Who Am I?

by Dooley, Lena Nelson

  Footsteps brought her from her musings, and she looked up in time to see Eric Smith come around the corner.

  “Ah, there you are. May I join you?”

  Since she didn’t know any reason why not, she nodded.

  He dropped onto the short bench. “Has anyone given you the grand tour?”

  Leiann shook her head and unobtrusively slid as close to her end of the bench as she could. The man was much too close to her.

  Eric’s eyes brightened. “May I do the honors?” He gave her a moment to answer before continuing. “Or not.” His engaging smile drew her. Besides, if she were going to stay here awhile, she needed to get to know the layout of the place.

  “Sure.” She stood and brushed the back of her slacks in case there was dust on the bench.

  He joined her and offered her his arm. She took it and let him lead her farther down the path.

  They laughed and talked as he showed her through the grounds and the house. By the time Leiann returned to her room, she didn’t feel so much like a stranger in this strange place. At least she had one tenuous friendship, and she knew her way around. Eric had even offered to take her sightseeing.

  ❧

  Gerome kept working in the flower beds while he watched Smith take Leiann on a tour of the gardens before going into the house with her. He had a bad feeling about that man. Something about him didn’t sit right. In his line of work, Gerome had learned to recognize certain personality traits almost in an instant, and this guy was as phony as a three-dollar bill. Why couldn’t the Old Man’s granddaughter, if that was really who she was, see through him?

  Maybe Leiann already knew Eric Smith before she came here. Maybe she knew Prudence, too. He hoped to hear back on his inquiry into her background by tonight. Until then, he’d try to keep an eye on all three. Talk about a difficult situation!

  For a moment, Gerome wished he’d come sooner so he could protect his stepfather. Then again, he could be wrong about someone trying to swindle him.

  He’d always thought the Old Man—the pet name he’d given Herman as a rebellious teenager but which stuck through adulthood—was astute enough not to let anything like that happen to him. Evidently, he had been wrong in his assessment.

  ❧

  When Leiann arrived at her grandfather’s office the next morning, he looked better than he had the day before. His eyes twinkled and his skin had a healthier color.

  “Let’s sit over here again.” He led the way to the sofa.

  After he was seated, she took her place on the other end, turning to lean against the cushiony arm so she could face him.

  “Can I tell you about your father?” He sounded almost eager.

  Leiann nodded.

  “Lee was born when I was old enough to be a grandfather.” He chuckled. “Talk about a generation gap. It was as wide as the Grand Canyon.”

  She understood how that could happen. She’d seen it more than once as a teacher. Older parents with a teen they couldn’t connect with.

  “Unfortunately, my first wife never recovered from the toll of having a baby in her forties. By the time Lee was a toddler, we’d lost her.” Her grandfather’s voice broke on the last word. A tear slipped down his cheek.

  For a moment, Leiann wanted to wipe it away. “So who raised. . .my father?”

  Mr. Johnson took out a white handkerchief and wiped his nose. “A succession of nannies.” He shook his head. “I was so devastated at losing Miriam that I kept myself very busy. That’s when I added to the family’s wealth. I fought my grief by working hard.”

  Leiann noticed that the longer her grandfather talked, the more tired he looked. “Everyone has to deal with their grief some way.”

  “But mine was wrong for Lee. Although I saw him sometime every day, I didn’t spend the amount of quality time with him that he needed. I’m sure that added to the gap between us.”

  A knock sounded on the door. “Who is it?”

  “Prudence.”

  “Come in.” Mr. Johnson stood and started toward his desk.

  When his assistant came, she glanced at Leiann on her way toward her employer. “You have an important call from Hanson in Hong Kong.”

  Her grandfather turned toward Leiann. “I need to take this call, and it could last a long time. Will you excuse me?”

  “Of course.”

  “We’ll get together tomorrow morning again, if that’s okay with you, Leiann.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Five

  A week later, Leiann sat at the table on the terrace, eating breakfast as she watched dawn break over the wooded hills. Mrs. Shields had insisted on feeding Leiann when she came outside to enjoy the early-morning beauty. The cook said she always got up early anyway, so it was no trouble. Feeling pampered by the grandmotherly woman, Leiann agreed.

  Mrs. Shields’s culinary prowess amazed her. Today, she’d had a light omelet, with sliced kiwi ringing the plate. A separate plate held toast made from hearty whole-grain bread. Yesterday, she’d had fluffy French toast with circles of Canadian bacon, accompanied by slices of some kind of melon. At home, Leiann usually had bagels, cereal bars, or occasionally scrambled eggs and toast. She never got up this early, but she’d begun to enjoy the solitude.

  Her grandfather had met with her in the late morning every day. For the most part, they’d been getting acquainted with each other rather than delving into the past. He expressed genuine interest in her. Whenever she shared something about herself with him, he seemed happy. As if he cared about everything in her life. She was glad of that, but it wasn’t getting her any closer to finding out about her past and why he owned the house. Every time she felt like pressuring him for more of that kind of information, his frailty stopped her.

  These early-morning times of respite always refreshed her before she went to his office. But today, for some reason, she felt as if someone was watching her again. As she ate slowly, she surreptitiously glanced around the area. Nothing looked out of place. Finally, she spied movement among the trees off to the right. The handyman she’d seen that first day here was standing beside a tree, pulling himself up to a horizontal limb and raising his chin over it, then slowly dropping to the ground. He wore jogging clothes, and his hair had been cut. The man looked more appealing than ever.

  Leiann averted her gaze and stared at her nearly empty plate, heat filling her cheeks. She should concentrate on her breakfast and ignore the enigmatic man.

  “Enjoying your breakfast?” The question came from behind her.

  She turned around to find Eric framed in the doorway of the large den, which also faced the terrace. Why hadn’t she heard him open the door? Surely she’d closed it when she came outside.

  “I’m almost finished.” Leiann ignored his question. She quickly stood and started gathering the utensils.

  “Leave everything. The servants will clean up.” Eric came toward her. “How about going sightseeing with me today?” He stopped a little too close for her comfort. Eric amused her when they were together, but he didn’t seem to understand about personal space.

  “I’m meeting with my grandfather soon. I’ll let you know after that.”

  Charity stuck her head out the doorway. “Miss Leiann, Mr. Johnson had to go back to bed. He apologizes, but he must cancel your time together.”

  Leiann glanced at Eric.

  He gave her a dazzling smile. “Great. Now you can come with me.”

  “Actually, today wouldn’t be a good time for me.” She hurried inside the house and made her way up to her room. She did want to do some sightseeing, but by herself, not with Eric Smith. He was charming and polite, but she was beginning to worry about her grandfather. Some days he seemed vigorous; others, he was fragile and weak.

  ❧

  Gerome worked his way through the garden, checking on the plants and getting rid of a few weeds, trying to get close enough to hear what Eric was saying to Leiann. He slid behind the shelter of the shrubs beside the house.

&nb
sp; He wondered at the motives of both of them. Eric seemed to be a ne’er-do-well who hung on his sister’s coattails. As far as Gerome could tell, he didn’t have a job.

  Gerome wished he could ask Leiann Hambrick what she was really doing here. But he didn’t want to tip his hand before he knew more about the relationships between all these people.

  ❧

  After lunch, Gerome moved to the front of the house to hoe the flower beds and mow the grass. A Mercedes, driven by Eric Smith, pulled through the gates and started up the long drive. Gerome squatted to clean the grass off the riding mower while monitoring the vehicle’s approach out of the corner of his eye.

  So, the freeloader was driving the Old Man’s vehicle. This man was up to no good.

  The reports Gerome had received from Greg had convinced him that someone was defrauding his stepfather. The question was, who else was working with him?

  Greg’s latest report indicated the Hambrick woman was who she said she was: a schoolteacher from Texas. His colleague at Ozbourne Global Security hadn’t found any proof that she was kin to Herman, but no one had found any criminal record for her, either. . .not even a traffic ticket.

  ❧

  Leiann planned to have a light supper in her room or on the terrace, but Charity brought a message that her grandfather would like to dine with her.

  When she arrived in the large dining room, the long table was set at just one end, as it had been when she dined with Prudence and Eric. Grandfather looked regal in the heavy chair at the head. The seat to his right was empty, but across from it, Prudence Smith leaned toward her boss, talking rapidly. Eric lounged beside his sister, but when he noticed Leiann enter the room, he straightened and smiled at her. Evidently her rebuff this morning hadn’t affected him.

  As she approached, her grandfather gestured for her to take the empty seat beside him. Prudence leaned back in her chair and lifted her water glass for a sip.

  As soon as Leiann was seated, the first course appeared, served by a maid Leiann hadn’t seen before. The creamy soup smelled enticing. It was followed by a large salad full of her favorite vegetables. Hot, steaming rolls melted the butter she spread on them.

  By the time the main course arrived, Leiann felt stuffed. But the conversation had proved pleasant.

  During a lull, her grandfather laid a lumpy envelope on the table between them, giving it a little shove in her direction. “This is for you.” His eyes twinkled while she opened it.

  A set of car keys slid onto the table with a clatter. The keychain had a Mercedes logo on it. “What are these for?”

  “They fit the dark blue sedan in the garage. I want you to use it while you’re here.”

  Prudence gasped, then set her lips in a grim line.

  “I don’t drive anymore, so the only time it’s used is when Forrest takes it out to have it serviced.” He picked up a fluffy roll and slathered butter on it. “I thought you might want to do a little exploring.”

  She smiled at her grandfather. “Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

  During the rest of the meal, her grandfather asked a lot of questions that kept her talking about herself. She learned that he shared the same interest in history that she had. As soon as he was finished eating, her grandfather excused himself.

  When Leiann left the dining room, she went out on the terrace to watch twilight fall over the garden. Soon stars popped into the indigo canopy overhead. This time of day was just as pleasing as the early morning had been.

  One of the doors behind her opened, and she glanced back to see Eric sauntering across the flagstones toward her.

  “You like looking at the property, don’t you?”

  “It’s beautiful country.” She watched the rising moon paint a silver rim on the trees.

  “Almost everything you can see from here belongs to Mr. Johnson.” Eric jingled something metallic in his front pocket. “Would you like me to take you to the mountain that overlooks the property?”

  What would it hurt? “I’d like that.”

  “We’ll go tomorrow.” He dropped into the chair across the table from Leiann. “What time?”

  “After I meet with my grandfather.”

  ❧

  Eric picked her up in a Jeep Wrangler.

  “Is this yours?” She reached to buckle the seat belt.

  “No, it belongs to the estate.”

  To the estate? Why didn’t he just say it belonged to her grandfather? “So, do you work for my grandfather?”

  The muscles in his face tightened. “I’m not actually on the payroll. Sometimes I do what would be considered contract work, running errands for my sister or for Mr. Johnson. Prudence wanted me to come stay here after we lost our parents. It helps her to have me near. I’m all the family she has now.”

  Leiann could understand how Prudence might feel this way. If she had a sibling, she’d want to keep him close to her, too. “And my grandfather lets you use his vehicles?”

  He gave her a jaunty grin. “I couldn’t run errands otherwise.”

  “How many vehicles are in his garage?”

  Eric drove around the house and down a track that went past the outbuildings. “Quite a few. When we get back, I’ll take you to see them.”

  As they started through the forest, the dirt road became rougher, so Leiann held on to the seat. The path was over-grown with tall grass, but she could see the indentations of tire tracks.

  “Are we still on Grandfather’s property?”

  Eric didn’t take his eyes off the path that wound between the trees. “He owns the whole mountain.”

  When they arrived at a clearing near the top of the hill, a view spread before them like a landscape painting. It was definitely worth all the bumping along the journey.

  She climbed out of the Jeep and walked to the front of it. Crossing her arms, she leaned against the vehicle.

  He came up and leaned beside her. “If you want a really good view of the property, there’s an observation tower closer to the top of the mountain. We’d have to climb a little to get to it.”

  Leiann’s adventurous spirit came to the forefront. “Lead the way.”

  By the time they reached the wooden tower, Leiann was glad to take the opportunity to sit on a large rock near the base. “I’m not used to climbing mountains.”

  Eric reached the ladder and tapped it with his foot. “When you’ve caught your breath, you should go on up there. The view is amazing.”

  The tower looked well maintained. Its ladder went straight up the side. But with the metal handrails, it shouldn’t be hard to climb. After a few moments of rest, she tested the first step. It felt solid.

  She took a few tentative steps, then became more bold. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Eric standing near the edge of the cliff, his hands clasped behind him. Maybe he’d been up here so many times, he didn’t want to join her. Or he could want her to savor the view without distractions. She focused on the climb and continued up the long ladder. The closer to the top she came, the bolder she felt. Wait until she called Arlene and told her how she’d climbed this tall thing. It had to be more than fifty feet high.

  With a loud crack, the step Leiann stood on broke. She clung to the railings, trying to decide whether to try to go back down or to step up. What if the next one broke, too?

  She went back down one level without letting go of the railing. After she stood on it for a moment, that step also gave way. Her feet dangled in thin air. Panic filled her, and her palms began to sweat. How long could she hold on?

  “Eric!” Her scream echoed.

  He looked up, and his eyes widened. “I’ll go get help.”

  “Nooo! Don’t leave me here!”

  Ignoring her plea, he ran back toward the Jeep.

  Her hands slowly slid down the metal rails until they reached a support. Afraid to place her weight on yet another step, she left her feet dangling. Her arms ached. Her weight pressed against the sides of her hands, making them ache, too. But she was
afraid to let go with either hand to move it past the support. She knew she wouldn’t be able to hold on until Eric reached the Jeep, much less brought back help.

  She squeezed her eyes shut, her breath coming in gasps. Tears trickled down her cheeks.

  The ladder shook, and her eyes flew open. What was happening? She ventured a glance down. Below her on the ladder, the handyman climbed toward her like a monkey.

  “Let go,” he called to her from a dozen steps below. “I’ll catch you.”

  She clung tighter. “I don’t want to knock you down.”

  “You won’t. I’m wedged in here.” He stared up at her with concern crinkling his eyes. “I promise I’ll catch you.”

  There was nothing else to do. Her hands were getting weaker every second. She closed her eyes and released her hold, wondering if this was her time to die.

  She thudded against the man, but he caught her weight and held her steady. He enclosed her with his strong arms and pulled her against his chest. “You’re all right now,” he crooned over and over as she sobbed against him.

  She clung to him while she breathed in great gulps of air. With her ear pressed so close to his chest, his heartbeat sounded as accelerated as hers felt. Leiann didn’t know why the man had been out on the mountain at this moment, but she was glad he was.

  Six

  Leiann stood in the shower, letting the hot water pour over her sore shoulders and arms, thankful that her grandfather hadn’t found out what happened on the tower. She’d begun to care about the curious gentleman and didn’t want him worried. He seemed old enough to be her great-grandfather. Sometimes when they were talking, weariness deepened the lines on his face and his hands shook. Other times, he was full of energy.

  She’d always heard that your life flashed before your eyes when you thought you were going to die. Hers hadn’t. She’d been too busy concentrating on holding on to the railings to think about anything else. And when she was finally safe in the arms of the mysterious handyman, his hard muscles cushioning her, she felt safe. For the first time in quite a while.

  Her unusual hero hadn’t put her down right away when he reached the ground. He held her as if she didn’t weigh anything and rushed through the trees to a beat-up pickup, which ran surprisingly well. He’d taken her to the house and carried her through the kitchen and up the back staircase to her room. She’d never seen the stairs the servants used, but he seemed to know where he was going. She felt so shaken, she’d just clung to the front of his shirt.