“I’m sorry,” I said.
“Why are you sorry? Did you actually kill him?” he teased.
“Just lead the way,” I said with a chuckle.
“Now, that’s the spirit.”
Alex surprised me by taking my arm, and we walked over to the Roth and Sons office.
It felt strange walking through those doors again. Somehow, the fact that Lukas was dead made the small office feel even more somber. I hadn’t thought that was possible.
“Anton?” Alex called out after we’d stepped inside.
“Hey, man. Back here,” a voice called out.
I’d been so focused on getting in and getting out the other day that I hadn’t really noticed the doors on the other side of the hall from Lukas’s office. There were two more, and the voice had come from the one at the end.
“Okay if we come back?” Alex asked, but he was already walking in that direction.
He gave me a wave to follow, and I did.
“Yeah, come on back. I’m up to my eyeballs this morning, but I’m not getting out of this mess anytime soon anyway.” We stepped into the office and seated at the desk was a young man with dark skin and black curly hair. He flashed us a megawatt smile “Oh, what do we have here? Come to finish off the job?”
“What?”
“Sorry, probably too soon for jokes,” he said and stood up. “I’m Anton O’Moore. I apologize if I offended you. I tend to use humor to deal with things.” He extended his hand to me and I shook it.
“It’s okay. You just caught me off guard,” I said. “I suppose I should get used to it, but I didn’t kill him.”
“I didn’t really think you had. How can I help you today?”
“She needs to get the keys to her uncle’s house. Your slimeball ex-partner didn’t give them to her yesterday.”
“Ah, yes. You’ll need the keys to the shop too,” Anton said.
He came around the desk and headed for the door, I presumed to go into Lukas’s office.
“To be fair, I hadn’t signed anything yet. I told him I wanted to have my lawyer look things over.”
“Do you still?” Anton paused.
“No, things have changed significantly for me since yesterday. I’d like the keys, and I can sign the paperwork.”
“I’m going to let you guys do your thing,” Alex said. “Allegra, if you need anything, just call or come by the shop.”
“Thank you again,” I said.
“You’re most welcome, Allegra Darling. Welcome to Knox Hills.”
With that, he left me to sign paperwork and get the keys from Anton O’Moore. Anton was quiet and appeared to be doing work on another matter while I went through the documents and signed everywhere that was marked for a signature.
“Congratulations,” Anton said to me as he handed me the keys. “I’m sure you wish it was all under better circumstances, though.”
“I do but thank you for the keys. This will make life much easier,” I said and looked over the keys in my hand. “Wait, is this a car key?”
“It is indeed. You signed a title for it in the paperwork. It’s yours.”
“Oh, wow. I guess I should have paid closer attention,” I said sheepishly.
“No problem, Allegra. Just give me five minutes and I’ll get you copies of everything you signed to take with you.”
After he gave me a folder full of documents, I took my leave of Anton O’Moore. He seemed to have a lot on his plate given that his law partner had just been murdered in my shop, and I had everything I needed.
I didn't have my uncle's car yet, so I had to walk to his house. Fortunately, the town was small and it wasn't far at all. Some of the surroundings between the lawyer's office and my new home seemed familiar. I got little flashes from my childhood, but I still didn't exactly know the way.
The good news was that my phone still worked. I had no idea how long that would be the case, but I figured I'd take advantage of it while I could. I plugged in the address and let Google Maps guide me.
I felt a knot in my stomach when my uncle's house came into view. Despite the fact that he had made literally millions of dollars, he still lived in the same place I visited as a child. His wife, my aunt, had died when I was very young. Uncle Leonard always said he wouldn't leave the house they shared. He never remarried either.
The house brought back a flood of memories. There was a huge oak tree in the front yard, and when I was a kid, Leonard installed a tire swing for me. I'd seen one while we were driving down the highway one day, and I'd become obsessed. Two days later, he woke me up early in the morning and took me outside to see that he'd made one just for me.
I could close my eyes and see the morning light streaming through the branches of that tree as I swung back and forth. It was so real, I almost got dizzy, but it made me smile. It was one of the nicest things anyone had ever done for me.
The house was the same, but it had some upgrades. I wondered how long before he died he'd had it painted because the white clapboard siding was pristine. The old porch had been replaced with brand new boards and looked freshly stained. He's removed the old concrete sidewalk and replaced it with a beautiful cobblestone walkway.
"It looks like something out of a fairytale," I said to myself.
The whole time I'd lived in the city, I thought I wanted to live in a penthouse with clean lines and minimalist architecture. I thought I wanted cool tones and tons of floor-to-ceiling glass.
Standing there looking at my uncle's house made me realize how far I'd strayed from who I was and where I'd begun. But it wasn't my uncle's house anymore. It was mine. Another gift I didn't deserve. "I will fix that," I said.
"You okay?" a voice answered.
Startled, I turned to my left and saw an older woman leaning out of the house next door. She was looking at me through narrowed eyes. I could feel her sizing me up. Great, I thought. Now my new neighbor thinks I'm a nutcase.
"I'm okay, thank you." I waved to her.
"You're Leonard's niece?" she asked as she stepped out onto the porch. "The one from the city?"
"I am. I'm Allegra Darling."
She descended her porch steps and started down her front walk. "I know your name, child. You spent a lot of afternoons at my house. Didn't recognize you at first. You look so different."
"Mrs. Miller?"
She was right. I had spent a lot of summer afternoons at her house. During some of my first summers there, I'd stay with her instead of hanging out in the ice cream shop. She babysat me so I could spend my time playing outside when the weather was nice. Told my uncle it wasn't right for me to be cooped up in his office. He'd agreed with her.
When I got old enough to look after myself, I'd still spend most afternoons with her. I'd help her cook or I'd stretch out on her sofa and read a book. Most days she'd end up kicking me out to get some sun. "I'm too old to play outside and my book is just getting good," I'd protest.
"Then go for a walk, child," she'd say. "I do appreciate you reading, but that book will still be here when you get back."
As she approached, I could tell the years had been kind to her. She barely looked older than I remembered. The only way you could tell she'd even gotten older was the gray in her hair. It had to have been all that fresh produce she ate. That's when I remembered her garden. Mrs. Miller had the most impressive back yard garden I'd ever seen.
She had rows and rows of fresh vegetables for every season and beautiful flowers planted around the edges to attract what she called the right kind of bugs. And keep the bad ones out.
"Well, I'm glad you remember me,” she said with a smile. "I wasn't sure you would. I haven't seen you in so long."
Ouch.
It was a reminder that I'd abandoned more than just my uncle when I left Knox Hills and never came back. "I'm sorry." Was all I could think to say.
"Don't be sorry,” she said. "I'm glad you're here now. Let me get a look at you."
"How have you been?" I asked. I couldn't th
ink of anything else to say.
"I've been fine, honey. I'm sorry about your uncle, and now this nasty business with the shop."
"You've heard about it already. I guess I should have expected that."
"Secrets don't last long around here," she said and patted my arm. "But don't worry about all that. You've got to get settled in. You're staying at the house?"
"I am. I'll be staying in Knox Hills for a while," I said.
"On account of you making fun of that chubby girl and torpedoing your career,” she said.
"You've heard about that too," I said sheepishly.
"Child, I'm on the Twitter. I may be old, but I stay up to date on all of the latest. You went down like the Titanic."
I had to fight back tears, but she was right.
"Oh, now," Mrs. Miller said and pulled me into a hug. "You keep your head up, Allegra. We all make mistakes. That wasn't even you on that video saying those things. I know your voice."
"It wasn't,” I said as she pulled back from the hug, "But the world doesn't care."
"I'm sorry that happened. I've been following you on social media for a long time, and I know how hard you worked. There is a bright side, though, honey."
"There is?"
"Yes, child. Yes. You had the door slammed right in your face, but you've turned around and walked right into a new life. You get a fresh start and a second chance."
"You're right," I said. "I have to remember that. Not everyone is so fortunate."
"Yes,” she said and hugged me again. "You have a real opportunity here, and the Allegra Darling I know will make the most of it."
"Thank you, Mrs. Miller."
"Anytime,” she said. "Well, I've got to go. I've got a casserole about to come out of the oven. I don't want it to burn. If you need me, you know where I live."
When she was gone, I turned back to the house. There was nothing left to do but go inside, so I made my way up the walkway and then the front porch steps. I wasn't sure what to expect when I went inside, but it immediately felt like home. Uncle Leonard's house was the only place that ever really did, and it hit me hard as soon as the front door closed behind me.
The sound of the grandfather clock in the entry hall took me back to the days when I was Allegra Darling, honor student. When I was Uncle Leonard’s pride and joy.
While the house was similar enough that it immersed me in memories of my summers there, Uncle Leonard had had it redecorated. I guessed that made sense given how long it had been since I’d seen him.
I made my way through the living room and dining room and found myself in the kitchen. On the counter was an envelope with my name on it. I opened it up and plucked out the note and a stack of twenty- and fifty-dollar bills.
Allegra,
I went ahead and cashed my last paycheck, so you’d have some cash on hand for groceries and gas. Yes, I paid myself a salary and saved the rest of the money. That’s how I was able to put away so much money for you. You don’t have to do the same, but I’ve already instructed Lyn to switch the checks over to you once you start in the shop. Just let her know if you’d like to do something different.
I love you very much, and I’m glad I got the chance to see what a beautiful and talented young woman you’ve become.
Love always,
Uncle Leo
The cash added up to $3,000. More than enough for groceries and gas considering my other expenses would be minimal. The house and the car were paid for, so that meant I only had to worry about utilities and possibly some property taxes. Oh, and a phone. I needed to get a phone in my name as soon as possible.
Suddenly, all of those practical thoughts came to a grinding halt. Uncle Leo… I remembered calling him that as a kid. It fit him back then too with his shaggy mane of chestnut hair and full beard.
He’d planned all of this. He’d known he was dying and had set everything up for me. Like a jerk, I was just going to sell the shop and walk away. Like an even bigger jerk, I hadn’t even bothered to ask anyone how he died. How had I fallen so far?
“Why didn’t you reach out to me?” I asked the empty house.
But I knew why. My head had been stuck so far up my own rear end that he died without even calling me, but Uncle Leo had still set everything up to make sure I was taken care of when he was gone. That selfless act brought me to tears as I hugged his letter to my chest.
He’d probably wanted to avoid disrupting my life. Mrs. Miller had said something about following my career, and I was willing to bet Uncle Leo had as well. Oh, but I wished he would have called. Standing there in his kitchen holding the letter and money I didn’t deserve, I knew I should have traded it all for one more hug.
After a few minutes of body-shaking, moaning and wailing sobs, I pulled myself together. I set the letter down on the stack of cash and went to the kitchen sink to wash my face. I dried myself on a clean towel and got a glass from the cabinet. They were still in the exact place I remembered them despite the old avocado green cabinets having been replaced with new oak customs.
I was about to fill the glass from the tap, but I noticed the new refrigerator, Again, the old avocado monstrosity I remembered was gone and replaced with a sleek black glass model that had a water dispenser.
After I got my water, I went out onto the back deck to study the yard and garage. I looked over into Mrs. Miller’s yard and discovered that her rows of vegetables and flowers were just as beautiful as I remembered them.
When the water was gone and I felt more collected, I went down the back steps and to the garage. I didn’t know what kind of car Leo had left to me, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Not that it mattered, anything was a blessing. One of many.
As I was walking from the house to the garage, I glanced over at Mrs. Miller’s yard. For a split second, I thought I was having some sort of hallucination. All of the plants looked different than they had moments ago. In the place of the vegetables and standard flowers that you could buy at any home improvement store were tangles of exotic vines and a plethora of brightly colored plants I didn’t recognize.
I turned to get a closer look, but when I did, my eyes darted to the ground. By the time I looked up again, everything was back to normal.
Mrs. Miller must have been watching because she stuck her head out the back door. “You going to take the car for a ride, Allegra?”
“I think I’ll just check it out for now,” I called back.
“Well, you let me know if you need anything, child.”
“I will.”
She smiled and retreated back into the house. I went into the garage but left the door open behind me.
Inside was the car covered by a tarp. My new car, and Leo had taken the time and care to cover it for me.
“Whatcha doin?”
The voice startled me so much that I let out a yelp. I whirled around and looked for whoever had scared the ever-loving biscuits out of me.
No one was in the garage, but there was a little white dog with a brown patch over his eye sitting in the doorway. Whoever had scared me must be his owner. What I couldn’t figure out was why they had asked me a question and then gone back out into the yard?
I looked around for a weapon just in case it was some sort of weird creeper. I thought that perhaps they were checking one more time for witnesses before they came in and killed me.
There was a small garden trowel on the work bench next to me. It wasn’t the best weapon, but it was close. I grabbed it and inched toward the garage door.
“Hello?” I said softly. “I’ve got a weapon and I know how to use it.”
“What are you going to do with that?” The voice came again, but there was no one there.
“Oh, no, I’m going crazy. I’m having some sort of sugar-induced hallucination,” I said to the empty garage.
But it wasn’t empty. “Lady, you’re kind of nuts. Wait, that’s what you just said. Okay, I agree with you.”
I shook my head. No, it wasn’t possible. There was no
way that it was the dog that just said… he agreed with me? That I was going nuts…
“I’m dreaming,” I said. “That’s what this is. It’s all one bad dream. I bet I’m home asleep in my bed at the penthouse.” I let out a deep, relieved sigh. “Thank goodness.”
“Uh, lady, you’re standing in my garage with a garden trowel in your hand talking to a dog,” the dog said. “The first step is acceptance.”
“No, I’m dreaming,” I corrected. “Because there is no way you’re talking.”
“Yeah, he’s talking.” A man stepped into the doorway.
I screamed and dropped the trowel. So much for having a weapon. Just before I tried to run to the other side of the car and open the big garage door, the one the car would go through, I realized I knew the man.
Well, I’d known him as a kid. “Rowan?” I asked.
“The one and only,” he said.
“This is a weird dream.”
“Allegra, it’s not a dream,” Rowan said. “I think we need to talk. How about we go inside and have some tea? Coffee?”
“I think we can talk right here,” I said, looking over at the work bench for another possible weapon. The whole thing was really weird and it had me on edge.
“I’m not going to attack you,” Rowan said with a chuckle when he saw me eyeing a hammer. “It’s me, Allegra. We were best friends as kids. At least whenever you were here.”
“I told you she wasn’t going to take it well,” the dog said.
“Nope, this has to be a dream,” I said. “I’m going to wake up in my bed at the penthouse. I won’t have inherited an ice cream shop. My fiancé won’t have dumped me for a plus-size model, and I will still have a career as a fitness celebrity.”
I knew it had to be a dream because Rowan was not what I remembered. I mean, I could tell that he was the same person, but he had changed. The gangly kid with bright red hair had been replaced by a tall, broad-shouldered man whose hair had lightened to nearly white blond.
Looking at him made my heart race a little. I almost felt bad, but then I remembered we weren’t really cousins. Not by blood anyway. We were not related enough, so I didn’t have to feel squicky about the fact that he’d turned into an Adonis. Or perhaps, I told myself, that he really wasn’t an Adonis in real life, and the fact that he was a total beefcake was just part of the dream.
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