Drive and Determination (4 page)

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            Elyssa sat in her living room eyeing the ticket that would take her to Guatemala. She knew sorting through her sister’s things would be difficult. It had only been two months since their deaths and she was still frequently overcome with grief at some thought or reminder of her.
            She looked around her at her comfortable home. She had been renting it and hoped to someday buy it with her savings and little bit of money her father had left her when he died. An insurance policy had provided money for each of the girls, in addition to a larger sum left to her mother.
            She worked part-time at the public library while attending college and was now full-time. She thoroughly enjoyed her job and often wondered how they could pay her when she enjoyed reading as much as she did, but her great love and dream was to become a full-time interior designer.
            While still working on a degree in interior design with an emphasis on historical decor from the nineteenth century, she’d had several opportunities to exhibit her natural talent. While living in Los Angeles, she had been able to secure occasional work on movie and television sets that dealt with historical periods. Her good friend, Charlene Lukas, was a set director who had made a name for herself and often called Elyssa to help out when she worked on period movies. Knowing how talented Elyssa was, Charlene also freely handed out her friend’s business cards when someone was looking for an interior designer.
            Many people recognized Elyssa’s talent and she was tempted to forego college and work full time in the studios. But she disliked the traffic, crowds, and smog too much to want to stay there, so she moved up to the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. Besides, she reasoned, she wanted to use her talents for people to enjoy, not just for a temporary set that would be torn down after the filming was complete.
            Here, she was close enough to LA so that if she were occasionally called to work on a movie set, she could easily drive down there and stay with family during the course of the time she was needed. She had done some small decorating jobs in and around where she lived, but it was not enough to consistently pay the bills. So her job at the library was one way to solve that problem. There she had a job she loved and they were willing to let her take time off when her own business demanded her time.
            Looking around her, she was proud of her living room. It was this room that she had put the most time and money into designing and redecorating. She figured that this was the room most people would see when they came to visit her, and hopefully, would recognize the talent she had in the area of design. Her eye for placement demanded that every item on a table or shelf and every picture or knick knack hung on the wall had its perfect place.
            She knew all about how the eye must be drawn to one object, how you must decide what you want that focus to be. She knew how to make things look balanced, even when they were not. She knew how to hang odd shaped and sized pictures without them looking as if they were just stuck on the wall. Unfortunately, there was not a lot of demand for her work and she was just not willing to move to a big city; at least not if she didn’t have to.
            She stepped outside onto the large porch and walked over to the porch swing that was hung out there. When she found this house and its porch swing, she knew this was the place for her.
            She had fond memories of visiting her Aunt and Uncle Garner in the Midwest and how in the evenings when the weather was mild, they would sit together on their porch swing. They would talk to each other about their day, her aunt working on some needlework or crocheting and her uncle smoking his pipe and reading the newspaper. But the one thing Elyssa noticed was that they talked and listened to each other. Elyssa came to believe that the happiness in their marriage was due in large part to that porch swing.
            She picked up a pillow and sat down upon the swing, plopping the pillow down onto her lap. She brought her legs up and the movement caused the swing to sway as she wrapped her arms around her legs. She leaned her head forward against the pillow and felt her grief begin to spill out again. The creaking from the swing’s long chains seemed to echo her anguish with mournful cries.
            While Janet was in Guatemala, when either of the sisters needed a word of encouragement, they would be on the phone with one another and Elyssa would always be rocking soothingly with her cordless phone in hand. When Janet visited Elyssa the previous year on a trip home, the two sisters spent hours catching up with each other on this very swing.
            She loved it here. She loved the slow pace and the appreciation everyone had for the beauty that surrounded them. She thought of her father down in Los Angeles and how he traveled an hour both ways to get to work and then spent over ten hours a day there. He would come home tired and irritable, with little time for anyone. He virtually had no free time to enjoy his own pursuits. While Elyssa and he once had a very special relationship, towards the end she saw what his job had done to him, but it was too late for a change.
            When he had a heart attack at the young age of 54, she could only blame it on the high pressure tactics of his boss and swore that she would never marry a man who was so consumed by his career. For some odd reason, she thought of William Denton.
            Here was a man who most likely worked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and demanded the same from his employees. He was a man who most likely would not be able to take the time at the end of his day and enjoy the serenity of a porch swing in the presence of a wife and family.
            An angry tremor passed through her as she placed him in the same sphere as her father’s boss. Both men were responsible for the deaths of people she had loved dearly. She hoped that once she had gone to Guatemala and taken care of Janet and Chad’s things, she would never hear from William Denton again!

Chapter 3

           
Elyssa sat comfortably on the plane, occasionally glancing out the window down to the world below. Her eyes closed as she listened to classical music through the ear phones the plane provided. Her seat had been bumped up to first class and she was fairly certain she knew who had done it and why. William Denton’s meager attempts at assuaging the anger and bitterness she harbored towards him didn’t work in the least. Whether it appeased his conscience or not, that was something only he could answer. She really didn’t care.
            The movie had just finished and the lights came on. It had been a comedy, she had gathered, from the pratfalls and silly antics she noticed when she occasionally looked up, but she was in no mood for humor. She was on her way to go through the belongings her sister and brother-in-law had in their home in Guatemala.
            For the past two weeks, in preparation for this trip, Elyssa had forced herself to look through scrapbooks filled with pictures of herself and Janet growing up. She had read and reread letters that Janet had written to her. She thought that the more she immersed herself with memories of her sister, the easier it would be to go through the things in their home and not continually dissolve into a flood of tears and heartache at every turn.
            She made arrangements for her friend, Katy, to look in on her home and occasionally check her messages on the answering machine. She would not wish to let an offer for a decorating job slip by. Not that she anticipated much business living where she did, but there was always the chance that someone might call after picking up one of her business cards. Elyssa left several in various stores around town and her good friend Charlene liberally handed them out.
            She looked out the window as the captain came on over the loudspeaker announcing they would be preparing for landing. The sun was low on the horizon and lights were beginning to sparkle throughout the sprawling city below. A tremor passed through her as she contemplated getting off the plane in a foreign country where they spoke a language she knew only slightly and had customs and a culture she most likely would not understand. She had been informed in a letter from the Pemberleo offices that Shelley Martin would be picking her up. She hoped that one of them would recognize the other.
            After a smooth landing, Elyssa gathered her carry-on items and once off the plane, she retrieved her luggage at baggage claim and easily made her way through customs. Stepping out of the airport, she looked over the crowd of people waiting to pick up friends or family who had just arrived. It was growing dark and the air was warm and moist. She glanced around her and suddenly heard a voice call out her name.
            She turned her head in the direction of the voice and saw a familiar face. It was definitely not Shelly Martin, but a man. He had been at the funeral, but she could not recall his name.
            “Elyssa! It is good to see you again! George Westham!”
            “Ah, yes. George. It is very nice of you to pick me up.”
            “I wouldn’t have had it any other way!”
            He took the suitcase from her and pointing with a nod of his head, said, “I am parked this way. It’s a lengthy walk. If you wish, I’ll go back for the car while you wait here and I’ll come back for you.”
            “Oh, no, thank you, George. I have been sitting idle far too long. I could use a good walk.”
            George laughed. “That’s what I like to see; a woman who is not afraid of a little exercise.”
            He put his free hand gently against her back and gave her a nudge. “Shall we go?”
            Elyssa smiled. “Thank you.”
            As they walked, George congratulated himself on offering to pick Elyssa up and take care of any needs that arose while she was in Guatemala. He just happened to be in John Walker’s office when the phone call came from Mrs. Reed telling them that Miss Barnett was arriving and needed someone to pick her up, take her to the Blakelys’ apartment or a hotel, and help her with whatever else she might need.
            Remembering this pretty young lady with a very fine figure, he figured it would be a most pleasant chore.
            The Walkers gladly accepted George’s offer when they had some guests unexpectedly drop by and this made it much easier for them.
            As George looked down furtively and watched Elyssa walking along by his side, he thought how much prettier she looked tonight than the day of the funeral. He recalled how she had been crying and did not look her best that day, although his attention had centered mainly on her younger sister, who seemed to have a very flirtatious personality and a lot of energy. He often thought he would like to have gotten to know that sister a little better.
            As he looked at Elyssa, he believed that if he really poured on the charm, there might be some sort of reward from her in return. Considering the reason for her visit, however, he reminded himself that he would have to take it slow.
            “You know, Elyssa, your sister Janet was certainly well liked by everyone that knew her. Just the other day, I talked with a lady who lives down the street and she could not stop talking about what a sweet, generous young lady she was.”
            “That is very comforting to hear, George. I am so glad she had such an impact on people’s lives here.”
            Elyssa felt that all too familiar lurch inside that indicated an onslaught of tears was on its way. She turned her head away from George and gave a slight tremble, which did not escape his notice.
            “I can only imagine what a difficult time this is for you.” He pulled out a clean handkerchief he had pocketed just before leaving for the airport and handed it to her.
            “Thank you.” Elyssa wiped her eyes. “And I’m sorry. I just never know when the grief is going to spill out again.”
            “No need to apologize to me.” George brought his hand up and gently squeezed her shoulder. “You will come through this, Elyssa. I can see there is great strength in you.”
            “You are too kind.”
            They came to George’s car and he popped open the trunk, putting Elyssa’s suitcase inside and then closing it. Walking over to the passenger side of the door, he unlocked it and opened it for her, taking her elbow in his hand as he handed her in.
            George walked around to the driver’s side and slid in. He started the engine and turned to her, “Now, where would you like to go? Do you want to go by Chad and Janet’s townhouse, should I take you to a hotel, or would you like to stop somewhere and get a bite to eat?”
            “If you don’t mind, I think I would prefer to stay at their home. That way I can start early and work as late into the night as I want. I don’t want to be a bother to anyone having to drive me back and forth.”
            “Are you sure? Pemberleo has a very nice suite in a nearby hotel for our clients and it wouldn’t be a bother at all for me to drive you back and forth. I’m available any hour of the day… or night.”
            “I am quite sure. Thank you, George.” She reached down to fasten her seatbelt. “I understand they lived in a townhouse with the Walkers living next door.”
            “That’s correct. Pemberleo Coffee -- or
PC
as we call it -- owns a whole townhouse complex on a street in a nice, quiet part of Guatemala City. I live there too, when I am in the country. If you need anything, just give me a call. Occasionally I have to travel to Colombia or back to the States, but at the moment, I don’t have any plans to leave.”
            “I appreciate that.”
            “It will only be about a twenty minute drive to the duplex. Are you sure you don’t want to stop somewhere first for something to eat or drink?”
            “No, thanks. We had a meal on the plane. I’m more tired than hungry.”
            He nodded, feeling a bit disappointed, but smiled and said, “Your wish is my command.”
            They drove in silence for awhile and then Elyssa turned and asked him, “How long have you been down here in Guatemala, George?”
            “On and off for a couple of years now. Unfortunately, I don’t get back to the states now as often as I used to. Denton prefers that I do the sales in the Central and South American countries since I am more fluent in Spanish than anyone else. That keeps me pretty busy here.”
            “Do you have any family?”
            “Not married. I am an only child and my father passed away several years ago. He worked with the elder Mr. Denton as his right hand man, so I was able to begin working at Pemberleo as soon as I was old enough. Mr. Denton saw great potential in me and my promotions in the company were due largely to his influence. Unfortunately, William Denton harbors some jealousy towards me and I can’t help but wonder where I would be if his father hadn’t died.” He turned and looked at her with a wry grin. “Heck! I could have been vice-president by now!”
            “That doesn’t seem fair.” The sympathy in Elyssa’s voice was easily detected by George and he turned and smiled at her.
            “He’s now the boss. He chose to give the position to his cousin, who had never even worked for the company! What am I to do?”
            Elyssa looked at him, searching the darkness for his expression; the tone of his voice suggesting he did not get along well with his boss.
            “You sound somewhat resentful of him.”
            “Of Denton?” He let out a huff. “We have known each other too long, but we actually have a very good working arrangement. He leaves me alone to do my job and I leave him alone.”
            Elyssa’s eyebrows raised in a quick movement. “Hard to work for, is he?”
            George looked at Elyssa, wondering whether her questions about William Denton were because she was as taken by him like every other woman or because she was truly interested in George’s opinion of him. “He has a tendency to want to control everyone’s lives and if he can’t, he makes life miserable for you.”
            “So he doesn’t come down here to Guatemala very often?”
            “Can you imagine Denton down here?” Westham pointed out the window as they passed run down businesses. “They may grow great coffee beans here, but Denton won’t lower himself to come here unless it is an absolute emergency.”
            Elyssa took in a deep breath, thinking how callous he was to force Chad and Janet to come down here to live and yet he would not even consider stepping foot in the country. Yes, she could see how he had the power to control other people’s lives and she felt that all too familiar anger start to boil up inside her.
            “It must be a big help to the company to be able to speak fluent Spanish.”
            “Yeah. Especially because the man himself speaks only enough to ask how much profit has been made, when something is going to arrive, or where the bathroom is.”
            Elyssa laughed along with George. “I’m rather surprised, being as how his company has so much interest in Guatemala.”
            “Well, he can afford not to bother himself. He lets others do it. He’s the president and he can do or not do anything he wants.”
            She decided to change the subject. “What about your mother? Is she living?”
            “My mother lives in Chicago. We were never really close, so…” George was silent for a moment. “All in all, living here has proven to be quite pleasant.”
            As they drove through the streets of Guatemala City, Elyssa enjoyed the warm, moist air reviving her face and her spirits as it came through the open window. She loved the feel of it course through her hair. George looked over and took in how striking she looked with her long hair dancing in the wind.
            “If it’s too windy, I’ll close the windows.” He was hoping she did not mind.
            “No, no. It actually feels quite refreshing.”
            “We’re just out of the rainy season, but there’s always the chance for rain. I hope you’re prepared.”
            “Yes, I was told it would be wise to bring an umbrella, boots, and a raincoat.”
            “Good. We can get some real downpours here that come upon you with little warning. The temperature remains consistently mild, so you’ll probably need nothing more than an umbrella.”
            George turned down a side street and nodded his head toward a large building. “These are our Pemberleo Coffee offices. We occupy two of the five floors, leasing out the rest.”
            “It looks new.”
            “It was built about three years ago; same time as the townhouses. They’re just about three miles from here.”
            A short while later, George turned and pulled into a driveway. He came up to a gated entrance and pushed in a code, opening the gate. Elyssa looked around her and took in the beauty that surrounded them.
            It was in the style of a hacienda with large trees and flowering bushes everywhere. George pulled into a parking space and hopped out. As Elyssa reached for the door handle, George was already on her side opening the door.
            “Thank you,” she said, returning his smile with one of her own.
            He pulled out her luggage and they began walking toward the building. We have an elaborate security system here. You need to enter a code to get in; both into the main complex where we drove in, and into the courtyard.” He looked at her. “The code is 1220. The big man’s birthday.” He pushed the buttons and the gate to the courtyard opened. They walked in and Elyssa gasped.
            “It is beautiful here!” She looked around and took in the vast array of flowers. “There are so many flowers!”
            “Yes, they grow quite abundantly here.” He pointed off to the left. “Over there is a pool. I hope you brought your swim suit. We have a Jacuzzi, too.”
            “I just might have need of that.”
            George smiled as he thought of soaking in the hot tub with her by his side. “Heals many an ailment, from stress to achy muscles to just plain weariness.”
            “I’ll remember that.”
            “I’ll hold you to it! It will be my responsibility to ensure that you see all the sights and experiences of Guatemala City.” He laughed and then his voice turned serious. “Elyssa, I know that the task ahead of you won’t be easy, but I do hope you will intersperse your time with some periods of pleasant distraction.”
            “Thank you, George. I believe it will probably do me a lot of good.”
            “Good. Here it is,” he said, pulling out the key.