Windward Secrets
Page 22
“I like him no matter what his name is,” Jill said, smiling, from ear to ear.
Diane couldn’t resist. “That too, is an understatement.”
Everyone laughed and Jill moved over to sit on David’s lap.
David looked at Claire. “You were unconscious when I gave you the top hat. How did you know it was me?”
Claire swallowed hard. “SHE told me.”
No one said anything for a very long time. They needed time to digest what Claire had said.
“David.”
“Yes, Claire.”
“When did you recognize me?”
“Shorty after you all arrived. Young men never forget the long-legged beauties of their youth. You were the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I was smitten. Of course, I didn’t figure it out until that last summer. It was ‘puppy love’ for sure… that time,” he finished with a glance at Jill.
The women all laughed. Ed and Spence looked at each other realizing they were on the outside of an inside joke.
Claire blushed. “Oh come on David, I didn’t recognize you.”
“No, you didn’t, but you knew something was off and that’s why you were so hostile… at times, no offense, but you were. Besides, you never had a crush on me and that’s the difference.”
“And, a darn good thing she didn’t have a crush on you!” Jill blurted out.
The laughter was back.
Caroline was still curious. “David, surely you couldn’t have been sure about Claire’s identity?”
“Well, first of all Claire is not that common a name so I was pretty sure but, when I went to Boston, when you kept Ike, I did a little research and confirmed it.”
It was Claire’s turn to ask a question. “Why didn’t you say anything? It certainly would have made things easier.”
“Another understatement,” Diane declared.
“Because I suspected you were on to something regarding Betsy’s disappearance and I wanted to see what you would turn up.”
“Well, David, it’s nice to see you again after all these years,” Claire said. “I apologize for being rude. However, if you hurt my friend, I’ll have to kill you.”
David laughed and pushed Jill off his lap. “Actually Claire, you don’t need to worry about that. He stood and then lowered himself to one knee. Taking Jill’s hands in his, he looked up at her and said, “Jill Stone, would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Jill looked as if she was going to start her trembling.
“You better say yes or Claire’s going to hurt me.” Letting go of Jill’s hands he pulled a diamond ring from his pocket and held it up. “What’ll it be?”
Jill bent down and took his face between her hands. “You are the kindest, most thoughtful man I have ever known. I love you more than I knew was possible. It would be my honor to share the rest of my life with you.”
David slipped the ring on her left ring finger and everyone clapped.
“Okay, now help me up! I have a bum knee.”
Jill gave him a hand up and said, “I’m only doing this to save your life you know.”
Ed laughed. “I think it’s Diane you have to worry about. She’s the one with the Beretta.”
More laughter and Caroline brought champagne from the kitchen. The friends gathered in front of the fireplace to toast the couple. As they drank Claire closed her eyes and thought of Betsy.
“What a wonderful ending to a rather rough year,” Diane said.
Ed put his arm around her and pulling her close whispered in her ear, “I love you.”
Everyone returned to their seats and David held up his hand for quiet. “There’s one more gift.” He went into the kitchen and returned with a large box that he placed at Claire’s feet. “Belated Merry Christmas, Claire.”
Claire wrinkled her brow. “For heaven’s sake David, you didn’t have to get me anything.”
“Go ahead. Open it.”
Claire leaned over in her chair and removed the lid from the box. Reaching in, she lifted out a wiggling, black, Labrador puppy. As she held him close to her face to smell his sweet puppy scent, he licked the tears from her cheeks. All she could do was look at David and nod.
“Has anyone noticed the time?” Jill asked. “It’s nearly midnight. We need to toast in the New Year.” Standing up she resumed her role as tour director. “Caroline, more champagne please. Grab your coats everyone. David and Spence you help Claire up the stairs.”
“Up the stairs?” Spence questioned.
David patted Spence on the back. “Oh yes, it’s their tradition to have nightcaps on the roof.”
Spence became seriously concerned. “The roof? Are you kidding? We’ll get blown away and Claire’s not up to it.”
“Oh yes I am,” Claire declared. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. It’s too cold for ‘Ike’ so I’m going to lock him in the kitchen until we come down.”
David looked at Claire. “So, it’s Ike, is it?”
Claire smiled. “What else? Will you help me get him settled in the kitchen?”
Ed and Diane took the lead up the stairs followed by Caroline and Jill. David and Spence took Claire under her arms and with very little effort she hopped up the stairs on her good leg.
“The Confessional” on the roof once again released it’s magic. The snow and wind had stopped. It was quiet, calm, bright from a full moon, and eerily warm for December 31st.
The men walked the perimeter of the roof to make sure it was safe and marveled at the view. Returning to the women gathered at the railing, facing the ocean, they counted down the seconds. “Five, four, three, two, one…Happy New Year!” Their glasses were raised and clinked together. They drank and then threw the glasses toward the ocean.
As the others moved toward the door to the house Claire called out, “David, will you wait with me?”
“Of course, Claire, what do you need?”
Claire motioned for the others to go down the stairs and close the door. Then she took David’s hand. “Just wait.”
Mystified, David did as he was told. He and Claire stood near the door to the house and waited.
“There,” Claire whispered, pointing to the far side of the widow’s walk near the railing.
David turned in the direction she was pointing and squinted his eyes. Shaking his head he whispered in return, “It can’t be.”
“But it is…,” Claire said, quietly watching the tall woman and blond, curly-haired, little girl smiling at them peacefully.
Matthew 17:20
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
- King James Bible “Authorized Version,” Cambridge Edition
About the Author:
After a long and varied business career, Kathleen Andrews Davis turned to writing as a way to leave a legacy for her grandchildren. During her career Mrs. Davis wrote everything from press releases to policy and procedure manuals, and was managing editor of a corporate newspaper. Creative writing was never a consideration until grandchildren became the catalyst to becoming a storyteller. Several short story awards encouraged Mrs. Davis to write Emerson’s Attic, a time-travel series for middle-grade readers. While writing, Smoke and Mirrors, the second in the Emerson’s Attic series, the characters of Windward Secrets invaded her brain and refused to leave. Writing Windward Secrets was like visiting with friends. Davis is currently working on the third Emerson’s Attic and plans to continue with adult fiction as well. Encouraging young people to read is her passion, writing is her joy.
Acknowledgements:
“Some people come in your life as blessings. Some come in your life as lessons.” - Mother Teresa.
This message is never truer than in an author’s life. Every person we meet has a story, an experience or a trait that influences us, some good and some bad. I hav
e been blessed by both and wish to thank those who have played valuable roles in my journey as an author.
Thank you, to my wonderful husband, Denny, for his encouragement and giving me the space to be me. Thank you to our daughters for being the unique and incredible people they are; Kelly, my rock, whose humor keeps us laughing and who’s always there for me without being asked; and Kristin, who humbles me with her success and has given us the ultimate gift of grandchildren.
Thank you to my selfless friends who never say no when I need input, especially Diane Meling and Sandy Geimer on whom I tested the first draft of Windward Secrets when it was only half written to see if they thought it had merit. Their enthusiasm was overwhelming and gave me the confidence to keep going.
Special thanks to my dad, who never knew how important his common sense and “can do” attitude was to me. He never drew the invisible line that girls weren’t supposed to cross. And to Mom, the extrovert of the family, whose wanderlust and stubborn independence taught me to never limit myself.
This year has brought many new author friends, Chantal Jauvin, Bette Stevens, Kathryn Jones, Deanie Humphreys-Dunne, and Fia Essen, all of whom I thank for sharing their knowledge and experience. Also, a big thank you to Judi Slogoff, my little terrier friend, who never lets me give up.
Special thanks to Carolyn Sparks, my soulmate, who is a constant source of ideas and encouragement. And to her husband, Jack, who puts up with me interrupting his quiet time.
Finally, my gratitude to God, for answering my prayers time and time again, and blessing me with loving family and friends.
Social Media Links:
Website: www.kathleenandrewsdavis.com
Blog: http://dollhousesmemoriesandmore.com
Facebook:
Kathleen Andrews Davis: https://www.facebook.com/Kathleen-Andrews-Davis-323632201162944/timeline/
Emerson’s Attic: https://www.facebook.com/Emersons-Attic-Series-574120916052537/timeline/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavKathleen