Vivian sighed, and suddenly Nicole felt bad for her words. Maybe this really was hard on Vivian.
“But I totally understand. Who can resist a world cruise? It’s so exciting. Something people dream of doing.”
“Exactly.” Vivian gazed around her picturesque yard. “I should just be thankful we get to come home to this.” She paused on the patio, looking intently at Nicole. “I don’t know if your mama ever mentioned it before, but I grew up in a blue-collar family. My daddy worked hard to keep us fed, and I often felt like one of the ‘have-nots.’”
“I didn’t know.”
“Your mama’s family was rich in comparison to mine. But they always treated me like one of the family. I was a hard worker and somewhat academic, so I went to college on a full-ride scholarship.” She sighed. “But I never imagined a life like this. That is all due to Robert . . . and his parents.” Vivian seemed almost embarrassed by her confession.
Nicole put a hand on her shoulder. “Then you are blessed.”
“I guess I am.” Vivian gazed over the gorgeous backyard with a look of deep satisfaction. “Don’t mention this to Robert, but I wouldn’t mind if our cruise was cut short.” She chuckled. “Not that I want to have problems out there. It’s just that three months on a boat sounds a bit daunting. But I better make the best of it. For Robert’s sake, I’m trying to be positive. It’s always been his dream to do something like this.”
“I’ll do my best to keep this place up for you while you’re gone. I feel very fortunate to be here. I always thought it was a lovely home, but it’s far nicer than I remember.”
“Yes, we’ve done a lot these last ten years—both inside and out. Originally we’d planned to complete the improvements, then put the house on the market. But in the midst of Ryan’s renovations, the real estate market went into a slump.”
“So Ryan did all this?” Nicole was impressed. It seemed that the nerdy teen she remembered from her youth had some hidden talents.
“Oh yes. Ryan is responsible for all the improvements.” Vivian led her up the stone patio with its various pieces of wicker furnishings. A perfect place to settle in with a book or even an easel. “It started out as an experiment, back when he was still in high school. But we quickly realized he had a real knack for it. We promised him that if he finished design school, we would partner with him in a renovation business. And that’s what he does.” She waved her hand around. “We were his experimental house. He still likes to tweak his masterpiece.” She laughed as she opened a French door. “Now I never want to sell the place. I told Robert that I plan to live to be an old lady in this house.”
“Can’t blame you for that.” Nicole’s eyes widened as she was led inside. “This has all changed too.” She stared in wonder at the interior, which was modernized, but not in a contemporary way. “It’s lovely.”
“How about I give you the two-bit tour.”
“Sure, but I don’t think two bits is enough.”
Starting with the cook’s kitchen, which looked like a spread from Southern Living magazine, Vivian led Nicole around the first floor. Off the kitchen was a great room with comfortable albeit semiformal furnishings and walls of built-ins that seemed to complement the Victorian style of the house. Next to this was a large dining room overlooking the backyard and pool, which, according to Vivian, could comfortably seat twenty. Next they peeked in at Robert’s study with its floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and serious leather and mahogany furnishings. This was followed by a sweet little powder room with white marble tile and an antique vanity. Then, at the end of a hallway, Vivian opened the door to a flawless master suite in shades of robin’s-egg blue and cream. Everything was immaculately coordinated and inviting.
“It’s all so beautiful,” Nicole said, trying to absorb the opulence of this home.
“Thank you.” Vivian beamed at her. “I had Ryan’s designer help me with the kitchen and great room, but I designed this suite, as well as the other bedrooms, myself.”
“You’re very good at it.” Nicole studied the foggy seascape above the king-sized bed. The colors looked just right in this room.
“Coming from an artist, that’s high praise indeed.”
Nicole tried not to remember her shabby little apartment. “I don’t know how you keep your room so tidy, especially if you’re packing for a three-month-long vacation.”
“Oh, that’s pretty much finished. Robert had our luggage sent down a few days ago. It’s supposed to be there when we arrive. All we take with us from here is an overnight bag.”
“Nice.” Nicole could only imagine what it would feel like to be that pampered.
Next, Vivian showed Nicole the conservatory, a cozy sunroom with wall-to-wall windows and furnished in white wicker and lots of shiny green plants. “This is my favorite spot during winter, but it gets a bit warm in here in the summertime. The plants still need attention, though. I wrote down instructions for that. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
“Now I want you to meet Mimi.” Vivian crouched down, looking behind a large philodendron plant.
“Mimi?”
“My Siamese cat. She’s sixteen years old and rather spoiled.” Vivian called, “Kitty-kitty,” and eventually a large, dark-colored Siamese cat emerged. “There’s my darling.” Vivian scooped her up, cuddling her in her arms like a baby. “Mama missed you.”
Nicole moved a bit closer, tentatively petting the cat’s head. She didn’t have much experience with felines and usually found them unpredictable.
“Mimi is actually quite friendly.” Vivian carried the cat from the room. “This is her favorite spot. She loves being warm. So please keep the door to this room open.”
“Yes, of course.”
Vivian led her down a hallway and into a large laundry room, which like everything else was perfection. “Mimi’s litter box and feeding area are in here.” She set down the cat, giving her a kitty treat, then opened various cabinets to show Nicole where supplies were located. “But it’s all in my list, including vet information and everything I think you might need. If you have any questions, Robert assured me that we would have some connectivity while we’re out there globe-trotting.” She laughed. “He needs it for his own business. But we also made a promise to each other to keep our phones in our suite. This is our time to disconnect.”
“I think that’s really nice,” Nicole told her.
“We’ll see how it goes.” Vivian pointed to a stairway leading down. “There’s a pool table and games and whatnot down there. Even a mini theater if you need a movie night. Robert and the boys spend a lot of time down there.”
Finally Vivian took Nicole up the stairs, where three roomy bedroom suites were located. “As you can see, I’ve been using this room for various projects,” she explained as she opened the first door. “It looks much better when I clear up the clutter.” She showed Nicole the second room, which was decorated in navy and burgundy and dark wood furniture. “This is what I call the manly guest room.”
“It does feel masculine.”
“I have you in the next room.” Vivian started for the door at the end of the hallway, then stopped by another door. “This leads up to the third floor, but there’s not much to see up there. It’s a finished attic, but I only use it for storage. And I like to keep this door closed so that Mimi doesn’t wander up there and get shut in.”
“I’ll be sure to leave it shut.”
“And this is your room.” She opened the door, flicking on the light switch to reveal a pale yellow room that felt light and cheerful. “Unless you’d rather have a different room—”
“No, no, this is perfect. I love this shade of buttery yellow.” Nicole gazed over the fluffy white bedding, the comfortable-looking pale blue lounge chair, and the other amenities of this lovely bedroom suite. The space was roomy. Much larger than her entire apartment back home. “I’ll be very comfortable here. Thanks.”
“Sounds like Robert is home,” Vivian said.
“I’ll ask him to bring up your bags. Make yourself at home.”
After Vivian left, Nicole snooped around a bit more. Well, it wasn’t really snooping, since this was her room for the summer. But everything in here—from the small crystal vase of pink tea roses on the bureau to the claw-foot tub in the bathroom—was so sweet and wonderful that she felt like an interloper. Like someone would show up and accuse her of trespassing. She set her purse down on the table next to the lounge chair, then remembered the paper Amyra had given her. She reached for her schedule and felt like she’d found the proverbial fly in the ointment. Spending three months with Amyra would be a challenge.
Still, Nicole reminded herself as she sat down to peruse the schedule, she was used to getting along with prickly people. That’s what teaching high school was all about. How many students had she been put off by when she first met them, only to weep when they graduated? Perhaps that’s how it would be with Amyra.
After a bit, Robert came in with her bags, setting them down just inside her room. She thanked him, complimenting him on his beautiful home. “I hope you have a wonderful cruise,” she said as he lingered by the door.
“Thanks, I’m really looking forward to it.” His expression grew serious. “So you met Vampira?”
Nicole couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah. I’m hoping I don’t accidentally call her that. I doubt she’d appreciate it.”
He shook his head. “You can count on that.”
“I was just thinking about her,” she admitted as she stood with the schedule still in her hand, “hoping that by the end of summer, we would be friends.” She quickly explained about some of the students she’d befriended over the past few years.
He grinned. “Well, if anyone can do that, I’d put my money on you. You’ve always struck me as a sensible, kind young woman, Nicole. When Vivian said you were coming, I felt like you were a godsend.”
“Thanks.” She sighed. “I hope I don’t disappoint her.”
“Hello?” Vivian called from down the hallway. “You still up here, Robert?”
“Just chatting with Nicole,” he called over his shoulder.
Vivian came to join him in the doorway, slipping her arm around his waist. “I feel so good knowing that Nicole is here to keep an eye on things for us.”
“Yes, I was just saying that to her.”
“Well, I know it’s not that late, but we do have to get up early in the morning for our flight,” she told him.
He nodded. “I was thinking the same thing.”
Vivian turned to Nicole. “I’ve left the keys to the gallery and house along with my lists down on the breakfast bar. And I’ve written out my expectations for the gallery as well as the schedule of events and shows I have planned for the summer. Everything you need should be there.” Her brow creased as she paused. “I also left an itinerary of our trip and our cell phone numbers and the boys’ numbers and . . . well, everything I could think of. But I wanted to see if you have any questions for me before we go to bed.”
“I think I’m okay. And I appreciate you making those lists.” Nicole tried to appear confident. “I’m sure that everything will be just fine.”
“If any emergency arises, you can try to send a text,” Robert told her. “But don’t expect a prompt response.”
“You’ll be better off asking Alex for help if it’s related to the gallery,” Vivian told her. “Or Ryan if it’s related to the house. Between the two of them, you should be in good hands.”
“I’m not worried,” Nicole assured them. “I think I’ll be okay.”
“Then we’ll say good night.” Vivian’s smile looked weary. “We don’t expect you to get up in time to see us off in the morning.”
“That’s right.” Robert waved his hand. “We have to be out of here by five thirty.”
“And you’ll probably still be on West Coast time.” Vivian stepped back.
Nicole sighed. “Thanks, you’re probably right.”
Vivian paused. “I did want to tell you one more thing.” Her tone was hesitant, and she glanced at Robert as if she expected him to say something.
“You don’t mean that haunted nonsense?” He gave her a quizzical look.
Vivian laughed. “No, of course not.”
“Haunted?” Nicole asked.
“Oh, everyone seems to think that all the old houses in Savannah must be haunted.” Vivian shook her head. “But it’s perfectly ridiculous.”
“Oh.” Nicole felt a bit disappointed. A haunted house could be interesting. “Then what was it?”
“I wanted to tell you”—Vivian took a slow breath—“something about the gallery.”
“Yes?”
“I know that Amyra thinks she’s in charge. But I want you to know that, in my mind, you are the one in charge.”
Robert made a snorting noise that sounded like stifled laughter.
“What?” Vivian turned to her husband.
“Oh, nothing.” He shrugged.
“Robert?”
He gave a sheepish smile. “I was just thinking, good luck with that.”
Vivian humphed as she turned back to Nicole. “Well, I know it won’t be easy, honey. But you do understand what I’m saying, don’t you?”
“Sort of . . . but not exactly.”
“I know it’s complicated, but I am giving you the authority to be in charge. The buck stops with you, Nicole. In my mind, you are the manager. You’re my replacement while I’m away. Amyra is essentially your assistant. Do you understand?”
Nicole barely nodded as Vivian’s words sank in. “I guess so.”
Vivian beamed at her. “Great!” She opened her arms. “Now give us a hug and we’ll all say good night.”
As Nicole embraced Vivian and Robert, she still had questions—more than ever after Vivian’s last statement. Yet she knew her hosts were tired and had a long day ahead of them tomorrow. So she simply smiled and called out, “Bon voyage,” hoping to sound upbeat and positive as the couple headed down the stairs.
But as she turned back to her cheery yellow room, she felt anything but cheerful. How on earth was she supposed to manage someone like Amyra? It was one thing to attempt a friendship with that icy woman, but to be over her and tell her what to do? It was no wonder Robert had laughed.
5
Despite the three-hour time difference, Nicole woke up early on Sunday morning, but not early enough to tell Vivian and Robert goodbye. As she went downstairs, marveling again at the general beauty of everything in this house, she felt grateful for getting to spend a summer here. Of course, the big challenge would be figuring things out with Amyra. But perhaps it was overblown in her mind.
Nicole went directly to the kitchen, perusing the various lists that Vivian had printed out for her. They were all very organized, spelling everything out in meticulous detail. After going over them, Nicole didn’t have a single question. Well, besides how to handle Amyra.
Nicole was expected to show up at the gallery by ten o’clock. Fortunately, it was only a few minutes away. That allowed her nearly three hours to luxuriate in this fabulous house. Before doing anything else, she checked on Mimi. Calling out, “Kitty-kitty,” she made her way to the sunroom just as the sleek, dark cat emerged from behind a palm plant.
“Hello there, old girl.” Nicole sat in a wicker chair, waiting for Mimi to approach her, then gently stroked her coat and talked to her in a soothing tone. “I know you miss your mama,” she said, “but I’ll try to make up for her.” After a bit, she led the cat to the laundry room, where she put out some food. “And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll get my own breakfast.”
It was fun puttering around in the gorgeous kitchen, but since it was sunny outside, Nicole decided to take her coffee and breakfast out to the inviting patio next to the pool. Even though it was barely eight, the air was already warm and moist. Luxurious. Still in her summer nightgown and feeling like a movie star, Nicole settled onto the chaise lounge, sunning her legs and imagining how magical a
whole summer like this was going to be. Talk about lifestyles of the rich and famous.
She had just finished up her little breakfast and stretched back on the lounge, wishing she didn’t have to report to the gallery this morning, when she heard a low whistle. Jerking to attention, she sat up in time to see a fair-haired man standing over her. Wearing a dark suit and an amused expression, he set down a garment bag and continued to stare.
Jerking her skimpy nightgown to her knees, Nicole wished she’d brought her robe. “Wh-what are you doing—”
“You don’t remember me? I’m Alex.” He smiled as he set his briefcase next to his bags. “You have to be Nicole.”
She jumped to her feet, causing the little side table to tip over. The coffee mug tumbled to the stone patio, shattering into a hundred pieces. “Oh dear!” Totally humiliated, she knelt to pick up the pieces, but Alex came over to her, pulling her back to her feet.
“Just leave it,” he commanded. “Miss Doreen can get it.”
“But I—”
“Don’t step on it!” Alex led her around the shards. “Now let me look at you.” He peered down into her face. “Wow. You’ve grown up quite nicely.”
She gave an embarrassed laugh. “I need to go get dressed.”
He grinned. “Hey, I like your outfit.”
She stepped away from him. “Please excuse me.” Feeling like a gawky fifteen-year-old again, she dashed back into the house, raced up the stairs, and quickly pulled on her new white capri pants and a pale blue sleeveless top. With a quick glance in the mirror, she could see she’d made an improvement. Running her fingers through her tousled hair, she hurried back down. Hopefully Alex hadn’t already left by now. She really wanted to see him. Just not in her nightie!
To her relief, he was in the kitchen. He’d removed his suit jacket and striped tie and was pleasantly humming as he poured coffee into a mug. “Oh, there you are.” He held the mug out to her. “Want a fresh cup?”
“Sure.” She took it. “Thanks.”
“It’s good to see you again, Nikki.” He smiled as he filled another mug. “It’s been too long.”
Under a Summer Sky--A Savannah Romance Page 4