Lovely Dreams

by Danielle Stewart

“And for you it’s sipping drinks with little umbrellas in them, partying all night, and sleeping all day?”

  “No,” he said, shaking his head. “I see the world. Travel. Explore. And I make it a point to leave whatever place I go better than it was when I arrived. Making an impact on the location.”

  “Is that by sleeping with a local?” She winked at him.

  “I may not seem like I’m capable of being serious, but I am. I’ve helped fix an animal shelter. Sponsored an orphanage around Christmas. Planted trees. All cheesy feel-good stuff.”

  “Stuff that gets your name in the paper. Do you write those big, giant-sized checks too?”

  “I never attach my name to any of it. I keep it anonymous. Robin Hood style.” He brushed his shoulder off as though he was pretty damn proud of himself.

  She knit her brows together. “You are a walking contradiction.”

  “So are you.”

  “You’re worse.”

  “And now we’re both eight years old. Let’s go to the lawyer’s office before we regress any further. Stop stalling.”

  He wasn’t wrong. She’d have stayed in that lobby as long as she could. A toddler-style tantrum wasn’t out of the question yet.

  The elevator ride was silent as Lauren’s stomach filled with rocks. Dread pounded at her chest.

  “Well I’ll be,” Horace said, his southern drawl filling the room. His silly tie, covered with all the planets in the solar system, didn’t make her chuckle this time. “I was about to send out a search party for you, young lady.”

  Lauren forced a smile and leaned in just a little toward Tray. He took notice and placed his hand on the small of her back. Maybe because he wanted to touch her, or maybe it was to keep her from running out of there. Either way, he was a smart man.

  “And who is this?”

  “A friend,” Lauren explained quickly before Tray could announce they were newlyweds or something else just as ridiculous.

  “Tray Hallenburn,” he said, extending his hand for a shake.

  “Horace D. Willton. It’s nice to meet you and even nicer if you’re the one who finally convinced Miss Lauren to come in today. She’s harder to hunt down than a polar bear in a blizzard.” His double chin jiggled as he laughed at his own joke. He was a wide-framed man whose suspenders deserved overtime pay. It was easy to see why Gloria had kept him as her lawyer for so long. He was kind. Abundantly so. Warm and welcoming to everyone. Unless you didn’t return his call for weeks on end. Lauren was learning that the hard way.

  They sat in chairs across from his large mahogany desk. Lauren crossed her legs and fidgeted until Tray reached across and took her hand in his.

  Horace shuffled some papers until he found what he was looking for. “So the reading of the will has already been done. But there was a section set aside just for you. Gloria spoke very highly of you. Not only your work ethic but your loyalty and friendship.”

  Lauren sat up straight, her back stiff, as she tried not to cry. Gloria didn’t keep her feelings to herself. It wasn’t as though she’d never heard all those positive things directly from Gloria, but knowing she wouldn’t hear them again flooded her with sadness.

  “There is a property in Northern Italy that is part of her estate, but she isn’t the sole owner. The other properties she owned in Italy were small villas and a couple of rental units. Those have been liquidated or divided among her extended family. This real estate has been held for you. But there is a catch. She only owns a third of it. Because of this, only partial ownership can be transferred to someone. And in the original purchase agreement, the other two owners must agree to who the property is gifted to.”

  “And what does that have to do with me?”

  “She’s proposed that you become part owner of this property as well. The clause in the original agreement is very clear. The other two owners will have an opportunity to meet you and decide if they approve. If not, they can buy your part of the property.”

  “I don’t need a property in Italy. I don’t travel. I’m far too busy for that. You can let the other owners know they can buy me out. Or just have it. I don’t care. Gloria had many charities she supported. The funds can go toward one of those.”

  “I can appreciate that this property may not mean much to you, but it did to Gloria. She cared deeply about it. It’s not just a plot of land she owned. You can’t imagine the sentimental value it holds. It is very important, and it requires good ownership. Good stewardship for it to thrive in the future.”

  Tray leaned in and cleared his throat. “What are we missing here? What kind of property is this exactly?”

  Horace loosened his tie and pushed his thick-rimmed glasses down lower on his nose. Glancing over them, he eyed Tray closely. “I normally would not discuss this in mixed company. But your name is one of the only ones listed here in Gloria’s notes as someone who could be included in this conversation.”

  “Me?” Tray asked, sounding shocked.

  “Him?” Lauren jutted her thumb out in Tray’s direction so there could be no confusion.

  “Yes. What you both have to understand is no one outside of me and the other two owners of this property know it exists. The fact that she’s trusting you with this information should be considered a very high compliment. But with that comes enormous responsibility.”

  Lauren looked to Tray for some kind of help but he sat silent, clearly trying to put the pieces together and coming up empty.

  “All I can tell you about the property today is that it’s being gifted to you. A meeting will be arranged between you and the two other owners. If all parties are in agreement, more information will be provided.”

  Lauren had foolishly thought she’d braced herself for anything. Yet she was bowled over. “This is very cloak and dagger, Horace. You know how busy we are at Kinross Inc right now. It’s a transition period. Make it or break it time. I can’t be running off to Italy to discuss a property I don’t even want.”

  “There is one more thing,” Horace said, not bothering to address her concern. “Gloria wanted you to have this.” He turned to the wall safe behind his desk and unlocked it. In his hand was a small suede ring box. “It’s her ruby ring.”

  “That’s for Layla. There has to be some kind of mistake. It should stay in the family.” Lauren leaned as far back as her chair would allow. This ring had never left Gloria’s hand in all the years she’d known her. It was one of the first things she spotted when they’d met.

  “It is staying in the family,” Horace said warmly as he handed it to her. “You were her family.”

  “No,” Lauren said with a gulp. “I’m not family. I didn’t even know she was sick. She didn’t tell me until the very end. I had a feeling something was wrong, but she kept me in the dark until the end. Then it was too late to really—”

  “It was terminal,” Horace reminded her. “It was too late from the moment she got the diagnosis.”

  “Right,” Lauren agreed, dropping her head. “But she didn’t tell me until the end.”

  “The ring is for you. She wanted you to have it. There were a few other items. A box, I believe, with some paperwork or some letters. Layla has access to it at the storage area. It wasn’t as pressing as the property in Italy though. That’s really what we need to get settled.”

  “So what happens now?” Tray asked, shifting in his chair. Apparently the nervous energy was contagious, and she’d passed it to him. His antenna was up and it made Lauren feel a little better about her own reaction.

  “Lauren needs to go overseas to meet the other owners.”

  “I can’t. Work.” She folded her arms across her chest defiantly. In danger of looking like a petulant child, she considered changing her body language. But something kept her locked in that position.

  “Layla has assured me that honoring Gloria’s will and legacy is her first priority. Anything that needs to be done with Kinross Inc. will have to be done remotely. That’s why we have cell phones and video conferences.
”

  “But you said the property is some kind of secret.”

  “You wouldn’t be going to the property, at least not yet.”

  Tray raised his hand to interject. “Why can’t the other owners come here? Can you arrange for some kind of discussion in Boston instead? She can’t go see the property anyway.”

  Horace sighed. “I can reach out to them and ask.”

  Lauren put a hand to her aching head. “Does it really need to be this complicated? Just tell them about me, let them decide if I am even a good fit for whatever this is. Feel free to tell them I don’t want the money or the property. Maybe that would speed this along.”

  “I’ll call them. I’ll try to arrange a meeting that won’t be too inconvenient. But Lauren, please understand, Gloria didn’t keep secrets out of pride or spite. This was, and I can say this honestly, the most important thing in her life. Don’t dismiss it so quickly.”

  She felt guilt weigh down on her shoulders. Gloria had literally given her the life she had today. Taken a chance on some stranger in the bus station. Now faced with the chance to honor that friendship, she had the urge to run for the hills. “I’ll keep an open mind.” She stood and Tray quickly followed, jutting his hand out to Horace.

  “It was nice meeting you.”

  “I was wondering why Gloria had included you in all this. Just so you know, I’m still wondering.”

  “That makes two of us.” Tray smiled.

  “More like three of us.” Lauren pulled her bag over her shoulder and blinked back a tear. Suddenly she felt like the contradiction Tray had been calling her. She wanted to be alone, but felt overwhelmingly lonely. She wanted to be angry but was also touched by the idea that Gloria trusted her with a secret.

  “You okay, kid?” Tray asked, nudging her shoulder when they made it to the hallway. “That was a lot to take in.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “I’m fine. The most commonly used lie.”

  “Really, I was prepared for some kind of curve ball. This is a blip on the radar. I’ll deal with it and then move forward.”

  “Is the ring pretty?”

  “It’s beautiful,” Lauren sighed, tapping her purse where the ring still sat in the box. “I feel terrible though. I’m sure Layla would have wanted it.”

  “She said Gloria’s wishes were to be honored.”

  When the elevator doors opened, Lauren realized they had no reason to hop in the same car. Like a fresh blanket of snow, more sadness closed in around her.

  She touched his arm gently before they could step outside. “I can grab a cab. Thank you again for a wonderful day. You were right, I liked the surprise.”

  “You’re not going anywhere,” Tray asserted.

  “What?”

  “If you get in that cab right now where will you go?”

  “The office.”

  “To sit in an empty room and cry? She’s not going to be there; you know that.”

  “Of course I know Gloria won’t be there. I’m not an idiot.”

  “So then come with me. I have somewhere better we can go.”

  “Another surprise?” Her eyes fluttered. “You can’t honestly believe the odds are in your favor. No way you can come up with two good surprises in one day.”

  “What do I get if I do?”

  “A reward,” she said, leaning in to him. “A very special reward.”

  “Then I’m ready to gamble.”

  Chapter 10

  Tray

  * * *

  There was a chance he’d misread the situation. Maybe Lauren really did want to catch a cab and go to the office. Bury her head in work and forget all about the lawyer’s words. Push out the mystery that had just been laid at her feet. When she looped her arms in his and rested her head on his shoulder, all doubt melted away. She didn’t need to sit alone, she needed to walk in this park holding on to him. He was sure of it now.

  “What do you think this property thing is all about?” The smell of her shampoo wafted up toward him, and he squeezed her arm a little closer with his.

  “I really don’t know. I can’t believe a woman as well-known as Gloria could keep anything a secret. She had her share of paparazzi following her around. People always digging up dirt to catch wind of a scandal.” She chuckled before continuing, “The nice thing about Gloria was she loved flaunting her scandals. If there was a juicy story, she was the first one to call it in. This must be something different. But what would I know, apparently she did keep things from me.”

  “I didn’t know you were late finding out about her illness. I figured you’d have been one of the first to find out.”

  “I thought that too.”

  “You heard what Horace said. This was Gloria’s passion, this property in Italy. And she wants you to have it. That is a testament to what she thought of you.”

  Lauren stopped abruptly and spun to face him, her hand on his chest. “What the hell is such a big secret though? What could it be?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Maybe I won’t like it. Maybe I don’t want to be a part of some secret three-way thing.”

  Tray laughed, trying to quickly stifle it. “I’m sorry. I know this is a serious moment. But people walking by definitely heard you just yell you don’t want to be part of a three-way. And I don’t think I come out of this looking very good.”

  A few heads did turn their way. The park was busy that time of night. Joggers. Parents pushing strollers. Kids tossing a football.

  “Shit,” Lauren said, hanging her head. Like a reflex, he pulled her into his arms, brushing the back of her hair down gently. She spoke into his chest, her warm breath filling his heart. “Could this day get any weirder?”

  “I’m sure it could,” Tray chuckled. “But let’s hope it doesn’t. Gloria may have enjoyed a scandal, but I’m not sure my reputation could take people knowing you turned down my advances for a three-way.”

  “The revolving door of your love life wouldn’t slow down a bit.”

  “I don’t want to risk it. Why don’t we go somewhere quieter? We haven’t made it to our destination yet.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “Just down that path.” He pointed off toward the woods, and she looked in the direction with a shocked expression.

  “I’m supposed to go into the woods with you? Not happening.”

  “Really? Why not?”

  “Do you not watch true crime television? Going off in the woods is a sure-fire way to get killed. You could be a murderer.”

  “I’d have the most bizarre M.O. if that was the case. What would they call me, the spa day killer? He relaxes them with expensive spa treatments, gourmet meals, and moral support through difficult times. Then when their guard is down he walks them into the woods and kills them? Seems far-fetched.”

  “What’s in the woods?”

  “A surprise.”

  “Something a murderer would say.”

  “I guess you’ll never know.” He leaned back a bit to see her face. She planted her chin in his chest and looked up at him, lashes fluttering. “I’m not going to kill you.”

  She grinned like a child. “Also something murderers say.”

  “What do non-murderers say?”

  She shrugged weakly. “Pretty much nothing about the woods.”

  He lowered his voice and crouched to look her in the eyes. “We can do anything you want, Lauren. I don’t care where we go, as long as we’re going together.”

  Her face contorted, taken back by his candor. His wide grin only confused her more.

  “For the record,” he said, laughing, “THAT, is something a murderer would say.”

  She drove her knuckles into his ribs until he jumped back. “You’re a jerk.”

  “I wasn’t kidding. We can take off if you want to, but I don’t think you should be alone. You’ll go sit around and wonder endlessly about what the hell this secret could be.”

  “And what will we do instead?”


  “Sit together and wonder the same thing.”

  Her hand came up to her hair, sweeping it back off her shoulders. “Fine. There better be something good in the woods.”

  He looped his arm again and waited for her to take hold. Tray liked that she made him wait a few beats.

  When she made a move for him, a whoosh rushed by them both, punctuated by a thud against Lauren. A man. Fast as a gazelle, he yanked her bag off her shoulder with so much force it pulled her to the ground. Tray was on her in a flash. Checking her. The scuffed palms. Torn knee of her pants.

  “Are you all right?” he asked in an angry tone, watching the man dodge people as he tried to get away.

  “The ring! Tray the ring was in my bag.”

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yes,” she said, appraising herself quickly.

  “Don’t move. Call the police.”

  “Where are you going?” She gasped but he was already out of her reach. “No Tray, don’t. He might have a gun.”

  “Good, I’ll have something to hit him with.” Tray watched the crowds of people ahead being jostled by the man trying to run away. He could cut him off. Down the hill and toward the park, he could get ahead of him.

  Anger fueled him. The thought of Lauren on the ground. Scraped. Scared. It was all he needed to shave even more off his fastest mile. An old fury he’d long since buried erupted like lava from his chest. Only a piece of garbage would put his hands on a woman, throw her to the ground.

  The man’s dark coat and red hat came back into view. He was only a couple of yards ahead, making his way toward the playground still loaded with kids, squealing and playing. Tray would have to catch him first.

  The tackle didn’t give Tray the release of adrenaline he’d hoped for. It didn’t seem enough to settle the score of Lauren hitting the ground.

  “Hey, you piece of shit, stay down.” The man fought against Tray’s grip, but it didn’t matter. He was a wiry guy. Fast but weak. No chance of getting up. “Stop fighting me or I will break your arm.”

  Tray wrestled Lauren’s purse free and tossed it away. Then he flipped the man over, as if seeing his face would mean anything. He half expected to see an old demon staring back at him, a face he’d tried to forget.