Aimee stood from the chair and spotted a handkerchief sticking out from the cushion. It looked like the ones her Gran used in Savannah, only this one was monogrammed with the letters SG. Aimee folded the handkerchief and put in her back pocket.
The door on the right from her Gran’s room was locked. Aimee found that odd. She would ask Susan about the locked door. The other three bedrooms were smaller guest rooms. When they finished the tour, they went down to see if Susan needed help.
Susan had the table ready, when they arrived to the dining area. Aimee went to the kitchen by way of the butler chamber. That shocked Susan. “I am sorry. We finished looking around and wanted to know if we can help you in any way.”
Susan stood stunned. “I have never had the Mistress of the house volunteer to help me before.”
“Susan, my Gran and mother raised me to believe that no one is better than anyone else. I help Mrs. Opal, she takes care of my American home, all the time. I work the orchards with her husband, Charles, as did my mom and Gran, when they were living.”
Susan grinned. “Can you fix the drinks? I have the stuff to make sweet tea and lemonade.”
“It would be my pleasure.”
The others came in and offered to help carry the food to the table. Aiden even offered to mash the potatoes for her, which totally took her off guard. Though she never said, Aimee was certain she knew he was Prince Aiden.
Susan did decide to join them for dinner. She commented on how she had never served such a gracious group before.
“How long have you worked here, Susan?” Lexi started the conversation.
“Let me think. Officially, for about four years.”
“What do you mean, officially?” Aimee inquired.
“My mother worked here until she retired four years ago. My grandmother worked here for the previous owners. I used to come and help them both.”
“Did you know the previous owners?”
“I met the misses and her daughter on several occasions.”
Aiden smiled at Susan. “Was the previous owner’s name Edna or Mrs. Townsend, by any chance?”
“Not that I recall. I was young when I met them, though.”
“Is the furniture the same as what the previous owner had?” Aimee looked at her, smiling.
“Oh, yes. We updated the curtains, bedding, mattress, and the kitchen, everything else is the same.”
“Even the pictures?” Piper asked.
“Most of them. We added a few from the orchard.”
“Who are we?” Jaxson shocked everyone when he asked.
“The staff that works here. When the corporation that Miss Aimee owns, bought the orchard and farms, they gave us money to update. Of course, they did have some instructions on what stays and what goes.”
“Like what?” James reached for seconds.
“I don’t know all the details. I only helped my mother on occasion. I know it was said to keep the furniture and certain pieces of china. The house at the farm was the one they gave the most instructions on.”
“Did you help with that house?” Aimee played with her potatoes. Not like talking about the farmhouse and the memories it held.
“No, not all. Only two people were allowed. I don’t even know who they were...”
“Are you the one who cleans it now?”
“No, thank the good Lord above for that.”
Aimee looked around the table, begging with her eyes for no one to ask why, but Colin missed her look. “Why?” Aimee wanted to throw her potatoes at him.
“The house has an unsettling history. Rumor is, the Master of that house was cruel to everyone, especially his wife.”
Aimee noticed the tears forming in her eyes. “Susan, it is ok. Colin is such a loon sometimes, but we love him anyway. We know what happen in that house… to the master’s wife.”
“You do, how?”
Aimee cleared her throat. “I guess it is safe to tell you. You have been so sweet to answer what must seem like weird questions from us. My mother was the daughter of the Mistress of this house.”
Susan looked pale. “I thought that family….” She stopped.
“What did you think, Susan? Please tell us.” Aiden used an impatient tone.
“It is just that, we thought the whole family was gone.”
Aimee dropped her spoon onto the platter. “Why?”
“I don’t know if it is a rumor that just got started or what.” Susan stared at Aimee who was pale.
Aiden took Aimee by the hand. “Susan, please tell us everything you know or have heard about Aimee’s family. She is just learning of her role in this corporation. She has lots of unanswered questions to the history of the company and her mother and grandmother’s past?”
Susan looked around, as to make sure no one was listening. “All I know, is that the family left Neahovia during the Radical War. It became too dangerous for the Mistress and her daughter to be here. A gentlemen friend of the family helped arrange their departure. But, they both died when the cruise ship they were aboard sank into the Atlantic.”
Aimee blinked her eyes. “What year did they leave?”
“October of 199o. Why?”
“That is when my mom and Gran came to America.”
Susan looked at Aimee. “I am sorry. I wish I knew more, but that was what we were told. There was enough money left to keep the house going and for the Orchard to remain productive until about fourteen or fifteen years ago. That is when Roseednay Fruits bought the property and business along with the farm.”
“That is ok. I am use to finding out things that only confuse me more.”
Colin took a bite from his plate. “This food is good. I can’t wait to see what is for dessert.”
Susan laughed. “Fresh apple pie.”
Aimee went to help Susan with the pie and dessert plates. “We will help you clean the kitchen and dining area before we go.”
“Thanks.”
“Susan, I have two more questions and then we will totally change the subject. Were there any family photos left in the house?”
“No. They took them all down before they left and I don’t know what they did with them, I am sorry.”
“That is ok. I noticed that the door to the right, as you come out of the master bedroom, was locked, do you know why or have a key?”
“I know that door leads to the attic and I don’t have a key. It is the one room we don’t clean.”
“Let’s go eat some pie.” Aimee followed Susan to the dining area.
Chapter Fourteen
Aimee could not sleep. She had tossed and turned all through the night, when she looked at her clock, it was four am. Too early to go watch a sunrise, but if she stayed in this bed much longer, she was sure to wake Piper up.
She went to the restroom and changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top shirt. Last night, she observed a sitting area at the end of the hall, so she slipped on a pair of flip-flops and grabbed the diary and her tablet.
Aimee settled in one of the overstuffed chairs near the windows. She took out her mom’s diary and opened it to the page she left off. The sound of footsteps startled her and the moment she looked up, she noticed Aiden was standing in the doorway. His hair was messy and he had on a pair of basketball shorts and a tank.
“I thought we agreed you were not going to read that diary alone anymore?”
“We did. But, it is four am, I can’t sleep and there was no way I was not going to wake one of you to read with me.”
“I was awake. I couldn’t sleep either. I keep running everything we learned yesterday over and over in my head.”
“Me too. It is weird because when I came down here this time, it was more about the company than my private life. God had other plans.”
“I hear that.”
“So, what kind of thoughts have you up at four in the morning, Mr. Aiden?”
He scooted her over and sat in the chair with her, causing her to be sitting on one of his legs. “For starter
s, Amelia must be what the A stands for in H.A.L., Ryder was your mom’s first husband’s name, and I am worried sick about the fact that everyone thinks your entire family died before making it to the states.”
“I know, I am too.” She took out her tablet. “I have already noted that the A has to stand for Amelia, it just fits for so many reasons.”
“Ok, I know that the name of the farm being Amelia and the letter A your mom used, but what other reason?”
Aimee looked around. “My name is actually Amelia Roselyn Pittman. Everyone but mom called me Aimee because Tara couldn’t say Amelia and it came out Aimee”
“You are still keeping things from us?”
“Not really. After mom died, I couldn’t stand to be called Amelia, it broke my heart every time someone called me that. I made sure every one called me Aimee and I make sure that whatever I school I attend uses Aimee, not Amelia.”
“Wow. So the name I know you by, is not your name at all.”
“Stop it. I know where you are going with that. I didn’t invent a new identity. I just use my nickname instead.”
He hugged her in a tight hug. “Your secret is safe with me, but for the record, I would love to call you Amelia. It suits you.”
“Thanks and, though it doesn’t hurt hearing you say it, I would rather not tell the others.”
“Ok, for obvious reasons, we agree on Ryder.”
“Yes, and it bothers us both that everyone still thinks mom and Gran died before making it to safety. But what is more bothersome, is the fact that locked door leads to the attic and no one has access to it.”
“Ok, that is weird and bothers me more than anything.”
Aimee handed him the diary. I need to know what happens to HAL.
Aiden took the diary. “At any point I feel this is too much, I am stopping.”
May 25th, 1988
I have not been able to write very much. Mom and I have been staying with HAL. MAL is still missing. HAL has been on the vent for seven days now with no change. My heart is breaking in two. My mother is with her right now. The Doctors has said it is time to let her go. My mom wants to be with her as she leaves us. RGA and I said our goodbyes. I wonder where her son has gone. I assume with his father. We are having everything private. Just mom, myself, and RGA; we don’t want MAL around. He caused this horrible pain in our lives. I pray for his capture soon.
Aiden looked at Aimee, she was crying, but that was to be expected. Her worse fear for HAL came true. He just held her close to his side. He was feeling sorrow too. As far fetch as it may be he was hoping for a different ending for HAL.
Aimee wiped her tear away. “Read more.”
May 30th, 1988
The past few days have been so hard for our family. It is so hard to say goodbye to a loved one, but that is what we had to do two days ago. RGA convinced mom to take a trip to help settle her mind. He assured her we would take care of things at home.
Yesterday morning, we got a very disturbing call at six in the morning. They found a body in the woods in Hilton, a town in the northern part of the country. We had to fly there and identify the body as my older cousin, MAL the 2nd.
He had been shot in the head three times at close range. The corner said the shots were not self inflected. It did not take a forensic scientist to know who shot him. There were no tires tracks, it looked as if they walked into the woods.
MAL is a very vicious monster I pray we never see again. For a man to shoot his wife and son, he has no heart. No love for God or man, he only loves himself and power.
Mom was devastated. She cannot return to Neahovia for two more days. So, we made arrangements ourselves. We are having a small graveside service with us and mom when she returns.
All of those dying around us, has made me think that I may need to be more careful. I am hiding a lot of my personal things in a loose board in my closet. No matter what happens, MAL is not going to get everything he wants from us.
Aiden shut the diary closed. “That is enough. It is close to time for the sunrise, let’s walk to the beach.”
“Ok. Let me put these in my room.”
Aiden waited by the door for her. They stopped in the lobby’s coffee shop and purchased some coffee and walked down the beach. They slowly walked the shore line, taking in the scenery. Just before sunrise, they sat on the sand and watched the sunrise.
“Aimee, I think this may be the quietest sunrise we have ever spent together.”
“I know, I am just trying to wrap my head around everything. I suspected HAL died. I feel like I knew her. The stories my mom told about her showed she was so loving and caring.”
“I think that is why she named you Amelia. Sorry.”
“You are so going to let my secret out.” She hit him on the shoulder.
“I won’t tell the others, but I can’t promise I won’t say it from time to time when we are alone.”
Aimee shook her head. “I was shocked about the death of her cousin. She never really spoke much of him.”
“I know, but I got a feeling, at one time, they were close.”
“I keep wondering about what she put under the board in her closet.”
“Aimee, I think we should leave it be for now. Read some more diaries first.”
“I don’t know. I’ll think on it while I race you back to the hotel.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lady Y was glad she chose to follow the kids to Mystic Paradise. She never dreamed the tour would stir up such a stink. She also didn’t know that Aimee had found those diaries. They were supposed to be hidden from her. Can no one do anything as they have been told?
The look on her face at the farm, told her Aimee knew what happen to her great aunt. Now, she knows she died from that horrible night. Lady Y did not know about the loose board in the house. She needed to rush to the house and remove whatever was hidden in that closet, because she knew Aimee was heading there alone.
No one was around, so she used her key to the side door and snuck in the house. She went into the bedroom and removed the board. When she took out all the documents, she nearly fainted. If Aimee found these, it would be over, she would know too much. She put them in her bag and looked the room over for any other loose boards. She checked the room thoroughly.
She hurried down the hall and to the locked attic door. She took out the key and unlocked it, then she locked it back up, and headed up the steps. When she reached the top, she placed the bag in her closet and sat on her couch. Aimee was one smart girl. She turned on the security cameras. If she knew Aimee, she would pull in at any moment.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Aimee was extra careful as she snuck to the elevator and down to her car. She needed to see what was in that closet. She had a key, so she wasn’t breaking and entering. She drove the speed limit and made it to the orchard in good time. Aiden probably just figured out what she did. She wouldn’t have long.
Aimee unlocked the door and went to her mom’s room. She started to the closet, but something glistening in the sun caught her eyes. She walked over to the corner, in front of the room. A diamond ring was lying there under the large standing mirror.
She picked up the ring and examined it. There was an engraving on the inside: In honour preferring one another. The ring must be her mother’s engagement ring. She couldn’t help herself, she had to try on the ring. She slid it on her left ring finger, it was a perfect fit. She sat on the floor and started imagining her mom sitting in this room.
She almost forgot the purpose of coming here, so she went to the closet and opened the door. She was on her hands and knees, feeling around the floor for the loose board. She was having a hard time finding the right board; even back then, her mom had a huge closet.
She placed her knee on a board to move across the floor, when she noticed the board moved. She went to remove the board, but someone grabbed her hand. She had been found.
“Aimee, you just have to do things your way and, one of these days, it is going to get you i
n trouble.”
She sat down on the floor. “It took you longer than I thought.”
“Well, unlike you, I had to find a car.”
Aimee looked up at Aiden. “I have to look, Aiden.”
“Then, we will look together. Please don’t go on these adventures alone.” He took up the board, the area was empty. Aimee looked around for papers, she couldn’t find anything.
“I don’t understand this. She said she put them here.”
BREAKTHROUGH (Love's Not Easy Series Book 2) Page 13