Falling For Sarah (Sarah Series Book 3)

by Julieann Dove

  “Check out that knocker.” Carter pointed to the lion’s head.

  “It’s spooky,” Rose responded.

  I rubbed my hands and tried to quell my tossing stomach.

  Carter looked over at me and took one of my hands. “You’re going to be all right.”

  The door opened and there stood a maid. In a maid’s outfit. I thought I was seeing things. Outside of television, they do exist? It was like that M&M’s commercial…They do exist? She ushered us inside, took our coats and pointed to a large open room off to the right. A massive fireplace roared with flames and heat. Seated on chairs was my grandmother and beside her, I supposed, was my grandfather. I walked in with Carter holding my hand still.

  “Hello.” My heels wobbled on the plush imported rug. “You have a lovely home.”

  The man rose, setting down a glass tumbler on the side table. He put out his hand; Carter took and shook it. I followed in turn; then Rose was last. He was not much taller than me. Thinning gray hair, wily eyebrows, a mustache, and deep set blue eyes. His hand was soft, no doubt from years of servants waiting on him.

  “Hello. So, you’re little Rose Marie?” He bent down to talk to her.

  She looked at me before responding. I nodded my head as if it were okay to do so.

  “Yes.”

  He turned his attention to me. “And you must be Sarah.”

  “Yes.” At least that was the truth and I could say it confidently.

  “And you’re…”

  “I’m Carter. Carter Williams.”

  “It’s good to meet you, Carter. Have a seat. Would you like a cocktail before dinner?”

  “Nah, I’m good. Thank you anyway.”

  Grandfather looked at him suspiciously. Please ask me, please ask me, I thought.

  “Sarah, would you like one?”

  Yes! Just when I thought I’d have to do this sober. “Sure. A Coke and Bacardi, please.”

  Grandmother smiled and rang the brass bell by her. The same girl who met us at the door entered and did as was requested of her. Rose asked for water. In a fancy glass. I gave her the eye. So much for flowers being quiet.

  “So tell me, Carter. What sort of doctor are you?”

  Carter coughed in his hand. Clearly he was uncomfortable. I looked at Rose to see whether she was handling this charade okay. She was busy looking at the pictures on the wall. They had some doozies. Half naked mid-century women. I could have stared at them, too.

  “I’m a neurologist.”

  I looked at him with surprise. Go big or go home, huh? Lord, I hope Grandfather didn’t ask him for a diagnosis or something.

  “Ah, that’s impressive. Where did you get your medical degree?”

  Carter rubbed his pant leg. “Actually, it was mail order.”

  I choked on my sip of rum. Grandfather’s face turned pale.

  “Just kidding. I got my degree from Rhode Island Medical. They have a wonderful program.”

  He stroked his chin. “Rhode Island Medical. Can’t say I’ve heard of it. I’m a Stanford man.”

  “Well, I was going to go there, sir, but Rhode Island had a bit more to offer.”

  Grandfather cocked his eye. “Than Stanford?”

  “Sir,” interrupted the maid. “Dinner is served.”

  Rose popped up from the sofa. Grandmother stood and straightened her dress. It was tailored…really didn’t need much straightening. I felt underdressed in my pencil skirt and blouse. It was either this or the red number. I hedged on proper etiquette.

  “Let’s go into the dining room, shall we?” Grandfather stood and led the way.

  I poked Carter in the side as we followed the pair. “Rhode Island?”

  He shrugged and followed the procession.

  The set table took my breath away. The whole dining room took my ability to speak away. The drapes alone I would’ve killed for in my house. Stark-red against a cream background. A large gold-plated mirror hung above the mantel. Candles were actually lit on the ends and in the centerpiece. Rose teetered, unsure of how or where to sit. I pointed to an oversized wooden chair next to me. Carter pulled out both our chairs and sat next to Grandfather. I shuddered to think what else he might say.

  A lobster was set in front of each of us. I saw Rose’s eyes grow in size. “Do you have anything else for her? Maybe a chicken nugget?” I asked the chef in the white hat who’d just brought us our entrée. What would Rose know what to do with a crustacean? He looked at me, puzzled. “Maybe just bread. And I’ll give her a bite of mine. Thanks.”

  He walked away, clearly upset by the word chicken nugget. Carter smiled at me. I leaned over and moved the tentacled undersea creature from Rose’s plate and set some bread and carrots there instead. I thought the scowl on her face would stay there permanently.

  “Lobster? This is a nice change of pace. We usually do prime rib on Thursdays, don’t we, dear?” Carter was trying to be funny and make me nervous again. Why did I bring that jokester?

  Grandfather looked up from his plate. “Prime rib is good also. But these were just flown in this morning.”

  “Yes, well…” Carter grinned at me.

  And that was how dinner fared. A little bit of comic relief from Carter, and a bit of nothing from Grandmother. She surprised me by how little she said. After all, this was her show. She called and invited me to it. She knew we were lying. Maybe that’s why the poker face. Maybe she was second-guessing this.

  “Pricilla, I love the decorations. This house is amazing.”

  She patted her mouth with her linen napkin. “Thank you. Stephen’s sister had it redone after we moved. She is to be given all the credit.”

  “So you two live in Calvert?” Grandfather asked.

  “Yes. We love the small-town feeling. No smog, no busy streets. No streets, really. Just a few paths from home to the market.”

  I cleared my throat and gave Carter the stinkeye. “You’re funny, honey.” I directed my reply to Grandfather. “I love Calvert. It’s where I grew up.”

  “Yes, well, the city has much more to offer. Like a private school, for starters. Little Rose should be going to one. Your mother went. I can have it arranged.”

  “No.” I caught myself. “I mean, Rose just began kindergarten. She loves it. Her teacher is great.”

  “Yes, well, they have wonderful teachers there, too. I’m sure they all have their masters. Calvert couldn’t compare to the education she’d receive here in the city. In the private sector.”

  “I’d have to disagree, Mr.…Mr.…”

  “Mr. Morgan.”

  “Yes, Mr. Morgan,” Carter said. “Public schools are making a big comeback. They actually have many teachers with specialized degrees. Why, you can’t measure the quality of education with some of our…of their talent.”

  His brow condensed to a million tiny wrinkles. “Certainly you’re not saying little Rose would benefit from some school in that little town over the fine markings of the Prescott Institute? Why, I know the benefactors personally. I used to be one. Moons ago. And I’m prepared to become one again. You need to get her enrolled.”

  “Dear, let’s call for dessert. Are you finished?” Pricilla tried to calm her husband.

  “Yes, that’s fine.”

  I could see the scales on his back smooth down.

  She rang a little bell and we waited in silence for the maid to appear.

  We finished our baked Alaska in silence. Carter messed with me by clearing his throat every third bite. I noticed Pricilla had caught on to his shenanigans. But Grandfather was unaware. He was in his own mind, pondering things just said, probably.

  “Shall we go into the den? Carter, do you fancy a cigar?”

  Pricilla twisted her lips. “Dear, you remember what the doctor said. No smoking. It’s not good for you.”

  Grandfather’s scowl returned. “Doctor, Smoctor. Why, Carter’s one—let’s ask him. A cigar is surely not going to do any worse to me than cancer, is it?”

  Carter
stuttered around. “I say if you’re going to go out, go out with a flare.”

  I hit him on the arm.

  He grabbed and rubbed it. “Ouch.”

  Grandfather laughed. “See, Pricilla. The doctor has given me his okay.”

  “I think Carter was kidding.” I looked at Carter sideways. “Weren’t you, honey?”

  He pulled me in and gave me a kiss on the forehead. “Oh, you know me, darling. Always the prankster.”

  Grandfather led the way to the study. Rose lightly touched a few trinkets sitting on the tables we passed. I gave her the mother look and she kept her hands to her sides.

  “Now, have a seat. Let’s get to know one another a bit.”

  I looked at Pricilla. No matter how I tried, even in my mind I could not bring myself to think of her as my grandmother. She seemed a bit less reserved here at home, but still I could see the handle of the broomstick every now and then. It must be difficult to sit at times, I thought.

  Grandfather let out a groan as he took a seat in the deep-burgundy chair. Rose stood close to me, watching where I was going to roost. I sat next to Carter and she slid in between. I could feel Pricilla’s eyes on us. I hated she knew this was a scam. I hated I did and still here I sat. This wasn’t right.

  “So, as you know, I came back to Denver to put the house on the market, Sarah.”

  “Yes.”

  “Since some things have come to light, I’d like to leave it to you and Carter. And of course you, Rose Marie.”

  Rose’s little dimples showed. She squeaked out a little “Thank you.”

  “Of course, I don’t mind what you do with it. You could come here and live. I think, personally, that would be the best option. Get that little girl there enrolled in a good quality school. One she can graduate out of and become someone.”

  “I don’t think…” I stopped myself. He was old. Not much use in talking to someone who had it all figured out already.

  He continued. “How long have you two been married? Does your family live around here, Carter?”

  “Um, no. My parents live in Louisiana.”

  “I see.” He stretched out his neck and stroked it. “Do you plan to have any more children?”

  Carter looked at me to answer. “I wouldn’t mind. It wasn’t always a picnic being an only child.”

  “Sweetie, do you want a little brother or sister?”

  Rose bounced on the sofa once. “Yes, I would love one.”

  As if he were offering scoops of ice cream! Sure, give us a triple scoop, Granddad.

  “I think this house has six bedrooms. Or is it five, Pricilla?”

  His wife stopped staring at the carpet when she heard her formal name being called. “Six, dear. And seven bathrooms. There’s also four chimneys. The master rooms all have their own private fireplace.”

  Fancy. I looked around at the heavy blue wallpaper and gold-toned frames with ancient pictures in them as well. I would never be able to get comfy in a place like this. This was somewhere like you wait to be called in for an interview or something. I felt as if we were undergoing one right now.

  “See there. You could have at least a few more. Maybe even a son to carry on the name.” He rested back in the chair. “I always wanted a son.”

  The room grew quiet. Rose bit one of her fingers. I pulled it away from her face. Carter was studying the picture over the mantel. It appeared to be a Renoir. The lady in the hairdress. There was a light over it, illuminating her. I wished I could know what she was thinking when the painting was done. I wish I could say to everyone in the room what I was thinking right now. This wasn’t who I was. A liar in order for monetary gain. My dad and I did fine all the days of his life and he made very little. Rose and I could do the same, if not better. At least she had Sam for life. He would always provide for her. I needed to get out of there. To stop pretending to be something or someone I wasn’t. This was depressing me.

  “Well, we really have to be going. Carter has work early in the morning, and I’ve got to get some last-minute things done.” I stood. Rose did, too. I gave Carter the eye to follow suit.

  “So soon? I wanted to get to know you better. We haven’t even gotten to your career. Pricilla said you’re in psychiatry.”

  “Of sorts. But, no. We really do have to be going.”

  He got up from the lovely chair. “Well, I’ll need you to get in touch with my lawyer.”

  I walked to him and place my hand on his. “That won’t be necessary. Please just do as you were going to do. This is a lovely home. I’m sure a buyer will pay top dollar.”

  He reared back, his face contorted. “What? I want to leave this house to you. And your family.”

  “I know. And I thank you. But, we really wouldn’t know what to do with it. It’s so large. I rather like our three-bedroom, two-bath. I can yell for Rose when it’s dinner and I don’t need an intercom.”

  “Yes, but—”

  I hugged him. “Thank you anyway. And I hope you get well. I truly do.”

  I rushed out of the room and told the maid standing by the door to get my coat. I was waiting by the car when Carter and Rose walked out.

  “Sarah—”

  “Carter, just drive us home please.”

  Carter pulled up to my modest house with my pathetic wreath hanging on the door. I made it last year and half the little doodads had fallen off it already. Every Christmas, I wanted outside lights and every Christmas it never happened. So much for wants.

  I looked in the backseat. Rose’s head was against the window and she was asleep. We didn’t say anything on the way home so I know she got bored and drifted off.

  “Here, I’ll carry her inside.” He went to get out of his door.

  I placed my hand on his arm. “No, let me get her.”

  “Sarah, she’s dead weight. Just get the door.”

  “I can get her. I’ve done it a million times.”

  His nostrils flared. “Will you stop being so stubborn, and get the door opened.”

  I took a deep breath. There was no use in arguing with him. He wasn’t budging. “Fine.”

  I waited at the opened door. He took my sleeping princess in and laid her on her bed. I hung my coat up and stood with my arms crossed. Waiting for him to just leave. I felt so foolish this whole evening. When would I learn? This was my life. I liked it. What was my problem?

  He walked out to the living room. “I put a blanket on her, but you might want to—”

  “I’ve got it. Thank you.”

  “What’s wrong with you, Sarah? You pretty much botched that whatever it was with your grandparents, you didn’t say a word on the way home, and now you’re short with me. What gives?”

  “Nothing. I just changed my mind, that’s all. I don’t need someone’s handout. I don’t need someone to go and pretend to be married to me because I can’t seem to get that done on my own. I don’t need—”

  He came closer and put his hands on my arms.

  I wriggled away. “Just go, Carter.”

  “I just wanted to say—”

  “Don’t.” I stared out the front window to the street. “Thank you for going with me, but I don’t want any lectures tonight. Anyway, I’m sure Mitzy’s somewhere dying from all the unanswered text messages she’s been sending you.”

  “Sarah…”

  “Goodnight, Carter.”

  I waited until I heard the door shut before I went and locked it. I was probably my lowest at this very moment. This year couldn’t be over fast enough. New Year’s resolutions, here I come.

  I couldn’t believe I was actually wearing glitter on my eyelids. I must’ve been out of my mind to buy it. The lady practically chased me down in Macy’s to do a makeover. I didn’t even look like the same person when she was finished. Coupled with my wild hair, low-cut gray dress and high heels, I looked like a girl I’d snicker at from afar. But only because I didn’t have the courage to pull off what she was selling.

  I straightened my dress and walke
d toward the front door. Everyone was headed in that direction, it seemed. Rick’s house was lit like a Ferris wheel. Lights wrapped every bush, every column, and even the tiny gnomes sparsely placed in the flower beds. No doubt Liz had whoever was in charge do it. And to think, only one of my two porch lights were working at home.

  The noise was loud chatter once I cleared the threshold. Mixed with piano playing. There was a guy in a tux tickling the ivories in the far corner of the two-story room. Some rather inebriated folks were swaying and slurring some of the Bing Crosby classics. I spotted Liz coming from the dining area. She saw me at the same time and came my way.

  “Girl, thank goodness you made it.”

  “There’s so many people, Liz. Much more than usually comes to your annual shindig.”

  “That’s because this has become a co-shindig. Rick put out an e-vite and half these people I don’t even know.” She waved at someone near the living room. I looked. “Now I do know them. It’s Angela and Fred. Hey, guys!”

  I waved too. “Where are the mixed drinks? I need a strong one.”

  “Um, you look fabulous. Which completely sucks.” She drew me out, checking out my outfit, all the way to the new shoes I sprung for because they were half off and I had fifty more dollars on my charge to burn.

  “And why does it suck?” I held my coat in the crook of my arm, looking to where to hang it. “This took me hours, then another hour on top of that to talk myself out of the house dressed in it.”

  “It sucks because I’m supposed to be the one guys want to devour. Not you.”

  “I see.” I nodded my head, still wondering what direction that mixed drink was in. I could hold my coat and drink.

  “Well, I’m just being honest.” She took and gave my coat to a girl walking around wearing a black pant suit. I noticed she had three others in her arm. “I feel like a Twinkie. No, a Zinger.” She was right in making the change. Her dress was red with sparkly white snow-type thingys.

  “No you don’t.”

  Her lip protruded. “Yes, I do. I went to the doctor this week and I’ve gained three pounds.”