by Maggie Thom
Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.
Bailey did her best not to let her head whip around like a startled animal but she couldn't help it. In the work she did as an interior decorator she'd seem some classy places but never had she seen anything like this. The foyer was a massive three story, ballroom-size area that ended in a domed, glass cathedral. The gold and she was sure it was the real stuff, was like silken threads woven around the windows, flashing in the bright sun that danced across it.
She lowered her gaze when she realized she was not only going to get a crick in her neck but that she might trip over something. With her luck it would break and it would take her the rest of her life and then some, to pay it off.
The older, elegant lady wound her way through the house and Bailey tagged along like a puppy dog with her tail wagging. She took in the large oak doors, the ornate carvings, the bouquets of flowers that filled the house, the carvings, the paintings, everything.
"My dear, you can walk up the stairs if you like but I need to use the elevator. Guy, escort her."
Bailey flinched as she realized she'd forgotten all about him. She turned to face him with a sheepish grin. He shrugged and smiled back. She wanted to ask him a hundred questions. The ideas she was getting for some of her clients was incredible. Not that any of her customers would be able to afford this magnitude but they could manage a cheaper version, she was sure.
Guy saluted his grandmother, as the doors to the elevator closed.
"That wasn't nice."
"Please. She can take care of herself. If I didn't give her a little bit of attitude she'd be so high on herself, no one would want to be around her. Staff would quit, no one would visit. She'd be quite lonely here all by herself."
"Why that's quite a story you've come up with. Nothing like making yourself out to be the hero."
Bowing, he swept his hand in front of his waist. "After you, madam."
Guy and Bailey walked back through the house to the main entrance and took the winding stairs that were wide enough to drive a truck up.
"This place is amazing. I don't think I'm going to be able to get my jaw to re-hinge itself. At least not while I'm here. This is?" She spread her arms wide, stopping on one of the steps to spin around.
"I know. When I first came here, I was sure that a hundred people must live here. But it was just her and grandpa. And the staff of course. But other than that it was empty."
Bailey ran her hand over the smooth, highly polished oak railing.
"Don't. From this height you pick up so much speed you shoot off the banister like a missile. Stopping only once you've met a solid, immovable object - the wall."
"A voice of experience."
"Yeah. Too much. The older I got the stronger and better I thought I'd be. It's gotten me every time. Many broken bones. And a tooth or two."
Laughing, Bailey skipped up the stairs. The place was so fictionally fantastic she felt like a kid at an amusement park. Her body was humming with awareness, excitement. She felt like jumping over the second story railing, grabbing a rope that should be hanging there and swinging across to try to make it up to the third level.
"I know this is none of my business but?"
"But you'll ask anyway."
So caught up in her excited state, she didn't hear the dry tone of his voice. "How much marble is in this place? I know that's gauche to ask so put it down to my ignorance but really this is amazing. Everything seems to be marble." On the third floor she stopped and put her hand against the cool, solid railing.
"Well it does last forever. There's lots. I don't know how much but you don't have to worry about the place collapsing. It's pretty solid."
It barely registered, what he'd said, because she'd become lost in the view through the large ornate doors thrown open just down the hallway. As if in a trance she walked towards it and out to the edge of the balcony. The view was unimpeded for miles and miles.
"It's quite something, isn't it?"
Startled, she spun around to face Mrs. Lindell. She sat off to her left, in a large cushioned chair, sheltered by a large umbrella, blocking out the heat of the day.
"Please forgive me for my rudeness but yes, it's amazing."
"Come sit down. Let's talk. Tell me about yourself."
Bailey glanced at Guy who was staring hard at his grandmother. Sensing that there might be some words between them she turned back to Mrs. Lindell.
"There's not much to tell. My name is Bailey. I live in Victoria. I'm an interior decorator. Of course, nothing along the lines of the one you hired. I hope you don't mind but I was looking over everything as we came in. I got some great ideas for some of my clients. Not on this scale of course but... For instance, that antique Chinese Vase you have in that sitting room just off to the left of the entrance, filled with that exotic plumage - wow. It's almost as tall as I am. I'm thinking for one of my clients, she has this large open space in her living room?"
She was not sure what made her realize there was a shift, maybe the small smile on Mrs. Lindell's face, or the fact that Guy had moved off to lean against the railing as though exhausted.
She gasped and jumped up from the comfortable seat she'd sunk into. "I'm really sorry. Here I'm babbling on. And I'm filthy." She brushed at the grass still clinging to her knees from when she'd dove onto the ground to avoid being shot. Not something she could really share with this woman. It brought her back to being in school, to having the other kids laugh at her for being dirty, needing not only clean clothes but a shower. She fought the urge to run from the place and instead, she stood with her hands clasped in front of her. Embarrassed, didn't even come close to describing the hole she was prepared to dig for herself through the marble if she had to.
"My dear. You really are a gem aren't you?" Dorothea glanced at Guy. "It's me who should apologize. I wasn't thinking. You probably want to have a bath and relax. I'm sure you're exhausted after flying across the country."
"Yes, actually I would. So if you'll excuse me, I'll call a cab and head to the nearest hotel. It was really a pleasure to meet you. You're not the ogre at all that Guy paints you to be." She worked hard at keeping the innocent look on her face, even when she could feel Guy's meteoric glare.
Guy's grandmother laughed. It was deep and throaty. It sounded like something she hadn't done in a long time. And by the look on Guy's face, she guessed he'd never heard it before either or at least rarely.
"Not true. And not that funny, Gram."
Wiping away the water that had leaked out of her eyes, she smiled at Guy with that knowing look. "Oh, I'm sure it is." Standing, she took the five steps that put her in front of Bailey. Surprised by how close she was, Bailey ignored the temptation to shuffle back a bit. Thin but strong arms reached out and wrapped around her. She went as rigid as the marble she was standing on. Scared to move, her saucer-like eyes looked for Guy.
"You're so much more than I hoped for." Stepping back, Dorothea cupped Bailey's face. "You're very beautiful and I'm honored that we met. Finally."
Tears ran down over the beautiful smile, leaving Bailey at a loss as to what to do. She moved back, gently breaking the contact. The beautifully adorned but frail looking hands stayed suspended in air for a few seconds before dropping to her side. It was in that moment that Bailey saw the true age of Dorothea. Her whole body seemed to whither and sink into itself. The weight of the world descended in that moment to rest on the shoulders of a woman, who looked like she'd bore up under it for a very long time but just couldn't anymore. She'd reached her tipping point. And Bailey couldn't help but feel she was to blame.
Guy immediately stepped forward and put his arm around his grandmother. "It's okay, Grams. It's okay."
Bailey knew he was trying to get her attention but she just couldn't quite look him in the eye. She nodded in his direction as he turned and walked with his grandmother into the house. Stunned by what had happened, she lifted her hands palm upwards and stared at them.
They look normal. But no, you just co
uldn't put them around a lonely old woman. Great job, Bailey.
She'd overstayed her welcome. She'd come back later when she was clean and remembered her manners. The steps were wide so she had to hop down them one at a time but hurrying as much as they'd allow. At the entrance she paused, looking for a phone that would get her out of the place. There didn't seem to be one so she decided to take her chances on the guard house. Guilt seemed to riding right on her tail, guilt for hurting an old lady, guilt for leaving and guilt for running out on Guy. But she just couldn't face him after hurting his grandmother. The demons of guilt chased her right out the front door. She glanced back over her shoulder as she exited and the man in her path wasn't quick enough. She ran smack into him. As she tumbled backwards, her first thought had been that she'd run into one of the pillars.
Until he spoke. "What the hell? Who let you in?"
Looking up from her sprawled position, Bailey brushed her tangled hair out of her face. That's when he stopped talking and audibly gasped, making her feel like he was looking at someone who'd been horribly disfigured in a fire.
Her first instinct was to scoot backwards as fast as she could. For a moment she'd been sure she'd seen the devil emblazoned in his eyes. Not being religious or antireligious in any way, the vision scared her, almost as much as the times she'd hidden in dark closets waiting for her mom to come back and get her. She shook her head to clear it. When she looked again, the man seemed very contrite and was offering to help her up.
"I'm so sorry, Miss. That was totally my fault. I can't believe I'm so clumsy."
She frowned as she cautiously placed her hand in his. She doubted this large, elegantly dressed man did anything awkwardly. He seemed very self-contained, demanding attention and strong as he pulled her up with little effort. She stumbled forward into him.
"I'm sorry again."
"No, it's me. I just don't know my own strength. Now where were you off to in such a hurry?"
"I was heading to the guard house to get a cab."
"Oh, the phones in the house aren't working?"
"No. I just felt I'd overstayed my welcome and that I should leave. It was nice meeting you. Sorry for barging into you."
"Don't worry about it. You know I'm headed into town. Could I give you a lift?"
"Well?" Bailey brushed her hands down her pants. Something didn't feel right. But then she shook it off, when the first thing came to mind was that she seemed to be doing nothing but insulting people at this house.
Why pass this up. I've already caused enough headaches.
"Sure. I'm Bailey, by the way."
"I'm Geoff."
"Nice to meet you Geoff," she said as she fell into step beside him. "What do you do here?" She was busy looking at all the flower beds they were winding their way through and didn't notice the evil little smile that lit his face.
"I do odd jobs around here. You know, this and that."
She tried not to be obvious when she took in his three piece suit and leather dress shoes but realized he must have caught her attention. His nostrils flared as he replied to her unanswered question, "I have a date tonight. A date I've been waiting a long time for. You don't want me looking shabby, do you? Or maybe I've gone over the top? This was outrageously expensive. Why, it took several paychecks just to pay for it. But I thought she was worth it."
Feeling contrite at his offended tone, she apologized, "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to imply anything. You look fabulous. Any woman would be thrilled to go out with you. The flecks of gray in your hair are hot right now. Women like that." She was sure that they were what was left from his dye job, so whether it was an accident or on purpose, she did have to admit it made him look very worldly and distinguished.
He beamed at her. "Why, thank you. I can't tell you how good that makes me feel. And you, what do you do?"
Noticing him glancing at her clothes, she couldn't help but laugh. Self-consciously she brushed her hands down her wrinkled, stained t-shirt. "I usually look much better than this, honestly. It's just been a crazy day." Week. Month. Take your pick. "I'm an interior designer in Victoria."
"Hmmmm, Victoria, how did you end up there?"
Odd question.
"Moved there when I was twenty. Loved it, so I stayed."
"You got tired of living on the prairies."
"I wouldn't say that. It was just time for me to move out on my own. My mom?" Glancing around, she noted that they were surrounded by trees. She could no longer see the large mansion - a feat she didn't think was possible. The back of her neck started to tingle. "Uh, where are we going?" She looked back over her shoulder along the winding paved path they'd been following. Ahead there were only more trees.
"Oh I'm sorry. I just live in a house back here. My car is parked just ahead. It's not far."
Still not feeling totally at ease she continued with him. "How long have you lived here?"
His face took on a haunted look but he turned really quickly so Bailey wasn't sure she'd actually seen that. "A very long time."
"It must be something to live here and enjoy this place whenever you want?"
"You have no idea, child. No idea."
Suddenly the path took a sharp left and they came out of the forest onto a service road. A navy almost black sedan was parked there.
"Get in."
She stiffened. Her senses were ringing like a church bell on Sunday morning. She sensed something?
His smile seemed genuine but she noted that he tilted his head such that she couldn't quite see his eyes. He was patiently holding the door.
This is Guy's world. Not mine. Everything is fine.
"Thanks." Stepping forward, she shook off her bad vibe feeling again, putting it down to exhaustion and hurting an old lady who'd done nothing but invite her into her home. She wasn't about to hurt another old person.
He nodded and walked around the car as she slid into the passenger seat. It was as he climbed in that she noticed his ring. It was ugly. Gaudy but ugly and looked like he'd have to be a weight lifter to wear it. She looked a little closer. A Ruby stone?
"What did you say you do here?"
"I didn't." He started the car and shifted into gear, easing them forward.
Bailey's temple started to throb as her stomach clenched like she was trying to do a sit up from an upside down position.
How does he know I lived on the prairies?
Not questioning what her body was telling her, she grabbed the door handle planning on flinging herself out. But he was too quick. He slammed on the brakes, throwing her into the dash, his large hand tangled in her hair, forcing her head to connect rather forcefully. He grabbed her arm and slammed her back. The cold whisper of metal caressing her cheek was what convinced her to stop struggling.
Nausea churned in her stomach, clutching at her throat. She breathed in very shallowly. Her mouth dry, she whispered, "Who are you?"
He moved in close, his chuckle, as grating as nails over a blackboard, shook her to her core. "Aaaahhhhhhhhhhh but the question is, who are you?"
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR