The Carolyn Chronicles, Volume 1

by Derek Ciccone

  “You mean just like he did with Kelly Klein? Now that you mention it, there does seem to be some similarities.”

  Ross looked to him. “How’d that one work out for you, Billy boy?”

  He remained calm, although it wasn’t easy. “Unfortunately, most marriages end in divorce these days. But my two daughters came out of it, so any pain I went through was worth it.”

  “Though you didn’t just get divorced, did you? It turned out much worse. And you almost lost everything that’s important to you, isn’t that right?”

  Billy stayed mum. During their previous encounters, as brief as they were, he could tell they didn’t consider him a true threat. But now with he and Dana engaged, they were no longer pulling any punches. He was getting the Beth treatment. They had no plans of sharing their wealth with an outsider, especially one they believed was encouraging Dana to take her place at the Boulanger table and exert her influence, such as her push for the wing for the children’s hospital.

  “Maybe the nerves are because he’s having second thoughts,” Ross said.

  “I doubt someone who likes to play with fire would get cold feet. And besides, where is he going to find an easier mark than our dear Dana, bless her heart?” Aldrich added.

  “Perhaps he realizes that he doesn’t fit into our family. You know what they say—you’re not just marrying the girl, you’re marrying her family.”

  Aldrich put his arm around Billy and pointed to the large house in the distance. “You see, my family was able to build all of this because we know how to stay out of the limelight.”

  Ross picked up, “And we know how much you like that limelight, Billy. I mean, there was the protest in college that caused all that commotion. You said it was about academic integrity, but it really was about your need for attention, now wasn’t it?”

  “And then the domestic violence arrest with your first wife.”

  “You could see how such a thing might trouble us, being that you’re planning on marrying our little sister,” Ross said, as if they cared about Dana’s well-being. Billy had no plans to defend himself against charges that had already been proven false.

  “Nobody spoils your plan, isn’t that right, Billy? Kelly tried to run away from you, but you would never allow that … at least until you got your money. You ended up cutting a deal with her, isn’t that right?”

  “And how about the way you exploited that little circus-freak, Carolyn Whitcomb. The kidnapping, on the news every night, and then that cover story you made up about that group … what were they called? Operation Anesthesia, or something like that? I can’t believe anyone bought that.”

  It was like they were prodding, searching for his weak spot. And they’d found it with Carolyn, but he held his tongue.

  “It seems our sister has, which is all Billy really cares about,” Aldrich said.

  “You really have no shame. What wouldn’t you do to bring attention to yourself? I mean, this incident yesterday where you attacked that brave soldier … a man who sacrificed to keep this country safe … on the Fourth of July, no less. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”

  “That type of behavior just isn’t going to fit into this family … we’re not the Kardashians. We have thrived for years by keeping things quiet. It’s how we do business. And if you’re not quiet, we have ways to make sure you are.”

  That sounded like a threat. “See, that’s where our concern lies, Billy. That you’ll embarrass our family, make things public, like you did with the Kleins … not so much that you’ll steal our money.”

  “Thankfully, our grandfather was smart enough to make sure any future spouses entering the family would have to sign an agreement—pre-nups are common practice these days, but he was a man before his time—or else that person loses their inheritance. So Dana has no choice but to make you sign.”

  “The other option would be that she’d forfeit her third, and we’d be forced to split it two ways.”

  Aldrich patted Billy on the back, a little too hard for his liking. “By the look on your face, she hasn’t told you. And I’m guessing that now that you can’t get her money, you’re probably going to move on.”

  Billy almost laughed in their faces. Dana’s money and family was the one thing that truly was making him nervous about their upcoming nuptials—he wanted no part of it. And he didn’t get anything from the Kleins except a lifetime of nightmares.

  But they had made their point, and were on their way.

  Dana rejoined him with a glass of wine in hand, and a bottled water for Billy. She flashed a curious look. “So what were you and my brothers talking so intently about?”

  He smiled at her. “They were just welcoming me to the family.”

  Chapter 37

  The woman rushed to Dana and they performed a double-cheek air kiss.

  When they stepped back, they enthusiastically compared outfits. The woman mentioned that she’d found her heeled sandals at The Avenue in Greenwich, a favorite shop of both, while Dana had purchased her sundress at a newly opened boutique in Soho.

  The woman was wearing a brightly colored Lacoste shirt, jean skirt, and the aforementioned sandals. She had a patriotic, red white and blue ribbon in her short, stylishly-messy blonde hair.

  She also happened to be their realtor, Fern—given name, not short for anything—who had the uncanny ability to make even the most mundane sound unique. A room couldn’t just be painted red, it had to be Nantucket red or ocean spray. And blue was lagoon.

  Fern and Dana grew up together on the same street, and she was now one of the top realtors in Fairfield County. She was part of the club. The mansions she normally sold went into the eight figures, so it was like she was doing pro-bono work by selling Billy and Dana the beach house for a meager 1.2 million, and it couldn’t have thrilled her how long its taken them to decide. But one day he and Dana might do her a favor back, especially if the Boulanger children ever decided to sell this place once their father finally passed.

  She and Dana kept up the small talk, mainly local gossip and updates on Fern’s two children, Mathew and John, whose names were less botanical and more biblical. It struck Billy how comfortable Dana appeared with her, and how much they had in common. His mind ten wandered to his first wife, Kelly, who would have seamlessly fit into this conversation.

  When they ran out of gossip, Dana finally broke the news that she and Billy were going to put an offer on the beach house. This led to exuberance, mostly on Fern’s part … probably because she could now get them off her hands. Fern and Dana embraced, and then Billy received a hug of his own from Fern. “Congratulations, handsome, you’re going to love it,” she said to him. Billy wasn’t sure if she meant the house or if she was welcoming him to the club.

  Fern let Billy and Dana know that she’d let them know as soon as she heard anything on the bid. The social butterfly then fluttered away.

  “Can you believe we’re going to be homeowners? It feels so grown up,” Dana said as they strolled around the party.

  Billy laughed, but cautioned, “We still could be outbid, it’s not a done deal.”

  “Has anyone ever told you that you’re adorable when you’re being cynical?”

  Billy thought it was more pragmatism than cynicism, but that was hard to explain to someone like Dana who had always gotten everything she wanted. Kelly again popped into his mind. And this time her image was even more powerful … mainly because he was staring right at her. He stopped in his tracks.

  “What is it?” Dana asked with concern.

  “What the hell is she doing here?” He watched as Oliver LaRoche stepped beside his ex-wife, a flute of champagne in his hand.

  “I invited them,” Dana said casually.

  “You did what?”

  “To smooth things over. LaRoche is facing a major PR problem from yesterday’s events, and he was going to make it your problem. He might not be able to keep you from seeing Anna and Maddie, but he could be a pain in the ass about it if he wants to
. And we both know he’s a world-class pain in the ass.”

  She had a point. “And what is he getting out of this?”

  “This place is crawling with money people and potential donors. The types of movers and shakers that can help a potential candidate move up the political ladder. So I put him in front of them. The rest is up to him.”

  “And in return he backs off? Doesn’t cause me any slack with the girls?”

  “We didn’t exactly sign a contract, but it’s understood.”

  I’ll wash your back, you wash mine.

  The meeting was awkward but cordial. Dana had thrown Oliver a big bone—more like an entire skeleton—and he wasn’t about to blow that opportunity to show his displeasure with Billy. In fact, yesterday’s incident didn’t come up once.

  But that didn’t lessen Billy’s trepidation when he came face to face with Kelly. And now standing beside Dana, Billy fought off any comparison between his wife-to-be and his wife-to-be-damned. Was her being here a reminder about what happens to those who repeat the past? A refresher that College Kelly was much different than the one on the Klein estate? It was like she morphed into another person. Or morphed back into. Would that be the same with Dana?

  Even after they parted ways, Billy was still feeling the effects. “You okay?” Dana asked.

  “I’m fine,” he lied.

  “I’m sorry—I should have consulted you first.”

  “No, you did the right thing. It just caught me off guard. That, and this place brings back some bad memories.”

  “That’s interesting, since you’ve only been here like twice. What do you say we get out of here?”

  “Back to the pig roast?”

  “I got a better idea—let’s go play tennis.”

  Chapter 38

  Dana led Billy to the empty tennis courts on the far east end of the property. He wasn’t sure what she had in mind, but he didn’t care, as he felt like he’d escaped the enemy forces. He could still hear the party buzz in the distance, but it was like they had traveled to a different universe.

  “This is my favorite place on the property,” Dana said. “It’s where I could be alone with my thoughts. My special place.”

  She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and they started kissing. If this was why she brought him here, Billy thought it also could be his special place.

  She rubbed her hand over his most sensitive area. “Is that your tennis racket, or are you just happy to see me?”

  He couldn’t help but to laugh, which interrupted the moment. Before they could restart, Dana said, “I must be honest, you’re not the first boy I’ve kissed at these courts.”

  “The past is the past,” Billy replied, and breathlessly went back for more.

  She pulled away. “I’m not sure you believe that.”

  “Believe what?”

  “That the past is the past.”

  “You think I’m jealous of some old boyfriend of yours?”

  She smiled. “I had my first kiss here, pretty much right where we’re standing. Do you want to know who it was with?”

  “Someone I know?”

  She nodded.

  “Fern?”

  Dana laughed. “In your dirty dreams.”

  “Then who?”

  “Donovan Soos.”

  Okay, that did annoy Billy. And now the mood was completely dead. “Why would you do that?”

  “Why would I kiss him … when we were like fourteen?”

  “I mean why would you tell me? You know how I feel about him.”

  “You mean you’re jealous.”

  “I didn’t say that … well, maybe … that’s not the point.”

  “I know it’s not. Do you want to know how it went … the kiss?”

  “Not really.”

  Dana was undeterred, “It was good for me, but not so much for Donovan. Besides the fact I used my tongue as a human choking hazard, it was very uncomfortable for him because he wasn’t that into me.”

  “You expect me to believe that?”

  “He was afraid that he’d hurt my feelings, so he explained to me why.” She shook her head at Billy. “You really don’t see it? I can’t believe how bad guys are picking up on these things.”

  “What things?”

  “Donovan is gay. That’s why he wasn’t exactly enamored by my kiss, and why your jealousy is so very misplaced.”

  Billy thought for a second—definitely didn’t pick up on those signs. Were there signs? “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier? Or did you just enjoy my jealousy.”

  “Why would I? His private life has nothing to do with you and me. And it’s not like it’s some secret, he’s pretty open about it.” She kissed him again. “And it wouldn’t matter if he was the most heterosexual man in history. Because you are, and always will be the one for me, Billy Harper.”

  He realized her point was much bigger than Donovan’s sexuality or any petty jealousies. She understood that Billy didn’t see Donovan as competition, but as a symbol of the world he couldn’t compete with. The type he feared would one day steal her away from him, just like Oliver had with Kelly. And that’s why she brought him to her safe place, to let him know that he would always be safe with her.

  “I can’t change who I am or where I was raised, any more than you can. Take a good look around this place, because it’s part of me. And no matter what we do, or how far we run away, it will always be part of me. So if you choose to marry me, you’re marrying all of it.”

  He nodded, but he couldn’t nod away his concerns. A distant roar erupted from the party, as if to remind him that Dana’s world would always be there, waiting for her to return.

  She smiled and wrapped her arm around his shoulders. “Now that we’ve got that settled, what do you say we head to the house? I do my best work inside.”

  They made their way to the brick mega-mansion, and Dana used her key to enter through the back entrance. Once again, Billy wasn’t sure what she was up to, but he liked where this one was headed.

  They stepped into a two-story tall foyer. Billy had been to the Boulanger estate with Dana on a couple of occasions, but he’d never been inside the house. And it was predictably dazzling.

  One thing that did surprise him was how colorful it was—painted a mixture of cobalt and raspberry, along with light blues.

  Dana read his mind, “My mother was responsible for the interior design work and coloring. There hasn’t been any major changes since she passed … and that was almost twenty years ago.”

  Mrs. B as they called her, was always described as a warm person, and the color reflected that. Dana as well. But Billy found the rest of the Boulangers to be more of a metallic gray.

  They entered a chef’s kitchen that opened into an elegant dining room. Large bay windows provided a view of the festive party. But in here it was just the two of them.

  Dana hopped up on the counter, which she used as a seat, looking like she’d done it a thousand times. “This is my favorite room in the house,” she said glowingly.

  Billy got the idea there was more to it than food and drink, as he took a seat at the kitchen table.

  “I must have spent thousands of hours in here with my mom … and then when Beth joined us. There was something about the kitchen that made me feel …”

  “Like home?”

  She nodded with a grin. “As you’ve seen, this place doesn’t exactly have a homey feel to it. But this room was different.”

  She pointed to the chair next to Billy. “That was Beth’s seat—nobody could sit in Beth’s seat, or they’d have a fight on their hands.” She laughed to herself. “The night we found her, she sat in that seat and wouldn’t move—like a stone statue. She eventually fell asleep in it.”

  Dana grew emotional. “The first few months she was here, she wouldn’t leave our side. She was so scared. I would come right home after cheerleading practice so I could see her. My high school friends started calling me Lame-a Boulanger, but I
didn’t care. We were the Three Musketeers. We’d sing songs while Mom cooked dinner, and Beth was the expert dishwasher.” She shook her head in disbelief as she stared off into space. “I can’t believe they’re both gone.”

  Billy wondered if Dana viewed Beth’s arrival differently now, with the knowledge that it wasn’t a coincidence they’d found her that night at the train station. It was a plan between Mrs. B and her former assistant, Carol Ann Pennington, to save Beth from Operation Anesthesia. But no need to go there.

  All of a sudden the kitchen didn’t feel so comfortable. Dana hopped off the counter. “How rude of me not to offer you a tour.”

  Billy followed her out of the kitchen into a long hallway. The fifteen-foot ceilings made him feel small. They stopped at a pine-paneled library that Dana mentioned was her father’s office. It looked as if it hadn’t been touched in the years since his illness, like it was waiting for his return.

  It was connected to a spare bedroom, in case you’re working so hard you didn’t have time to walk upstairs to go to bed, Billy guessed. Dana moved quickly to it and slammed the door shut, as if there was something she didn’t want him to see in there.

  But Billy knew it was what she didn’t want to see. “That’s the room, isn’t it?"

  The one where a young Dana had come home from school one day to find her father in bed with a woman who wasn’t her mother.

  “I’ve never stepped foot in there since … not once,” she said. “And the funny thing is, with what I know now about him, it probably wouldn’t make his top-ten list of terrible things he did.”

  But he was still her father. And just like the Boulangers were part of her, so was he.

  “I went to visit him. When we went to the cabin for Memorial Day.”

  This surprised Billy. “I thought you decided you weren’t going to do that anymore?”

  “I felt some old insecurities come up and thought it was best to face them.”