Angels In Red (17 page)

The early-morning funeral was a solemn affair; the first one Charles attended where not one tear was shed. Jenna put on a brave front, clinging to Jack like a lifeline. He could only imagine what was going on behind her far too bright eyes.

Thankfully, the service was kept short, and Kenneth Blackburn the Third’s ashes placed in a vault. There would be no gathering afterwards. The few people in attendance, business associates and staff, left the funeral home to get on with their lives.

How would his former boss feel to know less than twenty people had come out to pay their respects?

Charles watched the limo pull up out front and set off in search of Jack and Jenna. Luckily, he didn’t have to look very far, as he wasn’t sure how much longer he could contain his excitement.

“Jenna, John is waiting out front for the two of you.” His attempt to keep a straight face proved difficult.

She scrutinized him from the bench where she sat next to Jack, her brow creasing. “Why? Aren’t you going to take us?”

“Can’t you do as you’re told just once without asking questions?” The corner of his mouth twitched.

She narrowed her gaze on him and stood with her hands on her hips. “What are you up to Mr. Wylder?”

He turned on his heel. “Fine, stay here if you like. I just thought you’d want to meet your sister. My mistake. I’ll tell John he’s no longer needed.”

Her squeal pierced the air as she ran to block his path. “Angelina?” She shifted from one foot to the other. “You found her? How? Where is she?”

Charles took her hands in his. “After you told us about your sister, I thought I’d question the staff to see if they knew anything about her. I learned from one of the housekeepers that your mother left the estate once a month without fail. She’d leave early in the morning and not return until late at night.

“I went straight to John to ask him about her monthly trips. It turns out he did drive your mother, on the same day every month, to
volunteer
at a ranch about an hour from here—a home for the mentally and physically challenged.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks.

Her man now stood by her side, smiling from ear to ear. “I’m so happy for you, Jenna.”

“Come on. John is going to take you there now.” He winked at Jack. “We’ve already called ahead so they’re expecting you both.”

“I thought we’d have a real battle on our hands trying to find her.” Jenna threw her arms around him. “How can I ever thank you?”

“No thanks needed. It was John who held the key.” He hugged her a little tighter; thankful he was the one to give her such exciting news on an otherwise somber day.

Jack stepped up. “Come on, babe. Let’s go meet this sister of yours.”

Jenna took in the scenic country road they travelled, alongside lush, rolling green hills littered with wildflowers. Sections of the land were fenced off to allow half a dozen or so horses the freedom to roam.

“I bet coming here reminded my mother of her childhood on her family’s horse farm.”

John drove under a wooden archway where a sign announcing Rolling Hills Ranch swayed from its chains in the breeze. They drove a good ways down a gravel road lined by majestic maple trees until they came upon a ranch-style house, a few separate buildings and a big red barn standing behind everything. The property was immaculate, and the buildings appeared freshly painted, giving Jenna a good feeling about the kind of place Angelina lived.

“It’s quite a set up, isn’t it?” Jack squeezed her hand. “Like going to horse camp all year long.”

She smiled, relieved at not finding the haunted insane asylum from her wildest imaginings. “Do you think they’ll actually let me see my sister today?”

The limo came to a stop, and John stepped out to open their door.

“I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” Sliding out first, Jack offered his hand.

“Where is everyone?” She didn’t see a single soul outside.

He glanced at his watch. “Well, we are a little earlier than expected. My guess is they’re still having lunch. Why don’t you take a couple of minutes to calm yourself before going inside?” He winked at her. “Let’s check out the horses.”

She closed her eyes and blew out a rush of pent up anxiety. “Yes, you’re right. I don’t want to appear distraught in front of her.”

Jack led her over to the enclosure. Two of the majestic animals, nostrils flaring, came right up to the fence and stretched their necks over to have their faces stroked and tops of their heads patted.

She struggled to focus on the beautiful creatures. Jack stroked a jet-black mare—at ease, like he was around horses all of the time. “Obviously, these animals get lots of attention.”

“I didn’t know you liked horses. You should buy a couple of them to ride back home? There’s certainly enough room for them.”

“That might not be a bad idea,” he stated. “And I hope you meant
we
should get a couple.”

Jenna kissed him lightly. “Of course that’s what I meant.”

Suddenly, it was as if someone flipped an ON switch. Kids scattered in groups of ten or so, led by a leader wearing a red T-shirt with the ranch logo.

Her heart raced behind the hand splayed over it. “Angelina would probably be around thirty-five years old.” Jenna leveled a hand across her brow to block out the sun.

“Wasn’t there anything at all about her in those letters?”

“No, only the one time before my parents married.”
Maybe she kept the journals about her visits with Angelina hidden from my father? Could they still be in her room somewhere?

An older gentleman with a friendly smile walked toward them. “Hello, it’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”

Jenna noted his stark-white hair belied his age as he appeared to be in his late forties and rather handsome. She smiled back. “It sure is.”

“You must be Jenna Blackburn. You look like your mother.”

The mention of her mother brought a warm smile. “Did you know her well?”

“She came once a month without fail, up until we read about her passing in the news. She was a remarkable woman.” He offered his hand to her and then Jack. “I’m Daniel Meed, CEO of this ranch.”

Her stomach lurched.
Meed?
Surely it was only a coincidence. There was definitely no resemblance between the two.
“Oh, I, I’m sorry,” she stammered. “This is my… my good friend, Jack Davis.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Jack. Why don’t we go to my office so we can talk privately?”

Jenna took hold of Jack’s hand. She opened her eyes wide, trying to convey her shock at Daniel’s last name. He responded with a slight nod and squeezed her hand reassuringly. As she followed their host, she scanned the many groups of residents, some of which were undeniably physically disabled.

Angelina, are you out there? Please God, let Daniel’s same last name be an odd coincidence. Please, it would kill me if I ever learned Howard Meed was anywhere near my sister.

Daniel ushered them inside to his office. A large picture window overlooked the impressive grounds.

“Let’s sit over here.” He motioned to a comfortable seating area where he sat in a wing-back chair facing a leather love seat.

“Before we start, I have to ask, do you have any relations in the area?” Jack asked pointedly.

Jenna held her breath in wait of his answer.

“No, I’m afraid not. I’m an only child, and my parents have been gone for many years now. I was actually born and raised in Texas and moved here for this job over twenty years ago.” He smiled warmly. “Why do you ask?”

Relief washed over her, and she tried to release her breath without drawing attention.
Thank God they’re not related.

“It’s nothing really. We know a man with the same last name. Howard Meed, have you heard of him?”

“Afraid not. My life is here on the ranch. I rarely have the opportunity to socialize.” Daniel folded a long leg over his bended knee. “Are there any other questions, or can we get to the reason we’re all here today.”

“Please, tell us about my sister.” She firmed her hold on Jack’s hand.

“Angel came to us when she was ten years old. She has Down syndrome.”

Jenna gasped, not fully comprehending what the syndrome entailed. “How bad is it?”

“There’s no reason for alarm, actually Angel is one of the luckier ones. She has none of the more severe medical issues many people with Down syndrome are afflicted with.”

“Thank God.” She straightened in her seat, eagerly soaking up any information about the disease, fully intending to research a lot more.

“Through no fault of your mother, Angel’s significant hearing loss wasn’t addressed. They believed her speech and minimal attention span was part of mental retardation. Once we took her hearing loss into account, she flourished. No two people with DS have the same challenges. Angel’s difficulty lies not only in hearing, but in processing information. She is very smart, but it takes her a little longer to
make sense
of things.”

“Did my father continue to pay for Angelina after my mother’s passing?”

Daniel pressed his lips firmly together, seemingly weighing his words.

“When your mother came to us each month, she paid a cash sum. I never questioned the method, assuming she didn’t want a paper trail for her own reasons.”

“Those
reasons
would have been a result of my father’s wishes.”
Great, that’s just what I needed, another reason to hate my father.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Your sister is so much a part of our little family here, turning her away wasn’t a consideration. She more than earns her keep around here.”

Jenna barely contained her anger at her father for such a cruel, heartless decision on his part. Her mother would be mortified if she knew. “I’ll make it right. I promise you that.”

“Thank you, but there’s no reason for you to rush. Angel is a pure joy to have here, and the younger children adore her.” He rubbed his palms on his jeans, and folded them in his lap.

Jenna shook her head. “Do you have pen and paper, please?” In spite of his heartfelt words it was only right she paid for her sister’s keep.

Daniel took a pad of paper and pen from his desk and brought it to her.

“How much is in arrears?”

He shrugged. “I can’t tell you off the top of my head.”

Jenna frowned and rifled through her purse for her checkbook. “As you know, my father recently passed away. Though I am executor of his estate, it will take some time before I can access his money.” She opened the leather folder and scrawled out a check. “But I can give you a deposit of ten thousand dollars from my personal savings.”

“I don’t know what to say. Why don’t you wait for me to look up the correct amount?”

Jenna then proceeded to write out a note in good faith, promising to donate another two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars once the inheritance became accessible. She reread the memorandum before adding her signature. “Can you please sign as a witness for me?”

“Of course.” Jack quickly signed his name without reading it. One more reason the man was so amazing.

She then gave the paper to Daniel. “If you would please sign this and have your secretary make a copy for me I’d be very appreciative.”

His eyes grew big as he read the promissory note. “I...I don’t know what to say.”

“There’s no need to say anything. Thank you for caring for my sister in spite of not being paid, I’m certain you will find a way to make this place even more magnificent than it already is.”  The curator seemed to be weighing his response, and she added quickly, “Please, I’d rather not discuss this any further. I came here to make sure my sister is cared for. I only recently learned of her existence.”

Daniel didn’t seem to know what to do or say. He walked over to his desk, put the check in the top drawer, and then politely turned to blow his nose and gather his composure. “I’ll just be one second to have a copy made of this.” He pointed to a small table off to one side. “Please, help yourself to a coffee or water while I’m gone.”