Harlequin Heartwarming May 2016 Box Set (41 page)

“They want to live where there are ghosts?”

“They probably don't believe in them. They said they hadn't heard about the community until now—thanks to the article being in lifestyle instead of real estate.” She smiled, her blue eyes bright. “The reporter did us a favor.”

Caleb realized the enormity of that favor. It might make Phase 2 a reality, which would give Grace a reason to stay indefinitely. He grinned at her. “This is great news!”

She nodded. “Sometimes you actually can make lemonade from lemons.”

He reached over to take her hands in his. “Sometimes you can.”

* * *

S
PRING
WEATHER
WAS
getting warmer. Enjoying being outside for a change, Nellie sat on one of the benches in the courtyard of the condo complex and chatted with her neighbor Fran. Darkness had fallen and the automatic lights had come up along the walkways and what would be a fountain of some sort once the landscaping was done.

Still, both women wore light sweaters.

“This is why I moved here,” Fran told her. “The feeling of community.”

“You can get that in a town, too,” said Nellie. “But you have to put more work into it. Here, we live closer and have places to hang out that are only footsteps away.”

“You've had community for years through that quilting collective you belong to.”

“It's not a collective, just a bunch of women with similar interests. And I volunteer at the Seniors Soup Kitchen, as well as run my store. I know a lot of people.”

“You're busy.”

“Too busy, I think, at times. I'm going to have to slow down one of these days.” Nellie adjusted her large glasses. “Did you see that?”

“See what?”

Nellie stared in the direction of open space between two buildings, leaning forward. “Over there. I saw a blob of white.”

“Oh, no!” Fran started to get agitated. “The ghost?”

“There is no ghost,” Nellie said firmly. “No matter what the newspapers say. That reporter was just trying to attract attention...and get his article published.” She settled back. “Probably just the wind blowing a bunch of leaves or something.”

“Mr. Cassidy said the ‘haunting of Green Meadows' went viral on the computer. What does that mean?”

Nellie frowned. “That ridiculous ghost rumor must have been repeated on the internet in various news pages or blogs. Whatever. I'll have to look it up on my computer at the store.” She didn't keep one of the confounded things at home, though she knew how to use one.

“Who told the reporter all the details? It must have been a resident.”

“Everyone denies it,” said Nellie. All the residents she knew at the complex had read the latest
Kenosha Journal
. She slapped at an insect that flew too close to her face. “Dratted mosquitoes are out.” A given in Wisconsin with all the lakes and streams. “I'll have to spray myself with insect repellent the next time I plan to spend some time out here.”

“Let's go inside,” said Fran. “I need to get the dog ready for his evening walk.”

Both women rose and headed in opposite directions. Nellie had unlocked her apartment door and slipped inside when she heard Fran's scream and Sampson's outraged barking. Heart beating fast, adrenaline flowing, she grabbed her broom and ran back outside as fast as she could.

“Help!” Fran was sprawled on the stoop and a large white figure was moving away from her into the shadows, with an irate poodle clamped to its leg.

A yeti? Bigfoot? A polar bear? Nellie could hardly believe her eyes. But she wasn't about to let whatever it was get away with terrorizing them. She picked up her broom and swung as hard as she could. The broomstick connected and someone or something made a pained sound.

“O-o-omp!”

“Come here, you!” Nellie yelled, striking again.

“A-a-gh!”

And with a desperate shake, the white creature took off, dragging the poodle.

“Sampson!” cried Fran. “Don't let him take my dog!”

Brandishing the broom, Nellie followed, not thinking about the uneven ground, stopping only when she reached the end of the building.

To her relief, Sampson came running to her. “Hey, boy.”

Then she peered around the building, out toward the walking paths, but saw absolutely nothing. Not even a bunch of leaves blowing in the wind.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

A
NGELA
WAS
ON
her way to Gran Maddie's house when an old beat-up pickup slowed and pulled over to the curb. To her surprise, Lily sat in the driver's seat and leaned across to roll down the passenger window.

“Get in. I'll give you a ride.”

Hesitating, Angela asked, “Where did you get this truck anyway?”

“It belongs to a friend,” Lily told her, “and speaking of friends, I got hold of that artist I was telling you about. He's agreed to talk to you. He's interested in young talent. I'm sure he'll be very helpful. C'mon, get in.”

“Right now?” Angela still felt doubtful.

“Yes, right now. You need to seize an opportunity when it appears.”

Finally, intrigued by the idea of meeting her mother's friend, enough to push aside her reservations, Angela opened the door, threw in her backpack and climbed inside.

Lily wrestled the pickup into second with a grinding of gears. Instead of taking the road that went out to the rez, she turned the vehicle onto the road that led to the main highway bordering the town.

“Where are we going?”

“Somewhere nearby.” Lily smiled. “So you can talk privately. It's no one else's business.”

Angela became concerned when the old truck passed the town limits and picked up speed. “How far is this?”

“Oh, uh... Milwaukee.”

“That's sixty miles. How long are we going to be gone? Gran and Dad will be worried.” Not to mention angry. Angela slid her phone out of her pocket. “I have to let them know.”

Before she could punch in a number, Lily reached over to grab the phone and tossed it out the window.

Angela stared openmouthed. “Wha-at?”

“Live free for once. Artists don't schedule their lives.”

With a thrill of fear, gazing at the blur of landscape as they sped along, Angela realized she had no control over her own life at the moment.

* * *

T
HE
MORNING
AFTER
the attack on Fran Willowby, Grace talked to both Fran and Nellie, as well as to the police chief. A report was filed, since Fran had banged up her knee, though, luckily, the injury wouldn't require surgery. Grace was perplexed about who was out to make trouble for the green community. She didn't believe it was Angela, and she didn't want to think it was Kiki. Both girls would have to be questioned.

There were other, positive issues to deal with, including more calls from people wanting to look at condos. As she made notes and met with a couple of real estate agents, Grace couldn't help thinking on what exactly she was going to tell her father about the attack and the article.

Most important, she told herself, she simply had to change the way she dealt with her father. She needed to be straight about what she wanted, instead of avoiding confrontation. Caleb's remarks about not speaking up for herself had struck home.

Just before noon, her father arrived at the Walworth Builders offices. He waved at Grace, motioning for her to put aside whatever she was doing and come into his private office.

Okay, here goes.
She assured him, “I've got everything under control.”

He frowned. “Control? You don't even know what I have to tell you.”

Not liking the intent look he gave her, she went on swiftly, “The article in the
Kenosha Journal
is actually bringing us business. We sold one townhome already and we're showing a couple of condos tomorrow.”

“At Green Meadows? I don't care about Green Meadows.”

“What are you riled up about then?” This threw a wrench in her plans. She had thought about what to say to him all morning.

“I'm dealing with something
important
,” he said, emphasizing the word. “Green Meadows is just one of our ventures...and a small one at that.” He leaned toward her. “We're having trouble with the board of directors. Bachman sold his shares to Davidson and he has a bigger vote on projects now. He wants to concentrate on commercial real estate, especially in urban areas.”

His dismissive tone irritated her. “We're not abandoning Green Meadows. It's nearly ready to begin Phase 2.”

“With you nursing it along like it was a private hobby,” her father said. “But that's got to stop. You can put someone else in charge here and take your place as head of the business. I want to retire in January.”

“You don't sound like you want to retire.” As usual, he was giving orders. And he was so specific about what was going on with the company and where it might be headed that she had the feeling that he would still expect to have control, retired or not.

“I've made a definite decision. You need to move back to Milwaukee and take up your responsibilities. The transition from me to you has got to be smooth.” Laying his briefcase on the desk, he sat down in his big black leather chair.

“I don't want to return to Milwaukee right now,” was all she could say. She had thought about this moment often and was never sure what she would do. Faced with it now, however, she said firmly, “I have plenty to work on here.”

“Delegate the work,” he ordered, his voice clipped. “We have a meeting in Chicago tomorrow morning with a big wallboard supplier. I have a driver picking us up in another hour.”

“I am not going to Chicago,” she declared. “Not at the moment.”

He pulled a pad out of his desk and started making notes. “You'll need to pack a bag, since we'll be there overnight.”

“You're not even listening to me!”

He looked up. “What are you yelling about?”

Her face warm, she spoke even louder. “I said you're not listening to me. I am
not
going to Chicago!”

He frowned. “Now is not the time for some petty rebellion, Grace. We have a lot on the line.”

“Well, you'd better figure out how you're going to deal with it and with whom because it's not going to be me!”

He rose and actually looked her in the eye. “Grace! What is going on with you?”

It all spilled out. “I don't want to be president of the board. I don't want to be head of Walworth Builders. I want to finish the green community and—”

“Then what?”

“Whatever I think should be next. Another green community, maybe something bigger.” She looked at him pleadingly, as if begging him to understand. “I want to be myself, Dad, not a clone of you.”

“It's that professor you've been dating, isn't it?” he said with disgust. “He has you all mixed up.”

“No, it is not that professor, although he has helped me think about things more clearly.” She gathered her courage. “I've never wanted to be president of the board or CEO of Walworth Builders, Dad. I guess I never told you that directly, though I've indicated as much in other ways.”

“I've planned for a family legacy all these years.”

“I know that you have.” And she felt a mix of pain with her anger. “But that's what
you've
wanted. What about me? You've never asked what I wanted. I would be miserable cooped up in those meetings all day.”

His face was growing red. “What
you
want? You're shirking your responsibility! You are a spoiled girl, Grace.”

Spoiled? That made her even angrier. “How much responsibility are you talking about? We aren't the royal family of England, Dad. And, even so, the monarch has the freedom to abdicate. Walworth Builders is just a business.”

“
Just
a business? What about all that I've taught you? Why do you think I helped you get yourself straightened out?”

She couldn't believe he'd gone there. He'd helped her as a troubled teen so he could train her to be a business leader? “How about you helped me because you wanted me to become the best person I can be? Or maybe because you loved me?”

“Well, of course, I love you, Grace. But being CEO of the business
is
the best person you can be.”

“No, it isn't. I hate board meetings.”

“It isn't just board meetings.”

“I hate pretty much everything else that goes along with being a CEO.”

“This is a fine time to decide that.”

“I always thought that I'd hate being a CEO. I've even indicated that while trying not to hurt your feelings. You don't listen.”

“Well, what am I supposed to do? Just abandon my plans? I can't work forever.”

“It sounds to me like you're nowhere ready to retire, but if you really are, then give the job to someone else. You have several people, one vice president that I know of, who would probably jump at the chance to run this company.”

He started to pace, hands behind his back. “I can't do that right now. It will take time.”

“You'll have to do it or keep on working,” she insisted. “I'm not going to step in today. That would make it even more difficult to get out later.”

“Grace, I don't know what's going on with you.” He stopped pacing, taking a deep breath. “You were fine until you started dating that man and trying to help his delinquent daughter.”

“Don't blame other people.”

He ignored her. “If you want to get married, you can find plenty of suitable men who would support your career.”

“That's pretty cold.” Was that how he'd thought of her mother? Suitable?

“Marriage should be practical, not just a love match.”

The mention of marriage made her wonder if she was thinking of Caleb so seriously. Maybe she was. Their relationship had definitely made an impact on her. The idea of leaving him and going back to Milwaukee made her feel empty inside.

“Thinking about what you want, right now, is petty,” Dad continued. “It will pass. You have to look at the big picture.”

“I am looking at the big picture, and it's obviously very different from what you see. I don't want to be CEO of the company. I don't want my life revolving around business every moment.”

“Then you certainly aren't the daughter I raised.”

“You don't
know
the daughter you raised.”

He stood still, just gazing at her. His face was drained of color and she thought she saw his mouth twitch.

Finally, he said, “Well, I know enough to disown you if you don't come around. And you're not starting another green community, Grace, or finishing this one with Huber resources.” Then he picked up his briefcase and strode for the door. “If you come to your senses, you can find me in Chicago.”

Grace watched him leave, deeply upset. Her father had never talked about disowning her before. She might have her freedom but she guessed she could kiss Phase 2 of Green Meadows goodbye. Not to mention her only familial relationship.

She burst into tears.

* * *

G
RACE
WAS
IN
no mood to see anyone, but she and Caleb had made plans to have pizza for dinner at a place in town, so she went ahead and met him there. Maybe she would feel better being with him. When she arrived, he didn't ask her how her day had gone, and he seemed distracted.

After they'd ordered, she said, “You look like you've had the same kind of day I have.”

“Sorry, I'm just concerned that Angela didn't go to her grandmother's place right after school like she told me she was going to.”

“Do you think she took off with Kiki again?”

“I don't know. Kiki has been hiding out ever since we visited her foster home.” He slid his phone out of his pocket and sighed. “Of course, Angela doesn't answer my calls.” He looked at her, his brow creasing as he finally noticed her subdued expression. “Did you talk to the police about the attack at the condo complex?”

“I spoke with Alex Novak. He's looking for Kiki, too.”

“I don't think Angela had anything to do with it.” He glanced at the phone as if willing it to ring. “Unless she sneaked out of the house at night.”

“I already assured Alex he could rule her out.”

Though she still wasn't sure of Angela or the effect her behavior would have on her and Caleb. Given her own father's attitude about Caleb and her potential future with him, it seemed the fates were against them.

The food arrived and Caleb helped himself. Not that hungry, Grace just sat looking at her plate until he put a helping of salad and a slice of pizza on it.

“You need to eat,” he told her.

She nibbled at the tasteless food. Caleb still didn't seem to realize anything was wrong with her, so she decided to tell him about her horrible afternoon.

“I had a huge fight with my dad about the company and his retirement.”

“Oh? I hope you took a stand for what
you
want.”

“I sure did. And, guess what? He talked about disowning me if I didn't take over the company for him.”

“Come on, he's just throwing a tantrum.”

“It didn't sound like it. He's cutting off funds for Green Meadows. Now that we have interest from new customers, I was ready to move to Phase 2.”

“You'll just have to change his mind.”

“What makes you think I didn't try?” And why was Caleb telling her what to do yet again? “You don't know him.”

“You've gone through this before. Doesn't your dad find a way to make up, but not lose face?”

“Usually.”

Grace couldn't believe he was just dismissing the matter.

He started talking about Angela again, where she could be.

“It's not just Green Meadows, Caleb,” she interrupted. “He actually told me he only got me out of trouble when I was a girl so he could mold me into a super executive. I've never heard Dad speak that way before.” She couldn't stand the thought of a rift between them. “If I don't do what he wants, I'll lose him.”