Safe & Sound (24 page)

“Will you teach me to play?” I asked when there was a lull in the conversation.

“Teach you to play what?”

“The guitar.”

“You want to learn?”

“It’s on my bucket list.”

“Sure. When do you want to start?”

“How about right now? I seem to have some free time.”

“You’re serious?”

“That is one thing you should learn about me. I’m always serious. It’s a character flaw.” I smiled at him and he chuckled.

“There’s just one thing to learn about you?”

“For now.” I smiled back.

“Okay. Let’s do this.” He got up to retrieve his guitar from his truck.

“You always have that handy?” I teased when he got back.

“Never leave home without it.” He winked at me.

We settled in on the sofa and he showed me the different chords, explaining the general hand positions. I didn’t know if it was the exhaustion from the day, the soft strumming of the guitar, or how safe I felt, knowing he was there, but soon I couldn’t keep my eyes open and I fell asleep in the middle of my first lesson.

“Jill, it’s time to wake up.” A gentle hand touched me on the shoulder. I sat up with a start.

“Did I miss my flight?” I looked around bewildered.

“No, but we need to leave soon.”

I looked around the room and saw his guitar learning against the table.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I’m a horrible student,” I lamented.

“No problem, but that doesn’t really boast my confidence as a good instructor if I can’t keep my students awake.”

“Did you get any sleep?” I asked as I stood and folded the blanket he had placed over me.

“I don’t require much sleep in general, but yea, I dozed in the chair over there for a while,” he said pointing toward one of the chairs by the fireplace. “When I wasn’t sleeping, I listened to you snore and then when it was quiet enough, I just played the guitar.” His back was to me at that moment and I couldn’t tell if he was being serious.

“I don’t snore,” I said defending myself.

“Prove it,” he said as he turned and faced me, a large grin on his face. “No. You didn’t snore. But I did make breakfast, if you are interested.”

“Really?”

It was only then that I realized the room was filled with the aroma of coffee, eggs and toast.

“It was slim pickings but I put something together.” He motioned me into the kitchen.

“You cook too. Is there anything you can’t do?”

“Nope. I’m amazing,” he deadpanned.

“So you seem to be,” I thought.

We ate breakfast with the ease of a couple who knew each other. There was no need to talk the entire time and we both sat in comfortable silence as we finished up eating.

“I’ll clear the dishes if you want to go freshen up and grab your bag,” he said as he reached for my plate.

“Really amazing.”

I dashed upstairs, quickly showered, and put on the clothes I had laid out the day before. I threw some last-minute items in my bag and made my way downstairs. Ross was waiting by the front door. His guitar was leaning against the wall.

“Let me help you with that,” he said, reaching for my bag.

“Thank you, but I got it.”

“I locked the back door already,” he added.

“Great. Then I’m ready to go.” We made our way outside and I locked the front door. I turned to face him and hesitated for a moment before handing him my keys. I could tell he was surprised. “In case you or your uncle needs to get into the house for anything while I’m gone.”

“Makes sense. I thought you were asking me to move in and I was gonna tell you to slow down. I’m not that kinda guy,” he joked as we loaded his truck and headed for Raleigh.

“Have a great time in New York,” Ross said and gave me a big hug as we stood on the sidewalk in front of the departures-drop-off area at the airport.

“I will,” I said, thinking that Stella would see to it. “Thank you again for driving me.”

“Are you sure you don’t need a ride home?”

“No. I got that covered.”

Ross looked slightly disappointed, but I was excited by the prospect of having a car again.

“When are you getting back?”

“Um … I think I land at 3 p.m. so I should be back to the island around 7 p.m.”

“Awesome. I’ll see you in a couple of days.” He turned to leave.

“Ross?” I said, grabbing his arm as he brushed past me.

“Yea?”

“I had a great time. Thank you.”

I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek and then turned and headed into the terminal without waiting for a response. I made it through security and was at my gate in record time. I took a moment to check my phone and saw several missed texts from Lanie and Stella, which I replied to. There was one missed call from Harry, which I ignored, and right before I turned off my phone, a text from Ross chimed in.

From: Ross Powers

We will finish that conversation when you get back. Have a great trip.

—R

I smiled broadly and felt giddy as I boarded my flight. Not realizing what my seat number was, I missed the first call for my zone but quickly recovered when I saw the seat that Stella had booked was in the first-class section. She never ceased to amaze me. She had gone all out for this trip. The pilot informed us of our flight path and time for our short flight that morning. I was asleep before the stewardess had finished the safety instructions.

CHAPTER 27

W
e landed in New York 10 minutes early. I grabbed my bag from the overhead bin and made my way through the airport. I had arranged with Stella to meet curbside. As I made my way through the airport, I noticed a man dressed in a suit, holding a sign that had my name on it. At first I didn’t think anything of it as I walked by, making my way curbside, but after standing on the curb for several minutes, I wondered if Stella had changed our plans. I turned my phone back on and found several text messages from Stella, confirming that my hunch was correct. She was unable to make it but had sent a limo service to pick me up. Sighing, I made my way back to the man in the suit.

The driver dropped me off in front of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. I was able to check myself in and made my way up to the suite that Stella had reserved. I had also learned from Stella’s messages that she was caught in a meeting until lunch and I was on my own until then. She had planned for us to have lunch near her office, after which we would have several meetings. I took the opportunity to change into something more businesslike and made my way toward Park Avenue where her office was. I reached the lobby of her office building before noon and took a seat and watched all the people walking in an out.

“Jill.”

I heard my name called from across the lobby and looked up to see Stella striding toward me. She was dressed in capri, black, suit pants, skinny belt and light blouse with tall high heels.

“Looking good,” I commented as we embraced.

“I must say so are you! You’re so tan and not so gloomy,” she said in the way only she could. She led me from the building down a couple blocks to a little bistro where we sat out on the street after we each ordered a deli sandwich. She spent most of the lunch quizzing me over the house renovations and how my decorating was going. At one o’clock promptly we walked back to her building where she signed me in and we rode up to the thirty-second floor.

“Do I get to meet Roger?” I whispered to her in the elevator.

“No. He’s on vacation in Saint Tropez with his family.”

“I really don’t understand—”

“Not here,” she said firmly as the doors opened up. She led me down a long hallway to a conference room that had a magnificent view of the city. The room was already set up with several binders and folders sitting at five different spots. Stella indicated that I take a seat at the very large conference table while she informed the others we were ready. All the formality of the meeting was starting to make me nervous. I felt as if I should have done some homework or prepared my own presentation.

Stella walked back into the room with another woman, who was dressed in a very expensive-looking dress. She introduced herself to me as Laura and said that she would be taking notes during the meeting. The next person to enter the room was a tall man with dark hair and a dark complexion. His name was David, and he informed me that he was a senior associate in the finance department of the firm. Last in the room was an average-looking man who seemed to be about 10 years older than everyone else. His name was Scott and he was the senior partner in the finance department. Stella took a seat by me, grabbing my hand under the table and giving it a small squeeze.

“Mrs. Greenfield,” Scott started to say.

I started to correct him and Stella stepped on my foot under the table and shook her head. So I stayed quiet.

“Ms. Conner has asked that we take your portfolio on as a client of this firm.”

I did my best to look professional and I tried to sit as still as possible. Having been around mostly five- and six-year-old children during my professional career, I now had a new appreciation for those times when I had told them to sit still.

“You must understand that this is a highly unusual situation. We normally don’t take on this kind of matter.” I had no idea what he was talking about, but he continued to tell me how highly regarded Stella was and that, after looking at my documentation, as a favor to her, they had decided an exception should be made. I could only think that something in the paperwork must have been worth a lot of money, as Stella had suggested on the phone. I remembered her once telling me that the firm wouldn’t consider new clients unless they netted at least several million dollars in assets. As I sat and mulled that over, I realized what that meant for the portfolio that Jay had accumulated.

“How much?” I blurted out, startling everyone at the table.

“Excuse me?” David said. He was now eyeing Stella and probably questioning my mental stability.

“Sorry, but how much is the total estate worth?” I said with more reserve.

“With both properties in North Carolina plus the money from the insurance policy and various investments that Mr. Greenfield made, we estimate that your entire net worth is now a little under $23 million,” he said with a straight face.

“Holy shit!” I whispered to myself as I leaned on the table and put my head in my hands in disbelief.

“Jill, are you okay?” Stella sounded alarmed as she put her hand on my back.

“Sorry. It’s just I had no idea and it’s
so
much money … Are you sure?” I asked, looking at David.

“Checked it myself … twice,” David said and part of me thought he didn’t believe it himself.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt. You can continue,” I said.

David and Scott nodded and they explained how the firm could protect my assets while helping me to further invest and grow my portfolio. The firm would take me on as a client and Stella would become my legal counsel. They expressed concern over the relationship that Stella and I had and whether or not it would be a conflict of interest should any problems arise in our friendship. Stella assured me that she had drafted a contract that included a clause in which I could excuse her as counsel at any time and the firm would immediately appoint another lawyer who met my standards. When both Stella and the finance guys were done, my head was swimming with figures, numbers and terms that I was unfamiliar with. The group decided to give me a 10-minute break before continuing, during which everyone, including Stella, left me alone in the large conference room. I wandered over to the window and looked out over the city. How my life had changed in less than a year! Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined this. I leaned my head against the glass and let out a big sigh.

“Overwhelming, isn’t it?” an unknown voice said behind me. I twirled around to find myself face to face with another man. He was dressed in suit pants and a button-up dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His tie was loosened around his neck and his sandy-brown hair seemed to be a little long for firm standards. His dress and demeanor reminded me of Jay and I instantly felt comfortable.

“Andrew Conklin,” he said as he crossed the room and shook my hand.

“Jill Greenfield.”

“Well, Jill Greenfield, have they told you my role here?” He smiled at me and gestured for me to sit down. I shook my head no. He took the seat next to me, turning to look directly at me.

“Your friend Stella hired me as a third party consultant. I have no stake in any of this. I’m here to explain in more normal terms what went on earlier and to make sure you understand everything and are comfortable with the terms. While we are going through this, let me know any questions or concerns you may have and we will discuss them and try and draft some new terms.”

“Are you a lawyer or finance guy?” I asked.

“A little bit of both. I started my career as a lawyer, but after several years all the mergers and deal making got to me, so then I went back to school and became a finance guy. That wasn’t really my thing either, but I found the world of consulting and explaining legal and financial terms to people who are not lawyers and finance people to be enjoyable.” He leaned back in his chair and smiled at me.

“Sounds indecisive, if you ask me.”

“It cost me a lot of money to come to that conclusion as well,” he said, winking at me.

“Are you ready to get started,” he asked, pointing to the paperwork.

“Ready as I’m gonna be.”

With that, Andrew began to explain all the investments, legal contracts and various options. I would stop him often, asking questions or asking for further clarification.

The conversation with Andrew came naturally and I was able to talk openly about my fears and apprehensions of suddenly inheriting so much wealth. He listened to my concerns and offered up frank advice. It was almost two hours before we finished our session. At the end, he rose from his seat and stretched his hand out. “It was a pleasure to work with you this afternoon, Jill Greenfield.”

“The pleasure was all mine and please call me Jill,” I said, returning his smile.