''Were you, indeed?" Jason murmured. "How interesting. What did Charlie think about that?"
"Don't know that I ever heard him say, now that you mention it. Of course he was in the hospital when we met."
"Of course."
"But Elisabeth doesn't have to worry about being alone now. She has me."
Marcus carefully placed his cup and saucer on the table beside his chair and came to his feet. He walked to one of the long, narrow windows and gazed outside. "Are you under the impression that Elisabeth is going to inherit this place?"
"It's her home, isn't it?" Tim asked.
Jason leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. "Not necessarily, no. She has been living here as a companion for Charlie. We saw no reason to disturb the arrangement. He needed someone. She was available."
"I understood that you two lived back East somewhere?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
Tim shrugged. "I can't see any reason you'd want this place."
Jason nodded. "I'm sure you can't."
"I got the impression you both have more money than you'd ever be able to spend in several lifetimes."
A flash of distaste rippled across Jason's features. "There are other things in life besides money."
''Such as?''
"This place represents our heritage. I doubt that you would understand."
Tim finished his coffee and stood. Stretching his arms above his head, he said, "You're probably right." He glanced at Marcus, who still had his back to the room. "I've enjoyed chatting with you, gentlemen. Guess I'd better go upstairs and get cleaned up for dinner. Something smelled awfully good in the kitchen when I came through. I suppose you're staying for dinner?"
Jason seemed to have a little trouble moving the stiff muscles in his face into the semblance of a smile. "Naturally."
Tim nodded. "Then we can chat over dinner. Get better acquainted."
He closed the door quietly behind him and started up the stairway, wishing that Charlie was there. He would be enjoying all this immensely. Damn, he was going to miss the man. Thank God he'd found Elisabeth.
Chapter 5
Charles Winston Barringer's last services were held in Colorado Springs. The church was filled to overflowing with Charlie's friends and business associates.
A public figure for most of his life, he had drawn many people to him. He had an uncanny ability to recognize potential and encourage others in their use of it.
Tim recognized many faces from Washington. Legislators, Cabinet members and others not as well known gathered to pay their last respects.
Tim was proud of Elisabeth. She had handled the meeting with Jason and Marcus with quiet dignity the night before. Today, with equal decorum, she accepted the condolences of those who knew her grandfather. How could anyone not love this woman, Tim found himself thinking, then blinked. Where had that thought come from?
They were leaving the church after the service, preparing to go to the cemetery, when Tim felt a firm pressure on his arm in the crush of people moving toward the door.
"Why don't you answer any of your phone messages?"
He recognized the voice, just as he had recognized the face earlier. "I've been busy,'' he murmured without turning his head, his arm still around Elisabeth's waist.
"Yes, I can see that."
"Is it urgent?"
"Call when you can."
"When are you returning?"
"Immediately."
The crowd began to thin in front of them. "I'll call tonight." He never looked around, but continued to the waiting limousine.
As soon as they were settled inside, Elisabeth asked, "Who was that man?"
"My employer."
"He doesn't look like anyone's employer."
Tim smiled. "He would consider that remark a compliment."
"What did he want?"
Tim shook his head. "I'm afraid to guess. He may want me to go to work."
"Oh."
"Then again, he may want to congratulate me on marrying you."
Without looking at him, she took his hand, which had been resting on his thigh. "Granddad was right. You've been such a help. I don't know how I would have gotten through all this without you,"
"You would have done just fine."
''I just wish—"
When she didn't go on he glanced at her, but she had turned her face away.
"What do you wish?"
"Nothing. I guess I'm still having trouble realizing that he's gone."
"Yes. I feel the same way."
She finally turned and looked at him. "I'm glad that you knew him so well. That you understood him. So few people really did."
"He was a very private man."
"So are you."
Tim frowned. "Why do you say that?"
''I don't know. You just seem different, depending on who is around. I don't think you are ever truly relaxed and just being yourself."
''And what do you consider being myself?"
"Warni... and teasing... like Granddad in many ways."
"I don't feel like your grandfather, Elisabeth."
She grinned. "That's not what I meant. He trusted you. That's very important to me." She looked at the passing countryside. "There aren't too many people Granddad trusted."
"With good reason."
"I know."
They were quiet the rest of the way to the cemetery.
Neil Swanson, the attorney, had suggested earlier in the day that he meet them at the homestead after the services to read the will. Marcus had made it clear they had no more time to waste, and had quickly agreed.
Tim had reason to be grateful that Charlie had prepared him for what was to come. The five of them assembled in the library, and Tim could see that Neil was not looking forward to what was coming. However, Tim was impressed with the way the attorney dealt with the matter.
"There are several minor bequests in Charlie's will that I won't go into at the moment, if you don't mind," Neil began. "Each of you will receive a copy of the will. The original has already been placed on file at the Teller County courthouse." He took his time looking at each of them. When his eyes met Tim's, Tim realized that Charlie must have told Neil that Tim knew what was coming.
Neil began to read Charlie's instructions regarding property in the East, stocks, bonds and other securities that were divided equally between Jason and Marcus. The amount was substantial. They took it as their due.
"I leave the remainder and residue of my estate, which shall include but not be limited to all cash on hand, CDs, automobiles and the real estate commonly known as the homestead located near Cripple Creek, Colorado and more particularly described in exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof, including all furniture and furnishings therein, to my granddaughter, Elisabeth Barringer, to be dealt with in whatever manner she shall choose and only at her sole discretion."
The three Barringers appeared to be frozen in suspended animation. Tim and Neil exchanged a rueful glance.
"Why, that sonofa—"
"I don't believe it! That old buzzard was crazy! He can't do that!"
Elisabeth was staring at Neil, her color nonexistent. Slowly she began to shake her head. "I can't accept that—"
"Of course you can't!" Jason agreed. "That's preposterous! She has no right to any of this. She's just the bastard daughter of one of dad's or the old man's floozies. Who the hell does he think he is, anyway?"
"According to the documentation in my files, Charles Winston Barringer has sole and exclusive ownership of this property, and as the owner he can leave it to whomever he wishes." Without glancing up, Neil shuffled some papers before he continued. "I also have here a copy of Elisabeth Barringer's birth certificate, which states her father's name as Charles Winston Barringer, Jr. In addition, I have copies in Spanish of the dissolution of marriage between Nancy Winslow Barringer and Charles Winston Barringer, Jr., and a certificate of marriage, also Spanish, between Catherine Ann Shelby and C
harles Winston Barringer, Jr., dated eleven months prior to the birth certificate."
Nice touch, Charlie. Tim made a mental salute to his friend. You covered all the bases and dotted all the i's. Tim then winced at his use of the mixed metaphors.
Jason looked at Tim, his expression contemptuous. ''And you knew about all this, didn't you? You moved right in on her, knowing that she was going to get her hands on this place. No wonder you rushed her into marriage." He got up and walked to the door, Marcus following him. ''Well, don't start spending your money yet, you two. The man was senile. No question about it. I'll see you both in court."
The room was very quiet after the two men left. Tim watched Elisabeth closely, worried about her lack of color. She seemed not to have heard Jason's threats. When she finally spoke, she was looking at Neil.
"I don't want this place, Neil, or the money."
"Charlie wanted you to have it, Elisabeth."
"He knew how the others would react."
"Yes. He didn't care. He left me a letter to give to you." Neil smiled. "You know Charlie. He knew you would argue with him, but he had his reasons. At least let him share them with you."
Tears trickled down her cheeks, but her voice rang clear when she asked, "Where in the world did Granddad manage to come up with fake divorce and marriage papers?"
Neil looked startled, which reflected how Tim felt. She knew?
"I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about," Neil replied in a careful tone.
Elisabeth waved her hand as though brushing away his protest. "My parents were never married. My father never divorced his first wife. I can't remember how old I was when my mother explained all that to me. But they loved each other. That I know. That I truly believe. She kept all the letters he wrote to her whenever he had to be away from her. It didn't matter to either of them that another woman carried his name. My mother was in his heart. Her deepest grief was that he never had the chance to know about me and that I never had the chance to know him. His letters told me a great deal about him, though."
She looked at Tim. "My father was very much like his own father, ignored any of the rules that got in the way of what he wanted. If he had known about me I think he would have made other arrangements, but like Granddad, I think my father thought he was immortal."
"Charlie knew better," Tim pointed out.
"Yes," she admitted sadly. ''I guess he did."
"He wanted to protect you as much as he could. These papers will encourage your brothers to leave you alone." Neil tapped the file in front of him.
"But what am I going to do with this place? It's too big for one person.''
Neil smiled. ''Don't forget your husband, Elisabeth. You may decide to have a large family. And it isn't as though you'll have a hardship keeping it running smoothly. The one thing you'll never have to worry about is running out of money."
Once again she made a brushing-away gesture. "The money doesn't matter."
"Charlie also said you would say that. He knew you very well." Neil stood, closing the file and placing it inside his briefcase. "Here is the letter he left for you. Read it, think about it, then let me know if I can assist you in any way."
He came around the desk and held out his hand to Tim, who came to his feet and took it. Charlie had assured Tim that Neil was a good lawyer. Tim was impressed with his character.
Tim walked with him to the door and made sure it was locked behind him. Night had fallen while they had been in the library. When he turned to rejoin Elisabeth he noticed Mrs. Brodie hovering near the stairway.
''Are you and Elisabeth going to be the only ones for dinner?"
''Yes, Mrs. Brodie."
"I can serve any time."
"Please do that. We'll be in shortly."
Tim walked into the library. Elisabeth had not moved, nor had she made any effort to read the letter Neil had handed to her.
"This makes it more real, somehow," she murmured without looking at him. ''More real than the funeral service. He's really gone."
"Yes." Tim took her hand and pulled her gently to her feet, then slid his arms around her, holding her close.
"He always gets his own way," she muttered distractedly, and he grinned while he soothed her with his touch.
"He would be pleased to know you think so."
"He's probably watching all this right now, having the time of his life laughing."
"1 wouldn't be at all surprised."
"What am I going to do?" She sounded so bewildered that his heart ached for her.
"Right now you're going to have dinner with your husband. Then I suggest a nice hot soaking bath, a soothing massage and a good night's sleep."
Her arms slipped around his waist, and she held him for a long moment. Then she tilted her head and looked at him. "I know I'm being weak, but I'm so glad you're here at the moment."
''I'll always be here for you, Elisabeth." Tim knew at that moment that he was stating a profound truth.
She shook her head. ''No. You have your own life. I have mine. The play is over. The roles are done. But for tonight, I'm glad you're here."
He knew that she was in no condition for an argument. It didn't really matter. More and more of the past few weeks had been coming to him today. His memory was returning. There were still blank patches, but he felt certain they would come to him in time.
Charlie's explanation had managed to jog earlier memories. He knew now why Charlie had wanted him there; knew that the situation was going to get more serious; knew that Elisabeth needed him more than ever; and he felt grateful that Charlie had entrusted her welfare to him.
He also knew that it had not been Charlie's idea for Tim to marry Elisabeth. It had not been necessary.
What he couldn't remember was if Elisabeth knew the truth about Tim's reasons for marrying her. Charlie had known. If she knew, she had given him no indication of it.
They ate in companionable silence. He could feel her exhaustion almost as if it were his own. As soon as he got her to bed and asleep, he had some phone calls to make.
It was time to plan for the next stages. Too bad Charlie couldn't be there. He would have been in his element.
❧
"You don't have to do this," Elisabeth murmured into her pillow, more than half asleep.
Tim decided that he must have a streak of masochism inside him, because he was actually enjoying the form of refined torture he had chosen for himself.
Elisabeth was lying in bed after her bath with no more than a light sheet draped enticingly across her delectable derriere. He sat beside her, rhythmically moving his hands from her shoulders down to the base of her spine... over and over... back and forth, his fingers sliding along the slight indentation of her spine. Her skin felt like warm satin, without a blemish, and Tim felt as though he were going to explode any minute with desire.
Slowly moving his hands up from her waist, he allowed his fingers to slide to either side of her ribs so they brushed the soft plumpness of her breasts. She shifted slightly, the movement causing the sheet to slide an inch or two lower, so her rounded hips were bared to his gaze to create further torment.
"I want to do it," he admitted, his voice sounding more than a little hoarse. This time when his hands made their routine trek downward he allowed them to glide over her hips, kneading them softly, then slide over her legs. This time his thumbs lightly skimmed the tender flesh of her inner thighs.
She quivered.
''You... must be... getting... tired..."
"I'm enjoying it, believe me."
Once again he began his upward journey, lightly caressing each curve and hollow, lingering at her breasts before moving on to her shoulders.
"I'm glad." She sighed.
He allowed his mind to drift in an effort to release some of the tension created by touching Elisabeth so intimately.
Charlie had been right. The first sight he'd had of Elisabeth almost brought him to his knees, he recalled with a smile.
As s
oon as he had received Charlie's cryptic note, he had placed a call to him. When Charlie told him what he needed, Tim wasted no time leaving Denver and driving directly to the hospital.
Charlie had needed his advice about the situation, and Tim had spent some time discussing the matter in detail before Elisabeth had arrived. Only later did Tim discover that Charlie had sent her off on some trumped-up shopping expedition in Colorado Springs so he would have the opportunity to see Tim in private.
When she walked through the hospital door that first day, Tim felt as though he'd caught a hard left hook square in his solar plexus.
She had glowed with health and vitality. Her eyes sparkled, and the smile she wore for her grandfather had been so filled with love it took Tim's breath away.
The sides of her hair had been caught up and pulled into a knot at the back of her head. The rest had hung in waves across her shoulders and down her back. Her dress was some floaty material that swirled around her knees, revealing shapely legs that he longed to touch.
She had paused in endearing confusion when she saw him, and Tim had managed to get to his feet. He could almost feel his mouth hanging open.
''I didn't mean to interrupt," she managed to say, feeling for the door handle without turning around.
"Nonsense!" Charlie winked at Tim. ''You aren't interrupting a thing. Did you manage to buy out the stores today?"
She grinned. "The dress shops were safe, but I went wild in the office-supply stores. They were having a half-price sale on paper and disks for the computer and—" She laughed. "I can't resist a sale. You know that."
"Elisabeth, I want you to meet a friend of mine, Tim Walker. Tim lives in Denver. Happened to be passing through and called the house, found out I was in the hospital and decided to see what the hell I was doing here."
Tim held out his hand, wanting more than anything to be able to touch the woman standing there. "I'm very glad to meet you, Elisabeth."
She placed her hand in his. It felt so small and delicate, as though it could be easily crushed. Her green-eyed gaze met his with an almost stunned expression. Was it possible she was feeling the same strong attraction that had shaken him? Tim had never reacted this way before to anyone. He felt as though the very air around them shimmered with the energy that pulsed between them.
Max 2 - A Love Remembered Page 6