Then, the kids had come running up and Jen had merely listened to the conversation while they all ate.
She was enjoying the morning sun and the children’s antics. At the end of the dock away from where the boys were swimming was a little boathouse and on its other side, she could see the stern of a small sailboat. Looking out over the waves, she thought that it would be a good stretch of water to sail in – bigger than a cove but sheltered somewhat by land reaching wide on both sides with the open sea beyond. She remembered Adelia’s request and wondered if it really would be better for Anna to live with Danni and Roger. There was such life here and the Kenting estate was so remote. No. It might possibly be the right decision, but it wasn’t a decision that she could make. Not now. There was too much she didn’t know.
She moved a little restlessly and frowned. Although Colleen would be there soon, it seemed a shame to have to work on such a beautiful day. As if reading her thoughts, Danni looked up from under her hat.
“You’ll be all set in the study. It’s that room up there,” she pointed behind her, “and we don’t dress for dinner when Mother’s not here. Seven o’clock. The kids will eat early so we’ll be able to have a more civilized meal than last night.”
They were watching the girls and dogs playing when a large wave hit. The older dog leapt back, but the puppy didn’t see it in time, and Beth scrambled to scoop him up as he tumbled in the surf.
“He’s a beach dachshund, now,” laughed Danni, “so he’d better learn to watch the water.”
“You know, I just realized that I don’t know their names.”
“The dogs? Oh, they’ve got long, fancy pedigreed names but we just call them Tic and Tac. When we aren’t calling them short and shorter.”
“Tic and Tac. Will there be a Toe some day?”
“Not if I can help it! Don’t even think that when the kids are near.”
Sam came out onto the deck. “Miss Williams is here, Miss Jennette,” he said. “And Mr. Tony phoned to say that he’ll be here this afternoon with Mr. Klinger.”
“Duty calls.” Jen sighed as she stood up.
“Back to the salt mines,” said Danni settling the hat over her face. “Better you than me.”
They had worked all day in the upstairs study. The tantalizing view of sun and ocean waves was hard to resist, but Jen was soon caught up in the never-ending business of wrapping up one project, overseeing those in progress and planning the next. She had finally found time to finish the screenplay and was looking forward to telling Nikki how much she’d liked it. Sam brought them lunch, Tony arrived with Aaron, and it was late afternoon when they finished.
“That’s enough for today,” Jen said, stretching and fluffing up her hair. “The rest will have to wait until Monday.”
“Wait a minute,” Tony said. “While you’re both here, we have an announcement.”
Jen was surprised to see a blush on Colleen’s face and to hear her murmur, “Oh, Tony, not yet.”
But he just smiled and put his arm around her. “I can’t wait a minute more, or I’ll bust. I chased her ‘til she caught me, Jen. My special girl is gonna be my wife.”
“This is marvelous!” Jen hugged Tony, then she hugged Colleen, then she hugged Tony again.
Aaron gave Colleen a big kiss and shook Tony’s hand. “Congratulations. It’s about time!”
“We were gonna tell you, Jen, but then you had the accident. We’ve only been waiting ‘til you were well again. You and Aaron can handle things for four or five days so we can get away for a while after the wedding.”
“When’s it to be?” Aaron asked.
“There’s really no reason to wait,” Colleen smiled. “We thought at the end of the month.”
Jen was thinking quickly. “Would you let me have it at the estate for you? There’s plenty of room and we haven’t had a big party since I’ve been home.” Only stuffy business dinners, she thought, mentally grimacing. Knowing Colleen’s salary and that carefree Tony was continually strapped for cash, she hurried to add, “My treat, I’d love to do it. You two can make all the plans – outside, inside, guest list, everything. But I’ll provide the setting and the food and drinks. Please?”
Colleen hesitated but Tony looked down at her with a smile. “What do you say, Daisy? Shall we take advantage of our boss’s kind, and generous, offer?”
“Oh, all right, you impossible man,” she laughed, “but if you don’t pay for my rings, I’ll refuse to wear them.”
“Done. And it’s a bargain since I found a perfect one in a gumball machine the other day.”
They were all still laughing when they reached the foot of the stairs. Danni and Roger were in the living room with David and Brad. Thelma was carrying a tray of hors d’oeuvres from the kitchen when the front door opened and Rick came in with Nikki on his arm. “See who I found on the doorstep looking lost and forlorn,” he said.
Jen thought that the phrase lost and forlorn was rather wide of the mark as Nikki swayed in, perfection in the skimpiest of deep violet cocktail dresses with matching four-inch heels.
“Jennette, they told me at the house that you were here. I just simply had to find out if you’ve finished the script.”
But Jen ignored her and turned to the others. “Everyone, I have wonderful news. Colleen and Tony are going to get married.”
Danni jumped up with a smile. “Congratulations! We’ll have champagne to celebrate. Dinner won’t be for an hour. Can you stay a little while?”
“Yes, absolutely.” Roger stood to shake Tony’s hand. “Thelma, there are several bottles on ice in the kitchen. Please ask Sam to bring them in and enough glasses as well, would you?”
When everyone had a brimming glass, Jen raised hers to toast the couple. “A lifetime of love to you both,” she said. “May you be as happy together as my parents were.” She saw David’s head turn to look at her as she drank but now was not the time for sad memories.
She was pleased as she watched everyone congratulating her two friends. Colleen was shy at first but relaxed in the casual atmosphere and was soon chatting comfortably as Danni asked her about their plans for the wedding. Tony was beaming while Roger and Rick joked with him about a honeymoon after so many years as a bachelor. Nikki was gravitating toward David and Brad moved to Jen’s side.
“Great news,” he said but she could tell that he really wasn’t interested in two people he barely knew. “Have you seen Roger’s new sailboat? It’s moored down at his dock.”
“I couldn’t see much of it behind the boat house.”
“It’s a beauty. He bought it two months ago from a fellow at the yacht club who’s being transferred to Kansas? Nebraska? Someplace where he wouldn’t be able to use it much. It’s only a year old and the man hated to part with it.”
“I remember sailing as a teenager back east. And I know I can do it because I watched Regatta.”
“Of course, you can do it. You won a race at the club last summer and there’s a trophy there to prove it.”
“All my memories feel so old.”
“It’s like riding a bicycle. You never forget.”
“But it seems that I have. I certainly don’t remember winning any trophies.”
“Well, it was only a small race but a win, nevertheless. Roger,” he called across the room. “Jennette wants to sail your new boat. Get back into the swing of things.”
“Bad pun.”
“Sorry, Rick. What do you say, Roger?”
Jen almost stopped him, then realized that she did want to sail again. She knew she’d handled one-man boats and Brad was right. It was like riding a bicycle. Your muscles remembered better than your mind did.
“Jennette, I really don’t think you’re strong enough yet.” David was frowning.
And that pushed away her last lingering doubt. “My shoulder feels fine and I doubt that Dr. Smith would consider sailing as being too terribly strenuous.”
“I’d like you to try it, Jen,” Roger agreed, and Rick
added, “I’ll set the mast for you and get everything ready. When do you want to go out?”
“Tomorrow afternoon would be good, if you want,” said Danni. She waved at the men. “The four of them have some sort of a tennis challenge on, and I was going to take a nap anyway.”
“Okay,” Jen nodded with a smile.
Colleen stood up. “Tony, we have to be going. Thanks so much, Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman, for the champagne. It was delicious, and we appreciate your kindness.”
There was the usual bustle around the door as everyone said goodbye. Jen hugged Tony and Colleen again, saying, “Think about what you’d like for the wedding and we’ll talk. Aaron, you’ll help me with the arrangements?”
“I’d be delighted.”
“Thanks.” Colleen smiled at him. “Jennette, I’ll be here to do a few things tomorrow afternoon, but it’s just personnel stuff I have to take care of. Have a nice weekend.”
Jen had waved the three of them down the walk when she turned to find Nikki standing rather impatiently behind her. “I’m glad you stopped by, Nikki. I finished the screenplay. Please tell Hector that we’d like to talk with him about it.”
“I just knew that’s what you’d say. He’s going to be ecstatic!”
“Well, don’t make any promises. We haven’t decided how we want to proceed yet, and he might not like the deal.”
“He’ll be thrilled, whatever it is. I’ve got to fly. I’m late for Teddy’s party. He’s set the whole thing up in a gym, would you believe? There’s supposed to be some sort of wrestling exhibition. I can’t wait!”
As she closed the door, Jen made herself a little bet that Nikki would spend the rest of the evening with the winner of the match.
“Jennette, I’m so pleased about the wedding.” Danni patted the couch and Jen sat down beside her. “I don’t know Colleen very well – you always keep her so busy when she’s here – but we’ve known Tony since you and David were married. He’s a great guy, and the kids adore him.”
“I don’t know what I would have done without him these past weeks. He made the hospital bearable with all his stories about Hollywood and how we met and our early days together. He was like a proud father watching out for me. Do you know he even bought an insurance policy for me to live on in case he died?”
“I love that story!” Danni laughed. “And you went right out and bought one for him in case anything happened to you. To console him, you said. He didn’t want you to spend your hard-earned money on him, but you insisted, and he finally agreed. He called it his consolation prize!”
Jen laughed, also. “He didn’t tell me that part.”
“Oh, he gets embarrassed whenever anyone mentions it. We used to kid him about it, but you took his side and asked us to stop. There’s a lot of loyalty between you two.”
“He’s been a good friend for a long time. I’m so happy that he and Colleen are engaged. They’ve agreed to have the wedding at the estate and to let me help with all the details.”
“Colleen was telling me. We haven’t had a wedding at Kenting for a long time. Mrs. Brown will be so pleased; I’m afraid her culinary talents are wasted on Mother and David.” Danni was reminiscing about her own wedding when the last dinner guest arrived, and Jen understood immediately why Adelia had been unhappy with David’s choice of brides.
Claire Bonnington was a beautiful honey-blonde with soft gray eyes and the sort of class that comes only from generations of powerful wealth. Her simple clothes had an understated elegance and she moved with the graceful poise of a dancer. Her warm smile offered, and expected, unquestioned acceptance. She was very much at home in this group of life-long friends. It was Jen who felt like an outsider. Had she always felt this way? She could imagine being unsure of herself, but natural confidence would not have allowed her to remain on the fringe for long. If she could do it then, she could do it now. She took Danni aside to ask if Claire knew about her amnesia.
Danni nodded. “Adelia told her before we could stop her, but Claire understands how difficult life would be for you and for David if it became generally known. She cares too much for … for the family to say anything.”
Jen thought she’d been about to say cares too much for David, but she let it pass.
The dinner was delicious, the conversation an interesting mix of old family stories and current life events. Danni was all business as she described her preparations for the Museum benefit, listed the evening’s events and handed out tasks to each in a tone that dared them to object. Jen recognized Adelia’s forceful manner in her daughter’s command of the project.
“Hired hands, that’s what we are,” Rick joked. “And she expects us to pay for the privilege.”
“Mutiny among the crew will not be tolerated,” Danni warned. Rick ducked with a laugh as she picked up a dinner roll, threatening to throw it at him.
Roger interrupted diplomatically. “And speaking of hands, are you still modeling hands in clay, Rick? When you were home for New Years, it was all you talked about.”
“I’ve progressed to ears. Didn’t I see you in May? No, you were away on business as I recall. I started ears in March just before David and Jen came to visit.”
“His studio had at least twenty lying around on every surface,” David put in. “They all looked the same to me.”
But Rick shook his head, warming to his theme. “Ears are very distinctive. No two people’s ears are exactly alike – they’re almost like fingerprints – unusual shapes, subtle differences. After you left for Costa Rica, I did Anna’s and Jen’s.” His face took on a look of exaggerated disappointment. “I even had them mounted on a wall plaque as a present for you. I’ll have to call Maria and tell her to just toss them out,” he shook his head sadly, “since you’re not interested.”
David frowned and Danni handed him the roll. “Here, you throw it.”
“I’m tempted,” he said with a reluctant smile.
After dinner, they went into the living room. Thelma and Sam handed cups of coffee around, and Jen was thankful to be spared her almost nightly pouring-out ritual at the estate. She was surprised when David came to sit beside her, then realized it was business that had dictated his move as Brad pulled a chair over forming a barrier that effectively cut her off from the rest of the group.
“Have you read through the papers I left you?” David asked.
He wasn’t going to like what she had to say. “Yes, I’ve read most of them, but I have a few questions.”
“Anything, Jennette.” Brad smiled. “What would you like to know?”
“First of all, on Anna’s trust, there’s a document that proposes to replace me with David as co-trustee. Why, Brad?”
“Oh, that’s merely a matter of convenience for you. When you’re away on location, it’s difficult for you to focus on your acting demands and worry about investment details at the same time. Occasionally, decisions must be made quickly. Things will go more smoothly this way, and the trust will benefit.”
“I see.” And she did. “With regard to the Grass Valley project, is the client set on building in northern California? From what I read, his complex could be built anywhere in the state.”
Again, it was Brad who answered. “Strictly speaking, that’s true, but he’s read through the proposal and seen the maps and photos. He knows that our land would make an ideal site.”
“But not without destroying the forest.” Rick had heard and had walked over to make himself an obviously unwelcome part of the discussion. David frowned up at him and Brad shifted in his chair. “Rob and I won’t agree, David,” Rick went on. “And I don’t think it’s fair to pressure Jen right now.”
David’s temper was rising. “You and Rob are willing to whistle a fortune down the wind for the sake of a few trees. If this client builds somewhere else, who knows how long it will take us to find another buyer for the land.”
“The family has held it for decades. We can afford to hold it a few years more.”
“Easy for
you to say, when Brad and I are the ones watching the bottom line, and cutting your dividend checks, don’t forget.” He got up out of his chair with a jerky wave of his hand. “Rob wouldn’t be able to tilt at his rainforest windmill and you wouldn’t have your ears to play with without those checks.”
David’s face had paled, his voice shook. Jen had never seen him lose so much control of himself and it frightened her. Rick was also angry, his shoulders tight and his lips set. There was no sign of the casual, easy-going cousin. They were adversaries standing toe-to-toe on a line drawn in the dirt.
“With an attitude like that, there wouldn’t be a tree or a piece of artwork left on the planet.”
“And you refuse to face cold, hard facts.”
“Now look, David …”
“Rick, I don’t think …”
“Stop it!” Jen had risen, her cup rattling against its saucer in her trembling hands. She set it down carefully on the end table and stepped away. “I haven’t decided. I can’t decide! You’re both right, and you’re both wrong. Please don’t ruin the evening by arguing.”
There was an electric moment of silence, then Brad stood and as usual, defused the situation by smiling urbanely. “Jennette is right, David. And you, too, Rick. Now is not the time. Fight it out on the tennis court tomorrow, not in Danni’s living room.”
Rick nodded curtly and moved to stand by Roger. Without a word, David crossed the room to sit with Claire. Brad joined Danni, and Jen was left standing in the middle of the floor, again on the outside looking in. She wanted nothing more than to simply leave them there and go to bed but with a determined smile, she walked confidently across the room to ask Roger about the sailboat.
* * *
It was late afternoon when she walked down the path to the boathouse. There had been showers earlier and she’d spent the morning in the playroom with the children, delighting them by making quick, deft sketches of each as they lay on the floor playing Dan’s new game.
Anna had been surprised. “I didn’t know you could draw, Mommy.”
“I haven’t done any in a long time, but I used to love to when I was younger.”
A Dizzying Balance Page 11