The cat grudgingly backed away to sit beside the refrigerator, where he fixed a piercing stare on the intruder and twitched his whiskers as if he had something nasty on them.
Several drops of perspiration trickled down Freddie’s forehead. He drew a deep breath and managed, “Wheat, please.” He pulled a checkered handkerchief out of his jacket pocket and wiped his forehead, before inquiring, “Where did you get that animal, Felicity?”
She stirred the eggs gently before opening the refrigerator door and removing a can of gourmet cat food and a loaf of bread. “Oliver rescued Lazarus from drowning several years ago, which is where his name came from. He was such a tiny little mite, and of course he worshiped Oliver.” She emptied the contents of the can into a ceramic dish and set it down before removing two slices of bread from the package and popping them in the toaster. “I still can’t believe how he’s grown.”
“That was typical of Oliver,” Freddie conceded, “but I meant where did he come from just now?”
“Oh, out and around. Oliver built him a special cat entry from the upstairs side balcony so Lazarus could come and go as he pleases. He did a good job of designing the entry too discourage other animals from coming in, and so far the squirrels haven’t figured out the trick to opening the door to follow Lazarus inside. It’s extremely clever, and so is Lazarus.”
She turned the eggs out of the pan onto two plates and retrieved the toast, making sure not to tell her guest that Lazarus came and went through the room next to his. It might make him uncomfortable.
* * *
After breakfast, Felicity showed Freddie the guest room he was to use, and left him to unpack his duffel bag. He’d objected to moving the vehicle around to the garage off the alley, insisting he preferred to park on the street. She was sure the neighbors wouldn’t be happy about that rusted pickup truck sitting out there all day, but she was too flustered by his unannounced arrival to go into the subject with him.
Her memory of the only time she’d met Oliver’s cousin must not be very clear. Granted, it had been only a fleeting lunch meeting at a restaurant in Pittsburgh, where Freddie had a layover on his journey back to Stanford from a conference at Columbia. And it had been twenty-five years ago. Freddie had been whiskery even then, and he’d been quirky, but to her thinking, his manners had been somehow more ... gentlemanly.
As she showered, she scolded herself for being overly critical. His fulsome flattery and abrupt silences could be the result of the isolated life he lived, at least according to Oliver’s accounts. Her husband had laughed about his cousin’s tendency to withdraw into his study of the great works of literature, emerging only to expound on his discoveries to his classes. And bachelors tended to create their own comfortable behavior patterns.
Emerging from the shower, she quickly blew her hair dry and applied a quick touch of blusher. “Oh, dear. I’m going to have to start touching up my eyebrows one of these days.”
She peered into the magnifying mirror on her counter. “The poor dears are disappearing. Maybe Mindy will help me learn how. And I’d better call her to let her know Freddie has arrived. She and Josh will want to meet him.” Maybe they’d provide a sort of buffer until she became accustomed to her guest’s ways.
* * *
“How do you like the Oliver Canaday Library, Freddie? Don’t you think he’d be proud of it?” Felicity stood where sunlight flooded through the circle of skylights. The addition to the college library never failed to delight her. Dear Max had done such a clever job of designing the building and then supervising the construction.
“Very fancy, Felicity. Oliver would have said he got his money’s worth.”
Freddie rocked back on the heels of his scruffy boots. “This must have cost you a pretty penny.”
Felicity winced at Freddie’s second reference to money. “Let me introduce you to the librarian who designed a special catalogue system to keep Oliver’s method for shelving the books intact. She recently married Max Todd, the contractor who designed and built this.”
Jo Caldwell Todd had just come through the passage to the central library, and Felicity fluttered her hand in the air to get her attention. “Such a lovely young woman.”
“Felicity, I wish I’d known you were coming this morning, I came across a craft magazine you might like, and would have had it here for you,” Jo said in a soft voice as she joined them.
“Another time, Jo. I want you to meet Oliver’s cousin Freddie. He came this morning, earlier than I expected, but he’s just as welcome,” Felicity said. She realized she actually meant it, too. Just because the man hadn’t had the good manners to give her a telephone call to let her know when he’d arrive, she shouldn’t hold that against him. The Canaday men were known for their independence.
“I’m delighted to meet you, Mr. Canady,” Jo said. “What do you think of our new addition and the placement of Oliver’s books?”
“This round room is quite amazing, Mrs. Todd, but I remember my cousin rhapsodizing about the unique way he’d structured his collection, so although I never saw them in the original room, I feel sure you’ve followed his lead here.”
Freddie had his hands clasped behind his back, and rocked gently from one foot to the other. “What I find even more amazing is that someone so young has the responsibility for such a valuable collection. You must be very talented, my dear.” He smiled benignly, even though his gaze searched the room as if looking for a flaw.
“I had good training, and Felicity gave me amazing freedom, so I was able to interpret Dr. Canaday’s intent,” Jo replied. “Of course, Max had already done a superlative job of designing the addition, so all I had to do was fill the spaces.”
Felicity’s admiration of Jo’s tact grew. Never once since she arrived in town had Jo failed her expectations of the young librarian. “We’ve been very fortunate, Freddie. Even with a few bumps in the road, everything fell into place.”
She watched her guest’s close inspection of every aspect of the Canaday Library. The part of her that she always thought of as cynical got the impression that he was assigning dollar values to every single computer and cleverly designed study alcove. Really, she told herself, she was going to have to do a better job of suppressing her more unattractive viewpoints.
“We’ll let you go now, Jo. I feel sure you have other things to do than to guide us around. If you’re free Saturday night, I hope you and Max can join us for dinner. I plan to invite Josh and Mindy, and Althea and Andrew, if they’re free. I just wish Jonas wasn’t in Canada on a case right now. He was so helpful to Freddie when he had that awful student stalker.”
Freddie pulled a large, colored handkerchief from his jacket pocket and coughed loudly into it. When the spasm ceased, his eyes were damp, and he dabbed at them. “Jonas Bent? I’m sorry I’ve missed him, but I’m glad to know his business is sufficient to keep him occupied. Who is Andrew?”
“Andrew is his father, a retired Admiral, and a very good neighbor two houses down. Althea owns the house directly behind me. We’re a friendly group, aren’t we, Jo?”
“All good people, Felicity. I do hope Althea doesn’t bring her gun, however.”
Freddie coughed into his handkerchief again.
Felicity realized her guest had turned red and appeared to be struggling for breath. She suppressed the uncharitable hope that he wouldn’t get sick and have to stay longer than he’d planned. She might as well admit it. She wasn’t comfortable with Oliver’s cousin, and if he needed extended care of any kind, she wasn’t prepared to offer it. She put her hand on his shoulder and patted, aware that the kindly gesture wouldn’t help. “Freddie, are you all right?”
He blew his nose noisily and drew a deep breath before answering, “I’m fine ... fine, Felicity. I’m afraid my innards aren’t accustomed to the air filtering system in here.” He chuckled half-heartedly. “I’m more comfortable with air pollution.” He tucked his handkerchief back into his pocket. “Did I hear your friend say this woman carries
a gun?”
Jo laughed. “I’m afraid I was joking, Dr. Canaday. Althea lives alone, and tends to obsess about the dangers that lurk everywhere. She has a concealed carry license, and her gun has sort of become a local legend. You will enjoy her company in spite of the bulge in her purse. Althea’s very direct. You always know where you stand when she’s around.”
“I like to think of her as helping to keep our neighborhood safe,” Felicity said. “She keeps her eye out for anything out of place, and is always the first person to step up when help is needed. I’m thinking of taking that gun course myself. A woman living alone can’t be too careful.”
She was relieved to see that her guest’s color had returned to normal. The controlled atmosphere of the library had never before sent anyone into coughing fits. That she knew of, that is. Exactly where had the man been spending his time?
Was it her imagination or had poor Freddie once again turned red?
Chapter Three
It appeared Freddie had completely recovered from his breathing problems by the time everyone arrived for Felicity’s dinner party. Because it was such short notice, she had settled for a spiral cut ham and had prepared her special cheesy potatoes. Lovely fresh asparagus and the wild greens salad Mindy had donated, plus a cheesecake from Dominick’s Bakery rounded things off. She preferred not to mention anything so tacky as cholesterol; her guests were accustomed to indulging when they ate at her table. If they wanted to watch their diets, they would have to do it on their own time.
Andrew, clutching a bottle of Merlot in each hand, was the first to arrive. “I don’t know what you’re having, but in my mind, a good Merlot goes with anything on a plate,” he announced with a wink. “Where’s this famous cousin of Oliver’s? I can’t wait to meet him.”
“He should be down any minute, Andrew. Here, let me take those to the kitchen,” she said as she relieved him of his burden. “Do you want to open them now to let them breathe?”
“Good idea. Jonas called just before I left. He’s adjusting his schedule to be back in town by the end of next week, and hopes Freddie will still be around when he returns. He quite enjoyed working with him when he had that little problem.”
Felicity pushed open the swinging door to the kitchen and set the bottles on the counter. “He hasn’t really said anything yet about when he has to leave.” She looked over her shoulder and lowered her voice. “I’m afraid I find Freddie rather strange. I’d only met him the one time. And that was years ago. Oliver adored him, but I’m beginning to wonder if the years since our introduction have been kind to him.”
“Felicity, you have to remember that not everyone has aged as gracefully as you have,” Andrew reminded her as he retrieved the corkscrew from the drawer next to the refrigerator.
Lazarus appeared from nowhere and pressed his head against Andrew’s leg.
“No, I didn’t bring Shadrach with me,” he said, bending to pat the cat on his muscular back. “This is going to be a civilized meal. No cat and dog chases through the house tonight. Keep your games outdoors.”
Lazarus gave him a disgusted look and disappeared through the swinging door as it opened, dodging between Freddie’s ankles. “Felicity, that cat is dangerous. You must be careful he doesn’t knock you down,” that disgruntled gentleman announced loudly. He did a little skip step as the door swung to behind him.
“He got blamed for that once, several years ago, but it turned out he was innocent,” Felicity said as she set crystal wine glasses on the counter. Turning, she said, “Andrew, I’d like you to meet Oliver’s cousin Freddie Canaday.” Putting her hand on Andrew’s sleeve, she said, “Andrew is my good neighbor, and he’s Jonas Bent’s father, Freddie.”
“I’m delighted to meet you, Andrew. You’ve raised a good bright boy,” Freddie said, flashing a wide smile. “You’re retired Navy, aren’t you?”
Andrew leaned forward just as the doorbell rang, and Felicity patted both men’s shoulders as she slipped between them. “Oh, that must be Max and Jo. I asked them to park in front because Mindy and Josh are using the back parking spot.”
She disappeared into the dining room and the two men shook hands, murmuring pleasantries as they followed her.
“Who owns that truck parked in front, Felicity?” Max asked as he followed Jo into the foyer. “Surely it can’t belong to Oliver’s cousin. That thing couldn’t have made it all the way from California.”
Felicity swallowed laughter as Freddie joined them. She saw Jo poke Max with her elbow. Max could always be counted on to say exactly what he was thinking.
“I think there’s more to that vehicle than it appears,” she said lightly. “Freddie told me he wanted it where he could make a fast getaway, just in case my hospitality wore thin.”
Even Freddie joined in the laughter, then added, “Unless she kicks me out, I intend to stay where the food is delicious.”
His light touch and the business of introductions smoothed any embarrassment Max might have felt. Felicity shooed them into the living room before slipping into the kitchen to finish setting wine glasses on her silver tray, and Josh and Mindy, followed closely by Althea, came in the back entrance just as she pulled the warm canapes from the oven.
“Oh, good! You take these, Althea, and Josh can hold the smoked salmon high enough that Lazarus won’t get it. If you’ll take the tray of glasses, Mindy, I’ll follow you with the bottles of wine. Everyone’s been so prompt I’ve gotten a little flustered.”
Althea set her purse on a kitchen chair with a thump and seized the tray of glasses. “As I always say, let’s get the beverages out there first. I’ve had a full day, and I’m ready to meet your guest. Is he as eccentric as Oliver was?” She pushed the door open with her hip and waited for Felicity to precede her.
“Now, Althea, my husband was no more eccentric than yours was. I think you’ll like Freddie, too.”
Behind them, Josh and Mindy looked at each other and smiled. “I see you two are still trying to outdo each other for the title of the most forbearing widow on the street,” Josh teased.
“At least Oliver stayed sober,” Althea commented drily as she led the way. “I was at the hospital all day volunteering with the book cart, and I swear, I saw enough poor souls to make me grateful mine was at least a cheerful drunk.”
“He did sing well,” Felicity said as she gestured her helpers toward the empty library table. “Just put things on there. Don’t worry about hurting the finish.”
She’d moved the table to the far wall of the living room when it was displaced by the library renovations, and it had become so practical she had no intention of returning it to its original setting. “Did you happen to hear anything more about that poor man who was in a coma? I do hope the doctors are able to help him recover.”
“He’s much the same. Poor old duffer has a huge bandage around his head and so many tubes in him he looks like a science experiment. All those blinking lights and the beeping machines just might wake him up,” Althea said as she filled her glass with Merlot. “The nurse told me he really isn’t aware of all the racket going on in there, but if I were in that bed I’d be complaining my head off.”
Josh reached around her and speared a canape. “I can’t imagine being in that state.” He popped the warm cheese puff into his mouth and chewed.
“No, you’d open your eyes and ask the nurse to tell you the story of her life,” Mindy teased. She slid salmon onto a wheat cracker and sipped the grape juice Felicity had thoughtfully included on the drinks tray. “Freddie, I understand you had a tour of the new library wing today. What did you think of it?”
“I was amazed. Felicity must have hired a master architect to come up with something that matched the old building and blended into the campus. The system inside is ... unique. I’ve never seen a round library before.” He took a long drink of wine and closed his eyes as if savoring it.
“Thank you, Dr. Canaday,” said Max. “I was responsible for both of those things. Can I get you to
sign an endorsement?” He chuckled and added, “Just in case they call from Washington looking for an architect for a memorial or something.”
Felicity set down the cut glass bowl of mixed nuts she was carrying and shook her head at him. “Max simply followed the pattern Oliver had set for the interior, because the library here was set up with the books arranged so that information from countries around the world followed the way they are located on the globe. He was eccentric, yes, but there was logic in many of the things he did.” She selected a brazil nut, and before putting it in her mouth she said, “Max made his idea even more workable than it was before.”
“You’ve built a fine monument to Oliver, Felicity. I feel sure he wouldn’t begrudge one penny of what you spent,” Freddie said. He stood and carried his glass to where the decanted bottle stood and poured more wine.
Was it just her, or anyone else notice that Freddie always made it a point to mention how much something cost? Felicity scolded herself for being overly sensitive, and replied, “It’s only money, Freddie. Oliver left me particularly well taken care of, and the students will benefit greatly from having access to his collection.” She looked around the room fondly. “I treasure my friends more than money.”
“I’m getting very hungry, Felicity,” Andrew said, standing. “I think we should progress to real food. Snacking isn’t enough for an empty stomach.” He patted his trim middle and reached to scoop up the smoked salmon. “I’ll just carry this to the kitchen and put it in the cupboard so Lazarus doesn’t make himself sick.”
“Good, then you can help carry the food into the dining room. Everything’s ready to eat.” Felicity took the depleted cheese puff platter with her. Lazarus liked those, too.
Josh ambled over to where Freddie was getting to his feet, and said, “Have you any idea how long you will be in town, Dr. Canaday?”
Freddie set down his wine glass and straightened his jacket on his shoulders. “I had thought to simply stop by for a week or two and offer Felicity any help she might need in finally settling Oliver’s affairs.” He picked up his glass once more. “It ... ah ... seems she has matters well in hand, but I do want to be sure all is well, so ...”
Deceitful Legacy Page 2