Permelia Cottage

by Carole Lehr Johnson

  “Would you tell me about your career? It must be going quite well to have reached the level you’re in. Do you wish to remain in your current position or advance further?”

  “I’m happy where I am for the moment. Perhaps in a few years, I may want to make a move. It depends on what the company offers.”

  Colin smiled. “You have a bright future ahead. I can tell.”

  Ryan smiled back, and they chatted over the remainder of their lunch, keeping the conversation on a lighter level. Once the plates had been cleared, hot tea—ordered by Colin—and dessert delivered, it was time to get down to business.

  “Mr. … hmm, Colin, we can start with demographics if you’d like. What is your target market?”

  “I’d say niche marketing. Perhaps garden clubs—most of our properties have extensive gardens. Next, it would be history buffs, genealogists, and historical societies.”

  Ryan added, “Travel agents should be included. With the advent of the Internet, a lot of people assume they’re extinct—when in reality they still provide a valuable service, especially to those who are too busy to plan a trip.”

  “Good point. I suppose some of that knowledge comes from your mother’s experience.”

  “I suppose.” Ryan said and went back to business. “What would your expectations be regarding an increased revenue timeline?”

  “Would a ten percent increase within six months after the campaign has started be feasible?”

  “That would depend on how you want to market it—television, newspaper, radio, Internet, direct mail.”

  “In your experience, what combination would be more effective?”

  “Target audience would determine that.”

  From his laptop, Ryan presented a preview of his initial plan, which he and Colin discussed over the next hour. They parted with another meeting scheduled at Ryan’s office in two days. At that time, he would have a rough marketing proposal in place for Colin’s review.

  Walking back to his office, Ryan reflected on what Colin shared about his experience with past anger and bitterness involving his wife. Where did his stem from exactly? His father’s abandonment played a large part in it. But did it go further, and he blame his mother? Was that why he was antagonistic toward her?

  ∞∞∞

  Aunt Diann, what else can I do at this point? The attorney is investigating every possible angle,” Ryan assured his aunt that afternoon. “His researcher may have found some court documents that could help the case, and he said he’d be in touch as soon as he knows something more.”

  Her voice choked on tears. “Oh, Ryan … it’s hurting my heart that your mom has been accused of something that was, in reality, exemplary. She was standing up for innocent lives. Don’t you see it?”

  Had she asked him that question a few weeks ago, he would’ve responded “No,” but, today, he wasn’t sure. Was abortion wrong? His mother and her friends called it murder—even if within days after conception—and were vocal about it to the point of imprisonment.

  “Ryan, are you still there?” Diann’s voice was gentle.

  “Yes, I’m here. I’m not sure what to say right now. She didn’t do anything wrong—but it’s against the law to do what she did.”

  He heard the struggle in her voice to remain calm. “Sometimes the law doesn’t stand for the right thing. There’s a higher power than man’s law.” She hesitated. “Please call me when you have more news … and Ryan, thank you for doing this. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Aunt Diann.” He ended the call and let the phone slip from his fingers onto his sofa. What else could he do for his mother? The question that kept haunting him was why he hadn’t tried to help her from the beginning of this horrid debacle?

  Chapter 21

  Neville, North Yorkshire, England

  2016

  I don’t think you two need me here.” Diann pressed her lips together. “Although, I appreciate your invitation, Colin. I’m intruding.”

  Susannah saw the smile creep over Colin’s mouth. He tried to hide it with his napkin. “I at least owe you a lunch considering that Susannah wouldn’t have come to see me had you not marched her to my door.”

  Susannah’s shoulders fell. Colin gave her a comforting smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. It’s just that I’m grateful Diann urged you to talk to me.”

  She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I feel so utterly foolish about all of it.”

  Diann patted her shoulder. “Don’t fret. It’s all said and done and see how much better things are. You and Colin are still friends, and all is forgotten.”

  Colin nodded. “I’m indebted to you, Diann.”

  “By the way, I’m here to set Colin straight.” Diann’s mouth curved into a wicked grin, a gleam in her eyes.

  Susannah tensed, uncertain what would come out of Diann’s mouth. She was known to be outspoken. “Oh, please, Diann. Don’t say anything.”

  Diann finished. “—to embarrass you?”

  “Well … yes,” Susanna whispered.

  Colin’s eyes shone with amusement. “Susannah, don’t worry. I’m ready for the inquisition and happy to oblige. It’s commendable to have such a caring friend.” He looked Diann squarely in the eye. “I’m ready, your Honor.”

  Diann turned her gaze on Colin. “I understand you’ve been married before.” Diann tilted her head. “Why did it end?”

  Susannah’s mouth dropped. “Diann.”

  “Right to the point, I see.” Colin took a deep breath. “No, that’s fine.” He cleared his throat. “My wife—ex-wife—felt she’d outgrown our marriage. Her interests changed, but mine didn’t. I rather like living a quiet life. She wanted more excitement than running small inns, and as our profit increased, she craved the life money could buy and found someone who shared that opinion.”

  Diann’s nose wrinkled. “I’m sorry, Colin.”

  He nodded. “Thank you. Next question.”

  Susannah broke in. “Diann, this isn’t necessary, and it’s way too intrusive.”

  Diann’s expression was unreadable, and she plunged ahead. “I don’t believe all the junk about opposites attract. Do you share the same interests, goals, values? I don’t mean to say you have to like everything the other likes and so on.”

  Colin’s eyes turned to Susannah. “I believe we do have a lot in common even though we’ve not known each other long. We can take our time and get to know one another better. I find Susannah a charming, caring, godly woman. If something is important to her, it will be important to me. Communication is key, but faith in God’s Son is uppermost. If each one grows closer to God first, they will grow closer to one another.”

  Susannah’s eyes never wavered from Colin’s. Her appreciation for him was strengthened by his sincerity. She noted the way he sometimes moved his hands as he spoke, the slight curve of his mouth when he grew amused, and the way he ran his hand through his wavy hair when nervous.

  Diann cleared her throat. She grabbed her purse and rose, placed a hand on Susannah’s shoulder and said, “I’ll see you back at the cottage. My work here is done.”

  After she left, Colin smiled at Susannah, amusement in his eyes. “I like her. She gets right to the point.” He reached across the table and took Susannah’s hand. “And now I will too. Would you have dinner with me tomorrow night?”

  ∞∞∞

  Perched in her now favorite overstuffed armchair, Diann’s gaze moved to Letice who sat cross-legged on the rug in front of the fireplace, and to Susannah on the sofa, her legs stretched the length of it, her back against the arm.

  “Diann, I’m going to miss you.” Letice sighed. “It seems like I’ve known you all my life. And calling me Letty—I love it—I’ve never had a nickname before.”

  She took a sip of tea and looked at the other woman affectionately. “Letty, it’s been a pleasure. If it weren’t for my husband and family, I’d move to Neville in a heartbeat.”

  “It’d be wonderful having
you here.” Susannah blinked rapidly. “I may start crying … in fact, I know I will tomorrow when we take you to the train station.”

  “Sue, please don’t start.” Diann sat upright; her teacup tipped precariously. “I will if you do.”

  Letice stood. “Will you two stop it. I’m going to start blubbering, and Susannah knows I have a low threshold for weeping.” She took her cup to the kitchen and called over her shoulder. “Anyone for a refill?”

  No one answered. “Splendid. I guess this means the remainder of Diann’s stay will be spent with tears flowing.”

  “No, we’re not going to do that.” Susannah swiped at her eyes and stood. “Let’s get ready and go eat at Talbot’s to enjoy our last night together.” She went to her bedroom.

  Diann followed but paused at the kitchen entrance. Leaning in, she spoke softly, “Letty, would you do me a favor?”

  “Yes, dear.” Letice gathered the dishes and began to wash and dry them. “What’s on your mind?”

  She moved into the kitchen and kept her voice low. “I want you to keep an eye on Sue for me, she tends to get morose from time to time, and it takes a friend to get her out of the house to cheer up. Not leaving the house for days at a stretch, she gets bogged down in genealogy, writing her travel articles and editing photography.”

  Letice paused from her chore and watched Diann. “I’d be happy to. We’ll have a lot to do with the factory renovations and such. In fact, we do have that meeting this weekend."

  “Thanks a million. I knew I could count on you.” Diann dragged the toe of her shoe in imaginary circles on the floor. “I should be a bit jealous of you.”

  Letice’s eyes widened. “What in the Queen’s land for?”

  Diann laughed nervously “Well … only that you seem to have replaced me. You and Sue have become very close. Honestly, I’m glad she has someone like you. I’m too far away to be of much use except by phone.”

  “That’s very decent of you to say. I have become close to Susannah, but you’ll always be her oldest and dearest friend. I’m honored the two of you have included me. You’ve both made me feel more than welcomed—like we’re sisters.” She gave Diann a quick hug.”

  “Letty, you’re a sweet lady, and I thank you for our new friendship. Let’s stay in touch.”

  Susannah strolled into the kitchen, and Diann startled. “Okay, what are you two conspiring about without me?”

  Diann glanced at Letice, who had picked up on her signal. They rushed to Susannah to grab her into a group hug.

  “Oh, you two. Stop this.” Susannah withdrew from their arms. “Now I am crying.”

  Letice smiled. “We need a name for our trio of friendship.”

  “Oh, how silly,” Diann exclaimed. “I feel like we’re in grade school again.”

  Susannah started laughing—one of those contagious laughs that was hard to end. Before long, they were all three hysterical, on the verge of tears. Letice choked out through her giggle. “I’m famished … let’s go eat.” Their walk to Talbot’s turned some heads on Neville’s sidewalks with their excited chatter. Diann was in the middle of a story about their Horden Castle tour when they arrived at the inn’s front door.

  After greeting Hodge, settling at a table, and putting in their orders, Letice looked at Diann. “I wish you could stay longer. We need all the help we can for the new homeless flats. Although, we certainly appreciate the input you’ve given us thus far.”

  Diann toyed with her napkin. “I’m glad I could help. I’ll only be a phone call away.” Determined not to give in to emotion, she continued, “Everything has been wonderful—the castle tour, the ministry meetings, meals with you two …”

  She would greatly miss Susannah and her new friend, Letice, but foremost in her mind was Susannah’s burgeoning relationship with Colin Heard. The man seemed genuine, but he was a businessman and grasped how to present himself in the best light. She wanted her friend to be happy, and she prayed that Colin was an answer to that prayer.

  Chapter 22

  New York City, New York, U.S.A.

  2019

  Ryan settled himself into his desk chair for the morning. He had a lunch meeting with Vernon Sturdivant to discuss the next phase of the case. Lost in thought, he jerked at the sound of his intercom. “Yes, Janet?”

  “Ms. Genevieve Lee is here to see you.” Janet’s singsong tone alerted Ryan of what she thought of Ms. Lee.

  Hesitantly, Ryan replied, “Send her in, Janet, and will you please confirm my lunch reservation at one?” Confirming an appointment was Ryan’s way of letting Janet know to repeat the request within earshot of his waiting client.

  Ryan stood as Genevieve opened the door and sauntered in. He didn’t come around the desk to meet her. “Good morning. To what do I owe this pleasure?” He motioned toward one of the chairs facing his desk. “Please have a seat.”

  Her face puckered. She made a show of crossing her long, shapely legs as she sat, her dark blue skirt slipping up. Her gaze bored into him. “Ryan, what on earth have I done to make you no longer interested?”

  Ryan opened his mouth and closed it. He didn’t have the answer. It wasn’t that long ago he’d made advances toward her, and she’d responded in kind—until he came back from England and no longer wanted to pursue her.

  She crossed her arms. “Well, are you going to answer me?”

  He refused to hurt her feelings. “Genevieve, you’ve done nothing wrong. I … I find you extremely attractive.”

  “BUT …” she raised her voice, dark eyes cold, unforgiving.

  This was a side of Genevieve he’d not seen. At times, she’d been surly toward waitresses—especially attractive ones. “To be blunt, I’m no longer interested because I don’t think we have enough in common.”

  Her appearance morphed into ice-laced haughtiness—words coming out slow, drawling. “I see.” She examined her nails, rubbing a thumb over them one at a time.

  “I don’t mean to be abrupt or rude, but you did ask, and I won’t lead you on. It wouldn’t be fair to you—or to me.” Ryan gave her what he hoped was a presentable smile. “I hope we can part as friends.”

  The silence was thick. Genevieve’s incredulous expression told him she couldn’t fathom that any man wouldn’t fall all over himself for her.

  Ryan stood and repeated, “Again, I hope we can part as friends, Genevieve.” He extended his hand.

  Genevieve pushed herself from the chair, using the arms as leverage, eyes not leaving his. She reached out as if to accept his hand but, instead, slapped it. So violent was the move that Ryan had to stop himself from retaliating with a biting comeback. “I take that as a no. Goodbye, Genevieve.”

  No sooner had she walked from his office, cool as a glacier, his phone rang. “Ryan, what did you say to Ms. Lee? She was as red as a lobster.”

  “Oh, that. She asked me to marry her, and run off to the Galapagos Islands, and I said no.”

  Janet laughed. “I’ve always said you should’ve been a comedian. Why didn’t you tell me to mind my own business?”

  “I wouldn’t dare. Besides, you know all my secrets.” Ryan cut the call. A joke was one way he covered tension. At least Genevieve was one source of it he wouldn’t have to deal with any longer.

  ∞∞∞

  Diann yanked boxes from the storage closet of her home office. “Now what did I do with that business card?” One shoebox-sized container had a label clearly marked England.

  “Thank goodness. Here it is.” She placed the box on her desk, tossed the lid aside, and shuffled through brochures of Horden Castle, Talbot’s Tavern, and various places she and Susannah had visited on their initial trip. More memorabilia followed from her return visit to see Susannah in her new cottage. She’d been happy with the exception of the continued estrangement with Ryan. That was the greatest source of pain in Susannah’s life, and Diann was concerned about her health. Her heart hurt to think of all Susannah had gone through in past years.

  Tears threatened
. She couldn’t go on remembering. Focusing on the good days should be uppermost in her mind—and the fact that Ryan was helping her to set the record straight about his mother’s innocence. After their confrontation in his office, his attitude had started changing. When he came back from England, it had progressed. She kept praying.

  The box was nearly empty, and the card hadn’t surfaced. Coming to the last item, a puff of breath expelled, followed by a deep sigh. What could she have done with it?

  Plopping with a thud in her desk chair, she leaned back and prayed. “Lord, if you want me to do this, please let me find it.”

  Diann reviewed each memento before carefully returning it to the container. Overwhelmed with the prospect of searching elsewhere, she reached for the lid. A piece of paper jammed inside it caught her eye. The card.

  She closed her eyes and said aloud, “Thank you.”

  That evening, Diann sat at dinner with Wayne and discussed Ryan’s meeting with the attorney, their telephone conversation, and the way God had delivered the card into her hands.

  “Don’t you think that’s a sign God wants me to contact Colin?”

  Wayne chewed thoughtfully for a moment as his gaze held hers. “Honey, I’m not sure Ryan would want you to do that. You should ask him first.” He reached for another roll and held it like a baseball. “These are the best rolls you’ve ever made.”

  “Oh, Wayne. You know those are frozen rolls I bought at the store.”

  He smiled, bits of roll stuffed in his cheeks like a chipmunk, knowing it would make her laugh.

  She shoved his shoulder. “You’re so silly.”

  “So, what’re you going to do about dishy Colin?”

  A laugh burst from her, remembering how she’d told him what some of the women in Neville called Colin Heard.

  “I don’t know what to do. I should call him. He may not help, and that may be a letdown for Ryan.” She bit her bottom lip, deep in thought, and picked up the card on the table, turning it over in her hands, and deep within her she felt an even greater urge to call him. For Susannah.