One of Six (Den Hollows #1)

25. Beatrice

25

BEATRICE

I want today to be over. There are a lot more people at Mama's church, which I expected, but having Richard and Judge picking on me all the time is driving me crazy. I'm still not sure what's going on with David because he's kept them away from me the best he can. I feel like I'm waiting for something to happen. I don't know how much longer I can bear this tension.

Seeing Essex and his family was unexpected but lovely and had lightened my heart. They all came to support me, and I don't think they know how grateful I am for them. I'd seen the longing on Essex's face to be with me. I don't trust my family not to harm the Redds. They're safe for now, and I'll keep them that way as long as I can.

Richard's angry with me because I didn't fall in line like I usually do. He's also angry with David. I'm sure the townspeople noticed that I wasn't sitting with Richard. I really don't care what they think anymore.

Now, at the graveside, I find it difficult to pay attention to the preacher because my anger toward Richard is growing. The man of the cloth speaks of someone being taken from us too soon. I hear that, and I make a point by glaring at Richard. He knows my eyes are on him because he’s flushed and tense with anger.

David whispers in my ear, "Don't Bea, please."

My eyes fill with tears, and I don't try to hold them back. David's arm slides around my shoulders. I accept his comfort and turn my face to his shoulder. Sharp words are whispered between him and his father.

Behind me, Violet hands a handkerchief to David, who slips it into my hands. I clean myself up and force myself to stay calm by closing my eyes and thinking about the field of wildflowers I'd seen in Den Hollows. The flowers had been so beautiful: poppies, blue-eyed Susan’s, bloodroot, swamp dogwood, and azaleas, to name a few. Their vibrant colors and delicate petals brought me a sense of peace and reminded me that beauty can be found even in the darkest moments. As I take a deep breath, I feel a glimmer of hope that things will eventually get better.

"Bea," David whispers, "it's over."

I surprise him with a smile and pat his hand on my shoulder. "You called me Bea. Twice."

He shrugs uncomfortably and leads me away from the grave.

I feel like I can breathe again.

Looking around, I notice a tall man standing alone next to a black SUV. It's someone I don't recognize. His dark gray suit is neat, as is his white shirt. The tie around his neck is light gray. His tousled blond hair is slightly overlong. His eyes are staring straight at me. Who is he?

Realizing that Richard is about to ambush me, I move toward the man. Is he the lawyer who called me?

The man's eyebrows shoot up to his hairline as I approach. His Adam's apple bobs, and then he lets out a sigh.

"Who are you?" Blunt and to the point.

He offers his hand, which I take. "Edwin Carter. Hello, Beatrice."

Surprised, I say the first thing that comes to mind. "You don't look like an Edwin." I wince. "I'm sorry, that was rude. I didn't know you'd be here."

"I couldn't not be here." His eyes follow behind me. "I'm staying in Den Hollows. Come see me if you can get away," he mumbles.

I nod and almost jump a mile when Richard joins us. "Carter, what are you doing here?"

Confusion rushes through me. Richard knows this man.

"Paying my respects to Elisabeth's daughter." He shakes his head, gets into his SUV, and drives away.

Richard looks at me, so I ask, "Who is he? He only gave me his name.” He does not need to know that I know who this man works for. I still don't know his connection to my mother.

"Someone who is not welcome." Richard takes my arm in a tight grip. "The wake," he mutters. "Your mother had a new lawyer and a new will drawn up. Do you know anything about that?"

"Why would I know?"

He shoots me a glare and drags me toward the car. I see Essex standing with Boone. His eyes blaze with anger as he watches Richard drag me away. Essex takes a step toward me, then another. Panic rises in my chest as he moves faster to intercept us. Boone is with him, and I notice his brothers and mother joining him.

Richard stops when Maggie Redd says, “Richard,” in a voice that means business.

He pulls me to a stop, and I feel the shock of seeing her shake him in the way his hand trembles on me.

I keep my eyes on Essex as I manage to pull my arm free. I massage the pain and subtly shake my head as I notice Essex twitching, wanting to hold me. I want him to, but it can't happen out in the open like this. Not yet.

“Maggie,” Richard says, his manners kicking in, even if it's just for show with the other townsfolk milling around, "this is a surprise."

"We wanted to offer our condolences to Mrs. Lincoln's daughter," she says, her eyes drifting to me. "Please accept our condolences on the loss of your dear mama, Beatrice."

I take a step toward her and find myself in a warm embrace. "Thank you," I whisper for her ears only. I inhale her scent and pull away, clearing my throat. "The wake is at the house. If you and your family would like to join us."

Richard makes some sort of noise, but I ignore him. She pats my hand and says, "See you there." I watch them walk toward the two trucks they are traveling in today.

"How dare you!" Richard seethes.

I take a few steps away and bump into David. He turns and puts his arm around me. "What's going on?" I'm sure the question is directed at his brother. Judge comes up and stands next to Richard.

"She just invited the Redd family to the wake," he hisses.

"She did what?" Judge.

"Oh, hell!" David. "Look, it was the polite thing to do, and you raised Beatrice to be polite. To fit in. She didn't do anything wrong, especially since she doesn't know the history between you and them."

Judge waves his finger, but quickly snaps it back when he realizes where we are. "You, son, are walking on a very thin line today!"

I rub my brows. "David didn't do anything wrong. I invited her. Not him. And like he said, I don't know what's going on. I don't want to know... Can we go?"

One hour. That is how long I have been in the house. It seems that everyone wants to talk to me, even those who have never spoken to me before. The only people I want to talk to are being kept from me. Richard thinks I don't know what he's done. A word here and there, and I'm kept busy.

Evelyn starts to walk past me as I reach out and grab the material of her dress. She stops and turns. "Help me get out of here."

A subtle nod is her only response. "Give me a minute," she mutters.

When the man in front of me finally takes a breath, I decide to hell with it. "If you'll excuse me." I turn and ignore both Richard and the Judge's attempts to draw me into their conversation. I walk straight across the house, through the kitchen and out the back door. My eyes immediately land on Essex standing with his family. He looks brooding, but the moment he sees me, his eyes light and his lips curl into a beautiful smile.

There are others outside, not just the Redd family. Some of them look like they are getting ready to talk to me. I've really had enough today, and I don't care if I'm being rude. The only people I want to talk to are the Redds. I spot Violet, who keeps casting sly glances at Ridge. I smile at my friend's antics. No doubt she's as fed up as I am.

I step off the porch and make a beeline for Violet. I put my arm around one of hers. "Can Violet stay with me tonight?" I ask her parents, who are standing with a plate of food in their hands.

"Of course she can," Mrs. Beau says, her husband nodding.

"Thank you." I'm not sure they're going to be happy with their answer as I pull Violet toward the Redd family. "Pretend we don't know them," I whisper.

"Easier said than done," Violet answers.

I move up beside Essex, who comes closer and presses his hand against mine at my side. I reach out with a finger and wrap it around one of his. "Hi," I say, clearing my throat. "Maggie, can you introduce us to your sons? It'll look better if Richard's watching."

"Of course!" She smiles and introduces us to her sons, who shake our hands. I overhear Ridge say, "Jailbait," to which Violet gives him the evil eye.

For the first time today, I begin to relax with Essex beside me. Our fingers intertwine and I take his hand. I turn and search his eyes. All I see is his concern for me. "I'm okay now."

"I'll come to you tonight."

"Violet's staying with me." I smile. "We're coming to Den Hollows."

"Yeah?"

"Hmm... I met Edwin Carter. He was the guy next to the SUV with blond hair."

"I saw him. I saw Hitchcock too." He smiles. "Want to bet the A in AJ stands for Alfred?"

I chuckle. "That's a bet I'm going to lose."

"God, I want to hold you something wicked," he breathes against the side of my head before planting a kiss there.

"Tonight. We're going to meet Edwin Carter at his hotel and sleep on your boat." I offer him a shy smile.

His grin splits his face. "We'll pick you and Violet up in town. Behind Gleeson's store. 11:00?"

I nod.

"Heads up!" Galen says.

I reluctantly release Essex's hand and make sure my "goodbye" and "thanks for coming" are audible to Richard as he approaches. I cut him off with Violet at my side. "When is everyone leaving?" I ask.

He narrows his eyes as the Redd family moves to the front of the house. "Judge and David are leading everyone out of the house. A lawyer is inside waiting for us."

My heart sinks knowing this is not going to be good.

True to his word, the house is cleared by the time I enter the foyer. Mr. AJ Hitchcock looks exactly as I had imagined. Late fifties, early sixties. A head full of white hair with a slightly rounded figure. He wears dark pants, but a light blue blazer and a boat hat. His demeanor is serious, and his eyes hold a hint of sympathy as he moves toward me.

"You must, Beatrice?" He removes his hat in greeting. "My name is AJ. Hitchcock, and I'm your mother's attorney. We need to speak privately."

Relief washes over me now that he has introduced himself. I thought for sure he'd mention our earlier conversation.

"This way," Richard says. I follow, wondering what will be revealed.

The man does not look uncomfortable as he settles into a wingback chair with a satchel on his lap. "I apologize for doing this now. But I'm going on vacation for a few weeks, and I didn't want to keep you waiting." He clears his throat. "This will be quick because Elisabeth Lincoln left everything to her daughter, Beatrice Alexandria Lincoln."

I look at Richard, who is struggling to control his anger. "That's not right!"

"I'm afraid it is. Mrs. Lincoln was very insistent that Beatrice inherit everything."

"What does that mean?" I ask, curious because I thought Mama had to ask Richard for everything she needed.

"It means that half of this house, your mother's possessions, and the money in her account are now yours." He watches me from above his specs.

"Oh!" I swallow hard, feeling a little nauseous.

"My wife didn't have a bank account of her own!" Richard snaps. "You don't know what you're talking about."

AJ sits up straighter in the chair and holds Richard's gaze. "I can assure you that I know exactly what I am doing, as did your late wife. All she cared about was a future for her daughter. She made sure she has one." To me he says, "There is just over five hundred thousand dollars in the account, Beatrice. I need you to sign some papers before I leave so my secretary can file them and it'll all be transferred to you.” He stands.

Everything else is a blur as I sign where I'm told, while Richard sits quietly at one side of the room seething with anger.

"If that's all, I'll go up to my room. It's been a very long day." To Richard I say, "Violet is staying with me tonight."