The Nephew's Wife Read online

  “Dolly! Are you okay?” Ellen asked, petrified something was wrong. She’d promised Rand she wouldn’t let anything happen to his aunt while he was away.

  “I’m fine, dear, but what about you? The weather report warned of severe storms in Tampa.” Dolly’s voice quivered with worry.

  “I’m in a safe place, Dolly,” Ellen assured her. “I’ll head home as soon as the storm dies down so don’t worry about me.”

  “Be careful, dear.”

  Ellen promised she would then ended the call and set her phone on vibrate. She strolled through the lobby and entered the main room of the library to find a chair in a quiet corner. They were all occupied. She found one by a window and collapsed in it. She stared out at the raging storm. It mirrored her emotions. Her life was stormy and frighteningly unpredictable at the moment, and she’d put Rand right smack in the middle of it.

  He was never far from Ellen’s thoughts. She loved him more than anything for all the good it did. He’d never love her back once he knew the truth. She’d lied to him and Dolly over and over every time she let them believe she’d been in love with Paul. Dolly would be so disappointed in her. Ellen slumped in the chair.

  There was no way she’d help a blackmailer get inside the Powers’ home. She’d have to tell the truth then hope for the best. Whitney’s blackmail threat would be null and void. Ellen was already starting to feel relieved to have everything out in the open, even if it cost her Rand’s love and her job. She’d move somewhere no one knew her and start over again. God would help her.

  Thoughts of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ soothed away Ellen’s turbulent emotions. Tears rippled across her eyes. What a disappointment she’d been to Him. She’d asked forgiveness many times and knew in her heart, He’d forgiven her, but something didn’t feel right. There’d never been a sense of closure. Maybe it was because she’d been unable to get Paul’s forgiveness. Whitney’s claim that he wanted to kill himself troubled Ellen even more. She had not just caused Paul’s accident. She’d driven him to suicide. Her heart flip-flopped inside her chest. If she could, she’d run away and hide from everyone. Instead, she buried head in her hands and wept softly.

  Dolly was still awake when Ellen arrived home at ten that night. After the storm, Ellen had left the library and driven around aimlessly, wondering what to do, her thoughts whirling like confetti in a wind tunnel.

  “You’re back!” Dolly squirmed to an upright position. “I’ve been so worried. The storm sounded so awful.”

  Ellen assured Dolly she was alright then tucked the woman in and went to her own room. Sleep came in fits and starts that night. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t tie a prayer down long enough to utter it. Her life seemed to be spinning out of control.

  The first chance she got the next day, Ellen strolled to the gazebo under a cloudless, blue sky. The air wasn’t as cold as predicted, but it felt crisp on her skin and was afire with the fragrance of magnolia buds. It was after lunch. She wanted to hear Rand’s voice, but he’d already called that morning. He had only enough time to talk to Dolly. Ellen felt slighted, but she knew Rand was busy.

  The next day, Ellen returned to the gazebo early. Her insides churned. Dolly sensed something was bothering her, but Ellen passed it off as a sinus headache from the pollen in the air. The night before, she’d read Scriptures in hopes of finding one to fix everything and make it better. Several told her to take her cares to God, that He daily bore her burdens, and to have faith in trials.

  The day was sunny again. Rand had called the evening before, but couldn’t talk long. Ellen was beginning to think he just didn’t want to talk to her. It dragged her spirits down further. Her prayers rambled over everything that had happened in her life with no particular aim or purpose. She didn’t even know what to ask for anymore. Ellen felt on the verge of a major breakdown.

  Whitney’s threat was breathing down her neck. Something about the woman didn’t fit, but Ellen couldn’t put a finger on it. She hoped the cool sunshine would jar something from her brain. Whitney had said she and Paul were close, but Ellen couldn’t remember Paul ever mentioning her. Whitney had also said she’d never visited Paul because she had moved, but when did she move? There were too many troubling variables about Whitney. Doubt in the woman’s claims crept in. Ellen needed to find out about her.

  A friend of Dolly’s came by to visit later that morning. Ellen served them tea then stepped outside for some fresh air. It gave her a chance to call Paul’s former secretary, Bernice. After polite small-talk, Ellen explained the purpose of her call.

  “I know you can’t divulge a lot of information about Whitney, but I was hoping you’d clarify something for me, Bernice.”

  “I’ll do what I can. Whitney’s not well liked around here. She owes the firm tons of money.”

  “I heard she moved from Tampa years ago.” Ellen was fishing. Silence followed as Bernice mulled over the information.

  “Uh—I believe it was about four years ago, right after her second divorce. She remarried sometime after Paul’s accident, right after he finished her first divorce. Like her first husband, her second was a millionaire, too. He lost all his money in the stock market so she left him. The woman’s a gold digger. Gossip around the water cooler said she chased some millionaire contractor to Miami. Almost married him, too, but his grown kids ran her off. Someone said the other day she was back in town and flat broke. She’s probably prowling around, looking for another wealthy guy to sink her claws into. Why do you want to know?”

  “I ran into her the other day. She mentioned being close friends with Paul.” Ellen said, nonchalantly.

  “She told you that?” Disbelief laced Bernice’s question.

  Ellen felt spider legs at the back of her neck. Her blood turned to ice water. “What, Bernice? Do you know something?”

  “Not really.” There was hesitance in Bernice’s tone. “Whitney came in here quite a bit when Paul worked on her divorce. In fact, she was here almost every other day. They met a lot after hours, too. Paul scheduled a lot of lunch and dinner appointments with her, too. I thought that was peculiar, but then Paul was so outgoing, always going the extra mile with clients, trying to earn a partnership with the firm.”

  Ellen thanked Bernice for her time and ended the conversation. Dolly’s friend was still visiting so Ellen went to the library to sift through the new information on Whitney. Things weren’t adding up.

  So, Paul and Whitney had lunch and dinner meetings. Ellen reached far back in her memory. Now that she thought about it, Paul had cancelled a lot of their dates during the months leading up to their wedding day because of business, but he had never mentioned names, and she’d known not to ask. Paul never liked talking about his work. He always told her it was too confidential.

  A puzzle was forming in Ellen’s mind, and it revolved around Whitney. According to Bernice, Whitney hadn’t moved until five years after Paul’s accident. If she was as close a friend to Paul as she had said, why hadn’t she visited Paul during the time she was still in Tampa? More importantly, why did she lie about moving right after the accident? Ellen knew from experience that lying covered up a lot more than just the truth.

  Whitney’s intrusion into her life spurred something inside Ellen. She decided then and there she’d not give in to Whitney’s blackmail. She’d not bring Whitney’s style of evil and wickedness into this house. Whitney had given her a week, and she’d use it wisely. No matter the consequences, Ellen would tell the truth. It was the only way to take back her life and stop Whitney. Protecting Rand from the likes of Whitney was more important than protecting her reputation or the sanctity of her relationship with Paul.

  Ellen felt bolstered. God had given her a reason to move out of her comfort zone. Rand. She cared about him. Protecting him came before her own needs. Now, all she had to do was find the right words to admit her guilt so no one would hate her.

  Chapter 10

  “My worst fear is happening, Ellen.” Dolly wh
impered after her friend had left. “Lana is in Paris with Randolph. Josephine just gave me the news. That’s why she came for a visit. I haven’t seen her in months. She wanted to make sure I knew.”

  Ellen’s heart dropped. “It’s probably gossip, and you shouldn’t pay attention to it.” Ellen forced herself to take her own advice.

  “No, she insists it’s true.” Dolly became flustered. She straightened her spine. “I’m afraid Rand’s going back to Lana, and I don’t want that to happen.”

  “What makes you believe something like that?”

  “Because he’s never been interested in a woman since Lana left him. Why would he want to stay single if he wasn’t still pining for his first and only love? I think he waited for her divorce to come through so he could pursue her again. That’s why I’ve been trying so hard to find him a wife.”

  Ellen frowned. She’d let herself believe Rand was over Lana. Dolly’s worries made her wonder. Maybe Rand did long to renew his relationship with Lana.

  “Would it be so bad if he married Lana?” Ellen had to accept the possibility of it happening.

  “Yes, if Randolph does reunite with Lana, they’ll move into another house without me.”

  “Was that their plan before?” Ellen couldn’t imagine Rand allowing his aunt to live by herself.

  “Oh, yes. Lana made it clear she didn’t want to live here after they married. Five years ago, I didn’t mind so much. I had an active life. I traveled. I had my charities and church affiliations. Now, it makes me sad to think about not being part of Randolph’s life. So much has changed since my stroke. As you’ve witnessed, not many of my friends stop by anymore. Only ones with bad news.”

  “Dolly, you’re getting all depressed for nothing. Rand hasn’t reunited with Lana. There’s no indication he will. Don’t pay attention to gossip.”

  “It’s okay, dear.” Dolly turned to Ellen. “You don’t have to make me feel good. At least I’ll have you. You’ve been so wonderful to me. You’re like an angel sent from God. I just wish I could do more to help you through your grief.”

  Right now Ellen grieved for Dolly. “You’ve done enough for me. Why don’t we do something to take your mind off Rand?”

  “Will you read to me, Ellen?”

  Ellen nodded. “What would you like?”

  “There’s a book of devotionals in the library. I can’t remember the name, but it’s a favorite of Randolph’s. He reads to me from it often so it’s probably lying around. If you can’t find it, then bring another one like it.”

  Ellen searched the library carefully before finding the book Dolly requested on a table by Rand’s reading chair. As she walked back upstairs, she flipped through the pages for a topic to brighten Dolly’s mood. A wallet-sized photo fluttered to the ground. Ellen stooped to pick it up and froze. It was Rand and a beautiful, blond girl. Lana, Ellen guessed. Her heart stopped. Why would Rand keep a photo of his ex-fiancée in one of his favorite books unless he still had feelings for her? Dolly’s worries may be justified, Ellen decided. A cloud of dread overwhelmed her.

  Rand answered the knock at the door of his hotel room, expecting the delivery of his pressed suit for a dinner party that night.

  “Hello Rand!” Lana sashayed inside, dressed to the nines.

  “How did you find me?” Rand demanded. When they’d parted ways at the airport, he’d not given in to Lana’s pushy attempts to learn where he was staying while in Paris.

  “I have my ways,” Lana purred as she promenaded around the suite, nodding her approval. “I see you still have rich taste.”

  “Please leave, Lana,” Rand demanded in a polite voice. “The next time I tell you, I won’t be nice.”

  Lana turned to him with cat eyes. “You’re always nice, Rand. You don’t know how to be mean. It’s not in you.”

  “What do you think you’re going to accomplish, Lana?” Rand’s blood boiled. “I told you on the plane, I’m not interested in you anymore, and I meant it.”

  “I can change that,” Lana quipped with overconfidence. She strutted over to him, stopping inches from his face. “I’d like the challenge.”

  Rand backed away. “You’ll be wasting your time.”

  “By the way, I made dinner reservations for us under your name at a posh restaurant tonight. You can at least buy me a nice meal for old times’ sake.”

  “Sorry, Lana, I have an engagement tonight. You’ll have to eat alone.” He took Lana’s arm.

  A knock at the door stopped him from throwing her out. It was a bellhop with his pressed suit.

  “Merci,” Rand said, handing the guy a tip. He turned to find Lana perched on his sofa, checking her makeup with a jeweled hand mirror.

  “Must be a swanky engagement,” she said, noting his dark suit. “I can go as your date.”` “No!”

  “It’ll be fun!” Lana tossed her mirror back inside her clutch bag and stood.

  Rand’s patience was thin. He had to get dressed, and he wanted to call home before the dinner party.

  “A car is coming in an hour, Lana.” He headed to the bedroom with the suit. “I’m going to shower and dress. When I get out, you’d better be gone or I’m calling security.” Rand slammed the door separating the bedroom from the sitting area. Lana strolled over to it with a sneaky expression twisting her features. The door knob wouldn’t turn. Rand had locked her out. She heard the shower and returned to the sofa to devise a wicked plan.

  “I’m not giving up on you, Rand,” Lana mumbled under her breath. “We’re getting back together whether you like it or not.”

  Ellen read to Dolly then wheeled her into the sun room for lunch. The devotionals had lifted her spirits a smidgen, but Ellen knew what Dolly really needed. As soon as Celeste brought out their plates Ellen hurried to the library to call Rand on her cell phone. She’d surprise Dolly. Hearing Rand’s voice would cheer Dolly more than anything.

  Rand’s phone rang three times before it was answered.

  “Bonjour!” A raspy female voice startled Ellen.

  “Is this Rand Powers’ phone?” Ellen asked, thinking she punched in the wrong number.

  “It is. Who’s calling?”

  “I work for Mr. Powers. May I please speak with him?”

  “I’m sorry, but Rand can’t come to the phone right now. He’s in the shower. This is Lana Malone. You want to leave a message?”

  Ellen went numb. Her breath caught in her throat. Lana’s with Rand in Paris.

  “No, no message, thank you.” Ellen ended the call without giving Lana a chance to say goodbye. She went back to the sun room feeling sick to her stomach. Celeste passed her, pushing the dining cart back to the kitchen. She lifted a brow at Ellen’s worried expression and kept going.

  “What’s wrong, Ellen?” Dolly asked when Ellen sat down. “You look pale.”

  Ellen forced a smile on her face. “I’m fine, Dolly. Let’s enjoy this nice day.”

  After lunch, instead of hurrying Dolly back upstairs for her nap, Ellen wheeled her outside and had Edward help get her to the gazebo.

  “Oh, how lovely the magnolia trees are,” Dolly exclaimed. “They’re getting ready to bloom. The fragrance is one of my favorites. I’m so happy you brought me out here, Ellen.”

  Ellen’s heart was in the pits so Dolly’s joy was welcomed. After a few moments, Ellen could no longer hide her scratchy feelings.

  “Something’s bothering you dear,” Dolly said. “What is it?”

  Ellen shrugged. “I don’t want to worry you with it, Dolly.”

  “You’re thinking of Paul, aren’t you?” Dolly gazed into the distance. “I know what it’s like to grieve Ellen. One day you think you’re healed, the next it feels like the pain will never end.”

  Ellen nodded, but Paul was the farthest thing from her mind. She needed to give Dolly the bad news about Rand. Ellen turned her face to the bay, away from Dolly, and fumed. She’d planned to expose herself as a fraud in order to protect Rand from the likes of Whitney, and all the w
hile, he was frolicking in Paris with Lana.

  Ellen remembered the photo she’d found of the couple just before lunch. She hadn’t wanted to believe it meant anything. Now, it was all too clear. He and Lana were dating again just as Dolly feared. Not just dating. It was more serious. Rand had invited Lana to Paris with him.

  “Ellen, something is bothering you. You’re very quiet.” Dolly’s voice echoed the fear in her heart. “Something’s happened. Is it Randolph?”

  “I called him just before lunch.” Ellen faced Dolly. She couldn’t find a reason not to disclose what the woman practically knew anyway.

  “Is he okay?”

  Ellen lowered her gaze. “I suppose he’s fine, Dolly. Lana is with him. She answered his phone. He was in the shower.”

  “I knew it!” Dolly blurted. “I knew he would go back to her if I didn’t find someone fast.” Tears spilled out of Dolly’s eyes. “I can’t believe he would take her back so quickly. Her divorce is only a week old. He must have been counting the days till she was free. Oh, Ellen, it’s too late to do anything now.”

  Ellen hurried to Dolly’s side and embraced her while she cried out her emotions. Ellen felt a great sense of loss herself, greater than when Paul had passed away. Like a silly teenager with pipe dreams, Ellen had let herself believe she could be with Rand one day. She’d already admitted to herself that she loved him. Since he’d left, that love had stretched her heart. Ellen shook the bad feelings from her thoughts. Dolly needed her.

  “If Rand is happy, then we should be happy, too,” Ellen declared, gently pushing Dolly out of her arms so she could face her. “Rand must see something in Lana that appeals to him or he wouldn’t want to be with her. If he’s waited this long to have her back, he must truly love her.”

  “I don’t believe that!” Dolly snapped. “I won’t accept this, Ellen.”

  “It’s not for us to accept, Dolly. This is Rand’s business. It’s his life.”

  Dolly gazed lovingly at Ellen. “Oh why couldn’t Rand love someone like you, Ellen? I would be so happy if you two were together. Now, my heart is broken.”