Windward Secrets (24 page)

Chapter Sixteen

Three Months Later

Claire had never been to The Cape in the winter, let alone on New Year’s Eve. As Spence drove toward The Point she found herself becoming tense. There had been snow earlier and, in the dark, it was hard to see if the road was slick. Halfway between Haworth and Windward Cottage she strained against her seatbelt and pointed out the windshield. She didn’t have to say anything; Spence knew she was showing him where she had been hit. She started to tremble and had trouble catching her breath.

“It’s okay, Claire. The road is fine. There’s no need to worry,” Spence said. “We’re almost there.”

As they broke the crest of the hill, Claire could see the glow of Windward Cottage. There she was, the grand old lady, in all her glory, windows ablaze with lights while the wind whipped snow around her like a gossamer veil. Claire inhaled deeply to absorb as much of the scene as she could. Spence continued slowly, turned into the driveway, and shut off the engine. Claire reached over and touched his arm.

“Can we sit for just a moment?” Her eyes followed the lines of the house that she loved so much, from the widow’s walk down to the porch where she spent that first afternoon watching the seagulls. It had never looked more beautiful. The snow, frozen to the shingles and gingerbread trim outlined every detail with sparkling crystals that reflected the moonlight. This was a special place, a thin place, she was sure.

“You okay?” Spence asked.

“Yes. This house just takes my breath away and, especially tonight, with the snow. Isn’t it something?”

“Sure is. We better go in. Everyone’s waiting.”

Spence walked to Claire’s side of the car and opened the door. Handing him her cane, she slowly maneuvered herself around until she could get both feet on the ground. With Spence’s help she stood and reached for her cane.

“Now, be extra careful,” Spence said. “The ground is slippery.”

Claire slowly made her way to the porch. Before she could place her foot on the first step the door opened and Jill appeared.

“Happy New Year! Welcome! Welcome! We’re so glad you could make it. Here let me help you. Drew and Ed, get out here and help Claire,” Jill said, in one breath.

Claire laughed out loud. “You’ll never change, Jill!”

In one swift and sure movement the three men swept Claire up the steps and through the front door.

The parlor was glowing with lights, a fire, and a tall Christmas tree occupied the corner beside the fireplace. Delicious smells were coming from the kitchen and soft music enveloped the room.

Diane and Caroline waited patiently for Claire to remove her coat and get her balance.

Claire smiled at her friends. “What are you waiting for? Come give me a hug. I promise I won’t break.”

***

The dining room looked like a holiday photo shoot from Victoria magazine. The table was set with fine china and crystal that glistened from the flames of a dozen candles scattered down the center of the table. Fresh, cut greens mixed with red, holly berries and white mistletoe intertwined between the candles.

Diane directed Claire and Spence to the side of the table facing the windows and pulled out a chair for Claire. Claire laid her hand on top of Diane’s on the back of the chair and gave her a sad smile acknowledging Diane’s effort to keep Claire from having to face the wall where they had taped the pictures of the girls. It was a kind and thoughtful gesture but Claire didn’t need to see the wall to see the tortured faces…they would live in her brain forever.

Jill served an incredible meal of Caesar salad, broiled lobster, baked potatoes, steamed vegetables, and cold aspic salad. This time, there really was baked Alaska for dessert.

“Oh, Jill, this is incredible. You really out did yourself,” Claire complimented.

“As much as I would like to take all the credit, I can’t. Everyone helped.”

Diane pushed her chair back and picked up her wine glass. “Let’s go into the parlor and let the dishes wait.”

“Don’t worry about the dishes,” Drew announced. “That’s all taken care of.”

Jill looked at him curiously. “Are you going to do them?”

“No. I have some help coming in so that you don’t have to do them. You worked hard all day and I want you to relax and enjoy yourself.”

Jill kissed the tip of his nose.

Claire smiled and thought,
Jill may have found the right man this time.

Settled in the parlor, the conversation revolved around everyone’s Christmas with their families.

“Speaking of Christmas,” Caroline said. “I have a gift for you Claire.” Walking to the Christmas tree she bent down and picked up a large, red envelope. Returning to Claire she handed it to her and said, “Something for your New Year.”

Bewildered, Claire opened the envelope and pulled out legal-size papers. Slowly, she studied the papers and looked up at Caroline. “Caroline, I don’t understand. What is this?”

“That is the deed to the abandoned, sweater factory in your town.”

Claire turned to Spence. “Did you know about this?”

Spence looked as bewildered as Claire. “No. I had no idea.”

Handing the papers back to Caroline, Claire said, “Thank you Caroline, but we can’t afford this.”

“You own it free and clear. Let’s just say it’s a little something from Bill.”

Everyone laughed and Caroline continued. “Of course you all know we were not exactly poor....” Another laugh erupted from the others.

“That’s an understatement,” Diane said.

Caroline made a motion with her hand as if brushing Diane away. “You’re a good one to talk. At any rate, Bill purchased your dream for you Claire without even knowing it. Divorce settlements are even bigger when your spouse is convicted of attempted murder. Call it retribution, justice, whatever… it’s yours.”

“We can’t accept; it’s too much.” Claire tried, again, to give the papers back to her.

Jill spoke up. “Actually Claire, it’s irrevocable because we are all depending on you.”

Diane stood and walked to the tree to retrieve another envelope. Handing it to Claire she said, “Ed drew up the papers to incorporate. Drew has a business plan ready and waiting when you decide what you want to do with the factory.” Looking at Jill, Diane chuckled. “Jill has a few ideas for you and, of course, they involve food. I will take care of advertising and marketing with Caroline’s help with the artwork. We have all chipped in seed money. And, your board of directors are all sitting in this room with you right now.”

Claire looked around the room incredulously.

“What? You don’t think we’re qualified?” Ed asked, pretending to be offended.

Claire just shook her head.

Jill spoke up. “Oh, come on Claire, you’ve never been speechless as long as we’ve known you.”

More laughs and Claire wiped at her cheeks. “My gifts will certainly pale in comparison to this.”

With Spence’s help Claire stood up and he handed her a gift bag. Slowly she made her way around the room. To each of her friends, she handed a small jeweler’s box and waited for them to be opened.

“Oh Claire,” Caroline exclaimed, as she slowly drew a gold chain out of the box. “A mustard seed necklace. How incredibly appropriate. I’ve always wanted one.”

In turn, Caroline, Diane, and Jill stood and hugged Claire. After they were seated, Claire walked to Drew. “I am returning your gift to me… it was my mustard seed.” She picked up his hand, opened his palm, and then closed it around a small object. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

Drew looked at the tiny object in his hand and then back at Claire. “Sit down and I’ll explain.”

Claire hobbled back to sit beside Spence and looked at Jill who nodded and smiled.

Drew opened his hand to show the others what Claire had given him. It was the tiny, silver, top hat from the Monopoly game. “Jill knows, but I haven’t told the rest of you. My name is not Drew Carson.”

The faces in the room had become sullen not knowing what to expect.

“My real name is David Carter. Betsy was my sister, and this is my house.”

The silence was deafening.

Finally, Diane asked, “Why?”

“I started coming back to The Point, after college, whenever I could. I used an alias and never stayed in this house because I didn’t want any publicity. I just wanted to grieve and honor Betsy’s memory privately.”

Caroline looked at him with compassion. “That’s understandable Drew or rather David... this will be hard because we’re so used to calling you Drew.” Looking at the others she added, “How does everyone else feel about it?”

Diane answered first, “I think we have to respect Dr… er… David’s decision. He had no obligation to us. I can understand completely.”

“I like him no matter what his name is,” Jill said, smiling, from ear to ear.

Diane couldn’t resist. “That too, is an understatement.”              

Everyone laughed and Jill moved over to sit on David’s lap.

David looked at Claire. “You were unconscious when I gave you the top hat. How did you know it was me?”

Claire swallowed hard. “SHE told me.”

No one said anything for a very long time. They needed time to digest what Claire had said.

“David.”

“Yes, Claire.”

“When did you recognize me?”

“Shorty after you all arrived. Young men never forget the long-legged beauties of their youth. You were the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I was smitten. Of course, I didn’t figure it out until that last summer. It was ‘puppy love’ for sure… that time,” he finished with a glance at Jill.

The women all laughed. Ed and Spence looked at each other realizing they were on the outside of an inside joke.

Claire blushed. “Oh come on David, I didn’t recognize you.”

“No, you didn’t, but you knew something was off and that’s why you were so hostile… at times, no offense, but you were. Besides, you never had a crush on me and that’s the difference.”                           

“And, a darn good thing she didn’t have a crush on you!” Jill blurted out.

The laughter was back.

Caroline was still curious. “David, surely you couldn’t have been sure about Claire’s identity?”

“Well, first of all Claire is not that common a name so I was pretty sure but, when I went to Boston, when you kept Ike, I did a little research and confirmed it.”

It was Claire’s turn to ask a question. “Why didn’t you say anything? It certainly would have made things easier.”

“Another understatement,” Diane declared.

“Because I suspected you were on to something regarding Betsy’s disappearance and I wanted to see what you would turn up.”

“Well, David, it’s nice to see you again after all these years,” Claire said. “I apologize for being rude. However, if you hurt my friend, I’ll have to kill you.”

David laughed and pushed Jill off his lap. “Actually Claire, you don’t need to worry about that. He stood and then lowered himself to one knee. Taking Jill’s hands in his, he looked up at her and said, “Jill Stone, would you do me the honor of being my wife?”

Jill looked as if she was going to start her trembling.             

“You better say yes or Claire’s going to hurt me.” Letting go of Jill’s hands he pulled a diamond ring from his pocket and held it up. “What’ll it be?”

Jill bent down and took his face between her hands. “You are the kindest, most thoughtful man I have ever known. I love you more than I knew was possible. It would be my honor to share the rest of my life with you.”

David slipped the ring on her left ring finger and everyone clapped.

“Okay, now help me up! I have a bum knee.”

Jill gave him a hand up and said, “I’m only doing this to save your life you know.”

Ed laughed. “I think it’s Diane you have to worry about. She’s the one with the Beretta.”

More laughter and Caroline brought champagne from the kitchen. The friends gathered in front of the fireplace to toast the couple. As they drank Claire closed her eyes and thought of Betsy.

“What a wonderful ending to a rather rough year,” Diane said.

Ed put his arm around her and pulling her close whispered in her ear, “I love you.”

Everyone returned to their seats and David held up his hand for quiet. “There’s one more gift.” He went into the kitchen and returned with a large box that he placed at Claire’s feet. “Belated Merry Christmas, Claire.”

Claire wrinkled her brow. “For heaven’s sake David, you didn’t have to get me anything.”

“Go ahead. Open it.”

Claire leaned over in her chair and removed the lid from the box. Reaching in, she lifted out a wiggling, black, Labrador puppy. As she held him close to her face to smell his sweet puppy scent, he licked the tears from her cheeks. All she could do was look at David and nod.

“Has anyone noticed the time?” Jill asked. “It’s nearly midnight. We need to toast in the New Year.” Standing up she resumed her role as tour director. “Caroline, more champagne please. Grab your coats everyone. David and Spence you help Claire up the stairs.”