CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
WHITNEY
Whitney smiled to see Dani and Taylor waiting for them at the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease. Their commuter plane from Boston saved Dani some time and was more convenient. Whitney could hardly wait to thank both Dani and Taylor for stepping in and convincing Nick she wasn’t going to go back to Hollywood permanently.
She glanced at Nick walking beside her. Their time in L.A. had been very special. She’d always remember how they’d agreed to move forward with their relationship knowing they loved one another.
Dani greeted them each with a hug and stood back to study them. “I take it things went well in L.A.?”
“It sure looks like it did,” said Taylor, adding her hugs to them.
Whitney and Nick looked at one another and smiled.
“Good,” said Dani. “That’s what I thought when I got the text you were flying home together. They’re finishing painting the cottage. It looks beautiful. The landscaping is going in and being supervised by Taylor.”
“Sounds good,” said Whitney. “When is everyone moving in?”
“Not until we find out more about Carol,” said Dani. “I’ve been doing some research and have discovered that Carolyn, Mrs. Maynard’s daughter, did leave town at the end of summer in 2001 and was in an auto accident in late December 2002 on her way back to visit her mother.”
“What happened to her between that time?” Whitney asked.
“That’s something we have to find out,” said Taylor.
“I hope you can help with that, Whitney. Brad and I are working overtime while the good weather is with us and daylight holds,” said Dani.
“I understand. Okay, I’ll work on it,” said Whitney.
###
Back at the rental house, Whitney spent some time in her room. Mindy stayed right at her feet. As she put her suitcase away, she looked at the one in which she’d placed the wedding dress and baby clothes she and her sisters had found in the cottage’s garage.
She pulled it out and opened it up.
The satin-fabric wedding dress lay on top. Whitney pulled it out, walked over to the full-length mirror, and held it up in front of her. There was something so simple and elegant about the dress that Whitney knew if the time came for her wedding, she’d want one exactly like it.
On a whim, she stripped off her clothes and slipped it on. It needed pressing but the dress fit perfectly and was even more beautiful when being worn. She looked for a label and realized the dress must have been handsewn. She took a closer look. The stitching and the finishing work on the seams were very professional. Whitney swirled around, loving the way the skirt flared a bit at the bottom.
“What are you doing?” asked Taylor coming into her room.
Embarrassed, Whitney said, “I love this dress and couldn’t resist trying it on. It’s such a classic style.”
“It’s gorgeous on you,” said Taylor. She glanced at the open suitcase. “Oh my god! Is that the dress we found?”
“This is the one,” said Whitney shimming out of it. She hadn’t bothered to button the back.
“Well, it’s perfect for you. Are you thinking about a wedding? Was your visit to L.A. that good?” said Taylor teasing her.
“It was truly wonderful. I owe you a hug,” said Whitney, giving her sister a squeeze. “Nick told me you talked to him about what I was trying to do.”
“Yes. Honestly, social media made it seem as if you were dating Troy Atkins when almost everyone knows he’s gay. But Nick was serious about wanting to protect you regardless. I really liked that. But then, I know what a great guy Nick is.”
“Yeah, he’s pretty special,” said Whitney unable to stop smiling at the memory of their time together. “He wants me to meet with his mother.”
“That’s a good sign. I hear she isn’t that social.”
“Apparently so,” said Whitney frowning. “I know Nick’s father was a nasty man. Who knows how that’s affected her?”
Taylor held up a blue, handknit baby sweater. “Cooper and I talk about having kids someday. This is adorable, isn’t it?”
“Yes, very cute. Someone made that with love,” said Whitney, taking hold of the beautiful yarn. And I love the color.”
“The landscaping is being done on the cottage. I want you to go with me and see if you’re pleased with what’s been planned. I’m no gardener.”
Whitney laughed. “Neither am I, but I’ll come take a look. First, I need to hang up this dress.”
A few minutes later, Whitney left with Mindy and Taylor, excited to see the progress on the house.
###
Taylor drove up the driveway to the cottage and pulled to a stop facing the building. It sat sparkling in the sunlight, its warm gray color compatible with the silver color of the lake and the granite surfaces of nearby rocks.
“Oh, the color is perfect,” said Whitney. “I love it.”
“The white trim really sets off the gray nicely,” said Taylor with approval. “Now, walk with me around the grounds. Of course, we’re planting lilac bushes, but there’s so much more to think about.”
“I assume you’re striving to make it look as natural as possible.”
“Oh, yes,” said Taylor. “David Graham prides himself on that.”
“Graham’s Landscaping Company has been doing work in the area for years,” said Whitney. “That’s good.”
As she and Taylor walked around the property, Taylor pointed out the bushes, flowers and trees that had been brought in. Even now, more were being planted.
“Great job,” said Whitney. “When are you going to move in? Most of the furnishings are in place. There’s no need for us not to do so.”
“Let’s take care of the ghost first,” said Taylor. “Then I’ll be ready.”
“We’re running out of time, so we’d better get to it. Have you discovered anything new about Carol?”
Taylor shook her head. “No, only what Dani said. My guess is that she’s connected to the wedding dress and baby clothes, but until we know the complete story, we won’t be able to encourage her to leave.”
“Yes, I agree with that. I’m going to follow up with the name R.A. Thomas because I’m guessing he’s tied to the birth and death certificates for Isaac Thomas.”
“I think so, too,” said Taylor. She stood back and studied the cottage. “One thing I know for sure is that GG gave us a beautiful gift and I intend to honor her and it.”
“Amen,” said Whitney. “Another reason to get at the bottom of this ghost thing.”
###
The next afternoon, Whitney decided to go to the county offices to check for information on families with the last name of Thomas. She found a Chester Thomas listed as owner of property outside of town but no other mentions of a Thomas family.
She looked up Chester Thomas’ phone number, and then wondered how to begin. She decided to go with doing family research.
After several rings, Chester answered the phone. Whitney could tell from the timbre of his voice that he was old and then she realized his hearing wasn’t that good. When she was finally able to ask her question, Chester said there was no one in the family with the initials R. A. and no Lyn Thomas as shown on the certificates. Further, he was the last of his family, his wife having died years ago.
Discouraged, Whitney thanked him and ended the call. She was distracted when a call came in from the lawyer who was helping her with the foundation. He’d drawn up bylaws and a set of other rules and regulations and needed her to come to Boston tomorrow to discuss them.
Once they’d agreed on those, Whitney would meet with a financial manager to discuss how best to proceed with the lawyer’s input from a financial and tax aspect.
Pleased things were moving forward with the foundation, Whitney asked Taylor to take care of Mindy. “I should be back sometime in the evening. If not, I’ll give you a call.”
“No problem. I’m here working on revisions,” said Taylor.
“How about my taking you to Jake’s as an early thank you. Nick is on call so I’m free tonight.”
“Thanks. It’ll be good for me to crawl out of my cave and be with real people,” said Taylor. “Besides, I want to thank Crystal for helping us to meet with Summer. I also want to set up something with Summer before we’re scheduled to move into the cottage. We don’t have much time left.”
Whitney told Taylor about the phone call she had with Chester Thomas.
Taylor shook her head. “Trying to put the pieces of this puzzle together is like trying to find a rare shell on a beach. But we’ll get there.”
“I like your spirit,” said Whitney. “Let’s go out and relax. It’ll be an early day for me tomorrow, so I don’t want to be up too late.”
###
As they walked into Jake’s, Whitney felt a sense of homecoming. She’d grown to like meeting up with friends old and new in this small town. As she looked around the room, she realized she knew more people than she’d thought. Some she knew by sight, others by name, and still others with a sense of history. She wondered what it would be like to live here day in and day out. As the wife of the police chief, she’d have a certain status. But would that make her happy? She knew then how important her work with the foundation would be.
Crystal saw them and called them over.
Whitney walked to her and gave her a big hug. Growing up, they’d been best friends. She hoped that would continue even with the odd circumstances of Whitney marrying Crystal’s ex. Nick hadn’t asked her to marry him yet, but Whitney was sure he would, in time. She already knew her answer would be yes.
“How are things going?” Whitney asked Crystal.
A smile spread across Crystal’s face. “Great. A new doctor is moving into the area. I already told him I’d help him get settled.”
Whitney laughed. “You go, girl.”
Crystal turned serious. “You know I sometimes get these odd feelings? There’s something about this man and me.”
“Really? That’s wonderful. Keep me informed,” said Whitney.
“I will,” said Crystal. “I’m glad you and Nick worked things out.””
“Thanks,” said Whitney.
“You two were meant to be together, you know,” said Crystal, sounding like her friend, Summer.
Whitney decided she liked that a lot.