to enjoy?” she asked, leaning away from his chest to study him skeptically.
“Definitely.”
“Is the nursery….”
“Free of dust and ready for a Little girl to come play,” Zander told her with a big grin.
Instantly, she bolted into action. Wiggling off his lap, she accidentally elbowed him in the chest. Her mouth rounded into an O. “Sorry!”
“Whoa, Little girl. Don’t knock me out!” Zander rubbed one pec. “I guess that means you’re interested in evaluating my cleaning skills?”