“He’s right, Sara. It wouldn’t be proper for us to travel to this part of the world alone.” Gwendolyn let her gaze wander back and forth, almost as if she were expecting some kind of trouble.
Sara shook her head sadly. “I’m glad we came. I haven’t seen Grandmother in over twenty years, not since the last time she came and visited us. I’ve never even been to her island. I’ve only seen pictures.”
“You haven’t missed anything. It’s just a small hunk of ground in the middle of the ocean. There’s nothing exciting about it. I couldn’t wait to leave there and I never wanted to visit it again.” Gwendolyn handed her carry-on bag to Elias for him to put it in the trunk.
Before she settled in the car, Sara turned to Elias. “Is Grandmother’s attorney already on the island?”
“No, Miss, I’ll be bringing him out early in the morning per your grandmother’s wishes.”
“Get in the car, Sara.” Bart held the door open, his tone clearly indicating his patience was gone.
“I’m coming, I’m coming. Don’t get your panties in a wad,” Sara mumbled. A small chuckle had her turning her head quickly. The amusement in Elias’s eyes told her he’d heard her softly spoken comment. She could feel her face flush in embarrassment.
“After you, Miss.” Elias held his arm out toward the open car door.
“Right.” Sara hurried over and slid into the back seat next to her mother, glancing over to see how well she was handling the trip. The poor woman was obviously exhausted. Gwendolyn Weller pinched the bridge of her nose and then rubbed her reddened eyes before running her shaking hand through her hair and sighing deeply. Sara felt a pang of sympathy as she wondered how she must feel losing her mother.
Elias got behind the wheel and turned to stare at the women in the back seat. “Is everyone settled and ready to get started?”
“Yes, we’re ready,” Bart growled. He’d chosen to sit in the front with Elias.
“Okay, then we’re off.” Elias pulled expertly out in traffic, heading toward the airport exit.
“Is anyone else coming to the memorial service?” Sara watched Elias’s eyes in the rear view mirror.
“No, Miss. It’s for family only.”
Gwendolyn gave a very unladylike snort. “Isn’t Karl going to be there? He certainly isn’t family as far as I’m concerned.”
“Who’s Karl?” Bart asked.
“No, Madame. Karl will be at the island tonight, but he’ll be gone by the morning.” Elias met Sara’s gaze in the mirror. “Karl was someone very important to your grandmother. You might say he’s the love of her life.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Gwendolyn argued. “If he’s the love of her life, why didn’t he ever marry her?” She was silent for a moment. “He must not be named in her will if he’s planning on leaving in the morning.” The satisfaction in her voice sent chills up Sara’s spine.
“Doesn’t really matter whether he’s named in the will or not.” Bart turned around in his seat. “If he’s been with her for some time he’d have the legal right to sue the estate as a domestic partner. He could be entitled to half of everything she owned.”
“Over my dead body,” Gwendolyn declared.
“Come on, guys, Elias already said he’d be gone by morning. Let’s not anticipate trouble. This is supposed to be our time to honor and remember Grandmother.” Sara placed her hand on her mother’s arm.
“That’s easy for you to say, Sara. I’m not letting that overblown lothario take my inheritance away.” Gwendolyn pulled her arm away and turned her gaze out the window.
“There will be time enough to worry about the will tomorrow. Let’s just get through this memorial so we can get back home. I’ve got several court cases coming up. I can’t afford to be here any longer than necessary.” Bart pulled out a pair of sunglasses from his pocket and covered his eyes.
Sara was about to argue when she caught the expression on Elias’s face. It was pretty clear what he thought of her companion’s compassion. She took a deep breath, laid her head back on the seat and closed her eyes.
“You can see the island now, Miss.”
Sara rushed to the front rail of the Magic Dreams to get her first look at Caleya Island. The blue green water hugged the uneven shoreline while the white capped waves crashed along the sandy beach. She smiled, tasting the salty air, her braided hair unraveling in the breeze as they neared the small boat dock.
“Doesn’t look like much,” Bart sniffed disdainfully.
Sara frowned at the dismal words from her fiancé. “I think it looks like paradise.”
Bart grunted and walked back over to sit next to Gwendolyn. “You should come away from the rail, Sara. If we come into the dock too fast it could jar the boat enough to send you into the water.”
“Shouldn’t one of us offer to help secure the boat?”
“Oh, do sit down, Sara.” Gwendolyn shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand. “Let the captain do it. It’s what he’s paid for.”
Narrowing her eyes, Sara ignored their advice and headed for the wheelhouse where Elias was piloting the boat. “What can I do to help?”
Elias smiled down at Sara and shook his head. “I’ve got everything covered, Miss Sara. Been coming in and out of this jetty for so long I could do it in my sleep.”
Sara frowned. “There must be something, I mean, you’re only one man.”
He grinned. “Well, if you’re sure you want to help.”
“I’m sure. What can I do?”
“As soon as we stop I’ll jump to the dock and you can throw me the ropes so I can anchor the boat.”
“You’ve got yourself a deal.” Sara watched as the boat slowed and eased its way into the slim berth.
Elias came down and pointed to the ropes at the bow and stern of the boat. “Just toss them to me once I get in position.” He jumped down to the wooden pier and walked toward the front of the boat. He stood and watched while Sara pulled up the rope and tossed it out onto the dock. Quickly he grabbed it and attached it to a tall post and then repeated the procedure with her at the stern. After securing the boat, he attached a small gangplank and held Sara’s hand while she walked down. “I’ll be right back, Miss. I’m going to go get the rest of your party.”
Sara stood still for a moment and then walked out onto the soft sand. She turned her head at the sound of seagulls crying, their wings flapping in the breeze. Her lips curved into a smile at the sight of a huge turtle lumbering slowly across the beach, the waves washing over its hard shell.
“God, it’s hot.” Bart yanked off his jacket and opened several buttons on his shirt. “How did your mother stand living in this humid environment?”
“But it’s beautiful,” Sara cried. “Look at that crystal clear water and all this clean, white sand. Where, in the states, could you find a beach as beautiful as this?”
“This is a volcanic formed island, Miss Sara. That’s fine, white bleached coral sand you’re standing on.” Elias brought the first load of luggage off the boat.
“What else can you tell me about this area, Elias?”
“It’s a great place if you like skin diving. There are shallow and deep coral gardens giving you a world of color. We’ve got turtles, manta rays, octopi, eels and hell, even hammerhead sharks you can get a glimpse of.”
“I always wanted to go skin diving. Is it fun?” Sara couldn’t keep the childish enthusiasm out of her voice.
“Oh, yes, Miss. There’s nothing like feeling the ocean water and the air bubbles tickling against your skin. Just imagine pulling your body along the ocean floor by grabbing onto rocks and coral, or the feel of the fish brushing against your body as you swim. There are even wrecks from World War II in the near area you can dive on.”
“Absolutely not, Sara. I forbid it. It’s not safe for a novice like you.” Bart’s face had turned a nasty shade of red and he looked as if he might implode at any minute. “We’re here for the reading of the will and then we’re leaving day after tomo
rrow.”
“Mr. Jacobs, perhaps you could show us to the house so we can rest before time for dinner.” Gwendolyn frowned at her daughter. “We can discuss the island more in detail later. I’m exhausted and in need of a shower.”
Sara sighed. “Sorry, Mother. Captain Jacobs, if you’ll lead the way.”
“Of course, if you’ll follow me I’ll take you to the house and come back for the extra luggage.” Without another word, he took off across the sandy beach.
Chapter 2
Sara followed Elias down a path that led from the beach through an area that looked remarkably like a jungle to her. Tall trees with lush foliage nearly blocked out the sunlight. The dense undergrowth had vines that seemed to stretch forever. The sounds of birds squawking and wings fluttering in the trees filled the silence. As Sara breathed in the stuffy, warm air, she swore she heard a waterfall somewhere nearby.
“How big is the island?” Bart slapped at the insects flying around his face and looked annoyed.
“It’s not big at all, sir. Caleya’s only four square miles with about a third of that being sandy beach.”
“Does anybody else have a house here?” Bart looked back and glanced at Sara.
“I can answer that,” Gwendolyn growled. “There’s nobody else living here and there never has been. That’s why I left as soon as I could and I’ve never been back. I hated the isolation.”
Sara gasped as they came into the clearing and she got her first look at the house. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered. The three-story house looked like a miniature southern, antebellum mansion. White columns graced the front with a covered porch that ran the length of the house on all three levels. The windows had dark, black shutters and there were two chimneys visible from where she stood.
“How the hell many rooms does this place have?” Bart was staring at the house and practically licking his lips in excitement.
“It has six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen and a study. Two of the bedrooms are being used as studios at present.”
Bart glanced over at Elias. “What kind of studios?”
“Art, of course.” Gwendolyn sounded disgusted. “My mother’s entire life revolved around her art. She barely had time for anything or anybody else.”
“Still playing the martyr, Gwen?”
Sara whirled around at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. Standing on the path was a stranger. He was well over six feet tall with gray hair and vivid blue eyes. He was smiling at her mother as if he knew her.
“Don’t call me that! My name is Gwendolyn.” She backed up a couple of steps as the man moved forward. “What are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be inside packing?”
“Forever the lady, I see. Where are your manners, girl?” He turned to Sara. “Hello, my name is Karl Barters and you are the apple of your grandmother’s eye.” He took her hand in his. “I’m so very pleased to finally meet you, Sara.”
“The love of my grandmother’s life,” Sara mumbled.
Karl laughed and glanced over at Elias. “I can see you’ve been telling tales about me, old man.”
“Old man! You’re the one in his eighties if I’m not mistaken. I’d say that puts you in the running for that title.” His green eyes twinkled merrily.
Karl turned to Bart. “And who might you be, sir?”
“Bartle Everett III, Sara’s fiancé.” Frowning, he shook Karl’s hand. “We were led to believe you would be gone by morning.”
“Bart, for heaven’s sake. This is the man’s home and he just lost his partner. Can’t you be a little more understanding?” Sara watched the shock come over her fiancé’s face. She’d never raised her voice to him before.
“It’s all right, Sara.” Karl patted her shoulder. “I will be gone before morning, but it was your grandmother’s wish that I be here tonight to answer any questions you might have and to show you around the place.”
“The last thing we need is a tour, Karl. I spent many years here as a child and there isn’t anything you could show me that I haven’t already seen. You can leave whenever you’re packed.” Gwendolyn turned her back and started for the house.
“Well, I’d be happy to spend some time with you, Karl. I’d love to hear more about my grandmother. Maybe we can sit and talk after dinner?”
Karl smiled. “I’d like that a lot, little Sara. There’s a lot I have to tell you.” He lowered his voice. “And I’ve got a letter for you from your grandmother.”
“Come along, Sara. Let’s get settled in.” Bart stopped and waited for her to join him on the porch.
“I’m coming.” She turned back to Karl. “Let me get my bag settled in a room and I’ll meet you on the porch in a little while.”
“That’s fine. Come on, girl, and I’ll show you to the rooms that have been prepared for you.” Together they walked into the house.
“I’m not sleeping in my dead mother’s room and that’s final.” Gwendolyn Weller had turned so white Sara feared she would pass out.
“It’s okay, Mother. I’ll be happy to sleep in Grandmother’s room. It’s not a problem.” Sara put a comforting arm around her shoulder.
“Why do any of us have to sleep in there? This house has six bedrooms in it.” Gwendolyn poked her finger into Karl’s chest. “You’re just doing this because you know it makes me uncomfortable.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Gwen. One of the bedrooms is being used for your mother’s painting and another for my pottery. One of them is empty and that only leaves three that are furnished. That gives you each a room. I won’t be staying here tonight and neither will Elias.”
“Fine. Is my old room still available and don’t call me Gwen?”
“Yes.” He laughed. “Your room is all ready for you.” He glanced at Bart. “You can have the room at the end of the hall. Lizzie was very clear that you weren’t to be sharing Sara’s room until after the wedding.”
“I, uh…” Bart stuttered.
“Her name was Elizabeth, not Lizzie,” Gwendolyn yelled.
“Enough,” Sara cried. They all looked at her in shock. “I’ve heard enough out of all of you. Go to the rooms you’ve been assigned and get some rest. We’re all cranky from the long trip. Let’s separate before we say or do something we all regret.” Without waiting for a reply, Sara grabbed her bag out of Elias’s hand, walked into her grandmother’s room and shut the door behind her. Wearily, she leaned against the cool, smooth wood and shut her eyes. “Blessed silence,” she whispered.
Curiously, Sara looked around the room that had belonged to her grandmother. A king-sized bed dominated the room covered in a flowery-print bedspread. A huge pile of multi-colored pillows adorned the top, giving it a warm, homey look. A dresser stood against one wall, a mirror hanging above it. The polished wood surface was covered in perfume bottles and hair products, with a large wooden jewelry box sitting in the center. The combined scents of perfume, hair spray and furniture polish assaulted her senses.
Sara walked over to the dresser and examined the items closer. “This is all feminine. Where are Karl’s things?” Puzzled, she glanced slowly around the room, her eyes stopping on a desk in the corner. It was small, the top littered with paperback books and picture frames. With a small gasp, she quickly walked over and stared down at what appeared to be her entire life in photos. “How did you get all of these, Grandmother?” With trembling hands, she picked up the pictures one by one. They started with her birth and ended with the engagement picture her mother had sent to the newspaper.
Sara felt a tear roll down her cheek. “Mother always told me you didn’t want me to visit the island. I asked her so many times to let me come see you. She made it sound like you didn’t care about us, didn’t want us to be a part of your life.” Anger coursed through her with the thought that she’d been denied her grandmother’s love. “I’m sorry, Grandmother. I really did love you. I hope you knew that.”
Sighing, Sara stood and walked over to the closet. She reached out
to open it and started at the sound of knocking and a voice calling her name. Wiping the tears from her face with her hands, she walked over and opened the door. “Hey, Karl.”
“Sara, are you okay?” He stared down at her as if he knew the emotional upheaval she was experiencing.
“Sure, I’m fine. Just looking around, thinking about Grandmother.” She glanced back at the room and then up into his concerned face. “Do you think you could tell me about her, Karl?”
He smiled and reached to take her hand. “Come with me, Sara. I’ll tell you all about Lizzie.”
Sara allowed herself to be pulled out into the hall. “Where are we going?”
“To Lizzie’s studio. It’s the perfect place to tell you all about her. Come on, girl.” Karl led her to the stairs at the end of the hall and began climbing to the third floor. “There are two rooms upstairs. One is Lizzie’s studio and the other’s mine.” Karl didn’t say anything else until they reached the top and he’d thrown open one of the doors. “Step inside, girl, and experience Lizzie’s magic.”
Sara took a deep breath and stepped into the room. That air rushed from her lungs as a tingling heat rolled through her body. Then, almost as soon as it started, the tingling morphed into a warm feeling of belonging. “It’s like coming home,” she whispered.
A smile crossed her face as Sara inhaled the aroma of oil paints and turpentine. She walked slowly around the room, letting her fingers trail over an easel with a partially finished canvas. A table with boxes of colored pencils and chalks sat in one corner with stacks of finished paintings lined up on the floor next to it. The room was perfect for an artist with windows all along one wall and a skylight for maximum lighting. She quickly thumbed through her grandmother’s paintings, most of which were landscapes of the island. “I’m an artist myself. Did you know that?”
Karl walked over and leaned against the table. “Yes, I knew and so did Lizzie.” He covered her hand with his own. “She was very proud of you, Sara.”
The Magic in her Gift Page 2