No one will know, she snapped.
The grin transformed his face. Youre not used to small towns, are you? Somebody always knows. Before she could react, he seized the bag from her hand and strode off toward the bed-and-breakfast.
Allison had to hurry to keep up with his long, lithe stride, and she scolded herself for noticing how he walked or anything else about him. Hadnt she just learned a painful lesson about the chasm between looks and character in a man?
When they reached the door, Whiting put the bag down and pressed the doorbell before she could reach it.
Allison fixed a smile on her face. Thank you. Youre actually right about one thing. I dont know anything about small towns, and I dont intend to find out. I plan to sell Blackburn House as soon as possible.
Thoughts of financial security, maybe starting her own business, flickered through her mind.
Nick Whiting seemed to withdraw, even though he didnt move. Sell? I dont think thats what Evelyn would have wanted.
She was startled to hear his familiar reference to the grandmother who was little more than a name to her, and annoyed that he presumed to speak for the woman.
Since I never knew Evelyn Standish, you can hardly expect her wishes to be important to me.
Allison turned away, trying to ignore his frowning disapproval, and marched into the bed-and-breakfast when the door opened. But even though she didnt look, she could sense him standing there, frowning after her.
CHAPTER TWO
SHE SHOULD HAVE known there would be strings attached, Allison told herself the next morning as she stared across the polished mahogany desk at Jonas Litwhiler, her grandmothers attorney. She knew perfectly well that no one gave you something for nothing. So why was she feeling oddly hurt at this reinforcement of her preconceptions about her grandmother?
Litwhiler, perhaps made uncomfortable by her silence, cleared his throat. You understand, Ms....er...Ms. Standish? The bequest from Mrs. Standish is conditional on certain requirements being fulfilled.
I understand. She leaned back, trying to demonstrate an unconcern she didnt feel. Im waiting to hear what those requirements are.
Yes, I see. Litwhiler fiddled with the delicate china cup and saucer that sat on a small, doily-covered tray at the side of his desk. Coffee, by the smell of it. As if reminded, he gestured toward the cup. Would you care for coffee? It wont take a moment.
No. Thank you. Lets just get on with it.
Jonas Litwhiler was the image of an old-fashioned small-town attorneywhite hair, white shirt, conservative tie, dark suit. The only surprise to his appearance was the white carnation in his lapel. Even his offices were a masterpiece of dark paneling and Oriental carpets, located in another of the Victorian houses in which Laurel Ridge seemed to specialize. He looked as if hed strayed into the contemporary scene from a 1930s black-and-white movie.
According to the trust set up by Mrs. Standish, the ownership of Blackburn House passes to you completely if you run it successfully on your own for a period of one year.
So many questions crowded Allisons mind that she didnt know which one to spit out first. Can I sell it?
An expression of profound disapproval settled on the attorneys face. Not until youve completed the year satisfactorily.
It was all very well for him to be disapproving. He hadnt had his entire life turned upside down in the past twenty-four hours. And who decides if Ive been successful? You, I suppose? If he was acting for the other heirs as well, that struck her as a conflict of interest.
No. The answer was short, and he looked as if hed just sucked on something sour. If Mrs. Standishs accountants declare that Blackburn House has been run at a profit for one year, the matter has been decided.
She suspected his reaction meant that hed been offended to have that decision taken out of his hands. Still, it seemed to indicate that Evelyn Standish had tried to be fair, according to her definition of fairness.
And if I fail or choose not to accept the challenge?
Ownership passes to Brenda Standish Conner, your fathers cousin, he said promptly.
She nodded, vaguely aware hed mentioned the cousin in their telephone conversation. Apparently she and her daughter had lived with Mrs. Standish. Theyd probably expected to scoop the lot. Well, they might still do so.
Didnt it occur to Mrs. Standish that Id have a career and a life elsewhere? Even as she asked the question, Allison realized it wasnt true in the sense that it had been the previous day, though she did still have an apartment and friends in Philadelphia. And nothing could reconcile her to uprooting her life to a place like Laurel Ridge.
I dont believe Mrs. Standish was concerned about your career. In any event, I dont feel comfortable discussing Mrs. Standishs reasons for her actions.
Something about his acid tone suggested to Allison that her grandmother hadnt seen fit to ask his advice.
Allison took a steadying breath, trying to compose her thoughts. Shed come into this meeting unprepared, it seemed to her. She eyed the attorney, wondering how much of the truth hed care to share.
Is it actually legal to attach such conditions to a bequest?
His grip tightened on the pen he held, and he put it down precisely on the desk blotter. You can contest the will if you like, of course. It will be expensive, and in my opinion, you will lose.
Allison wasnt sure shed like to take his word for that. Maybe she should consult another attorney. But it would take time, and meanwhile shed be stuck in Laurel Ridge. Maybe shed been right in her first assessment, and this was just a final insult on the part of the grandmother whod ignored her existence. Evelyn Standish didnt fit anyones idea of the doting grandmother.
Didnt you say there was a partnership in a quilt shop in the bequest? That was the shop shed seen briefly the previous night, before her run-in with Nick Whiting.
That comes under the same one-year provision, except that in the case of the quilt shop, ownership will pass to Sarah Bitler, the current owner.
It had begun to sound as if there were a lot of people whod be happy to see her leave town.
Litwhiler riffled through a sheaf of papers. I think that about covers it. Youll find the business accounts in Mrs. Standishs office in Blackburn House. Funds for operating expenses and any necessary repairs are provided. He hesitated. Youll also find that an apartment adjoins the office. A separate account has been set up for any renovations youd care to do. Mrs. Standish thought you might want to live there, should you decide to stay.
If there was a question in that comment, Allison ignored it. She wouldnt commit herself to anything until shed had a chance to consider the options.
As for the apartment She thought again of her apartment in Philadelphia, of the time and care shed put into making it the perfect home. Could I rent this apartment? she asked abruptly. Or is it tied up with conditions, as well?
No, no conditions. He looked surprised, as if that hadnt occurred to him. If you stay, you can do as you like with it.
Ill give it some thought. She slipped the strap of her bag onto her shoulder and slid to the edge of her chair.
You...you dont want to give me an answer now? He seemed disconcerted, as if this interview hadnt gone as he expected.
Not without considering all my options. She rose, looking down at him across the massive stretch of mahogany.
Litwhiler stood abruptly. Theres another option Ive been asked to put before you. He seemed to be picking his words carefully, wearing a faint expression of distaste.
Yes? She raised her eyebrows, feeling as if the balance of power had shifted slightly in her favor.
Brenda...Mrs. Standish Conner, I mean, feels perhaps... He let that die out, as if it hadnt been the right approach. Mrs. Standish Conner asked me to say that in the event you did not care to accept the terms of the bequest, she would be willing to make the sum of over one hundred thousand dollars to you.
Allison fought to keep her face expressionless, while her mind raced. One hundred thousand. She could do a lot with that amount. On the other hand, shed guess that was a fraction of the actual value of the building. Even in a town the size of Laurel Ridge, a fully occupied commercial building had to be worth far more.
She adjusted her bag deliberately and turned away. No wonder Litwhiler looked uncomfortable, quite aside from the fact that he seemed to be representing one heir against another. The offer was an insult to her intelligence.
Shall I tell Ms. Standish Conner youll consider her offer?
Allison took a couple of steps toward the door and turned to smile back over her shoulder at him. Ill consider it, she said. But first, I believe Id better take some legal advice of my own.
It wasnt a bad exit line, she decided. She walked quickly out of the office.
* * *
NICK WOULD ALWAYS rather be working in the shop than the office. On this April morning, with sunshine pouring through the big windows in the front of the showroom, it was almost bearable to be stuck in the office.
The sunlight showed a faint rim of dust on one of the display cabinets, and he wiped a cloth over it. One of the disadvantages of an old buildingthe dust must seep through the walls or drift down the chimney.
One aspect of his partnership deal with Dad, made when hed come home after the disastrous end to his marriage, was that hed take care of the sales and paperwork, letting Dad concentrate on what he loved bestworking on the cabinets. At the moment, Dad was focused on the pine jelly cupboard he was making for Moms birthday. It was only fair that Dad should have his choice, and Nick didnt resent taking on the book work.
But today he was having trouble getting down to the tax records that waited for him in the office. His mind was too preoccupied with Allison Standish and the changes that were undoubtedly coming to Blackburn House. How difficult was she likely to be? It wasnt that they couldnt move the business elsewhere if they had to, but it would be inconvenient and expensive, most likely.
Nick glanced across the wide center hallway and spotted Sarah Bitler pausing in the door of her quilt shop. Seeing him, she smiled and raised her hand.
Taking that for an invitation to talk, Nick seized the chance to delay the taxes a bit longer. He crossed the marble hallway to join her.
Morning, Sarah. Quiet today?
So far. Sarah brushed an invisible bit of thread from the blue apron that matched her dress as well as her eyes. Her normally serene face was alive with excitement. Have you heard? The new owner is in town. She checked into the bed-and-breakfast last night.
Yes, I know. He hesitated, not sure he wanted to discuss the woman with Sarah when his own impressions were so negative.
I hope she comes in today, Sarah hurried on, oblivious to his discomfort. Im so excited to meet her.
Well, he could hardly keep it from Sarah. You wont be the first. I met her last night.
You did? But how? Why? I assumed she went straight to the bed-and-breakfast, and Mrs. Anderson said it was nearly nine when she checked in. Mrs. Anderson thought she must have gotten lost.
I dont know about that, but I spotted her wandering around Blackburn House when I came back to the shop to take care of a delivery. I suppose she wanted to have a look at her new acquisition.
What had Allison Standish made of Blackburn House? Apparently not much, since she was so eager to get rid of it.
And you came in to tell her Wilkom, Sarah said.
He had to grin. Not exactly. I saw the lights going on and off in the bookstore and this place and our showroom, and I figured it was the prowler everyone has been talking about.
Nick, you didnt! Sarah shook her head. A prowler wouldnt be turning on the lights, knowing he could be seen from the street.
Youre too practical, Sarah. I didnt even think of that. Just got caught up in the moment, I guess. I thought Id catch him in the act. So I slipped in, hiding in the shadows like we used to when we were kids playing hide-and-search. He could laugh at his actions now. Then I jumped out and grabbed her.
No Nick, how could you? Did you hurt her?
It was the other way around. She rammed the case she was carrying into my leg.
Serves you right, Sarah said severely. I hope you didnt give her the wrong impression of us.
He shrugged. As far as he could tell, Ms. Standish had already had a negative impression of Laurel Ridge and all its inhabitants before she arrived.
Poor thing. Coming all this way alone to be greeted like that. Sarahs tender heart asserted itself.
She wasnt exactly alone, Nick said with a vivid memory of the cat hissing at him. The animal would have been happy to sink its claws into his flesh. She had a cat in the case she hit me with.
Well, Im not one to believe in keeping animals in the house, but after all, I live on a farm. A woman on her own in a city apartment might be lonely, poor thing.
That was Sarah all over, always seeing the best in everyone. He was afraid she was going to be disappointed in Allison Standish, and he wasnt sure how to warn her. It was annoying that so many people had to depend on the whims of this stranger.
Evelyn loved the quilt shop. Sarah was obviously following her own train of thought. But she was always content to be a silent partner. Ach, I couldnt expect anything else, she was such a busy woman. Maybe Allison will want to be more involved. I hope so.
I hope you wont regret what you wished for. There was no point in trying to sugarcoat the facts for Sarah. At least he ought to try and prepare her for the woman who was now her partner. Look, Sarah, I wouldnt count too much on Allison Standish if I were you. I cant picture the woman I met working in a quilt shop. She struck me as a snobbish yuppie who cant wait to shake the dust of Laurel Ridge from her feet.
He realized that Sarah was staring past him, a horrified expression on her face. He swung around. Allison Standish stood not more than five feet behind him, well within earshot. Shed undoubtedly heard him.
Well, what difference did it make? Shed told him herself that she was eager to sell up and leave.
And here she is, he said. Good morning, Ms. Standish. What did you do with the cat?