Starfish Island

by Brown, Deborah

  “Ellis diligently tracked down each of your family members, not wanting any unpleasant surprises. Naturally, he wants to get the estate settled,” Michael added drily. “That way, he can collect his big fee and the small bequest Caroline left to him.”

  Nicole glanced at Michael from under her lashes. It was clear that he didn’t care for Ellis Sadler, and she’d like to know why. “Has Mr. Sadler done something to you?” she asked.

  He stared at her for a long moment. “I don’t trust the man. He and my brother, both lawyers, went head to head in the courtroom. His tactics were underhanded and barely legal, designed to bury the competition, truth be damned.”

  Isn’t that what lawyers do? Ramp up their testosterone to show that theirs is bigger by any means necessary? Nicole kept her thoughts to herself, knowing they would come out as rude no matter how she framed her words.

  “Suffice it to say, we’ll never be friends. In fairness, he loved and respected your grandmother, and the feeling was mutual. He’s not what he seems on the surface; just be careful until you figure out if you’re friend or foe. I hope you’ll like living here and won’t find it too lonely.” He ran his fingers up her bare arm, eliciting a small shiver in the warm night.

  Thinking about how she’d almost run this man over made her smile. “I can’t wait to see the home where my father spent part of his childhood. Besides, I needed a change of scenery,” she said, color surging into her cheeks. Memories of the cheating boyfriend she’d ditched before coming to Starfish Island, along with the guilt she felt for letting her painting slide, rushed to the surface.

  Michael started the engine and put the Beemer in gear. He ran his knuckles over her cheek and then cupped his hand behind her neck, pulling her forward. “I see,” he whispered, looking at her lips. “If you need anything, you call me.”

  “I, uh…”

  He leaned in closer, brushing Nicole’s hair behind her ear. “Answer me,” he growled.

  “Yes, yes, I’ll call you first,” she said, her voice growing hot with need. She was disappointed when he released her and pulled back onto the street, and resisted the urge to touch her cheeks, which suddenly felt on fire. “If you’d been notified that you were left a lovely oceanfront house, wouldn’t you investigate?”

  “I certainly would.” He laughed. “I probably would have flown in and not taken my time driving.” He drove slowly past the white-picket fence and into the U-shaped driveway.

  “I heard the house was large, but this is incredible. Seeing it and knowing that it’s mine brings butterflies to my stomach.”

  The white house loomed large, surrounded by a wraparound veranda on both stories. The front garden was awash in a variety of flowers, and a rose garden flanked the walkway from the driveway to the house. Beyond, Nicole caught a glimpse of a small private beach. Palms and banana trees waved in the breeze as if saying, “Welcome.”

  “Don’t let those two get to you.” He pointed to a tall, formidable-looking couple coming down the front steps.

  “Who are they?” Nicole asked tentatively. “They look like the farm couple in the American Gothic painting.”

  “They’re Chester and Rena Grey, the butler and housekeeper, respectively. The two are fixtures here and part of your inheritance, unless you decide to get rid of them. Beware: Chester has a bad temper. When you see the vein in his left temple throb, look out. The middle-aged, silver-haired man leading the procession is your lawyer, Ellis Sadler himself. You’ll find he likes to run the show.” He turned Nicole’s face to his. “If you have any problems with those three, I’d better be the first to know. I do not want to find out from someone else, is that clear?”

  “Has anyone ever told you that you’re bossy?” She almost smiled at him, but nodded instead. In her mind, it didn’t commit to her anything. “I feel as though I should make some sort of grand entrance, but once today is enough.” She looked into his eyes with a sudden twinkle and laughed. “Ready?”

  Chapter Two

  THE INSIDE OF the fifty-year-old house had been completely renovated, and everything was surprisingly modern. Nicole sat opposite Ellis in the dining room. To her surprise, she’d found the attorney waiting for her when she came back downstairs. She had indulged in a long shower and traded her wrinkled dress for a much more comfortable pair of fitted mid-calf black pants, a cashmere sweatshirt, and black ballerina flats.

  Across the room, crimson flames flickered in the fireplace and the logs made crackling noises. She wondered why someone had lit a fire, as Florida never got particularly cold—and tonight was no exception. The fire threw patterns on the walls, sending shadows sprawling into the corners. Her imagination had gone into overdrive; she must be more tired than she’d realized.

  Ellis had apparently assumed he would be invited to dinner, because he’d extended his arm and escorted her into the dining room as soon they were done exchanging pleasantries. He seemed quite comfortable sitting at the head of the table and had the look of a man who planned to stay a while. They were served salmon salads with fresh asparagus spears. The French doors leading out onto the patio were open, and from Nicole’s vantage point, it seemed possible to reach up and pick a few stars from the sky. Her thoughts drifted to Michael and his talk about her being all alone, which made her a bit anxious. The fact that the Greys were there ought to have made her feel better, but their sour expressions when she was introduced to them hardly made her feel at home.

  Michael had left abruptly after seeing her in, explaining that he needed to make some business calls; he’d insisted that he’d be back later and reminded her in a rather gruff tone of her promise to call if she needed anything at all. He kissed her cheek before leaving and murmured, “I’m going to enjoy having you as a neighbor. Plan on seeing quite a lot of me.”

  Nicole glanced at the man in the somber black suit who sat across the table. Overdressed-for-the-beach was what came to mind. He was a good-looking man, but there wasn’t a speck of warmth in his face or personality; cold and detached, in his early fifties perhaps, he was not the sort of person she’d turn to if she needed a shoulder to lean on or someone to confide in. Not like Michael Edwards. She had felt an instant attraction to him, and the nice part was that it felt mutual. She wished he’d stayed and that Ellis had not invited himself to dinner.

  She caught her reflection in the mirror that hung on one side of the room and, for the hundredth time, marveled, Can this really be happening?

  “I’m beginning to wonder if I’m ever going to capture your complete attention,” Ellis said, his intense brown eyes meeting hers. He looked more than a little annoyed that she hadn’t hung on his every word.

  “I’m just trying to take it all in. I feel the need to pinch myself.”

  “I can understand. There’s still work to be done on the house. Caroline had completed the remodel but didn’t get the chance to finish all of her redecoration plans, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. This is one of my favorite rooms. What do you think?”

  “I like this room,” she said, looking around the dining room. “I love that the French doors open out onto the terrace.” Her favorite room was the library. She liked the beachy feel, the comfortable, oversized, slipcovered furniture. She could see herself spending a lot of time in there with her feet kicked up. She’d already decided on a favorite chair—down-filled—and would position it in a corner with a water view. She also liked that she had a view of the small beach below and could hear the waves lapping the sand. “In fact,” she said, “I love the whole house. You’ll have to excuse my inattention, but as I said, I’m still trying to absorb all this.”

  “Would you care for some more wine?” Ellis asked as Chester came into the room with a bottle in hand.

  “No, thank you. I’ve had enough.” The food was excellent, but no one had asked about her preferences. What if she hated salmon?

  “I hope you enjoy wine. You’ve also inherited a rather extensive wine cellar.”

  “I took a few wine appreci
ation classes with a friend, learning about domestic and European varieties,” she said, but didn’t tell him they’d only gone for the tastings and the fancy names were lost on her. “I assure you, I’ll enjoy every bottle, and I’m sure my guests will too. Tell me about the property. I don’t mean the financial aspects; I’ll come to your office for that. I’d like to know more about my grandmother and her life here.”

  “When your grandfather was alive, they only used the house as a summer residence. After his death, your grandmother made it her year-round home. She loved this house, had a love for the land, and was very involved in the community. It’s a condition of her will that this property is never to be broken into smaller parcels.”

  No chance she’d ever entertain that idea. She liked that the neighbors couldn’t look out of their windows and into her house. “As you approach from the road, the house is quite impressive. How large is the property?”

  “Two acres,” he said, watching for her reaction. She didn’t give him any.

  “It surprised me to find out that I was the only heir. I never met Grandmother, and Father never talked about her, so you can see why I’ve been a bit shocked at all this.”

  Ellis loosened his tie. “At one time, there was another will, leaving everything to her other son, Robert, and his heirs; but that will disappeared, and as you know, Robert died some time back.”

  “Uncle Robert had a son, Kirkland. Shouldn’t this house really go to him—”

  “Let me finish,” he interrupted, sounding annoyed. “Kirkland was in a head-on collision with a Wave Runner a year ago and died on impact. Both drivers were drunk, and both were driving ridiculously fast. He never married and had no children. It’s inconsequential, as she drew up another will and left everything to you. You are her only legal heir.”

  “Do you know why Grandmother chose to leave me everything she owned, especially since she and Father hadn’t spoken in years?” All of her questions growing up had been rebuffed, until she simply stopped asking. Just before her father died, she’d tried again, but the look of pain on his face had taken her breath away, so she’d kissed his cheek and never asked again.

  It took Ellis the entire dinner to tell her all he knew, which was really nothing more than what she’d already understood: a few tidbits that anyone could glean on their own.

  “Coffee will be served in the living room, as usual,” Chester said from behind her chair, where he was clearly establishing his authority. It wasn’t a request, but a command.

  Why, she wanted to ask, did they have to change rooms to drink coffee? And why not in the library?

  The butler had put himself in charge. Chester intimidated her; not one ounce of him was friendly. Tomorrow, she’d grab the courage to take over control of her own household—and decide for herself where she wanted coffee served.

  Calm down, she thought. Your first night is not the time to make waves. She followed Chester into the living room like a recalcitrant child. She liked the room, but it didn’t have the warmth of the library.

  The living room was enormous, sterile, and cold, and it lacked a comfortable feel. Every room had French doors that boasted spectacular views of the waters leading out to the Atlantic Ocean. There was a fireplace in almost every room; and thankfully, this one was not in use. To her surprise, three of her beach watercolors decorated the walls, and a smaller canvas was displayed on a side table. She remembered the galleries where each one had sold. In front of the doors sat an oblong farm table converted into a desk, which overlooked the water below.

  “This was Caroline’s favorite room. She loved to sit with the doors open and watch the birds. An assortment of them regularly flocked to her yard—the pelicans and mallards were her favorites. She’d bring home a box full of bread and cut it up for them; she loved sitting out on the grass, tossing them crumbs. A goose and gander are regulars. The female had been left for dead by speeding joyriders. Kids, we heard, but they never owned up. Caroline rescued the goose and found a veterinarian who specialized in birds. The two geese were inseparable while the female recuperated. Now the male seldom lets her wander off on her own. Did you know that once geese mate, it’s for life?”

  She couldn’t wait to meet the goose couple. It amused her that the male was so protective. “I’ll have to do a little research about the best things to feed them.”

  “As you can see, Caroline followed your career. She had the galleries send pictures and would always make her purchases ahead of the showing. You’ll find a few more of your watercolors throughout the house. She had the same love of the beach and water that you show in your paintings.” He stared at one of the canvases, as if looking for some deeper meaning in a woman gracefully sleeping in a hammock on the beach, hat over her face. “I never liked this room. Please feel free to redecorate any way you wish.”

  “I think I’d like to live here a while before I make any big changes,” Nicole told him. Everyone, it seems, wants to control me. “The views from the windows in this house are breathtaking.” Enough beauty to make you forget your troubles; she’d thrive in the year-round warm weather, living by the water. She visualized the view through her artist’s eye, the paint colors she’d choose and how her first painting of her new house would look on a canvas.

  Ellis poured himself another glass of wine and leaned back in his chair, settling in for a long stay. “How did you happen to run into Michael Edwards?”

  So much for him going home early. His question took her by surprise, as did the fact that Ellis looked angry. “Michael Edwards?” She deliberately lingered over his name. “You mean the man I was with when I arrived? I met him on the road. He introduced himself as a neighbor and a friend of Grandmother’s. Since it was getting dark, he graciously offered to see me home—lucky for me. I ran into him and his partner removing tree branches.” She’d almost said “ran over,” but caught herself and, to her credit, didn’t laugh.

  Ellis ran his hand through his thick, graying hair. “If Edwards was with anyone, it had to be his brother, Jake Edwards. Michael’s the owner of one of the largest corporations in the state, Edwards Inc., and they’re out cleaning roads.” He snickered. “That’s quite a joke, more like a photo opportunity. Gossip has it that Edwards might be running for the local representative’s seat. Jake’s a lawyer, splits his time between the family business and his private practice in Miami Beach.”

  “The brothers indicated they were acting as an emergency road crew; Michael said that all the neighbors pitched in to help make the roads passable after a storm.”

  “Emergency,” he snorted. “The Edwardses could afford to hire a cleanup/hauling service and have enough clout to get the island moved to the top of the city’s list. Michael owns most of this island, with the exception of a few parcels, including yours. The family can trace their roots back to when gangsters had a stranglehold on Miami. This island and the adjoining one were once a vacant wasteland, considered uninhabitable by anything but toothy alligators.” He finished off his wine. “Edwards manages his time between his offices here and in New York. I imagine he’ll be spending more time at corporate headquarters now that’s he having problems with security leaks.” He seemed pleased about that last bit.

  Nicole remembered Michael’s comment about not liking Ellis and hastened to change the subject. She wanted Ellis to leave and was aware that the attorney’s eyes had never left her face, constantly assessing her. She watched him carefully as she posed her next question. “I was wondering when can we could go over the financial details of the estate?”

  His body stiffened. “I realize we’ve only just met, but I held your grandmother in high regard and will follow her wishes to the letter.” He clipped his words in disapproval.

  “I plan to familiarize myself with every aspect of the estate,” she explained, having every intention of being actively involved in her own financial affairs.

  His body relaxed somewhat, but his eyes told a different story; he looked downright suspicious. “I hope you
’re not in financial trouble. Your grandmother would never approve,” he said, stressing never. “It’s only fair to warn you that it takes a considerable amount of money to run the house and grounds. There is some cash, which of course you’re free to use as you wish. The paperwork for a bank account has been completed and awaits your signature at the local branch. Your grandmother would have loved it if you used the money to finish the redecoration plans she started.”

  Nicole felt pressured by his insistence on redecoration and wondered why he even cared. She had no intention of committing herself to anything. This attorney and the butler would have to learn that she was quite capable of making her own decisions.

  “I’m not rushing into redecoration plans. I need time to settle in,” she said firmly. “So far, I like the house as is and look forward to the challenges ahead of me. I’m sure I’ll have lots of questions and hope you won’t find it too bothersome to answer them for me when they arise.”

  “You don’t have to concern yourself with the legal or financial affairs of the estate. Your grandmother’s long-time advisors can handle anything that comes up—as they did for her. I will arrange a meeting at my office to introduce you to everyone.” Ellis relaxed a moment before going on. “You were making a living off of your artwork before I found you, is that correct?”

  “Yes, and once I get settled here, I plan to continue painting. I’ll look for a local gallery to establish a new relationship with, possibly in South Beach. I understand they have very reputable galleries there and look forward to checking them out.”

  His brown eyes narrowed to slits, and he looked at her for a long moment. “Come to my office in the morning, and we’ll go over the trust details. I’m hoping to develop the same rapport with you that I enjoyed with Caroline. I truly miss her. She relied on my advice and valued my opinion, and the feeling was mutual.” He finished his wine. “I’ll make sure the CPA is there to go over the financial aspects of the estate. After the meeting, we’ll go to the bank to sign the paperwork. There’s some jewelry in a safe deposit box; unless you plan on wearing it right away, you’d be better off leaving it right where it is.” He took Nicole’s hand. “I must be going. It’s rather late, and I have an early breakfast meeting.”