Fate at the Manor

by J. R. Cowan

  Charlotte went from lanky to curvy almost overnight. His mouth went dry just thinking about her. Always beautiful inside and out and never looking at him. Guys swarmed around her. She’d jumped at the chance to date the high school quarterback. The news from his mother about Charlotte dumping Haden before prom was shocking to say the least. Charlotte wanting to go with him to prom was even more shocking. Then he’d caught her making out with his best friend.

  It had all been so confusing. He’d yelled at her. Told her he’d hated her. Only went to prom with her because Haden dumped her and for good reason. Told her she was the ugliest woman in the world and a whole lot of other mean things. He’d been dumb and stubborn.

  There was no other explanation for why Charlotte had gone to prom with him except pity and he wasn’t anyone’s pity prom date. He’d never forgiven her. Marcus had apologized and told him it was mistake. He’d forgiven him. Chalked it up to hormones. What teenage guy could resist himself around that princess fairy?

  She was every guys’ dream girl.

  Too good for the likes of him.

  That’s when he’d started to hate her. Because she was too good for him and she knew it. Why else would she have kissed his best friend when they were on a date? It was the only thing that made sense.

  Marcus had money. His family had status. Justin’s family had been working their way up the status ladder with their publishing company flourishing every year, but they’d never be as prestigious as the Bean’s.

  Now he was tied to her. Ten long years of building her career. Working beside her. Reading her novels. Her thoughts. Her desires. All poured into the pages of her books. He knew every aspect of her heart and soul and hated her more. Not because her work was awful, but because it was beautiful. So beautiful it made his heart ache. He’d never call himself a romantic, but when he read her work, he wished he could be the male characters in her book. Be her hero. Her knight. Her everything. The fact he couldn’t, enraged him.

  “Justin? Hey man, what are you doing here?” Luke walked out of the barn with Wyatt skipping along beside him. The pair were matching in jeans and flannel shirts with boots and black cowboy hats.

  Justin smiled at the sight. Wyatt missing a front tooth and beaming up at his idol, Luke. “Hey guys. Came to woo Charlotte.”

  “About time.” Luke chuckled.

  He was taken back by the comment, but recovered quickly. “No. For work. She wants to write a non-fiction piece about Holly and her fiancé.” He shivered at the thought.

  “What’s wrong with it? Sounds like a solid idea to me.” Luke patted him on the back.

  “Don’t tell Charlotte. It will only encourage her.”

  Luke laughed. “Dinner’s almost ready. We were headed to the Manor to try and sneak some food from the kitchen without Mrs. White catching us, weren’t we, Wyatt?”

  Wyatt nodded and giggled.

  “Sounds good. Can I join you?”

  “Of course.” Luke fell into step beside him. “How’s things in KC? Business good?”

  “Can’t complain except for Charlotte. I can always complain about her.”

  Luke shook his head. “Lila was right. You two are awful. What is the deal with you two?”

  Justin shrugged. “We have history.”

  “So. Lila and I have history. Didn’t stop us from falling in love. Maybe you need to spend a little time in front of Angelica.” He winked at him.

  “Oh no. I’m avoiding that fountain like the flu. I heard it’s catching and the last thing I want to do is fall in love.”

  “It’s pretty great.” Luke sighed.

  “Says the man marrying Lila Clay. You can’t do much better than her.”

  “That’s true. She’s pretty incredible. I’m a lucky guy.” Luke smiled when he saw Lila waiting for them on the front porch.

  “There you two are. I was about ready to come find you. Mrs. White says dinner is about ready and if you two are going to sneak any food, you’d better hurry.” She smiled then winked at them.

  Luke pulled her into his side and kissed her head. “I could think of better things to devour.”

  Lila blushed and swatted his chest. “Luke! Little ears.” She gestured to Wyatt, who was too busy trying to catch a butterfly to be eavesdropping on them.

  “I can’t help it. You’re delicious. The Rabbit Room is getting awful lonely. My bed at the house is calling yours and my name.”

  She held up her left hand. “There’s only one thing missing.”

  Luke smirked. “Oh, I know. Soon sweetheart. I promise. If you’re ready. I want to give you time to be sure. Since- well- since the last marriage wasn’t what you wanted. What you deserved.”

  Justin felt like he was intruding on a private moment, so he headed to the back yard as he heard Lila tell Luke she was ready when he was. He envied them. They looked so happy and in love. Something he wanted, but refused to allow himself to experience. Love hurt. Charlotte showed him that. He wasn’t about to make that mistake again.

  Charlotte. The bane of his existence was sitting on the dock with a petite brunette woman, who could be none other than Holly Harper. The two appeared deep in conversation. He wasn’t ready to talk to Charlotte yet…if ever, so he found a seat on the deck and took in the scene.

  Men and women in their late twenties, early thirties gathered around the picnic tables. A few had already coupled off and seemed to be enjoying each other’s company. The smell of BBQ filled the air and his stomach rumbled.

  “Evening, Mr. Walker.” Clyde offered him a hand. “Glad you could join us this weekend. May I join you?” He gestured to the empty chair next to Justin.

  Justin nodded and shook the old doctor’s hand, taking in his silver hair and aging features. He was probably about his father’s age, if he’d lived through his heart attack. In jeans and a checkered shirt with boots minus the cowboy hat, he was an older version of Luke.

  “Nice evening. Tomorrow they’re calling for rain, but we’ll pray it holds off until after the single’s retreat. Hopefully, the good Lord will grant us a reprieve.” Clyde settled back into a patio chair. “Cynthia said you’re here to woo our Charlotte.”

  “No- no. Not in that way.” Justin’s face turned red.

  Clyde chuckled.

  “I’m her agent. She’s wanting to write a book which is completely different than her normal novels.”

  “Hmm. Different isn’t a bad thing.”

  “It is when it’s career suicide.”

  Clyde studied him for a moment, making Justin feel like he was an organism under a microscope. “What if it’s not?”

  “What if what’s not?”

  “The book. What if it’s Charlotte’s chance to make a difference? To help a young woman heal.” He gestured toward the dock where the two women still sat, chatting away. “Words have power. To destroy you. Make you cry. Make you laugh. Make you feel. Even help you heal.”

  Justin pursed his lips. He hadn’t considered it.

  “Just think about it and talk to Charlotte before you write off her idea all together. From what I hear your relationship is hanging on by a thread. This book could weave you two together or be your undoing.” Clyde patted him on the arm before standing and excusing himself.

  He frowned and glanced toward the dock. The women were walking toward the buffet table. Charlotte was smiling and laughing and so was Holly. The trim, pale, dark haired woman in a striped maxi dress seemed relaxed with Charlotte.

  It wasn’t a surprise. Charlotte had a way with people. She was master with words, but her true gift was her people skills. Everyone loved her. Felt comfortable around her. They would tell her things. Their secrets. Their hopes. Their fears and their dreams.

  Maybe Clyde was right. Maybe Charlotte needed to write this book. For herself as much as for Holly. If he didn’t support it, he knew it would be the end of them. Although part of him would relish not having to see her, talk to her or read her work, but the other part of him knew he would miss
it. He’d miss her. Charlotte could be his undoing if he wasn’t careful.

  Chapter 4

  Charlotte flopped back on the bed and turned on her side to stare out the window at the gray sky and bare trees. Winter was on the horizon. Her favorite season. Perfect for writing. Snow and bitter cold days kept her inside and focused. Something she needed to be in order to solve this mystery and get this book out by next summer. That is if they could solve Noah’s murder.

  She yawned. Although she was exhausted, she was buzzing with creative energy. The night had gone better than she’d expected.

  Holly was on board with her book.

  An answered prayer. Thank the good Lord.

  She’d prayed about this book since Lila had told her about Holly and Noah. Lately, she’d been stuck.

  Uninspired.

  Fiction didn’t hold the appeal that a real love story did. Sure, she could create two characters and tell their story in her sleep, but to what end?

  It wasn’t real.

  It wasn’t life.

  This story.

  Holly and Noah’s love, it was real.

  And it was stolen from them.

  But why?

  She was determined to find out.

  Charlotte sighed and thought about everything she’d written over the past twelve hours. She’d gotten tons of material from Holly sitting on the dock. How they’d met. Fallen in love. Their plans to marry at the Manor. Their hopes. Their dreams. Plans for their future. Their fight. It’d all been so wonderful and then so heartbreaking.

  The Sherriff told Holly yesterday they were closing Noah’s case because there weren’t any leads. No witnesses or even a murder weapon, although the marks in his skull indicate the murder weapon was an axe and with no other evidence, there was nothing left to go on. The poor girl was devastated. Afraid she’d never find out what had happened to Noah.

  Charlotte promised her they’d keep searching for answers until they found out what happened to Noah. It was a promise she hoped she could keep. This was one story she prayed would have a happy ending for Holly. Although the chances looked grim. The sweet girl had spent the last twelve years volunteering at orphanages around the world. Caring for babies who weren’t hers because she feared she would never be a mother. At least not to her own children.

  Holly feared she’d never find love again. Not the kind like she’d experienced with Noah. If she couldn’t find it then she wouldn’t settle. Charlotte didn’t blame her. She wouldn’t either.

  A knock on her door drew her from her thoughts.

  “Come in.” She pulled herself onto the pillows and patted down her hair. It must be sticking up in a million different directions since she tended to fuss with it when she was at a loss for words. She’d thrown on sweats when she’d gotten back to her room. They were her favorite writing attire.

  “I thought you might be hungry.” Justin held a tray loaded with waffles, eggs, bacon and fruit. His hair was wet as if he’d just stepped out of the shower and his minty aftershave mixed with the smell of bacon filled the room. Donning jeans and a sweatshirt, he appeared relaxed and somehow different from City Justin.

  Charlotte’s mouth dropped open at his kind gesture. Then became suspicious. When he set the tray in front of her, she hesitated to dive in. Her stomach rumbled. She’d left the Manor barely eating because she didn’t want to forget anything Holly had told her. Lila had been disappointed when she’d ducked out of the bonfire and evenings activities, but she’d understood.

  “Not hungry. I can take it back to Mrs. White. She made it especially for you. Said you liked her homemade waffles.” Justin sighed, attempting to take the tray.

  “Homemade waffles!” Charlotte slapped his hand away then dug in.

  Justin chuckled and leaned against the window sill. “Long night?”

  She nodded in between bites. Syrup dripping down her chin.

  “How much did you get done?”

  “Enough.” She mumbled through a full mouth.

  “What’s enough?” He crossed his arms over his broad chest.

  “Half way.” Charlotte shrugged.

  Justin’s eyes bugged out. “Are you serious?”

  Charlotte nodded, enjoying his reaction. Writing was her gift. When she was passionate, she could plug away with no writer’s block. Last night the words poured out of her like she was meant to write this story. She’d still be writing if she had more material. It was time to talk with Lila and get more details on Noah’s death. Holly may have thought of more to add too.

  “Did you sleep?”

  “Nope.” Charlotte finished off her food and pushed the tray away. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she’d started eating. “Did I miss anything last night?”

  “Just women fawning over Marcus. Except Holly.”

  Charlotte made a face.

  “Jealous?”

  “Hardly.” She stretched and eyed the pillow as if it were a dessert.

  “Huh?”

  “Huh what?” Charlotte yawned.

  “I thought you two were dating.” Justin frowned.

  “That’s what you get for thinking.” Charlotte snapped then regretted it. She was tired and cranky. No sleep and Justin were a bad combination.

  Justin smirked letting her comment roll off him like sweat on soda bottle under the hot Missouri sun.

  “I’m sorry. I’m tired. No sleep. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

  “Charlotte Clover is apologizing to me.” Justin’s jaw dropped.

  “Don’t get used it.” She rolled her eyes.

  They stared at each other for a moment then Justin ran a hand through his hair breaking their connection.

  “So, you’re not dating Marcus?”

  Charlotte shook her head.

  “What was lunch?”

  “I was eating lunch and working on my outline for this book when he invited himself to sit with me. The restaurant was full, so I didn’t think it was a big deal. I certainly didn’t think there would be paparazzi. You have to know I would never do anything to hurt you or your mother or the agency.”

  Justin frowned, but nodded. “Then I shouldn’t be worried, he’s going to publish this book.”

  Charlotte laughed. “Not unless you decide NOT to publish it.”

  “The jury’s still out.” He smirked. “Can I read what you have so far?” Justin gestured to her laptop.

  “It’s rough. I haven’t had time to edit. The story poured out of me.” Charlotte yawned again.

  “You sleep. I’ll edit.” Justin offered.

  Charlotte nodded, slipped under the covers and was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

  A few hours later, she awoke somewhat refreshed, but ready to get back to work. When she glanced at the desk across the room, her laptop was gone. Panic rose in her chest and she flew down the stairs to find Justin on the couch typing away on it. “What are you doing?”

  “Editing.” Not taking his eyes off the screen. “Sleep well?”

  “Like the dead.” Charlotte sat down next to him. “What time is it?”

  “A little after 11 pm.”

  “Oh good! Lunch time.”

  Justin chuckled. “Didn’t get enough breakfast?”

  Charlotte blushed. Her appetite was always ravenous. Luckily, she had a great metabolism. “That was over 3 hours ago.” She smirked then added. “Thank you by the way.”

  “For what?” Justin didn’t take his eyes off the screen.

  “For bringing me breakfast.”

  He stopped typing and studied her for a moment. “You’re welcome.” Then he blinked and turned back to the screen. “I have to admit, this is good. Really good. Maybe the best thing you’ve ever written. I can’t believe you got this much from just one conversation with Holly.” His phone beeped on the end table.

  Charlotte felt her heart swell at the praise. She took the laptop from his hands while he checked his phone. His notes were on the sides of the pages. Lots of kind words, a f
ew suggestions on how to make a paragraph better, but overall it appeared the Grinch of Romance loved her book. Thank God!

  “What the-“ Justin slammed his phone down on the table so hard it shook the lamp. He caught it to before it crashed to the floor.

  “What’s wrong?” Charlotte jumped at the sound.

  “What’s wrong? What’s wrong is you played me, Charlotte Renee Clover.” Justin glared at her.

  “Played you? What are you talking about?” Charlotte closed the laptop and placed it on the coffee table.

  “I’m talking about the fact that Marcus Bean just released that you are writing Holly Harper’s story and he is representing you since Walker Literary Agency only deals with your fiction novels. Starfire Publishing is threatening to sue for Breach of Contract. What the heck, Charlotte?”

  Charlotte felt dizzy. This couldn’t be happening. She had Starfire’s book finished so she wouldn’t be in Breach of Contract. It would be on their desk by next week.

  She’d left out that tidbit of information just to goad Justin. Shocking him was something she enjoyed. Although it seemed ridiculous. It caused him so much stress, but with all the hurtful things he’d said to her in high school, she’d justified it. Of course, she should forgive and forget, but a part of her just couldn’t let it go.

  Kissing Marcus in high school had been a mistake too. One she couldn’t fix and now this. “I never told him that I was going to sign with him. He asked what I was working on and I’d told him a non-fiction book. He’d laughed and said you’d never pitch it. I told him if you didn’t that I would find someone who would. He offered his services and gave me his card. Told me to call him when you refused, but I never did. I promise you, Justin. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

  “So, Marcus is just making all this up?”

  “Yes!” Charlotte threw her hands in the air. “I never signed anything with him. For him to go public with this is ridiculous.”

  “It’s all over the writer’s forums and social media. This is bad.” Justin raked a hand through his hair and paced the room. “Mom is so upset.”