Chapter 19 - Kissing Cousins
With the holiday weekend over, everything was back to business as usual. All renovations had been completed, and the grounds were quiet and empty again.
“It is time to start on the wedding plans,” Abby announced at breakfast. “We have the dress, but everything else needs to be discussed.”
“You have the dress?” Stone asked. “When did that happen?”
The ladies just shrugged with a grin and said nothing.
“But we need to discuss flowers, decorations, cake, refreshments. Even though it is a small wedding, I want it to be perfect. I want it to be like a fairy tale,” Abby told everyone. “So if you have a few moments, let me tell you what I was thinking,” Abby proposed.
Everyone knew better than to stop Abby, so they listened.
“I am thinking yards, and yards of white tulle draped along the banisters coming down the stairs with either garland of fresh roses or large satin bows. We can carry the theme onto a white arch Gracey and Stone can stand under while they exchange their vows.”
“Oh, it is going to be beautiful,” Gracey said tearing up.
“Now for the cake, I have a couple of ideas. I will need to get with the bakery after we have discussed my ideas and chose one.”
Just as Abby was midsentence, Celia had entered the room. “Oh no, I am making Gracey’s cake. You cannot take that away from me,” Celia called out. Jim and Elmer were right behind her.
“Have you tasted this woman’s cakes?” Elmer asked. “Much better than the bakery in town and I have seen how she can decorate a cake. Celia is better than the bakers on those TV reality shows.”
“And no fondant! This will be real buttercream with sugar roses and at least three tiers. You just tell me what flavor cake and consider it done. I will not need your wedding magazine photos. I have the perfect cake in mind for Gracey. It will be spectacular,” Celia proclaimed.
Abby sat in awe. “Okay, Celia, you are in charge of the cake. Just let me know what you need to be ordered, and I will get it for you.”
“And I have the perfect linens for the table,” Celia announced. “We got them from the house last week. I am sure when you see them, you will agree.”
“Okay, on to refreshments. Of course, lots of champagne. Rudy, order another case of the best; make it two. This is a momentous occasion. Our son is getting married. And Celia let's talk about a few snacks, nothing substantial but certainly fancy.”
“Who is going to administrator vows? Since the wedding will be family only, do we have someone we can call in? Will it be safe?” Stone asked.
“I would like to do it,” Jim said meekly.
“What?” Rudy replied.
“I can get a license off the internet and do it. It would be an honor to marry these two young ones,” Jim told them.
“Jim, you are the greatest!” Gracey exclaimed and ran over to give him a hug.
“What about photos?” Gracey suddenly remembered. “I want a photo album.”
“What about Charles?” Stone suggested. “He has a marvelous digital camera, and you’ve seen the photos he took in St. Louis. I will ask him.”
“Now for what the men will be wearing and no arguments from anyone,” Abby told them. “We need new tuxedos for Stone and Rudy; and new black silk suits for the boys. I will have Alfred come over for measurements and get everyone’s attire put together. And haircuts all around.”
“We ladies will pick out the bouquet and boutonnieres, and new dresses for Celia and me. I think we covered most everything except the wedding license. We will need to wait until next month for that,” Abby marked everything in her tablet and adjourned the meeting.
“In the meantime, I need to find Stone’s birth certificate for the marriage license. Gracey, do you have yours?” Abby inquired.
“Yes ma’am,” Gracey replied.
Later that day, Abby went to her closet and unlocked a drawer in the bottom of a built-in dresser. She removed a stack of documents looking for Stone’s birth certificate. Also, in the stack are some photos of her ancestors and a family tree from her great-grandmother’s side. Abby opened the family tree and thought about her grandparents’ arrival in the U.S. Then she saw her grandmother’s maiden name, Santino. Italian, she thought. Maria Santino was her grandmother. Next to Maria was her sister, Theresa Santino and her husband, Antonio Rossini. Rossini. Omigod.
Abby called Rudy immediately, “Get up here now and bring Stone with you. We have a problem.”
Rudy knew it was urgent. Abby did not call him on the phone. She always came to visit. A few minutes later Rudy and Stone were in the suite. “Rossini, I knew I knew the name. My grandmother was Maria Santino. Her sister Theresa married a man, a wolf named Antonio Rossini. According to my grandmother, Antonio was a vile person. I remember the horrible stories she told about him. They had a son Angelo and came to the U.S. I am not sure about the rest of the line. We need to do some investigating and see if Angelo is any relation to Haley. If she is, we need to talk to Charles and soon.”
“I guess I need to go back to the library and do some digging in the archives,” Stone suggested. “I am sure a lot of this will not be on the internet. I will start with Haley and work backward. Is it okay if I loop Gracey in and let her help me?” Stone asked.
“It is a bit dangerous for the two of you to go together. There is no issue with you telling Gracey about it, but you will need to take me along if you go off property. For now, we need to keep this under wraps, so I think this is a task for you and me, son.” Abby announced. “I will need to be your bodyguard on this outing.”
Abby returned the documents and photos to their locked drawer for safe keeping. “Let me change clothes, and we will be on our way,” she told Stone.
Once at the library, Stone approached Mrs. Grady and asked for a private room for him and his mother to complete their research. “Are the county genealogy archives online?” Stone asked.
“Yes, but we limit access to some of the information. You may not be able to access everything,” Mrs. Grady replied.
“It is really important I have full access,” Stone told her. “Can you, will you, help me?” Stone asked coyly.
“Do you always get your way, Mr. Rudolph?” Mrs. Grady asked, blushing.
“I hope so,” Stone replied with a wink and a smile.
Mrs. Grady walked away to get the key and the fire pass for the archives.
“Son, did you just use your pheromones on that unsuspecting woman?” Abby asked.
“Is that what I did?” Stone asked his mother.
“Yes, son and it’s not right,” Abby chuckled with a smirk. “But it worked.”
Mrs. Grady returned with the key and fire pass and led Stone and Abby to the research room. She accessed the fire pass and gave Stone full access to all the county records.
Stone started with Haley and moved back to her parents; Arthur and Hester Rose. Then he found the name change; Alturo Rossini. Then they searched for Alturo’s birth certificate. His father was Angelo Rossini.
“Let’s find Angelo’s death certificate since he was born in Italy,” Abby suggested.
They found Angelo’s death certificate and saw his father’s name was Anthony, and his mother’s name was Theresa.
“Oh my,” Abby called out in a muffled scream. “And look at this, he committed suicide. Find Anthony’s death certificate, quick,” she demanded.
A few minutes later they were viewing Antonio Rossini’s death certificate. Murdered by shooting was listed as the cause of death. Stone and Abby just looked at each other in horror. They were ninety-nine percent positive this was the same family line. “Find the newspaper articles!” Abby insisted.
“Just a moment Mom, this was too long ago. We will need the microfiche reels for these. I will get them from Mrs. Grady. Please try to relax, I will be right back,” Stone said trying to calm his mother.
Stone returned to the room with the microfiche reel and quickly found the newspaper articles and the obituaries. “Make copies of everything," Abby demanded in a state of panic, "everything!”
“Breathe Mom, please breathe,” Stone said putting his arm around her. “This is not the end of the world. We just need to decide what to do next. We will take all the documents home and figure it all out. On the way home, I do have a couple of questions, though.”
Stone made the copies, calmed down his mother, and they readied to leave. “Deep breaths, Mom. Here, we go.” They descended the stairs and returned the key, fire pass and microfiche reel to Mrs. Grady. “Thank you, Mrs. Grady,” Stone told her with another wink and a smile.
Once in the car, Stone turned to his mother. “So if Haley is part wolf, why hasn’t she turned?”
“She appears to be only one-eighth wolf. Quarter wolves and so on do not have enough of the gene to trigger the turn. But there are dangers. We will need to talk to your father first and then to Charles.”
Arriving back at Emerald Knoll, Abby and Stone went straight to the Annex. “Outside boys,” Abby told Charles and Elmer. “And I mean outside; at least fifty feet away. No eavesdropping.”
“Oh boy, this is family business. I don’t even want to know,” Elmer exclaimed and walked as quickly as he possibly could, away from the Annex stopping only when he reached the garden. Charles was at his heels. Rudy was fierce as a business man, but Abby could be just downright ferocious and terrifying.
Looking back at the door momentarily, to ensure privacy, Abby called out. “Haley is a wolf, okay, only one-eighth wolf but still a wolf. And she is my cousin, my second cousin once removed. Stone and Haley have the same great-great-grandfather, Alturo Santino. They are third cousins. Haley is family.”
Taking a breath, Abby continued. “If Charles and Haley have sex and there is fluid transfer, blood, and semen, Haley's dormant gene will activate, and she will turn wolf. We have to do something.”
“Abby, it’s going to be okay. We will talk to Charles, but you need to calm down. I know all the wedding plans have you a bit on edge but, please compose yourself. I need you unruffled to help me explain all of this to Charles,” Rudy instructed.
Abby walked down the hall and into the bathroom. It is not the end of the world. It is only another wolf, she said to herself looking into the mirror.
After taking several deep breaths and composing herself, Abby returned to the main office. “I am ready but, please I need to start this conversation with Charles. We have already talked about the dangers of wolf-human relationships. It will be easier if I do it.”
Stone walked to the entrance to the Annex and called for Charles. “Am I in trouble or something?” Charles asked nervously. Stone did not answer. This was Abby’s talk to have, not his.
“Charles,” Abby began. “Is Haley still a virgin?”
Charles looked at Stone and Rudy embarrassed and afraid to answer. “Charles, this is important,” Abby demanded.
“Yes,” Charles replied. A resounding sigh came from the other three.
Abby led Charles to the couch and asked him to sit down. “I do not know how to tell you this without alarming you but…” and Abby paused. After a deep breath, she said it; just blurted it out before she lost her nerve. “Haley is part wolf.”
“What the…?” Charles jumped up in dismay.
“Sit, I will explain her family tree in a few minutes, but we need to talk about sex first,” Abby continued. “Haley is one-eighth wolf. Her great-grandfather was a full wolf and her grandfather half wolf. Every male in her line married a human female. For this reason, the gene is dormant. Unlike Gracey and Stone, Haley is not controlled by the full moon. But since she is a virgin and you are a wolf, should the two of you have sex, and your semen mixes with her blood, even one drop, it could activate the wolf gene. Haley could turn.”
Charles stood again and started pacing. Feeling as if he was going to hyperventilate, he took a couple of deep breaths to calm himself. “I get it now. I get why we were drawn to each other so quickly. No wonder she wanted to take the relationship further. Was it her wolf gene?”
“It could be Charles. I have not encountered this before, and I have no one to ask, but it is a possibility,” Abby replied.
“Well, sex isn’t on the plate. We had already decided to wait. After Haley spent a bit of time with Stone and Gracey and saw how close they were without having sex, Haley agreed to wait,” Charles informed the group. “But she’s a wolf? Are you sure?” Charles asked, needing definitive proof.
“I am sure. When I was getting Stone’s birth certificate out this morning, I saw my family tree, and it included the name of Rossini. Stone and I went to the library to check out Haley’s ancestry before we said anything to you. Just in case there wasn’t a connection,” Abby told him.
“But there is,” Charles stated resigning himself to the truth. “And I was dreading the possibility of the conversation maybe in the future of Hey Haley, by the way, I am a wolf. But now I get to add Oh and, by the way, so are you.”
Stone tried to lighten the mood. “But if you and Haley do get married, we will be cousins.”
“What is it with this family and kissing cousins?” Charles replied trying to find humor in the fact Stone and Haley were cousins but could not.
Charles sat trying to take it all in. It was too much, too fast. He had feelings for Haley, deep feelings, and now he understood why. It was the wolf connection. But there were too many human elements involved. Did Haley know about her ancestors being wolves?
“I just need time to think about all of this,” Charles sighed, with his hands in his face.
“It is a great day for a run,” Rudy suggested. “A run to the bluff might be an excellent idea. Go to the stable and change. See you in a couple hours.”
Charles nodded and walked out the back door of the Annex to the stable. “He will be okay,” Rudy told Abby. “The boy just needs to clear his head. In the meantime, let’s all get back to work.”
Charles sprinted into the changing room and turned. In a matter of seconds, he was running full speed towards the bluff. Faster, faster, he told himself. Charles needed to release the anger and confusion. He was not sure why he was angry, but he was. He leaped out of the wood line and onto the bluff and kept running. The bluff sloped back down going south and further down into a wooded area to the east. As Charles reached the southeast corner of the property, he reversed direction and ran back to the highest point of the bluff.
Reaching the top, Charles paced, still not able to compose himself. Is she in love with me or my wolf? Charles pondered. This was the source of his anger and uncertainty. Me or the wolf? Please let it be me! The probability of Haley not knowing she was part wolf, led Charles to believe Haley was attracted him; not his wolf.
Once Charles pinpointed the cause of his insecurities; his dilemma, he was able to calm himself. He sat and looked out over the meadow. It was serene. The sun was warm, and it felt good just to lie there and relax. After a short nap in the sun, Charles awoke, ready to return to the stable. He decided to first walk along the bluff. Charles came across a clump of plants and stopped to check them out. He took a smell and felt his body inflate as if the plant was providing him strength. Charles thought it strange but dismissed it due to the emotional revelations of the afternoon. He turned north and headed back to the stable.
Showered and redressed, Charles returned to his post. He sat quietly and thought about Haley. Did she know about her grandparents? Did she know she was a wolf? Since they occasionally talked about his father, he would turn the tables and ask about her family.
Celia was in the basement putting together her final list before she ordered the herbs Dr. Robertson had suggested for Gracey and Stone. Stone had provided Celia with his credit card to pay for the order. Celia had already cleaned out a drawer in her bedroom dresser
to hide the herbs which could not be used for cooking. No one but the four of them knew the purpose for those herbs.
It was a few weeks until the next full moon, but Celia had to be ready. Once she had all the ingredients, she could put formulate the blend of herbs for Gracey and Stone. Their treatment would start after the next full moon.
Celia made herself a cup of green tea. I need to detoxify and be ready for Sunday, she thought to herself. Then I will be ready.
Celia turned on the communal laptop and ordered the herbs. She ensured she cleared the temporary files and the site history and returned to the kitchen.
The staff was appreciative of their new work schedules; Monday through Friday. The group had decided two days a week of privacy allowed them to relax even if it did mean communal cooking duties. They were actually enjoying the camaraderie they shared while being together in the kitchen. Being able to let down their guard, they could truly have fun, and they did. On the weekends, they were family.
The four-day work week went by quickly. Celia’s herbs arrived on Friday complements of express shipping.
Charles was nervous about Haley’s visit on Saturday and shared his concerns with Stone.
“Do we have a new movie for Saturday?” Charles asked.
“Arrived today,” Stone replied. “Don’t worry Charles. I think I know a way to pull this off. Just trust me and follow my lead. I cannot share my plan with you. I need you to be spontaneous,” Stone exclaimed.
Saturday night, the two couples met at Charles’ apartment for the weekly movie. The trio in the basement was setting up their own version of movie night, as well. Elmer made the popcorn, and Jim helped Celia carry the drinks to the coffee table. Celia sat in her usual spot between Elmer and Jim. She was happy again. Elmer and Jim smiled at each other; their girl was back to normal.
Elmer started the movie, and Jim wrapped his arm around Celia and pulled her close. “It is a scary one tonight Celia, but I got you,” Jim told her.
“Hope you are ready for the bruises, Jim,” Elmer chuckled. “And Celia, don’t hurt Jim too much when you jump.” Elmer was not sure what was going on between Celia and Jim, and he was not going to ask. Jim and Celia were comfortable together like two old friends. They were content, and it was all that mattered.
“Haley,” Stone started before Charles turned on the movie. “I really liked the antipasto you made last week. Gracey has been trying to teach me to cook a little, but she is not Italian as you are.”
“I can teach you if you like. It's not hard,” Haley offered.
“Wonderful, I would like that. Did I hear you say your family name is Rossini? Were they from Italy?” Stone continued.
“Yep, my great-grandparents came over early last century when my grandfather was a baby,” Haley informed them.
“This is your father’s family?” Stone asked.
“Yes, I did not know them. My grandfather and his father had passed away before I was born. A big family scandal so my mother told me. From what I understand my granddad and his father got into a big argument after my father was born. It was something about my granddad not wanting my father to continue in the family business. It seems my granddad did not like his father. According to my mother, he was not a pleasant man. So according to the family tales, my grandfather killed his father after a heated argument, and then he killed himself,” Haley explained.
“What was this family business?” Gracey asked curiously.
“Got me, Daddy says he doesn’t know, but after he grew up and his grandparents and parents died, he moved to Lone Hill and changed the name to Rose. He met my mom here. He says he found him an authentic Italian girl and married her for her lasagna.”
“Is he hiding from the mafia or something?” Charles piped in jokingly.
“I doubt it. I just think he wanted to Americanize the name. Rose is easier than Rossini.”
“Makes sense," Charles shrugged realizing Haley did not know much about her ancestors and dimmed the lights. "Movie time?”
Later that night after Haley left, Stone told Charles, “I don’t think she knows. There was no change in Haley’s heartbeat or breathing. If her father knows, he hasn’t told her.”
The trio in the basement finished their movie, as well. Celia was gathering the dirty glasses and bowls and washing them quickly before retiring. “Are you okay Celia? I hope the movie wasn’t too scary for you,” Jim inquired.
“I am okay Jim and thank you for asking. You truly are a dear friend,” Celia told him.
“Sweet dreams, Celia. If you need me, just call down to my room.”
“Thank you, Jim, good night.”
The family met Sunday morning to prepare breakfast. They agreed on pancakes, sausage, and ham. Elmer excused himself and ran downstairs for a couple of jars of jam; a jar of his favorite three-berry jam and a jar of the peach butter for Gracey. He knew Gracey would be ecstatic. Back at the boarding house, Elmer would use the jam instead of syrup on his pancakes.
Coming back to the kitchen, he handed the peach butter to Gracey. “Omigod, where did you get this?” Gracey called out.
“We rescued them,” Elmer replied.
“What is that?” Rudy asked.
“Omigod, Rudy, grab a spoon and sit down. This stuff will knock you off your feet,” Elmer told him as he opened the jar of three-berry jam.
Rudy took a small taste and moaned in ecstasy. “Where did you get this?” Rudy begged.
“Celia makes it!” Jim replied. “Have you ever tasted anything better in your life?”
“I truly cannot say I have. And you know I am a foodie. Celia, I have heard legends about your three-berry jam. Is this it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“This is nirvana in a jar.” Rudy proclaimed. “I would pay a hundred dollars for just one jar. Hell, I would give you my son for a case.”
Celia blushed.
Abby came over for a taste, doubting Rudy's proclamation, and instantly swooned. “Woman, we need to talk. I knew you were talented, but this is…sorry, there is not a word for it. It not only tastes delicious, but it makes you feel euphoric. It is intoxicating.”
Jim knew a convenient segue when he heard one and thought of the orchard conversation from the previous week. “Rudy, would it be possible to plant some fruit trees and maybe some berries bushes on a few acres to the west of the house?”
“Celia, are you thinking of making more of this?” Rudy asked, almost prayerful.
“Well, I do not have any fruit for this year, but we can plant for next year,” she replied hopefully.
Rudy walked over to Celia and kissed her firmly on the forehead. “Woman, you can have anything you want. Just draw up your plan and itemize your list and I will personally supervise the planting of the orchard and berries.”
Rudy took the jar of jam and stared at it. “How many jars of this are left?” Rudy asked in dread.
“Maybe six or eight,” Elmer replied.
“Six or eight, is that all?” Rudy whined imagining having to wait another year before tasting the jam again. He instantly stared at Celia. “How much can you make in a weekend? Better yet how much can we make in a weekend? I cannot wait until next summer for more of this. I will pay for everything!”
Rudy was acting like a drug addict after his first taste of crack.
“I usually put up two dozen jars in a day by myself. So in a kitchen this huge, with eight of us, we can do a couple of hundred jars. But it will be a mammoth undertaking, and it will not be cheap,” Celia proclaimed.
“Give me a list of everything you will need in the morning and I will have it delivered by Friday. Everyone, clear your weekend; we are making jam!” Rudy announced.
After breakfast, Celia returned to the basement to make herself a cup of tea. She pulled a small bag of herbs out of her pocket and placed a pinch of it into the cup. She inhaled deeply. Smells like mint, she declared. She took a
sip. Bitter, she thought and drank it quickly. Taking a deep breath, Celia felt stronger if only for a moment.
Celia sat for a moment and started on her list for Rudy. She wrote down the ingredients for her normal batch and then multiplied the quantities by eight. Then she remembered her secret ingredient, the syrupy concoction she used to make her jams almost addictive. Celia's special ingredient was the reason for her blue ribbons. It was a million dollar recipe. She knew these ingredients separately were already available and would not need to add them to the list. She just needed some privacy to put it together.
The next morning Celia provided the list to Rudy. During the week, the boys would be at the Annex and the staff upstairs so Celia would be able to put together her secret syrup. That evening, after the staff had left, she gathered the items from the pantry and stored them in her room. She would make the syrup the next afternoon.
Celia went to the basement after each meal and made herself a cup of tea. Each time should pull the herb bag from her pocket and add a pinch of the dried leaves. Since it was bitter, she would bring the cup to her lips and drink it down without stopping. By the end of the week, Celia swore she felt stronger. This going to work, she told herself again.
Saturday morning, the group gathered for a quick breakfast, and then Rudy handed each of them an apron. Across the top of each apron were the words 'Celia’s Assistant.' Then he handed one to Celia 'The Boss.'
“Just tell us what to do boss,” Rudy said bowing to Celia.
“Boys, start carrying everything into the kitchen,” Celia commanded. “Let’s get organized. This is going to have to be an assembly line if we are going to do two hundred jars.”
“And there won’t be any other cooking in this kitchen today, so I hope someone is going spring for some pizza or Chinese carryout,” Celia added.
“Pizza and Chinese!” The boys called out. “Wahoo!”
Celia put each person to a task closely supervising each one. Soon there were pots of berry slurry and canning jars on two double wide stoves with six burners on each one.
Celia reached beneath the counter and pulled out two bottles of her secret syrup. She accurately measured the proper amount for each pot and stirred it in. Everyone watched and wondered. “This is the secret to my jams. This part of the recipe, I will not share; ever.”
“We have time for a short break,” Celia announced while they were waiting for the fruit to simmer and reduce. “See everyone in fifteen minutes.” Celia excused herself and took the bottles of syrup with her. After locking up the bottles, Celia went to the staff kitchen and made herself her second cup of tea for the day.
It was time for the first jars to be prepared. Celia approached the stove to grab the first pot of slurry, and Jim was there to help her. “Let me get that for you. I know it is going to be heavy,” Jim told Celia.
Celia elbowed Jim out of the way and picked up the pot with ease. “I am stronger than I look, old man,” she told him.
Jim was astonished. Everyone else just laughed. Celia showed the group how to fill the sterilized jars and how to return them to the hot bath. And the assembly line proceeded. Soon they had filled and finished nearly two hundred jars.
As they were getting ready to store them, Rudy pulled out another surprise. He had ordered professional labels for the jam. 'Celia’s Nirvana in a Jar.' Celia almost cried.
“Let’s clean this place up and then we will order dinner,” Rudy instructed.
“Dinner is already ordered,” Charles proclaimed with a grin. “Hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of arranging dinner. It will arrive in just a few minutes.”
A few minutes later, Haley arrived.
The smell of garlic and tomato sauce and Italian sausage soon filled the room covering the smell of sugar and berries. “Charles told me y’all were making jam today, so I spent some time in the kitchen myself. This is my mother’s lasagna recipe. I also have garlic bread, some of Stone’s favorite antipasto and some Italian sausages. I know today was a family event, and I know I am not family, but I just thought the lasagna would be better than pizza.”
Abby quickly cleared the side hutch in the dining room, and they set up buffet style. Everyone was carrying in the plates and other dishes and utensils. Rudy entered behind everyone with a few bottles of red wine to complement the pasta.
Smelling the food, everyone was drooling. They had put in a long day in the kitchen but had barely eaten. “This is great,” Charles exclaimed. Everyone echoed his sentiment. Haley sat for a moment watching the family eat like they had not had a meal all day. Suddenly she laughed. Everyone stopped and looked at her.
“My goodness, it is always like this?” Haley asked.
Abby spoke. “I think we have all forgotten our manners. Look at us eating like a bunch of animals.”
Everyone just at each other in amazement and broke down laughing.
“We’re sorry Haley,” Rudy apologized. “But this is good, really good.”
“Well, it is the recipe that made my father fall in love with my mother,” Haley told them.
“You made this yourself?” Rudy asked. Haley nodded with pride.
“Young lady, if I wasn’t already married to this gorgeous woman here. I would have to steal you away from the young pup at your side,” Rudy replied. “This is really good,” he repeated.
“Manners everyone,” Abby demanded with an admonishing glare. “There is plenty of food for seconds, and probably thirds, so let’s slow down and thoroughly enjoy this fabulous food.”
“Yes ma’am,” everyone replied obediently.
Haley continued to watch everyone. “I don’t get it,” she finally said aloud.
“Don’t get what?” Rudy asked confused.
“The first time I came here, in July, I was intimidated. This is Emerald Knoll. Everyone is in awe of this place. Look at all of this. If you had called out my name, I would have snapped to attention like a private standing in front of a four-star general. And now I am sitting here watching the bunch of you eating like vultures on yesterday's road kill.
“I know who is who and who does what, but you act like a family; a real family. I do not get it. Four of you are family; Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph and then Stone and Gracey. The rest are employees,” Haley finished.
“Yes we have a family, and we have employees. The people sitting around this table are family. We work here together. We live here together. We are a family,” Rudy proclaimed. “We take care of each other and care for each other. I can safely say there isn’t one person here who would not lay down their life for the person sitting next to them or across from them,” Rudy continued.
The group looked around and nodded in agreement.
“Because we have employees during the week, we are more formal, but on the weekends, it is just us. We work as a family, and we have fun as a family,” Rudy finished.
“I am in awe,” Haley replied. “I have my parents and my Uncle Joseph and his family. They are my blood relations, and we aren’t as close as you guys are.”
“Sweetie, we live in Tennessee, there is a good chance we are all related,” Abby chuckled while Stone kicked Charles under the table.
“So Gracey, how many more days left until the wedding?” Haley asked.
“I honestly haven’t been counting, but we are moving along with the plans. Celia is going to make a cake, and we have some exciting ideas for decorating the house,” Gracey announced.
“I wish I could be here for your big day, but I understand the risks so just make sure you have lots of pictures,” Haley told Gracey.
“So is everyone full?” Haley asked, looking around. Everyone moaned. “Oh well, I guess dessert is out of the question then,” she told them.
“Dessert, you brought dessert too?” Rudy asked.
“I have a couple of Italian style cheesecakes in the cooler, but since you say you’re full…” Haley teased.
“Bring it on!” Rudy told her. “I am never too full for authentic homemade cheesecake.”
Celia, Gracey, and Haley went to the kitchen to get the cheesecakes and dessert plates and forks.
“Son, that girl is a keeper!” Rudy told Charles once the ladies had left the room.
The ladies soon returned with dessert and with the first bite Charles was certain he was in love. Haley’s mother may have won over her father with the lasagna, but for Charles, it was the cheesecake.
After dinner, the table was cleared, and everyone assisted with the cleanup. Everyone knew their part, and everything was cleaned up and washed within fifteen minutes. Haley watched in awe again. It was as if the whole thing had been choreographed. Everyone was in tuned to each other’s movements, and it was like a dance but without the music.
Rudy grabbed a bottle of wine and another slice of cheesecake. Then he wrapped his arm around Abby’s waist. “I am tired, woman. Let’s go upstairs,” he told her. Everyone chuckled. Their voracity for each other was no secret.
“Are they always like this,” Haley asked embarrassedly.
“Normally, it’s worse,” Stone confessed about his parents.
“Movie?” Charles suggested.
“I actually am tired,” Gracey told them. “So can I beg off for tonight?”
“Charles the movie is already set up if you and Haley want to watch without us. I am going to join Gracey,” Stone stated.
“You can join us,” Elmer suggested to Charles and Haley. “But we are watching last week’s movie.”
“Actually, I spent most of the day in the kitchen myself, so while I hate to leave, I think I am going to head home,” Haley announced. “Charles, will you walk me out?”
“Is everything okay?” Charles asked once they were outside.
“Everything is good. But I am exceedingly tired. If we go up to your apartment, I will probably just fall asleep. I will come back in the morning, and we can spend some time together before I head back to school.”
“Okay, call me in the morning, and we can hang out for a bit.”
“Good night Charles.”
Charles took Haley into his arms and kissed her. When she responded passionately, he knew she was in love with him, not his wolf.
“Now, go girl, before I change my mind about you staying; even if you do fall asleep,” Charles told her and stepped back.
It was the first Saturday night in weeks Charles had spent alone. But he welcomed the alone time. He had to think about Haley and their future. Was Haley the one he wanted to spend forever with?
During the summer, with Haley spending more time with Charles, Jim and Elmer was spending more time in the basement. Slowly they had moved their belonging into the main house. They officially moved in after Celia confessed she was scared staying in the basement alone and closing up the boarding house.
Celia made herself another cup of tea and walked into her room. She needed privacy to put the herbs into her tea. She drank down the cup and left her room.
“Movie?” Elmer asked. “Or is everyone as tired as me?”
“Bushed,” Jim replied.
Elmer said his goodnights and took his leave. Jim turned to Celia. “You are the only one not tired, the tea you have been drinking all day must be magical,” Jim joked with a yawn. “But I can keep you company for a while if you like.”
“Why don’t you get some sleep,” Celia suggested. “I haven’t done any reading in a while, and so I am just going to curl up in my room and read for a bit.”
Jim kissed Celia on the forehead and told her goodnight. “Good night, Jim,” she replied.
Celia dressed for bed and curled up in her easy chair. She pulled a book out of the table and stared at the cover. Two emerald green eyes stared back at her.
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