Simon Berg laughed heartily. “Human interest,” he supplied. “For someone who has so carefully guarded his privacy for so long, why is that suddenly no longer the case? Why, when you have always kept your dates out of the spotlight, am I seeing you with the lovely Lauren Hart everywhere I go? When I accused you of having kept her hidden and secretly meeting in New York, she denied it. I am not sure I believed her, though.”
“You should have,” said Jonas mildly. “Lauren doesn’t lie. She and I met for the first time the day you saw her fly into my arms.” He smiled at the memory. “I was just as surprised as you were.”
Simon was skeptical. “I was there. I observed two people delighted to see each other.”
Jonas’ smile widened. “We were. Lauren had flown in from New York specifically to meet me. We are distant cousins,” he informed the startled Simon Berg. “We have a set of great-great-grandparents in common. Lauren is also the granddaughter of the late, legendary ship-owner Erik Hjellestad. Your parents or grandparents may remember him as one of the country’s foremost athletes of his day.”
With that piece of information, the voluble Simon Berg was rendered speechless. Also, he had just been given the idea for a fabulous column! In fact, several columns. Simon wanted to kneel at the feet of Jonas Juul, metaphorically speaking.
“Is that the truth?” he inquired when he finally found his voice.
Jonas nodded in the affirmative. “Lauren’s mother is the former Lilly Hjellestad, the ship owner’s eldest daughter.”
“May I use this in a column?”
“You may. After I tell you why I contacted you. I, too, have an ulterior motive.”
Simon acknowledged the subtle hit. “I’m listening.”
That night Jonas called Lauren. He told her about his meeting with Simon Berg and their discussion. She was touched by his desire to protect her from possible speculation by the media and impressed with his clever way of hoping to accomplish it.
She told him about her conversation with her mother the night before and her mother’s desire to meet him.
“I’d like that, Lauren. I’ll see what I can do. What’s your parents’ phone number?”
Lauren laughed. “You don’t waste time, do you?” She recited it for him.
“Maybe I can combine it with my trip over?”
“I won’t be able to go with you then. I am scheduled to be in Houston the week before and Calgary the week after.”
That startled him. He was going to have to get used to Lauren’s life and adjust to it. She’d told him she traveled a lot. Apparently, she was squeezing in the baptism and the date with him. “When do you get back from Houston?”
“Late Wednesday. I have meetings all day Thursday, but I’m taking Friday and Monday off. I wanted to be available if you were planning to spend more than a couple of days.”
“Tight schedule,” Jonas commented. “I was hoping you’d be around when I’m there. I decided to combine the baptism trip with business so we could see each other in the evenings. I’ll be there a couple of weeks.”
“Oh!” Lauren’s disappointment was palpable. Feverishly shuffling things in her head, she said, “I’ll reschedule Calgary.”
“Can you do that?”
“Without the slightest hesitation.”
Jonas laughed. “Then I’ll pick you up from work next Thursday.”
He couldn’t see her smile, but he heard the gladness in her voice. “You will?”
“Certainly. I miss you, Lauren.”
“Oh, Jonas, I miss you, too. It’s only been a few days, but I already know I don’t like this arrangement.”
“We’ll talk about it when I’m there.” They talked a while longer, then finally, reluctantly, ended the call when Lauren remembered the time difference. It was close to 1 am for Jonas.
“I love you, Lauren. Always remember that.”
“I will. I love you, too. So much. ‘Night, Jonas.”
“‘Night, my love. See you soon.”
Chapter Fifteen
Jonas’ appointment with Mrs. Viik a few days later proved to be both interesting and informative. She was a lady in her early eighties, he guessed, very gracious and still beautiful. She greeted him warmly as she invited him in and, with a twinkle in her eye, said, “So nice to see you again, Jonas. You’ve grown into a very impressive young man.”
Jonas’ lips twitched. “You must have known my grandparents. I can’t tell you how often I have heard something similar over the years. I think I must have met most of their friends when I was too young to remember.”
Mrs. Viik gave him a winsome smile. “Your grandfather and my husband were childhood friends. You were four when he brought you to meet us. You were a handsome, sturdy little boy, and he was so proud of you.”
Jonas looked around the home’s large, impressive hall. He had no recollection of ever having been in the house. “Did you live here then?”
“Yes, we did, but I doubt you’d remember. You were young and didn’t leave your grandfather’s side.”
Mrs. Viik led him out to an expansive flagstone terrace where a table was set. A few minutes later, the housekeeper appeared and served them a light lunch.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Mrs. Viik said, indicating the meal. “I’m so pleased to have company for a change.”
“No, this is extremely kind of you. I didn’t know I would be meeting an old family friend today. It makes my errand much easier.”
They chatted companionably during the meal, with Mrs. Viik providing charming anecdotes about his grandparents while reminiscing about the past. Finally, she said, “Now, tell me why you’ve come to see me.”
“I am in love with a wonderful young woman, and we hope to marry soon. Her mother grew up in this house. She was Lilly Hjellestad.”
Mrs. Viik looked at him with interest but didn’t interrupt.
“Eleven years ago she visited Norway for the first time, and someone arranged for her to see the house.”
Mrs. Viik pondered a minute, then nodded her head slowly. “I remember.” She smiled in reminiscence. “A lovely young girl with beautiful manners, as I recall.”
Jonas smiled. “That sounds like Lauren.”
“Lauren. What a beautiful name.”
“Yes,” Jonas agreed. “She’s a beautiful person. She fell in love with the house that day.”
He paused.
Mrs. Viik waited expectantly.
Finally, he said, “I understand your husband passed away last year.”
“Yes, it has been almost a year now,” she said quietly.
Jonas looked at her and said gently, “Please accept my belated condolences.”
Mrs. Viik heard the sympathy in his voice and nodded, but remained silent.
“I don’t know what your plans may be, of course,” said Jonas, a trace of sympathy in his voice, “and I don’t want to rush anything, but if they include selling the house at some point, would you consider letting me buy it for Lauren?”
Mrs. Viik smiled and said gently, “You love her very much.”
“Very much,” he said unashamedly. “If it is at all possible, this is where we would eventually like to live and raise a family.”
“Does she know you were coming to see me?”
“No. I knew there was a chance the property would be passed down to your heirs, and I didn’t want to disappoint her.”
Mrs. Viik looked at him thoughtfully. She loved this house. It held decades of memories. But the house cried out for new life. The difficult part was convincing herself it was time to let go.
She was quiet so long that Jonas finally prompted, “Is that the case? Do you have children who wish to take over the house?”
“No. Our children have newer, more modern homes of their own. And they have no desire to uproot their families.”
“Then will you give some thought to my proposal?” Mrs. Viik was almost sure she heard pleading in his voice. “You will want to discuss it with your children, of course, and with your attorney or financial adviser, before making a decision.”
“You’re a good boy, Jonas,” she said, to Jonas’ amusement. “Your grandfather would be proud of you. If I decide to sell, I’ll give you first refusal. It would comfort me to know that the house will still be loved.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Viik. I can’t ask for more than that. In return, I can promise you the house will be both loved and cared for.” He stood to leave. He had taken up enough of her time.
“Would you like to see the inside before you go?”
Jonas looked at her in pleased surprise. “You wouldn’t mind?”
“I think you should know what you may be buying,” she said with a mischievous smile.
“Can’t argue with that,” Jonas agreed. “Thank you.” He held out his arm, and she took it gratefully as they re-entered the house through a set of French doors.
Again, they entered the large hall. A long, narrow, intricately carved table occupied center stage in the middle of the room. It looked centuries old and priceless. Against one wall stood a beautifully preserved William and Mary sofa upholstered in a deep red brocade. It, too, was priceless. Taking up another wall was a large, remarkably handsome wardrobe. Very old. Irreplaceable. Jonas was told it held outerwear. The pieces of furniture were all resting on a stunning marble floor.
“We bought the hall furniture with the house,” Mrs. Viik informed him. “It was so perfect for this room we couldn’t resist. Not many homes today can accommodate such massive pieces.”
Jonas agreed, and though impressive, he thought he and Lauren might want to consider other, less massive, options for the room.
The living room was large and beautifully preserved, the dining room, a comfortable size.
He smiled when he saw the kitchen. Not much had changed there in a long time. Adjacent was a large butler’s pantry, half again the size of the kitchen. He was quite sure he and Lauren would not need the services of a butler, and if they knocked down the wall between the two spaces, the area would make a large, comfortable family kitchen. In his mind, he was already doing a complete gutting and remodel.
One door led from the kitchen to the outside and a walled, secluded garden. Another door led to the servants’ wing. Jonas was sure they would not be employing servants. He couldn’t imagine Lauren wanting full-time, live-in help. But with some remodeling and a small addition, the wing could easily accommodate a comfortable office/library and roomy guest quarters.
The graceful staircase led to a large, central hall with four bedrooms and a bath leading off it. The master bedroom boasted an en-suite bathroom, unusual for homes built in that era, and the square hall, though very formal now, held potential as a family room or playroom. It was light and airy with two large French windows overlooking the forecourt.
Three of the bedrooms were very large but with limited closet space, something easily remedied. The fourth and smaller room had a connecting door to the master suite as well as a pocket-door opening into the hall. It would serve perfectly as a nursery or an office for Lauren. The house had been lovingly cared for and well maintained. With a new kitchen and a few updates, it would make a wonderful family home. Oh, how he wanted to tell Lauren!
“The smaller room was originally designed as a dressing room,” Mrs. Viik informed Jonas when she saw him consider its possibilities, “but as you can see, I use it as my little hide-away. The house was built in the early nineteen-thirties by a wealthy young dilettante with a passion for Italian architecture. He only lived here part of the year, preferring to spend most of his time in the warmer climes of France and Italy. During the war years, the Nazis commandeered the house and used it as a hospital for German officers.”
“Did they really?” Jonas burst out. “A house this beautiful?”
“Yes, unfortunately,” Mrs. Viik acknowledged with a nod of disapproval even these many years later. “They liked their comforts. Their one redeeming quality was that they did not damage the house.”
She led him to the last door. Opening it, she said, “These stairs lead to a large attic. The Nazis turned it into offices during the occupation. There were half-a-dozen cubbyholes still intact when we bought the house. My children refused to go up there. They found it creepy, knowing what the space had been used for. So, we revamped the attic and turned part of it into a place where they could bring their friends.” She laughed softly. “It was the best decision we could have made. As teenagers, they loved the privacy, and their music didn’t shake the whole house.”
Jonas chuckled. “Is that what I have to look forward to?”
“Probably at some point,” Mrs. Viik smiled in return. “It was a wonderful time, though. Both my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our children and loved seeing them through each stage of their lives.”
“I hope I can be as good a parent when the time comes.”
Mrs. Viik patted his arm. “You will be. You have had excellent examples in your life.” She nodded toward the stairs. “You are welcome to climb the stairs and look around, but I shall remain here if you don’t mind. Stairs are becoming less of a friend than they used to be. Age isn’t always kind,” she added with a soft smile.
“I’ll see it another time,” suggested Jonas. “I have taken up quite enough of your day already. I wish I could share this with Lauren.”
“You will someday,” she said with confidence then confided, “I am not quite ready to let go of this chapter of my life. I miss my husband. I’m still trying to adjust to life without him. And quite frankly, I’m not sure I can be happy in an apartment in the city. I love looking out on the water first thing in the morning. I love my terrace where I can sit on warm, sunny days and enjoy the view. I love lots of flowers around me in spring and summer and,” she stopped and looked at Jonas apologetically, “as I’m listening to myself, I realize I am being a complaining old woman.”
“Change is never easy,” Jonas agreed. “I had just turned twenty-six when my grandfather passed away and left me to run all that he had built. It was daunting, but I muddled through.”
“And muddled through very nicely from what we’ve heard and read over the years. As I said when you first arrived, you are an impressive young man.” She took Jonas’ offered arm again as they retraced their steps to the first floor and insisted on walking him out to the forecourt and his car.
Before climbing in Jonas looked at her, considering. Finally, he said, “Mrs. Viik, I may have a solution to your problem of where to live when you are ready to leave this house. I leave for the States next week, but when I return, I’ll give you to lunch and show you an idea I have. Are you interested?”
“I’m very interested in the luncheon,” was her pert retort. “I don’t get many invitations these days as most of my friends are no longer with us. I’ll listen to what you have to say, but I won’t make any decisions without talking to my children.”
“Fair enough. I’ll give you a call when I return, in about three weeks or so. Maybe you’d like to bring your housekeeper along,” he suggested. “I assume she will be moving with you.”
“Oh, yes. I couldn’t do without Milly. I must have a place large enough to accommodate both of us comfortably.”
“Yes, of course.” He gave her his hand. “Goodbye, Mrs. Viik. Thank you for a pleasant and interesting afternoon. I’ll call when I’m back in the country.”
She stood in the forecourt and watched him drive away. A gentle smile touched her lips. This had been the best day in a long time.
Chapter Sixteen
Jonas returned to the office with high hopes about the house and started to reach for the phone. He was somewhat hesitant about making this call. Knowing what her parents’ hopes for Lauren had been, they had t
o be disappointed in her choice of a future husband. But they deserved to meet and get to know the man who loved their daughter. He checked his watch. There was an eight-hour time difference between Norway and Utah. Too early to call. He’d give it a couple of hours.
It was late by the time his day finally wound down. He leaned back in his chair and ran both hands up and down his face, rubbing away the tiredness.
His phone rang. He checked the caller ID. A smile broke out across his face. How did she know he needed her so badly just now?”
“Lauren!”
“Hi, Jonas! Is this a bad time to call?”
“No, you wonderful girl. You couldn’t have timed it better.”
“Something wrong?”
“Just the usual. I’m here, and you are there, and I could use a hug.”
“Oh.” He heard the crack in her voice. “Rough day?”
“Yeah.”
Lauren knew about rough days. She had plenty of them herself. “Should I get on a plane?” she asked anxiously. “I can shuffle things around here.”
He smiled inwardly. Giving of herself really did come naturally to her. “I’d like nothing better, but I think not,” he said. “I’ve had many rough days in the last ten years. It’s nothing new. But now there is you.”
When she remained quiet, he knew she was wiping away tears. Finally, in a small voice, she said, “How soon did you say you wanted to get married?”
“Yesterday!” came the prompt reply.
Tears and laughter mixed. “That day is taken. Could you shoot for another date?”
“Very soon. We’ll make plans when I’m there.”
“I can live with that.” She glanced at her watch. “I have a meeting in five minutes. Do you want me to cancel?”
Because of Lauren: A Love Story Page 18