Chapter 14
Since Bree was supposedto meet with Grams’s lawyers, Grams had promised to be there to introduce them. So we were both up and dressed at nine—an hour after Von and the boys had left. I could have slept till noon, but then going to bed early would have been difficult. And with the wake the next day, I needed more sleep.
My phone chimed as Grams was making breakfast. I glanced at it. Kyle was texting me.
elphyra, faron isn’t awake yet, but the doctors are seeing a stir of brainwave activity. they say this is a hopeful sign and the next thirty-six hours should give us an answer as to whether he’s going to pull out of this. i’ll let you know if there’s any change. i’m not going to make it to the hospital today but i’ll be there tomorrow.
My pulse quickened. i’ll be thinking about him. i want to drop in, but today’s difficult and tomorrow, i have to be in port townsend for my cousin’s wake. but text me if there’s any change, please. by the way, thank you so much for von, james, and kells. they saved my neighbors’ lives and home last night.
von told me. they’re at your disposal as long as you need them. i know that’s what faron would want. i’ll talk to you later.
hugs and thanks again.
I set down my phone, staring at it. “Faron might wake up. For the first time in weeks, there’s real hope.”
I picked up my fork and began eating my omelet and bacon. What that would mean for Bran and me, I didn’t know. Or Faron and me. And even thinking about the situation was overreaching things right now. Faron had a long ways to heal, and that would be his first priority. I wasn’t about to burden him with thoughts of our relationship when he needed to focus on getting back to normal.
If he even remembers your relationship. Who knows what being in a coma for months is going to do? The thought hit me so hard, I dropped my fork.
“Are you okay?” Grams asked.
“It just occurred to me…I’ve been thinking so hard about if Faron wakes up, or what I’ll do about Bran if Faron wakes up, that I haven’t considered another possibility. What if he wakes up and doesn’t remember me? What if he doesn’t remember we were lovers? Should I tell him? What if I don’t tell him and he remembers later? I’m so confused.” I stared at my plate. The omelet was oozing with cheese, and the bacon sat crisp, glistening with the faintest hint of fat.
“Do you want some advice?”
I nodded. “Please.”
“Take things one day at a time. Focus on what’s in front of you: find out who’s actively trying to destroy your livelihood. Or worse, your life. Continue to see Bran. It’s not fair to just drop him because you don’t know what’s going to happen with Faron now. You need to move on with life, and whatever happens, will happen. So much in this world is beyond our control. We have to give up the idea that we can direct everything, and focus on what we can alter.” Grams reached over to pat my hand. “Come on, let’s go meet Bree.”
“I’m scared to leave the place without anybody here. Look at what happened to Bran and May last night.”
Grams worried her lip. “All right, then you go. My lawyers know who you are. I’ll call them to let them know that I’m sending you.”
“Thanks,” I said. With a sigh, I stood and gathered my purse, and headed out.
* * *
Bree was waitingat the coffee shop, but Grams’s lawyers hadn’t shown up yet. I ordered a pumpkin spice latte, then joined her.
She gave me a long look. “You look like you’ve been through the wringer,” she said.
“Somebody tried to burn down May and Bran’s house last night.” I told her what had happened and she groaned.
“What the hell is going on? Do you have any idea of who is behind all of this?”
“No, but I wish I did. At first we thought maybe it was some woman who has her eyes set on Faron and wanted to get me out of the way. But if the same person went after May and Bran, then that wouldn’t make sense.”
Bree paused for a moment, then asked, “What about Bran? Does he have a girlfriend? A jilted lover?”
I paused. I hadn’t thought of that possibility. “Well, I suppose maybe—but no, his last girlfriend dumped him. She left him in Europe to run away with some artsy French guy, I think. And he hasn’t been seeing anybody since then.”
I nodded toward the door. Two men entered the restaurant. “Ten to one, those are Grams’s lawyers. They look like lawyers.”
Sure enough, within minutes one joined us while the other stood in line at the counter.
“Ms. Loomis?” he asked, holding his hand out to Bree. “I’m Carl Jonathan, attorney for Morgance MacPherson.”
“Yes, I’m Bree. And this is?—”
“Ms. MacPherson’s great-granddaughter, I assume?” He took my hand as I held it out.
“Elphyra MacPherson. Yes, I’m Morgance’s great-granddaughter. How do you do?” I motioned for Carl to sit down.
He took his seat, pulling another chair over so that he could set his briefcase on it. “Laurence will be here in a moment. You can see he’s getting our drinks.”
“Thank you for seeing me,” Bree said. “I’m afraid I don’t make enough for your fees, but I appreciate the consultation.”
“Don’t worry about fees. Morgance told us to handle the case however it needs to be handled. She’s happy to help.” He smiled, and his face lit up. He was a small, bald man, fashionably trim, wearing what I thought was a Dior suit. His eyes were a pale brown, and he wore a wedding ring.
“Oh, thank you—” Bree started to say, but at that moment Laurence arrived.
As Laurence handed Carl a large cup of coffee, setting his own on the table, Carl introduced him. “Laurence Tandy, meet Bree Loomis. And this is Elphyra, Morgance’s great-granddaughter.”
After we finished the requisite small talk, Carl turned to Bree. “Suppose you tell us what’s happening? We’re on retainer, so if you sign this paper, you’ll be considered our client and anything you tell us remains confidential.” He turned to me. “I’d like you to sign an NDA as well, just for propriety’s sake.”
I leaned back in my seat, thinking an apple hand pie would be really good right about now. “Sure. Anything for Bree. Here, let me sign, then I’m going to grab a hand pie. Bree, want anything?”
She shook her head as I scanned the two paragraph non-disclosure agreement and scribbled my signature at the bottom. “No thanks,” Bree said.
I handed the paper back to Carl and, taking my wallet out of my purse, I headed toward the counter. I pointed to the hand pies, which were fairly small. “I want three of the apple, please.” I handed the woman a ten and she gave me back three-fifty in change. Then, carrying the plate, I returned to the table.
Bree was in the middle of telling Carl and Laurence about the disastrous trip to Lake Constance, and how the hikers were now threatening to sue her. “I brought all the waivers I asked them to sign, and the contract for the agreed-upon hike. I wasn’t sure what else you would need.” She handed them the folder of signed papers.
“I’m so glad you keep records,” Carl said, leafing through them. “Have they served you with anything actionable?”
Bree frowned. With a sigh, she handed them a manila envelope. “I think so. I received this yesterday. The man said it was a summons, but he wasn’t a cop or anything.”
“Cops won’t issue court summonses. Not civil ones.” Laurence opened the envelope as I began to eat. “What do we have here? It’s a formal letter from their lawyer.”
“Then they’re bringing a lawsuit against me?” Bree asked, dejection washing over her face.
“Not yet. They’re threatening a lawsuit if you don’t settle out of court with them. They want fifty-thousand dollars or they’ll see you in court,” Laurence handed the letter to Carl.
“Is there anything that you can think of to back up their claims that you led them on a dangerous journey without properly preparing them for the difficulty of the situation? Because that’s their claim.” He handed the page to Bree and let her scan it.
She sputtered. “I told them it was a difficult hike, suitable for extremely seasoned hikers. They insisted they could handle it. That’s why I brought out the waivers. It’s all there, in writing. While I can’t tell someone that they aren’t capable of hiking a given destination, I can warn them in the wavier. I learned long ago to get everything in writing thanks to watching Judge Judy.”
Laurence chuckled. “She’s quite the broad, I’ll give her that. I wouldn’t want to be on her bad side. But, let me ask you this: isn’t it your responsibility to refuse to take beginners?”
“What do you mean? I spell out the dangers involved that I know of. I don’t sugarcoat it. I ask them several times if they want a full hike or the easy route. I always have an easier version planned, even if it doesn’t end up at the same destination. This group insisted on the full experience. I warned them that it was grueling, and that few people ever make it all the way.”
“And they all consented?”
“Look through the waivers,” Bree said. “I struggled with my conscience, but in the end, they were dead set on going on the full hike, so I agreed, with the caveat that they would obey me, and that if things got too rough, we’d turn back on my word over theirs.”
“Well, this should be straightforward enough. Do you have any other contact info? And we’ll want a full copy of the description of the hike.” Carl opened his briefcase and slid the papers in. “I assume you’re okay with us keeping these?”
Bree agreed. “Sure, just don’t lose them.”
“We won’t. I doubt if this will reach court. When we point out that what they’re trying is basically extortion, I think we’ll convince them to back off.”
“I think Carl’s right on spot,” Laurence said. “Look what I found—shooting it to your phone, Laurence.”
“What is it?” Carl asked.
“Check out the plaintiffs.”
Carol studied his phone for a moment. “Oh, well then. Apparently your client has a habit of approaching various indie tour guides, then looking for the hardest excursion of all, booking her ‘entire family’ and then suing the company.”
“Well then, that should be easy enough to use as leverage?” Bree asked, her eyes hopeful.
“Chances are our letter to her will result in her dropping the suit.” Carl said. “We’ll know more tomorrow. Meanwhile, don’t be too worried. We’ll call you tomorrow.”
And with that, they excused themselves and headed out of the building.
Bree looked at me. “Well, maybe…just maybe, they’ll take care of this before I have to spend a penny. That would be a huge relief.” She paused, then said, “You look a million miles away. I’d ask, but I already know.”
“It’s just so convoluted. Crap, tomorrow Grams and I have to go to my cousin’s wake. May and Bran are busy. I want someone to stay with the cats and Fancypants.” It hit me that things were snowballing. “I think…I’ll have to cancel. Grams won’t be happy, but she’ll understand.”
“You go,” Bree said. “I’ll come over and housesit.”
“You’re kidding—don’t you have work?”
“No, remember I’m closed on weekends during autumn and winter. And I don’t have any hikes scheduled.” Bree finished her coffee. “What time do you want me there?”
Grateful that she was such a good friend, I said, “Nine, if you can. We have to head out around eleven, if not earlier.”
“I’ll be there,” Bree said. She glanced at the counter. “More coffee?”
I wanted more, but I was flying on caffeine from breakfast and from the coffee shop. “Later, I think. All right, I’m heading out. I want to see how Bran and May are doing this morning.”
“Give them my love,” Bree said. “I’m going to take Atlas and Oscar to the dog park. This entire farce has soured me on dealing with clients. I’m not having fun right now, and while work isn’t always about having fun, it’s hard to create something you love and have someone try to destroy it because they’re an asshole.”
I stood and gave her a hug. “The lawyers will help you out. Grams hires the best, and it sounds like you have everything you need to sink them.”
She stopped to buy another drink, and I headed for home.
* * *
I passedmy driveway and drove straight down May’s. As I approached the house and stepped out of my car, I could smell the heavy pall of smoke that still filled the air. I darted up to the door and knocked, and May answered, looking tired. She was wearing jeans and a flannel shirt, and I could smell the smoke on her.
“I thought I’d come check how you are.” I started to give her a hug, but she held out her hand.
“No, child. I’m grungy. I’ve been out to the barn, watching the investigators. They finished about half an hour ago and now Bran and I are going through the remains, seeing if there’s anything to salvage.” She sighed. “I came back to the house to get gloves and a couple of water bottles. I’m just grateful the rain is holding off. It’s such a mess out there and the rain’s going to make everything a soggy junk pile.”
“I can go home and change and come help,” I offered.
“Oh my dear, that’s so sweet of you, but Bran’s recruited a few of his farmer friends and they’re coming over in an hour to sort through things. You’re welcome to come, but I know you have the wake tomorrow and you may need time to get ready.”
I didn’t want to think about the wake, though I felt guilty for my feelings. Cousin Owen deserved more than my grudging participation. But I had the sneaking suspicion my aunt was going to ask me to make a speech, so I’d be smart to write one, just in case.
“All right,” I murmured. “But if you need me, just call.” I gave her a kiss on the cheek despite her protests. “I’ve smelled worse, trust me.”
As I returned to my car and eased out of the driveway, the clouds opened and it began to pour. I thought of May and Bran, wishing the weather gods would be kind, for once. But they weren’t listening to any of us.
* * *
Grams was waiting for me,a worried look on her face. “I’m glad you’re home.”
“I stopped to see May and Bran. They’re salvaging the barn. The fire marshal finished his inspection, though I’m not certain what his findings were. I imagine they’ll get the official word in the next day or so.” I kicked off my shoes and settled down on the sofa. “It’s raining cats and dogs out there—just in time to make it miserable for Bran and May. I offered to…What?” I could feel Grams’s agitation—it rolled off her like the smoke scent had rolled off May.
“Someone hammered on the door about forty minutes ago. I was busy and didn’t hear them at first. By the time Fancypants told me, they were gone when I answered. I found that,” she said, pointing to a box on the coffee table. It was about the size and shape of a candy box, wrapped in brown paper.
“What is it? Who is it from?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” Grams watched the package cautiously. “It makes me uneasy, though. I’m not entirely sure whether that’s because of all that’s been happening, or what.”
I sighed. “Yeah, it could freaking explode, for all that I know.” I didn’t want to touch it, but I didn’t want it in the house either. “Okay, everybody clear the living room. I’m taking this outside to open.”
Grams started to protest but I shook my head, so she gathered up Silver and Gem and headed into the kitchen.
“You too, dude.” I stared at Fancypants.
“I don’t think so. We’re bonded. If you blow up, I’ll pine away anyway. I’d rather go with you, if you’re going to go.”
Fancypants gave me such a gentle, honest look that I froze. The thought of being without him hurt. It pained me to imagine him being out of my life, and I was just realizing that he felt the same way. I reached out and he landed on my arm.
“Okay, little guy. Let’s go take a look at what’s in this.” I picked up the box and gently walked toward the door. Whatever it was, it was lightweight. When we got outside, I cautiously walked over to the shop and unlocked the door. “We might as well be out of the rain.”
I set the box down on the counter and asked Fancypants to sit near the door. “If something nasty appears, take a quick hike outside. Promise me.”
He stared at me for a moment, then quietly nodded. “All right, but please, be careful.”
“Trust me, I’ll do my best.”
As he neared the door, I cautiously sliced through the tape, and peeled away the grocery-store bags that had been used to wrap the box. A moment later, the box was sitting there, unwrapped. It was a cardboard box that looked like it had held a ream of paper. I cut the tape holding it shut and opened the flaps.
As I did so, I caught sight of something I hadn’t expected to see, and it stopped me short. I gently reached in and lifted the silver frame. The picture was an eight-by-ten, and it was one I had forgotten until now. It was of my cousin Owen and me, when we were teenagers. He looked so happy, so full of hope, and I had been smiling in a way I’d forgotten how to. Innocence—that’s what our faces reflected.
I set the frame on the counter and saw there was a letter beneath it in the box. As I unfolded it, my eyes teared up as my vision fogged. The letter read:
Dear Elphyra: I’m sending you this before the wake because I know I’ll be a mess during it. First, thank you for agreeing to be the bell ringer. Owen would have liked that. I found this last night, in his room. He loved you, although he teased you a lot when you were both children. I wish he could have been as resilient as you are. I wish he could have faced life with the grit that you do. Unfortunately, your cousin wasn’t strong enough to manage his way through the upsets, and the crutches he used to get through the pain worked against him. But he always spoke well of you, and he admired you. I just wish…well…I wish for a lot of things, but if wishes were pennies, we’d be rich, right?
I’ll see you on Saturday, and please—be gentle on your mother. She doesn’t mean to be the way she is. Ever since she and I were little girls, she always needed more attention than I did. I never minded it much, because I was like you—strong. And she was like Owen—life was harsh on her. Luckily, she had me around to help her. And she had you. Anyway, I’ll see you Saturday. Love, Aunt Ciara.
I motioned for Fancypants to join me. “This was my cousin Owen,” I said, holding the frame like I might hold a fragile crystal. “I wish you could have met him.”
“I wish I could have, too,” Fancypants said.
As I gathered the frame and box and we headed back to the house, I realized that I’d never thought of my mother the way that my aunt described her. For a moment, it made me understand her—just a little—and I hoped that it might lead to a better relationship, if I could get a handle on my impatience.