9. Yes! A Thousand Times Yes!
Suddenly, the van came honking over the hilly road, sending Avi and Mr. MacKinnon fleeing the moment at neck-breaking speed and repulsive force. They were likely too far away for the guests to discern any of the particulars of their near kiss, but she knew she’d still have some explaining to do. What was she thinking…allowing herself to feel such things in so little time and with such little time left? She was only partially pleased with her brother’s rescuing honks, but most of her wanted Mr. MacKinnon to re-engage despite the likely wrathful scorn of the approaching onlookers who would no doubt have more empathy for Bonnie’s broken heart than Avi’s amorously beating one.
“Sissy, what happened to you?” Josh asked as he exited the vehicle.
She hadn’t yet seen her full reflection but assumed, based on his comment, that she looked rather worse for wear. And yet, despite her haggard appearance, Mr. MacKinnon still pursued…it was the best, worst compliment she’d ever received. However, she couldn’t bask in its glory for long with Bonnie looming. The Scottish vixen was one of the last guests to exit the van’s side doors and looked as annoyed as she did perplexed.
“Sissy?” Josh asked, “What happened?”
Avi stood there feeling naked. She was reliving last night’s crippling horror of trying to answer an impossible question in front of Bonnie. Yet again, her vocal cords refused to sound as she searched for any acceptable version of the truth.
“Uhh….” Mr. MacKinnon interrupted. “Well, ah wis down near th” stream…walking th” grounds when ah saw Ms. Hawthorne”s horse running around without her. Ah figured th” mare threw her ”n” she might be injured, sae ah hopped on Big Winnie, here, ”n” started riding around lookin’ fur her. Ah found her clear at th” other end o” th” grounds, ”n” thank goodness she wis a”right. Th” storm spooked th” horse, bit Ms. Hawthorne wasn”t riding her when she took off. Sae other than bein” wet ”n” cold, yer sister”s juist fine.”
As everyone - except for Bonnie - applauded Mr. MacKinnon’s bravery, Avi noticed Bonnie’s silent skepticism and mirrored it. Above all, Avi valued honesty in those closest to her. So while she was grateful for Mr. MacKinnon’s efforts to protect her…especially since he didn’t care one way or the other if Bonnie knew about their picnic…his deception made her feel uncomfortable. Still, who was she to judge? It wasn’t as if waiting for Bonnie and the others to leave before spending the day with Mr. MacKinnon was an honest act.
“Dane, you’re like a real-life hero,” said Clara.
“It’s like the movies!” Mick practically shouted in excitement. “Why, it reminds me of my favorite childhood film! Dane, has the movie Winnie the Pooh made its way to Scotland yet?”
“Aye…ah think sae,” said Mr. MacKinnon, trying and failing to hide a scoffing smile.
“Well, I believe, like Winnie the Pooh, we must throw you… a hero party.”
“Tis a’right…really. All ah did wis ride a horse tae one end o” th” grounds ”n” back. If anyone’s a hero, ‘tis Ms. Hawthorne fur braving th” storm as she did.”
“Very well,” Mick said, still in character. “Then we shall turn our one-hero party into a two-hero party!”
“Bit, Dane…ye dinnae ride,” Bonnie said.
“Well, ah didnae say ‘twas pretty,” he said before turning his attention back to Josh. “Listen, ah wis juist dropping her off afore ah head back out tae look fur th” ither horse, bit now that ye”r ”ere, Josh, mibbie ah could git some help finding her.”
“Are you kidding, you boggin gowk!? You just rescued my sister! Anything you need, Neebs, it’s yours.”
“A’right, meet me down at th’ stables, then, ’n we’ll saddle up.”
“Let’s ride!”
With that, Mr. MacKinnon climbed back up into Big Winnie’s saddle and rode off with better technique than he’d displayed all day. Josh backed the van up and over the hilly road, before turning onto the thin gravel path that led down to the stables. Avi noticed the unmistakable suspicion in Bonnie’s expression and tone as the rest of the guests went inside.
“Ah’m glad ye”re a’right.” said Bonnie.
Avi meekly nodded then followed them inside.
“Psst…”
Avi turned and looked down the hallway where Gracie was sticking her head out of another room, gesturing for Avi to hurry in her direction. Avi looked back to the guests who were making their way upstairs before returning to her frantically waving sister.
“What? What’s wrong?” Avi asked in a hushed tone.
“What are you doing?”
“What do you mean what am I doing…what are you doing?”
“I saw you…” she said as she got even closer to Avi’s face. “...from the window. Are you insane?”
Initially, Avi sank into herself with guilt. But growing weary of her sister’s and Bonnie’s domineering attempts to stymie her happiness, her demeanor changed.
“Avi! You can’t get involved with another guest’s…”
“Go ahead…say it. You can’t, can you? Because as soon as the word ‘ex’ creeps out your mouth, you know your argument falls apart. You know full well that I, in fact, can get involved with him because he is nothing more than her ex. Not her husband…not her fiancé…not her boyfriend even…her ex.”
“Avi! She still has feelings for him.”
“Yes, well…so do I,” Avi said, somewhat shocked by the extroversion of her admission.
Of course she did. And what was worse, she knew Gracie already knew. How could she not know after witnessing from the window the near kiss in question? Now, with Avi’s admission, there was no room for doubt. She’d admitted something she’d never confessed to her sister something she’d never said about any man before; not in high school, middle school, elementary school…never. Avi watched the silent battle raging between Gracie the surrogate mother and Gracie the doting sibling.
Lucky for Avi, Gracie’s sisterly sentiments prevailed as she looked up in concession and said, “Fine! But…we have to be very careful about this.”
“We?” Avi asked semi-sarcastically.
“Of course ‘we’. If you’re going to be running off with him without offending the other guests who have all sided with Bonnie, you’re gonna need me running point…causing distractions…covering for you.”
“I hate that,” said Avi.
“I do too…but I love you, so…”
Touched, Avi leaned in to give her little sister a big hug.
“Don’t. I’m mad at you,” Gracie said as she turned and stomped out the room.
Mick Morris stood at the dinner table giving his raised glass three quick taps with his fork.
“I’d like to propose a toast…to our dear friend and hero…Mr. Dane MacKinnon.”
Everyone cheered as even Bonnie mustered a few quiet claps.
“Dane, I’ve only heard the gist of the story,” said Jennifer. You must retell it for the rest of us.”
“Hold on…hold on. I wasn’t finished. This is, after all, a two-hero party,” Mick said before continuing. “And to the woman of the weather who was able to withstand the storm…our lovely hostess and heroine, Ms. Avi Hawthorne.”
The room erupted yet again as Avi raised her glass of sparkling cider to thank them for their applause.
Three more wine glass clings rang out as Jada stood and said, “I too, would like to make a toast…to two more heroes…for putting their prejudice and pride aside and reading Pride and Prejudice.”
“Three times,” interrupted Thomas as Jack kicked at his leg only to bash his own knee against the table. “I mean…it took three sittings…obviously you can’t read it three times in one day. That’d be ridiculous.”
“Quite,” added Jack, still nursing his knee.
Jada continued, “To Thomas and Jack.”
The room joined in raising their glasses once more after which, Avi asked, “So, how’d you like it?”
“Honestly…it changed my life,” said Jack.
“Really?” Avi asked with a disbelieving laugh.
“It’s not funny,” Jack responded with reverent solemnity. “It made me want to reevaluate my perceptions of the people in my life…and maybe even…learn to expect love in the most…unexpected places.”
Thomas used his napkin to wipe away a tear from his eye.
“Well said, mate.”
“Oh…well, that’s lovely Jack. Thank you for sharing,” Avi said with a somewhat apologetic smile.
“What about you, Thomas?” asked Jada. “Any inspiring takeaways.”
Thomas nodded, but as he opened his mouth to speak, his lips began to quiver, and the tears welled up even more. He buried his head in his hands and began to sob.
“There, there, mate. It’s alright. This is bravery, right here!” Jack declared to the rest of the guests as he empathetically stroked Thomas’s head in consoling motions. “This is manly, manly bravery!”
As Avi surveyed the lustful faces of the Jane Gang, she could tell that Jack and Thomas were quickly becoming the two most attractive men they’d ever encountered.
“Oh my gosh, you two,” said Clara. “I’m so proud of you.”
“You both have such beautiful hearts,” added Kate.
“Jane Bennett has a beautiful heart!” Thomas shot back angrily through snivels while failing to see the passion his passion was fueling.
Seemingly jealous for no longer being the focus of feminine fancy, Mick quickly tried to change the subject.
“So,” he said, “we’re almost halfway through this incredible experience together…why don’t we go around the table and each say our favorite part about Hawthorne Hall to this point? Avi, as hostess, will you start us off?”
Avi thought of the thousands of seconds she’d spent with Mr. MacKinnon earlier that day and how any one of them would qualify. But any one of them would also incriminate her in front of Bonnie.
“I would have to say…finishing the puzzle. The feelings it brought were very pleasant and...unexpected.”
“Oh…well, I’m sorry,” Mick said in disappointment. “That’s rather sad that a puzzle has been the highlight of your journey with us. I’m afraid we have failed you. We clearly need to be more inviting as a group, and Avi…I promise you…we will be.”
Avi tried to overemphasize the dramatics of her nod in order to match Mick’s sincerity.
“Alright, who’s next? How about Mrs. Kensington?”
As the attention of the room shifted towards the Kensingtons, Avi found a brief moment to look across the table at Mr. MacKinnon who was fighting back a smile so hard, it caused his nostrils to flare. He must have sensed that he was the highlight of her puzzle story.
Knowing she couldn’t fix her gaze upon him forever, Avi joined everyone in focusing on the Kensingtons before she caught a glimpse of Ethel. Avi had forgotten that Mrs. Lancaster had seen her reaction to Mr. MacKinnon’s touch, but the flirtatious eyebrow flashes that were quickly becoming classic Ethel Lancaster reminded her in the most awkward of ways. As inconspicuous as she could be, Avi shook her head to make Ethel stop gyrating her brows, but the old widow seemed set on continuing until the Second Coming.
“And what about you, Mr. MacKinnon?” she heard Mick ask.
“Ah’m nae sure…there’s sae many good ones…”
“Well…then pick one,”
“Would it be a’right if ah chose an epiphany ah had instead?”
“I suppose…sure…”
“Well…when ah was ridin’ back with Ms. Hawthorne in th’ rain…ah realized…this is terrible. Ah’m soaked. Ah’m cold. ‘N’ yet ‘twas probably th’ first time here ah felt truly alive…truly Regency. Ah mean think aboot it…ye all came ‘ere to escape yer modern lives, bit ye brought those modern lives with ye. Sae today…ridin’ in th’ rain…ah finally felt whit it’d be like to escape all that. ‘N,’ honestly…ah loved it.”
“What are you saying, Dane?” Ethel asked.
“Ah’m sayin’ we’ve only got sae much time left before this opportunity’s over. Whit if we made th’ most o’ it? Whit if we turned off th” power, turned off th” internet, handed in our phones, ”n” did this Regency thing right?”
The guests looked around the room as if to gauge what the others thought of Mr. MacKinnon’s proposal.
“You know what…” Mick said standing up from the table, “...I love it! What did I come here for if not to dig in and feel exactly what it would be like to live in 19th-century England? I vote yay!”
“I don’t know if I can speak for all of us,” said Kate as she looked over her sorority sisters, “but I think Dane’s right. This is our obsession. The Hawthorne family is giving us a chance to live that obsession, and we’re…we’re just not. Can’t we handle…don’t we want the opportunity to live like Jane Austen for the time we have left?”
The Jane Gang all looked around at each other with giddy smiles nodding their heads.
“We too vote in the affirmative,” said Kate.
Mr. MacKinnon looked at the Kensingtons who looked at each other and then back at Mr. MacKinnon before nodding in nervous excitement.
“Ye really want tae put Ethel through that? Na lights…na heat?” Bonnie asked.
“I appreciate your concern, dear, but I am perfectly capable of speaking for myself,” said Ethel. “I was nearly six years old before we had electricity and nearly sixty before the internet. I think I’ll manage.”
Avi was torn. She loved the thought of the female guests fanning themselves by day and gathering around the night’s fire for both warmth and light, but she wondered about the potential unforeseen safety concerns and liability issues.
“Kelly, what about your followers? I mean…it’s your livelihood,” asked Kate.
“Exactly!” Bonnie interjected. “N’ whit if there”s an emergency ‘n’ our phones are off?”
“Then…we turn ‘em on?” Mr. MacKinnon more asked than said.
Bonnie shot him an angry glare before Kelly interrupted, “Actually, this story might be intriguing to my followers and subscribers. I’ll have to set it up correctly, but keeping them waiting for an update while letting them know that things are about to get real might generate more followers and subscribers than posting pictures and reels of pretty dresses and fireworks. Can we start in the morning…so I have tonight to post about it?”
“I don’t know if I feel comfortable implementing this unless this is something everyone wants,” Avi said. Bonnie…Jack…Thomas…is this something you’d want to do?”
“Yes! A thousand times, yes!” Thomas said as a single tear of joy ran down his crinkled, enraptured chin.
Jada’s ears perked up. “Excuse me?” she asked.
“I concur,” Jack announced giddily. “I can’t remember a time I wanted anything more…Oh! Can you die of happiness?!”
“You two didn’t read the book, did you?”
“Of course we read!” Jack said.
“That’s true,” agreed Thomas.
“Those lines are not in the novel, they’re in the movie. I can’t believe you,” Jada said as she threw her napkin down on her plate and excused herself from the table.
All the men stood at her ascension, but Thomas went after her.
“No, please wait,” he said as he ran around the table and held her hand to stop her from leaving the dining room. “First, I must tell you I”ve been the most unmitigated and comprehensive…”
“...Also not in the book,” she interrupted, “but continue…”
“I’m genuinely and entirely sorry. I…I wasn’t ready…at least I didn’t think I was. But now, having watched it…if its pages are even a trillionth as captivating as its script, then I shall never cease reading it.”
“Never!” Jack shouted through sobs back at the table.
“And you can handle reading an actual book…no phones?”
Thomas let go of her hand, took the phone out of his pocket, threw it against the floor, and stomped on it over and over and over again. It didn’t do much damage given its case, but it was an admirable gesture. Thomas” bravery must have inspired Jack because, without hesitation, he submerged his phone into a glass of water on the table.
“Fine,” she said. “Tomorrow morning?”
“Even if it makes me unsociable and taciturn,” Thomas shot back with enthusiasm.
“Not in the book,” she said one last time before returning to the table and retaking her seat.
“And Bonnie…” Avi said, bringing the discussion back to the night’s main issue.
All eyes were on Bonnie. The Jane Gang begged her with their pleading expressions.
“Aye, a’right,” she said begrudgingly as cheers and conversation filled the dining room.
The planning phase commenced. They estimated that fifty candles and fifty Duraflame logs would be enough to see them through the week, and while the logs were anachronistic to the regency period, no one wanted to take an ax to any of the estate’s ancient trees. Before Chef Bartolomeo could leave for the night, they convinced him to simplify the menu and swap his gas ovens and stoves for the simplicity of an open flame. Josh and Mr. MacKinnon headed out for supplies before the stores could close as the rest of the guests made their preparations for pre-postmodern life, which entailed texting and calling loved ones to let them know they’d be going dark. For Kelly Thatcher, it meant addressing her social media absence with a suspenseful “to be continued…” Instagram reel.
The Hawthornes were approaching overdue for a conversation with Corey and wanted to let her know they’d be unreachable for the next handful of days. However, just as May, Avi, and Gracie were gathering around Gracie’s laptop to Facetime their baby sister, Corey beat them to the punch. Gracie accepted the call.
“Hey, Sis,” Gracie said. “We were just about to call you.”
“Where’s Josh?” Corey asked.
“He ran to the store…which is kind of what we were calling to tell you. We’re shutting everything down.” Gracie said. “The guests asked if we could make Hawthorne Hall even more Regency by shutting off the lights, the heat…”
“The internet…” interrupted May.
“So I’m not going to be able to talk to you the rest of the week?” Corey asked.
“No, but it’ll fly by,” May said.
“Well, that sucks,” said Corey. “The hits just keep on coming.”
“What do you mean?” Gracie asked. “What’s wrong?”
After taking a deep breath, Corey continued, “Avi, I’m so sorry…but you may need to shut down more than just the electricity and internet.”
“Why would I need to do that? We can’t be that far in the red already, can we?”
“Not exactly. Listen, I just got a call from Uncle Mel and Ken’s lawyers asking for your mailing address. Avi…they’re contesting Grandma’s will.”
“What?! They’ve had more than five months to do that and they wait ‘til now?” Gracie asked.
“Yeah, well it takes time to contact lawyers, more time to find lawyers who think they have a case, and even more time to find lawyers competent enough to win. And we’re not talking Dole, Everman, and Dole, here. They’re using a very tenacious firm…probably costing them an arm and a leg, which I don’t think they would do unless they were sure they could win.”
“Wait…timeout…” May said, “What does all this mean?”
“It means they’re going to claim Grandma was too cognitively impaired for her will to stand.”
“So Avi would have to give back all the money?” Gracie asked.
“Not all of it,” Corey replied. “They want it split between all the family members…which would still be hundreds of thousands, but nowhere near enough to keep Hawthorne Hall going…not even if you, Josh and I gave Avi our shares. I’m so sorry, Avi.”
Avi held back tears and pushed forward the words, “It’s alright…I don’t know if I ever felt right getting so much more than everyone else to begin with. I love this place, but dividing it up seems more fair.”
“No…no it doesn’t seem more fair, Avi,” said a fiery May. “Grandma Jean understood the risk and the potential for a significant return when she made that investment.”
“Yes,” interrupted Corey, “but they’ll argue she didn’t foresee that much of a return on investment. Even in the video she says that Avi could walk away with hundreds of thousands of dollars…not millions of dollars. Plus, throughout the video, Grandma did keep indicating a desire to make things as fair as possible, so…”
“Then what should Avi do, Corey?” Gracie asked. “Can she fight it?”
“I mean she can, but something like this could take years to resolve in probate courts. Which, I mean…even if she wins…she’s going to have to come up with hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay her lawyers, and it’s not like she has a mortgage she can dip into and payback.”
“Which wouldn’t be a problem if Hawthorne Hall continues to make a profit…” Gracie reminded her.
“I know but if we win and if we’re profitable…those are risky ifs…I’m just so sorry to have to deliver the news…especially since you were beaming through the screen before I told you. I…I miss you guys. I just wish I could be there.”
“We miss you too,” Avi said.
“Is there anything I can do?” Corey asked Avi.
“No, you’ve already done so much. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have even found this place. And you know what, if the adventure only lasts nine days…even just the last four have made it all worth it, so…it’ll all be alright. I’ll be alright,” Avi said through a forced smile.
“Okay…well…I don’t think you need to make a decision tonight. Just make sure you know what you wanna do when this group heads home. If you decide to not fight it and just sell the place, I’m going to need to let the next wave of guests know and give them their refunds. But again…you don’t need to worry about that right now. Enjoy the rest of your time there, and just let me know at the end of the week, ‘kay?”
“Will do,” said Gracie. “Love you.”
“Love you gals, too.”
As the call ended, it felt like the entire house except for Gracie’s room was bustling with excited activity. The sisters sat shattered on the end of Gracie’s bed as Avi submitted to their hugs and the tears she’d fought so valiantly to fend off. After some much needed emotional decompression, Avi bid goodnight to her sisters with hugs of gratitude and headed down the hall to her master suite. There, she changed into her most comfortable nightclothes, climbed into bed, and closed her eyes in hopeful anticipation of a tomorrow that would somehow make everything alright.
Unfortunately, the dawn laid low in predatorial wait…about to make matters much worse come morning.