Читать книгу Home For Christmas - Catherine Lanigan - Страница 18
ОглавлениеJOY GREETED THE dark-haired, fortyish receptionist at Evans and Evans Law Firm office and asked if she could leave her luggage behind the front desk.
“Of course. I’ll let Mr. Evans know you’re here,” she said and picked up the intercom. “Mr. Evans is down the hall, Miss Boston.”
Joy wheeled her weekender around to the back wall. “Thank you.”
Kyle Evans greeted Joy at the door to his office. She guessed him to be in his midthirties. He was tall, handsome and wore a well-tailored blue suit. He held out his hand. “Joy. I’m Kyle, and I’m so sorry for your loss.” He ushered her into a bright, cheery office, decorated with Danish modern furniture and a wall-to-wall aquarium.
Joy was still mired in confusion. “Kyle, I just went by the greenhouses. I don’t understand. Grandpa told me this was going to be a banner year for him.”
Kyle held a chair for Joy as she sat. Then he went around to his side of the desk. “That was a bit inaccurate.”
“What’s going on?”
“I worked with him when he closed up. I think, though he never said so outright, that he always hoped to reopen them. I told him it would take a miracle.”
“And he never told me about any of this.”
“Frank was a proud man. And he didn’t want you to worry about his failure.”
“Failure?”
“The business was too much for him to run alone. Costs were rising and he told me he would never ask you to come home to save him.”
“No, he wouldn’t,” she replied. “I was firm on that issue when I moved to New York.”
“He was so proud of you and your career. He talked about you all the time.”
Kyle looked down at the papers on his desk. “He left everything to you. The house, the greenhouses, his old truck.”
“He…still has that truck?”
“He did. Yes.”
“And it runs?”
“Uh, yeah. It does.” Kyle folded his hands and put them on the desk. “I’m so sorry, Joy. This all has to be such a shock for you. It was for me. For the whole town.”
“Grandpa never told me he was ill,” she said, feeling another bout of tears stinging her eyes.
“I understand from his doctor that Frank died soon after arriving at the hospital.”
“That’s what I heard.” She remembered Adam’s description of Frank’s death. Joy couldn’t help her tears now. They came like a torrent. She found a travel pack of tissues in her purse and whisked the tears from her face. “We never talked about what to do if he died. I guess I’m guilty of thinking he would live forever. He was…my grandpa.” She wrapped her arms around her middle and leaned forward. “I’m sorry. So sorry. I…I can’t help it. I have no idea what to do. All he ever said was that when he died, he would make sure I was taken care of. I thought it was a life insurance policy or something. I’d always cut him off. Talking about death reminded me too much of my mom and dad.”
“I remember,” Kyle said. “I’m sorry for your loss of them, as well.”
She looked into his empathetic eyes and wondered if the caring she saw was genuine or if that was some mask law school professors taught students to wear when dealing with bereaved clients. The minute the thought entered her head, Joy realized it was something that Chuck had said once to her. She cast it away.
“It’s fine. And the details are in his will.”
“Oh.”
“I talked to Father Michael over at Saint Mark’s. He’s waiting for your call.”
“I should have a reception or something after the funeral. At his home.” Joy blew her nose in the tissue. “Pardon me.”
“Certainly. Olivia Barzonni over at the Indian Lake Deli has offered to cater a lunch for you. If you wish. She and her mother, Julia, are great people.”
“Olivia Melton? She’s married now, then. Yes, I remember her. She was a friend in high school.” Joy brightened a bit.
“And Sarah Bosworth said to tell you if there’s anything you need, she’s here. Sarah Jensen Bosworth, that is. She—”
“Sarah is married, too?”
“She is. Three kids. I see Luke at the YMCA where we work out with Gabe and Nate Barzonni. Scott Abbott joins us often, as well.”
Joy put her hands to her cheeks. “All these names. Talk about a blast from the past.”
“Joy. All your friends are here for you. You just have to ask for their help.”
She dabbed her tears again. “They are?” When her parents died, Joy had cut ties with her Indian Lake friends. She’d wanted to run away from her grief. She’d chosen Columbia University and New York as her safe haven, and it had been that for her all this time.
“That’s wonderful and so…unexpected. I haven’t been back in a long time. Years and years.”
“I know.” Kyle picked up a manila folder. “This is your copy of the will. This is the key to the greenhouse. Frank’s house keys. I assume you’ll be staying there? Is there anything else you need from me?”
Joy took the keys. “When I went to the greenhouse, the door was unlocked. I understand Adam Masterson has a key.”
“I don’t know, but it wouldn’t surprise me. He and Frank were close.”
And Adam had said he tried not to get close to people. “Well, thank you so much, Kyle.” She started to stand and stopped. “Would you be so kind as to get a number for me?”
“Sure. What do you need?”
“The best Realtor in town.”
“That’s easy. Cate Sullivan Davis.”
Joy tilted her head to the left. “I don’t remember that name.”
“You wouldn’t. She’s only been here a few years.”
“But you trust her? She’s good?”
“Very. And her husband is a detective. Trent Davis. He’s famous in these parts. Took down a huge drug ring. It was in all the papers.”
“Grandpa told me about that. He’s her husband?”
“Sure is. And she’s really smart. You’ll like her.”
“Thanks,” Joy said, rising to shake Kyle’s hand.
Once she’d gathered her luggage, she stood on the sidewalk watching the passing cars.
“I forgot. I’m not in New York.”
There were no cabs. No subways. No mass transit of any kind. Joy had sent Roy away thinking she wouldn’t need him. Fortunately, he’d given her his direct number in case she needed him while in town.
“I’m so not in Kansas anymore.” She punched in his number. “Roy. I need a favor.”
“Sure. What is it?”
“I forgot there are no cabs in Indian Lake.”
“And now you’re stranded. I’m at Cupcakes and Cappuccino. About three blocks from you. Where do you want to go?”
“Is there a car rental in Indian Lake?”
“Of course. I’ll take you there.”
Joy hung up and sighed. She’d been away a long time. And she couldn’t wait to leave.
