Matters of the Heart

by Helen Colella

  Pete donned a more serious demeanor. He shook his head. “I believe I mentioned before that I’m not interested.”

  “Yes, I know. But….” He took a deep breath before continuing. “There’s been some new developments, new supporters to the project, and a new schedule of events. I’d like you to take a look at what we’ve put together.” He forced a smile. “You never know, after you review it, you’ll see there’s been a lot of changes. And who knows, you may come across a tidbit of information that’ll change your mind, especially after recent events.”

  Reluctantly, Pete said, “Have Sarah come get me when you’re ready. I’ll be in the office.”

  About an hour later, he joined the two visitors.

  “We’re not going to keep you long,” said his friend who gingerly reached into his briefcase and pulled out a folder. “All I ask is for you to look it over.”

  Pete flipped through the material, shaking his head. His furrowed brow didn’t stop the older of the two diners to continue.

  “I know what you said and how you think you feel, but don’t make a final decision until you fully review this packet. It contains my handwritten personal notes and special details that have gotten us this far.” Before Pete had a chance to respond, he continued. “You’ll see you know most of our new associates and perhaps understand how we convinced them to change their minds.” He took a drink of coffee. “Knowing the unfortunate associations and decisions made along their career paths goes a long way.”

  Lowering his voice, Pete said, “Sounds like extortion.”

  “I like to call it friendly persuasion,” the man bragged. “Give it another look, Pete. If you join the team, I can guarantee a protected and wonderful future for you and your granddaughter.”

  The restaurateur eyeballed each of the visitors with skepticism.

  “A quick read. That’s it.” Pete picked up the folder, tapped it on the edge of the table, and rose to leave. “I can’t imagine anything in here or anywhere else that would make me change my mind.”

  “Consider the big picture—understand how serious we are. Consider how safe an investment this is for everyone. Consider it progress with a bonus of prosperity.”

  Pete offered his hand in friendship to his longtime associate. Before he made his departure, he added, “Thanks for stopping by.”

  “If you send the waitress over, we’ll settle up and be on our way.”

  “No need. This one’s on me. Just leave her a good tip.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” said his longtime friend.

  “That may be true, but actually, I’m looking ahead and thinking this may have been one of your last meals as free men.”

  The older man feigned a laugh then added, “You’ve always had a great sense of humor, Pete.”

  “For the record,” Pete added. “I wasn’t trying to be funny, only realistic.”

  Chapter Six

  After a few months, Amanda’s broken bones healed, and her bruises disappeared.

  Physically, she felt as good as ever, but mentally, cabin fever had set in, and she needed a change. The most current update from the Denver police had reconfirmed the original suspicion—a robbery gone sour, and they didn’t have any leads to explore. They promised the case would be kept open with hopes that something would break and they could find her assailant. Amanda never lost the desire to return to the city, her job at the bank, her friends and her life style. She only wanted to put the whole ordeal behind her and not look back.

  However, Poppy’s hints of wanting her to stay in Crestview weighed heavy on her conscience. She sensed her horrifying ordeal also took its toll on him, as well. She noticed he’d often come home for afternoon visits, pretending to be checking up on her, and then casually disappear into his room for a nap that often lasted well over an hour.

  One afternoon when Pete had come home to check on her, she noticed he seemed to be worried. Her immediate concern fixed on his health issues. “Is there anything wrong, Poppy?”

  In his usual well-mannered fashion, he reassured her all was well. “I’ve had an unusual morning. I’m still reeling over a phone call from someone I thought was gone from our lives.”

  His “our lives” caught her attention. She sat up straight. “Our lives? Does that mean you and me? If so, I think you should tell me about it, right now.”

  He nodded and sighed, knowing he’d always taught her to tell the truth and not keep secrets. He also knew that to validate his principles, he’d have to act accordingly. Pete sat on the overstuffed, leather chair facing her. “First, Amanda, clear your mind of any preconceived ideas and notions you may be conjuring up.”

  She laughed to herself and thought how well her grandfather knew her. She placed her fingers on her temples and massaged in circles for a few seconds.

  “Okay. You can now consider my mind empty of all thoughts of suspicion and ill nature.” She smiled at him, took a steadying breath, and added, “Okay, now, let’s have the bad news.”

  “Michael Tremont.”

  “Michael?” Her voice escalated several octaves as she jumped up off the sofa, stood with her hands on her hips, and challenged him with a demanding, “What did he want?”

  “He inquired about your recovery.”

  She threw her hands in the air. “I hope you told him it was none of his business.” She paced around the room. “What nerve. I can’t believe he’s still trying to get back into my life. Maybe it’s time I get the restraining order I threatened him with some time ago.”

  “Take it easy, Mandy, it’s okay. I haven’t forgotten anything you told me about him and I, too, think he’s a sorry excuse for a man. I only told him you were just fine.”

  She yanked the sleeves of her sweater down to cover her wrists. “You told him more than he needed to know.”

  “Perhaps, but after the flower thing at the hospital, I thought….”

  He caught her frown. Oops, he’d said too much. He sighed and shook his head, knowing she never missed anything but hoping she’d ignore it. Just in case, he braced himself.

  “Are we talking about the giant-sized bouquet of flowers I saw you with? The same ones I thought were from Charles and the staff?” Hyperventilating, she clenched her fists and counted to ten. “He sent them?”

  Her grandfather tilted his head and shrugged. “Not exactly….”

  He cleared his throat to explain, but Amanda didn’t wait for him to finish his thought.

  “What do you mean, not exactly? Are you trying to tell me he hand-delivered them to me at the hospital?”

  This man was unbelievable—functioned in a world of his own without concern for anyone but himself. He was nothing but a total disaster.

  Pete reluctantly answered. “Yes, he was there. He said he wanted to let you know, in person, that he had no hard feelings and that he’d always care about you.”

  He braced himself for one of her fiery reactions. Then, out of nowhere, came an idea he thought would defuse the situation and calm her. He continued his story. “I knew how you’d respond, like now, maybe worse, and at the time you didn’t need the added stress.”

  Amanda glared at her grandfather after listening so intently.

  “I should be absolutely furious with you. However, because I love you and kind of understand what you were thinking, I’m not. It’s him and his blatant audacity that’s got me riled up.” She knew Michael well, and he never did anything without an agenda from which he could benefit. “How did he even know I was in the hospital?”

  “I didn’t ask any questions, sweetheart. I just sent him away. Told him you couldn’t have any visitors except for me.”

  She gave a thumb’s up and sat back down on the sofa. “I’m curious about the flowers. What did you do with them?”

  A boyish grin appeared. “You’ll be proud of me on this count,.I did a good thing. I asked the nurse to make smaller bouquets and bring them to those who might better appreciate them. Then I threw the card away, thinking you never
find out.”

  “A card? What kind of card?” Her voice raised several octaves. She turned away with an air of disgust, then quickly spun around to confront him. “This keeps getting better and better. What did it say?”

  Unprepared for that question, Pete searched for an adequate answer. After a few seconds, he mumbled, “I forget.”

  “Peter Russo, you better come clean and tell me the truth,” she demanded.

  He raised his hands in defeat, “It said something about praying for your recovery and sending all his love.”

  She shuddered.

  “He’s such a phony, nothing but a cardboard image of a man.” She chewed on her bottom lip in deep thought before adding, “Someday, Poppy, someone will expose him for what he really is—an adult bully.”

  Pete kissed her forehead. “Amanda, you can’t let him get into your psyche this way. Look how upset you are after all this time. He’s not worth a minute of your energy.”

  She wiped the tears welling in her eyes.

  “You’re right. I promise to make every effort to bury his memory.” She took a deep breath. “Only, my instincts tell me he’s all trouble and that I haven’t heard the last of him.”

  “You’re not angry with me for all this, are you?”

  “How could you think that?” She paused. “You handled everything perfectly. It’s just the sound of his name alone makes my blood boil and sends me into a flaming rage. Then to find out he’s still sneaking around, making overtures into my life…no, our lives, is inconceivable and unacceptable, makes it worse.”

  “Agreed,” he said and smoothed her hair.

  She hugged him. “I can only hope he doesn’t keep trying.”

  His smile soothed every inch of her. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go upstairs for a short nap before I return to the Farmhouse.”

  Amanda watched him make his way to his bedroom, noting his gait had slowed considerably in the short time she had returned to Crestview. Her concern for him and his health grew as she watched him. How could she even consider leaving?

  Once he’d disappeared into his room, she lay back on the sofa to reflect on Michael Tremont. Her thoughts lingered on his manipulation skills and how he could finesse and confuse the best of the best. He could “talk the talk” with all of them and never had trouble selling himself, as proved by his rapid advancement at the high tech company he worked for. On a personal level, women, including her, fell for his charming manner and good looks. She’d bought his act for a short time, then when she’d discovered the real him—an unscrupulous man who thought women existed to serve his every need, by request, on demand, or with force—it hadn’t taken much effort to end the relationship.

  Now two years later, Amanda still wondered how she had allowed him to mislead her during the year they’d spent together. She felt embarrassed over the fact that he’d fooled her. Fortunately, it had taken only one time, one slap, and one internal voice that had directed her to run and stay away.

  Recollections of Michael Tremont drained her spirit and left her fatigued. She stretched out on the sofa, closed her eyes to set her mind at rest. When she woke, the aroma radiating from the kitchen tickled her appetite. The note she found on the counter confirmed her suspicions…. ‘Mandy: Gone back to restaurant for private party. Baked ziti in the oven and salad in fridge. ENJOY! Poppy.’

  A warm feeling surrounded her knowing how much her grandfather loved her and how he never hesitated to be there when she needed him. She hoped that someday, she’d meet a man with his same loving spirit.

  Chapter Seven

  Poppy and Amanda sat on their redwood deck watching a family of big-horned sheep meander through the wooded area behind their house. They sat quietly, watched in awe and enjoyed the blessings of their surroundings. After all the years of viewing wildlife in nature, they made no move to run for the camera.

  “I can’t even count how many times I’ve seen a similar scene. Mother Nature always amazes me with her surprises.” Amanda’s sigh emitted a true sense of wonder. “I’m sure going to miss wildlife scenes like this when I return to Denver.”

  Pete cringed when he heard her words. He’d known this day would come all too soon and had been contemplating how he’d react when she broached the subject of leaving Crestview. Now, his most dreaded moment had arrived unexpectedly in a casual conversation.

  Responding to the moment, he said, “Well, my dear granddaughter, I don’t want you to go, I want you to stay and help run the family business.”

  Although she had been thinking about returning to the city for several weeks, she didn’t feel the time was right for her to mention it to her grandfather just yet. She, too, knew and regretted the day she’d have to make that decision. Now that the opportunity had presented itself naturally and taken away the pressure, she had to take advantage of the moment and respond.

  “It’s time I get back to my city life, Poppy.”

  “May be time for you, but not me. I like having you here, Mandy. Won’t you consider staying a few more weeks? I want to make sure you’re totally healed–both physically and mentally.”

  She rose, stood behind his chair, and placed her hands on his shoulders. “That wasn’t our deal, Poppy. You said just until I get back on my feet. Besides, I still have to pay rent on the condo. Since my leave of absence from the bank and me not working, my funds are low. It’s a given. I have to return to Denver.”

  He patted her hands and motioned for her to come and sit on his lap, just like when she was a child. Then flashing his best, heartwarming smile, he said, “I’ll help you out with the rent, don’t worry about that.”

  “That’s just it. You’ve always been so generous. I can’t allow you to give me any more. I moved to Denver to be on my own, so you wouldn’t have to help me.”

  Her grandfather shook his head.

  “I know, sweetheart. But I’m getting….” He stopped himself from saying any more and got lost in his own thoughts for a few seconds, then gently asked, “Is there any way you can humor me for a while longer?”

  She sensed his sudden sadness and felt the urgency of his request. She snuggled close to him, never expecting to hear Poppy try to persuade her into doing anything. He’d always supported and championed her. Maybe this request was a call for help. Maybe his health problems were more serious than what he alluded to. Maybe she shouldn’t be so selfish.

  “I do worry about you, Poppy. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  He squeezed her close. “Nothing to tell. Nothing to worry about, Amanda. As far as I know, I’m in as good health as any seventy-four-year-old man can be. Just a bit tired.” He smiled and added, “Besides, I like your company, and you keep me on my toes, make me feel young and important. What do you say?”

  She didn’t fully accept his story, but said nothing about it. She slid off his lap, sat next to him, and lovingly scanned his face before answering. “First, you are and always will be important to me. Second, you’re not that old. Third, I guess I can stay a while longer.”

  His smile and reaction, she thought, could be heard across the mountains. “Fantastic!”

  She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “But it’ll be temporary, and with a condition of my own.”

  A satisfied grin appeared on his face. “Anything. Just name it.”

  His eyes twinkled with excitement.

  “Let me help out at the restaurant.”

  He hesitated. “I don’t know if you’re up to that, Amanda.”

  She raised her brows, puckered her lips, and shook her head. “Really?”

  “All right, I’ll give that one to you. But sweetheart, it’s not necessary. Charlie can handle things. That’s why he’s there.”

  “I know he’s more than capable, but I need to fight off cabin fever and feel useful. Working the restaurant will do that as well as help you out and allow you some private time.”

  He chuckled and cupped his chin between his index finger and thumb. “Sounds tempt
ing.”

  “Ready and willing,” she exclaimed. “A deal’s a deal; no changing what you said, Poppy—anything I want.” She didn’t wait for his reply. “Besides, I know almost as much about the restaurant as old Charlie does. I officially worked there every summer and holiday season since I was sixteen, and I still remember things.”

  Poppy let out a hardy laugh. “Long before that, too. Even as a young child, you had your hand in things. You’d fill the saltshakers, place napkins and silverware on the tables, and eat a treat or two from the candy display. With a little more experience, you could replace me.”

  “No one could replace you.” She smiled lovingly and continued, “But while I’m here, I’d like to make myself useful. After all, look how you’ve taken care of me. Not only now, but for all twenty-five years.” She stood and took both of his hands in hers. “Let’s start by saying I’ll ease my way into the work—a few days a week to part-time to a full-time schedule, all of which allows me to stay for a while longer and keep you happy.”

  He grinned, stood up, and hugged her. Her decision pleased him. “You’ll be on the payroll as of Monday.”

  Chapter Eight

  First thing Monday morning, Amanda stood at the door of the restaurant and glanced at her watch. Ten-thirty a.m. Right on time! It had been a while since she’d been at the restaurant, and she wondered if Poppy had prepared Charlie for her return and how he would accept her after all these years. I hope he realizes I’m only joining the team at Poppy’s request, and that it’s only temporary employment, nothing more.

  Before opening the door, she gave her skirt a straightening tug, hand-brushed her hair to make sure it was smooth, and checked her lipstick in the shiny brass nameplate on the door.

  “Okay, Amanda. Let’s do it!”

  As soon as she opened the door, the aroma of Italy filled the air.

  “Umm.”

  She looked around to see who’d moaned with pleasure, then giggled when she realized she’d heard herself. Poppy never called it sauce and always reminded her to be aware of her Italian heritage. “Mandy, don’t forget, in the old country, our family called it red gravy, not ragu like those from other regions…red gravy.”