Chapter 3
Bad thing number three for Vi: dinner at the 709 with Blake Wanamaker and his grandfather. Of all the things that could happen, this was almost as bad as what’d gone down at work today. At least she’d managed to keep her job. The only ray of light, if you could call it that.
But dinner with that man? Why, oh why? He was extraordinarily handsome if you didn’t count the shaggy hair parted and styled like some movie star—not a good look—with piercing eyes that unnerved her. Like most good-looking men, his ego was the size of Mount Everest. Standing at the check-in area and attempting to charm her with a smile and friendly chit-chat was about as phony as a guy could get.
No, thank you. Surviving middle school and high school with boys who routinely made fun of her had hurt. Back then, she’d been saddled with a lot. Taking care of the house and her sister for as long as she could remember, even after Gran moved in—both she and her mom worked long hours—she’d stayed up late to do homework. The drudgery of her life had kept her from smiling much. She’d been dubbed ugly, humorless, an egghead.
She’d survived. Then in her junior year of college—But she didn’t want to think about that and pushed the past away. Before anyone at the table caught sight of her, she slipped into the women’s bathroom to collect herself.
The room was empty. As she washed her hands, the past flooded into her mind after all. She’d met Devin on campus at the University of Washington. Not as a student—he worked on the grounds crew that tended the campus landscaping. He was cute and buff, and to her surprise, interested in her. No guy with his looks had ever pursued her. Flattered, she’d agreed to meet for coffee. Soon, they’d started seeing a lot of each other. There were things she hadn’t liked about him—skipping work for no reason, evasive answers when he showed up late or canceled a date at the last minute—but she’d ignored all that. It hadn’t taken long before she’d fallen hard for him.
Then he’d borrowed money from her, promising to pay her back but never seeming to have the funds. She caught him cheating with another girl and confronted him. She expected him to apologize and promise not to do it again, but he’d shrugged her off and headed for the door without a single word. She’d pleaded with him to stay and talk it through. Instead, he’d walked away.
Leaving her with a smaller bank balance, a broken heart and utter humiliation for begging him not to go. What a fool she’d been.
Never again.
At least she’d learned her lesson. As an average-looking woman, she preferred the company of less handsome males who knew they weren’t God’s gift to women. Not that she had much luck with them, either.
So no, she wasn’t happy about the table for four tonight. But Gran was expecting her. She headed again for the dining room. Her plan had been to let her grandma know she wouldn’t be able to help with the down payment. Impossible without her bonus and the promotion and raise. Without the raise, helping with the monthly payments at the 709 would be a struggle. Gran couldn’t return to her former tiny one bedroom apartment, as it’d been rented to someone else.
The waiting list at other retirement homes was months long. Vi didn’t have room in her townhouse. She tried to reach Rose that afternoon, but no luck. Her sister was likely basking in the attention and pampering at the spa. Vi texted her to call but hadn’t heard back.
If Gran couldn’t go to Rose and Peter’s—which would bother Peter and Gran would hate—where else would she go? That was a big worry.
She approached the table with trepidation—what were the two males doing there? Gran and the man who she assumed was related to Blake sat next to each other, which forced her and Blake to do the same. He bore a striking resemblance to the older man. Same intense navy eyes, proud Roman nose, strong chin and wide mouth. Sitting beside him made her nervous. The entire setup did. What was happening?
“Hello there, young lady,” the older man greeted her. “I’m Malcom Essex, Malcom to you. Addressing me as Mr. Essex makes me sound too old.” Behind his gold-frame bifocals, his eyes twinkled.
He seemed nice, and Vi relaxed a little. “I’m Vi,” she said, managing a slight smile.
“So I assumed. Have you and Blake met?”
“Briefly at the check-in desk,” Blake answered. “We didn’t know we’d be dining together.” He widened his eyes at her, as if wondering how the evening would play out.
“That’s right,” she agreed, and caught herself finger checking the twist at her nape to ensure it was tidy. Making sure she looked as good as she could for him? Of course not. Sometimes it got loose and she didn’t want that to happen at the dinner table. “I assumed it was just you and me tonight, Gran.” Blake nodded that he’d guessed the same. “Exactly why are we eating together? There are several available tables here, so I know it’s not a space issue.”
Gran and Malcom exchanged looks that could mean anything, and Gran beamed at Vi. “Isn’t my granddaughter beautiful? She’s smart, too, and up for a promotion at her job.”
As if she were trying to sell Vi to both men. Weird and embarrassing. Also untrue. She wasn’t the beauty of the family. As for the promotion, the sooner she shared the bad news, the better.
While she attempted to ignore the false praise, Malcom spoke. “That’s wonderful, Vi. Blake is a successful businessman. BW Bikes is doing so well, he’s about to open his second store.”
Blake looked as puzzled by the sales pitches as she was.
“It’s nice that you and Malcom are friends, but why are we all at this table, and what’s going on here?” Vi asked for the second time.
Gran opened her mouth to comment just as the meals arrived. As soon as the server, who looked to be in her twenties, left, Gran spoke, but not to answer the question. “Smells wonderful, doesn’t it? Let’s have dinner first and get to know each other a little. Then we’ll talk.”
“There’s no reason why we can’t talk while we eat,” Blake said and dug into his food.
“I’m with him,” Vi seconded. “By the way, this roast beef is delicious.”
“So’s the lasagna.” Blake eyed her. “First time you’ve eaten here?”
“My sister Rose and I had lunch on the day we brought Gran to look around. She signed up for a unit and we celebrated with a meal. She’s been here just three weeks.” She glanced at her grandma. “This is the first time I’ve been invited to eat with her since. Just me tonight—Rose is in Cancun for two weeks.”
“Nice. So you and Grandpop have known each other for three weeks, Mrs.—what should I call you?”
“Caroline is fine. And yes, we met that very day.”
Malcom nodded. “Caroline’s unit is on the sixth floor, the same as mine, only without the panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and the islands scattered around.”
“What I see from my living room window is pleasant enough,” Gran said. “I look out over some of the gardens and the parking lot. I enjoy watching people coming and going in their cars. We met as we headed downstairs for the happy hour offered every evening before dinner. Those of us there gathered around a big table—like me, a fair number of people who live here enjoy socializing over a cocktail or mocktail and Chex mix. I consider many of them friends now. We had such a good time that Malcom invited me to join him and another couple for dinner. We’ve been dining together ever since and not always here. There are many good restaurants in this part of town.”
“Some afternoons and evenings we play bridge,” Malcom added. “Sometimes we see an afternoon or evening movie in the area. Although neither of us likes to drive at night. That’s why I founded Falcon Ride Service years ago, way before Uber and Lyft.”
“Yet another enterprise that made him even more successful,” Blake pointed out.
Malcom nodded. “I sold it awhile back, but I’m a loyal customer.” He winked. “And I never have to pay.”
Gran nodded and smiled. “He’s a shrewd one, all right. Don’t forget our walks. And tennis. We’ve only played once, when the weather was nice. We’re lucky to both be in decent shape.”
“And I’m glad of it,” Vi agreed. “Are these get-togethers usually the two of you?”
“Sometimes, but we’re both sociable and often invite friends to come along. Or they invite us. Couples and singles. I’m very happy living here.”
The two seniors shared a fond look. They hadn’t known each other long, and reminded her of teenage kids certain they were in love, brief romances that faded almost as quickly as they developed. It wasn’t at all like Gran to latch on to a man. She hadn’t been romantically involved with anyone since Grandpa Chester had passed away some twenty-plus years earlier. Seeing her gaga over Malcom, who she barely knew, didn’t sit well with Vi. She set her fork down.
From Blake’s squinty-eyed study of the couple, he didn’t approve, either. “You two have gotten cozy awful fast,” he said.
Gran was in for disappointment when Vi told her that due to finances, she wouldn’t be able to live here much longer. Wanting to get that news off her chest, she cleared her throat. “I need to speak with you, Gran. Privately.”
“But we haven’t finished dinner, let alone had dessert. Tonight it’s cherries jubilee or fudge cake. You don’t want to miss that. Can we talk later?”
“I’d rather do it now.”
“Go ahead, Caroline,” Malcom said. “Blake and I will hold off finishing our food and wait for you here.”
“Please, not until after dessert,” Gran insisted. “I’d like to finish the meal first.”
What was the big deal? At the pleading expression on her face, Vi relented. “All right, if that’s what you want.”
She tasted the dessert, which was good, but having lost her appetite, she mostly pushed it around the plate. Shortly after the server whisked the food away and delivered the after-dinner coffee, Gran and Malcom shared another look and a nod.
“We have something to tell you,” he said.
Unable to imagine what it could be, Vi leaned toward them while Blake muttered something unintelligible.
“We’ve decided to get married,” Malcom announced.
Vi gaped at her grandmother, and Blake choked on his coffee.
“What the hell?”Blake said none too softly as he dipped his napkin in his water glass and dabbed at the coffee splotch on his shirt. Was the man out of his mind? “Let me get this straight—you’ve known each other three short weeks and you want to get married? You can’t do that.”
“We can and will. We don’t need your approval.” Stubborn man that he was, Grandpop narrow-eyed him and folded his arms across his chest.
“No, no, just no,” Vi said, backing up Blake.
Caroline’s tightened jaw let him know she was stubborn, too. “This is a good thing,” she told Vi. “I’ve been widowed since your Gramps died. It’s been a lonely existence. Still, I never expected to fall in love again. Now I have. Once you come to terms with our decision, I hope you’ll approve.”
“With or without it, we’ll marry.” Grandpop uncrossed his arms and clasped Caroline’s hand. “You’re the love of my life.”
Bull. “Grandma was the love of your life,” Blake corrected.
“My current life. Grandma passed three years ago. She’d want me to find love again, and I have.” He lifted Caroline’s hand to his lips.
Blake shared a look with Vi that was every bit as anti the half-brained idea. “This is so unlike you, Grandpop. Have you seen a doctor lately? Do you think you had a stroke?”
“Don’t insult me, boy,” he chastised in a voice Blake hadn’t heard since his teen years. “I’m seventy-eight years old, and I know what I want.”
“You and I need to talk. Now,” Blake argued in no uncertain terms.
“Fine, fine.” Grandpop heaved a sigh and rose. “I’ll see you at bridge later, Caroline.”
“Us, too,” Vi said. She and her grandma headed off somewhere.
Blake and his grandpa went straight to the library, a large room that resembled a booklover’s den with shelves of books. By day it was busy, but in the evening few people used the room. For now, they had it to themselves. They sat down in comfortable armchairs made for settling in with a good book. Blake went straight to the point. “I questioned you about seeing a doctor because what you’re doing isn’t like you. I’m concerned.”
“This is exactly like me, so put your worries away. I know what I want, and I feel great about my decision. Haven’t been this happy in a long time.”
His bright eyes twinkled, confirming the words. He appeared to be relaxed and supremely confident about his decision. Blake felt the opposite. He didn’t care for this new side of his grandfather and didn’t trust it, not when things were moving so fast. No one in his right mind decided to get married after knowing someone for a mere three weeks. “That’s nice. You’re aware that Washington is a community property state.”
“Of course. I’ve lived here all my life.” Grandpop squinted at him. “You’re afraid she’ll inherit my money instead of you and your sister. Is that what this is about? Well, rest easy. Robertson Wolfe has been my attorney for forty years. When I die, you and your sister will make out very nicely.”
“So you’ve said.” Before Caroline, but things had changed. Then again, Blake and his sister were doing well without relying on the man. Yes, he’d financed the first bike shop, but Blake had repaid what he’d borrowed and was doing fine on his own now. “It’s your money, not ours. Still, I think you should slow down and take your time. If you and Caroline are truly meant for each other, waiting awhile won’t hurt. If after time passes and you’re sure, that’s great. But if you get married and your feelings change, things can get ugly.” Caroline seemed nice enough, but his grandpa barely knew her. Blake didn’t want her going after his fortune.
“I’m not na?ve, Blake. Robertson’s drawing up a prenup now.”
Grandpop had thought of everything, which was reassuring. “I’m sure Mom would like to know about this. Have you been in touch with her?”
“You and I both know that ashram doesn’t take kindly to contacts from outsiders. It’s part of the deal there. But if she gets hold of me, which we both know is doubtful, I’ll tell her. Why, have you heard from her?”
Blake shook his head. He’d always been an afterthought in her life and likely always would be.
“I thought you’d be happy for me,” Grandpop said. “But it’s obvious you’re not.”
“Can you blame me? You spring this on me with no warning, and three weeks is too soon to be sure. That’s why I’m questioning your judgment.”
“Well, stop. I love this woman, and she loves me. We want to be together, live in the same unit and share a bed. We can’t do that unless we’re married.”
“You don’t have to get married to sleep together.”
Grandpop smirked. “We’ve been doing exactly that.”
The thought of them having sex… Blake didn’t want to think about that and managed to hide his reaction. “Can’t you continue the way you are?”
“Not if we want to live together. There’s a rule here about that. No cohabiting.”
Blake frowned. “Why is that?”
“No idea. That’s just how it is here. As soon as we’re married, we’ll move to a bigger place. I have my eye on something on the top floor that’d be perfect. Caroline likes it, too.”
He talked about the unit they wanted to share, but Blake didn’t pay much attention. He was thinking about the marriage rule at the 709. It made sense and kept things from getting sticky when one person got sick or worse. Which, face it, was bound to happen as people aged, even if they were in good condition now. “Sounds nice, but what’s the rush, Grandpop?”
“We have to move quickly, before Caroline does something she’ll regret.”
Blake had no idea what that was about. “I’m not following.”
“Her daughters have offered to help her with the down payment on her unit, but she’s decided not to take their money. She’s too proud.”
Blake didn’t like the sound of that. “Are you saying she doesn’t have the money in hand?”
“She will, once she cashes out her life insurance policy. According to her, it’s worth a fair amount. She’s looking into that now.”
Although they were the only two in the library, Grandpop leaned in and lowered his voice. “She doesn’t know this yet and won’t like it, but I don’t plan on letting her use her money to help pay for the unit.”
“What do you mean, you won’t let her?”
“Just what I said. Paying for the whole thing myself will be my wedding gift to her.”
“That’ll cost a bundle.”
“So? I’ll get a partial refund on my current place.” Grandpop shrugged. “Anyway, I have more money than I’ll ever need.”
And the story kept getting worse. “And Caroline’s okay with that.”
“Did you not listen to what I said? She has no idea I’m footing the entire bill. She’ll be okay with it.”
Blake didn’t like the sound of that, but wasn’t surprised. For all he knew, Caroline had planned the whole thing shortly after the two of them had met. In the few years since Grandmom had died, more than a few women had plotted to marry him and get their hands on his money. He’d seen through them and steered clear. Until now. “Gold diggers come in all ages.”
“Caroline is no gold digger.” Grandpop’s face reddened and he stood up. “This conversation is over.”