Authors: Elizabeth Powers
Lena’s
grandfather leaned back in his chair and pinned his granddaughter with a
piercing gaze. “OK,” he said. “You’d better start at the beginning.”
So
Lena did. When she got to the part about her father insisting that she marry
Chase, her grandfather started to laugh.
“This
is funny?” Lena asked, incredulously.
“Oh,
hell yeah. Not just that your father is being such a dickhead, but that he
honestly thinks that there is anything he could hang over your head to make you
just do what he says. Especially something this monumental.”
Lena
started to smile. “OK,” she admitted. “It would be a little bit funny if I weren’t
so darned concerned about Jeanette.”
Pops
nodded. “This isn’t your responsibility. Jeanette is your father’s wife, and
this is something that they both need to deal with. And he’s just trying to
take advantage of your kind heart to get you to do something he badly wants you
to do.” He shrugged. “I know you’re concerned, but this isn’t about your stepmother.
It’s about your father trying to get what he wants. But you know that.”
Lena
sighed. “Why did my Mom marry him, Pops? Was he different back then? With Mom,
I mean?”
Pops
shrugged. “Who knows what goes on in a marriage, Lena. Your mother loved your dad,
but I know there were times before you and Ned were born that she was really
unhappy. I think she expected that he would change a bit after they married –
become more of a homebody. But your father is, first and foremost, a business
man. And he just carried on with his business. Your mother’s death rattled him,
though. It rattled us all. She was so young.”
Lena
gave a small smile and said, “I wish I remembered her more.”
“She
loved you to pieces. And she would be the first person to tell you that William’s
wife is William’s responsibility. Not yours.”
Lena
nodded. “I just wish I knew that he cared about her. I’m not an idiot, I know
why they married. But they’ve been together for a long time now. And he’s admitted
that she has a problem, but rather than just helping her, he’s using it as
leverage to force something on me. That’s not the sign of a man who cares about
his family – it’s a sign of a man who wants what he wants.”
“Any
idea why he’s all fired up about this particular subject?”
“Jeanette?”
“No.
Chase. Why does he want you to marry that boy?”
“I
have no idea. Maybe he’s sick of trying to find a man for me. Maybe he thinks
that if I marry, I’ll quit the shelter. I didn’t stick around long enough to
ask him, and I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have told me the truth, regardless.” She
sighed. “What a dad, huh?”
“He’ll
come around,” her grandfather said gently. “And if he doesn’t, you always have
me!”
Lena
smiled then and reached over to squeeze his hand tightly. “Thanks, Pops.”
“So
you and Chase...”
Lena
laughed, releasing his hand and leaning back in her chair. “Yeah. Me and Chase.
I like him, Pops. We’re friends, and good ones at that. But that’s it.”
“You’re
sure?”
Lena
paused for a moment to think about it, remembering her strong attraction to the
man, but also recognizing that neither of them had acted on that attraction
since the night that they took Lena’s step-mother home from the benefit dinner.
So she said, “Yeah. I’m pretty sure. Though Winston likes him. That’s not only
surprising, but kind of a strong endorsement for the guy. And he showed up at
the shelter one day, not even knowing I worked there, and started volunteering.
So he’s got a heart, as well as a brain. But we’re not really dating, even
though Dad thinks we are. So no, bottom line is that I’m not marrying him.
Particularly to make my father happy.”
“Too
bad. I would have liked having Charlie’s grandson to mess around with. If he’s
anything like Charlie, that is.”
Lena
laughed. “You know, I think he might be. But he’d probably kill me if he heard
me saying so.”
“Charlie
told me that he met you. Actually, he told me that he saw you at some big gala
event, walked up to you and asked you about your intentions with regards to his
grandson. I guess he’s done that before to young women, and most of them run
for the hills. I gather that he can be pretty intimidating. Anyway, whatever
you said to him apparently impressed him. But the marrying Chase thing is a
whole new wrinkle,” Pops said with a chuckle. “Charlie will love that. He liked
you. Quite a lot. He’d probably marry you himself if he didn’t think Chase
would take out a hit on him.”
Lena
laughed. “I don’t think Chase would take a hit out on him. But I liked your old
friend. He was a hoot, once he got done grilling me.”
Pops
smiled affectionately across the table at his granddaughter. “So we could have
talked about this on the phone. What are you doing here? You just need a break?”
Nodding,
Lena smiled back at her grandfather. “Yeah, I needed a break so I didn’t do
something stupid. Like hire a thug to kidnap my stepmother and drive her to the
Betty Ford clinic. I guess I just really wanted to spend some time with the one
sane member of my family.”
“Speaking
of sane members of your family, where’s Ned?”
“Last
I talked to him, he was in Japan. I called him a few weeks ago to fill him in
on Jeanette. He’s willing to come back and help us get her some help, if Dad
doesn’t cave soon, I think. Actually, he said he’s about ready to move back for
good, which would do wonders for increasing the number of family members who
are talking to me these days.” She looked sharply over at her grandfather. “You
do know he’s gay, right?”
Pops
nodded. “Yeah. Does your dad?”
Lena
shook her head. “I doubt it.”
“Well,
won’t that make for a fun future family gathering?”
“Yeah.
Hey, who will Dad leave all his money and his business to after disinheriting
both his kids?” she asked with a grin.
They
both looked at each other and simultaneously said “Chase.”
“That
would be like him,” Lena laughed. “And I actually would find that to be quite
funny. So I hope he does.”
“So,”
Pops said as he waved the waiter down for the check. “Want to golf with me tomorrow?”
She
shook her head ruefully. “I’m a pathetic golfer. But I’ll drive you around in
the golf cart if you want.”
“Sure.
I’ll take it. Time on the links with my granddaughter. You sure you don’t want
to hit a ball or two?”
“That
depends. You want to spend your afternoon taking some poor guy to the hospital
when I whack him with a club by mistake?”
“Not
particularly.”
“Then
I’ll just drive the cart, thanks.”
The
next morning was absolutely beautiful. Lena was up early, and had filled a travel
mug with coffee, so she was ready to spend the day on the golf course, driving
her Pops around. Fresh air, time with Pops – life was good.
“Ah,
here comes my golfing opponent now. Lena, you know Charles.”
Lena
rolled her eyes at her grandfather. “You couldn’t have prepared me for this?”
she asked accusingly. When he just grinned and shrugged, she sighed, then
turned and smiled genuinely at Charles Hamilton. “It’s nice to see you again,
Mr. Hamilton, though this is quite a surprise. How are you?”
The
old man kissed her on her cheek and winked at her. “Quite well. And just as
surprised as you are, though I’m extremely pleased to see that I’ll be spending
the day with someone other than this old geezer. It’s nice to see you again,
Lena. I can call you Lena, right?”
Lena
laughed. “Of course. So what brings you here, Mr. Hamilton?”
“Please.
Call me Charles. Truth is, I needed a good golf game with a good friend in some
good weather. So I came down here last week, and we’ve been playing daily. Well,
that, and hitting the bars at night, of course.”
“Oh,
of course,” Lena grinned.
“You
still run into my grandson from time to time?”
“Occasionally,”
Lena acknowledged, taking a sip of her coffee.
“Glad
to hear it. Because he’s coming down here to see me tomorrow. Maybe we can all
get together for dinner.”
Lena
nearly spit out her coffee. “What? Here? Seriously?”
Charles
looked sternly at Lena. “I don’t joke, young lady.”
“Sure
you do,” Lena’s grandfather pointed out. “But I don’t think he’s kidding.” He pulled
off his ball cap and scratched the top of his head. “Well, isn’t that a nice coincidence.
I’ve been wanting to meet your grandson. This is perfect timing.”
Lena
rolled her eyes.
“What?”
Pops asked, chuckling.
“For
two supposed best friends, you sure keep a lot from each other,” she pointed
out.
“We
like surprises,” he grinned.
Lena
sighed. “Can I at least pick out the restaurant?”
By
the time the two men had played 18 holes of golf, Philip had managed to fill
Charles in on Lena’s situation at home, and the two old friends were laughing
so hard that Lena was afraid one of them would have a stroke.
“I’m
so glad you’re amused at my expense,” she said dryly. “You two need to get more
of a life. This is not that funny.”
Charles
could hardly catch a breath, he was laughing so hard. “Philip, I think I might
marry your granddaughter myself. Good for you for turning down your father, Lena,
but think twice about turning down my grandson. He’s a catch.”
“I
don’t believe that I’m turning him down, Mr. Hamilton. Given that
we’re not really
even dating
.”
“Well.
Maybe you should.”
Lena
sighed. “Not you too.”
“He’s
a nice guy.”
“Oh
God,” Lena’s grandfather wheezed. “I can’t wait for dinner tomorrow night. Does
Chase know that he’s the subject of your father’s blackmail attempts?”
“Well
I
certainly haven’t told him,” Lena said firmly. “But I imagine you
will,” she added.
“Oh
hell yes. That’s great dinner conversation,” Pops said with a grin.
“Just
for that, I’m taking you for vegetarian food.”
“That
stuff is for rabbits. Now steak is what we need,” Charles requested loudly. “I
have the hankering for a good steak.”
Lena
threw her hands up in the air. “Oh for heaven’s sake. Fine. Block your
arteries. See if I care. Just make sure that they have a decent selection at
the bar, because God knows that Chase and I are both going to need it. Are you
going to tell him I’m here?”
“Nah.”
Lena
sighed. She probably should text him tonight to let him know what he was in
for. Then again, maybe she’d just sit back and watch these two old geezers make
mincemeat of the guy.
Rolling
her eyes, Lena resigned herself to a crazy few days with her grandfather and
his best friend. But she badly needed food if she were going to keep up with
them. “Can we please move it along?” she asked. “I’m starving.”
The
following night, Chase was doubled over, his arms clutching his stomach,
gasping for air. His face was contorted, tears were running down his cheeks,
and he had a moment of wondering if he’d ever be able to breathe normally
again.
“Stop
laughing,” Lena demanded. “This isn’t funny.”
Chase
was able to catch enough of a breath to gasp, “Not funny? Are you kidding me?”
before throwing his head back again and laughing so hard that Lena thought he’d
burst an artery.
She
rolled her eyes. The other two men at the table were laughing just as hard,
feeding off each other with stupid jokes.
“I’ve
never been used as blackmail material before,” Chase managed to wheeze.
“If
any of you stroke out tonight, so help me God, I’m leaving you to die in your
seats,” Lena warned.
That
sent the men into another paroxysm of laughter. Lena just sighed. Pushing back
her chair, she said in disgust, “You three have fun. I’m going up to flirt with
the bartender for a while.”
Making
her way to the bar, she sat down in front of the bartender, turning her back
deliberately to Chase, Pops, and Charles Hamilton.
The
man took one look at her and said, “Oh Lord. What can I get you?”
“Something
really strong,” she sighed. “And can you please serve it with an enticing smile
and flirt with me for about half an hour so my ‘friends’ over there will leave
me the hell alone?”
He
peered around her. “Those two old geezers and the guy in a suit? Are they OK? They
look like they’re having convulsions.”
“They’re
fine. And wait, he’s in a suit? Geez, I didn’t even notice. It’s the friggin’
desert out there, and he’s in a jacket. And a tie.” She sighed. “Can you make
whatever you’re giving me a double?”
“What
are they trying to get you to do?” the bartender asked as he leaned on the bar
in front of her.
“Marry
the guy in the suit,” she sighed.
He
looked over. “Huh.”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“His
grandfather and my grandfather are old college buddies. For some reason, they
think that being related will be fun.”
“And
the guy in the suit?”
“A
friend. A good friend. Well, before tonight anyway. But that’s it,” she added
firmly. “Friends.”
“Huh,”
the bartender said again.
“What?”
“He’s
not exactly looking at you like a friend would.”
Lena’s
brow furrowed. “How’s he looking at me? Like he’s going to kill me?”
“Nope.”
“Well
I’m not turning around, so you probably should just tell me.”
“More
like he’s going to kill
me
.”
“What???”
“Hey,
I just call it like I see it. But I think I’m just going to get you that drink
now. I like you and all, but we just met and I do value my life. Scotch?”
She
sighed in resignation. “Nah. Just a glass of good red wine. You have anything
smoky and peppery?”
He
winked at her. “I’ve got just the thing. Stay put.”
“It’s
not like I want to go back to that table,” she groused.
A
moment later, the bartender returned with a large glass of red wine in his
hand. “Here you go,” he said, as he set it down in front of her. “You know, you
might want to be over there for this discussion,” he added cocking his head
toward where the three men were sitting. “They look like they’re plotting.”
Lena
turned around and looked at the three men, whose heads were indeed together.
“That
can’t be good,” her new friend said in amusement.
Dropping
her head to the bar, she muttered, “God help me.”
Sighing,
she looked up at the grinning man behind the bar. “What do I owe you?” she
asked, accepting her fate.
“About
five minutes of your time before you leave. I want to know what happens over
there.”
Lena
couldn’t help but laugh. “Hey, if I pull on my earlobe really hard, will you
come rescue me?” she asked.
“Nope.
But I will bring you another glass of wine.”
“Oh
hell. All right. I’m going in. Thanks...”
“Toby.”
“Toby.
Thanks Toby. I’m Lena.”
“Nice
to know you, Lena. OK. Don’t forget that you owe me the story.”
“You’ll
get it. It may not be pleasant.”
Toby
grinned broadly. “I have a feeling it will be worth the wine.”
Grabbing
her glass, she gave one last rueful glance back over the bar, then made her way
to the table. The three men were indeed more serious than they’d been earlier,
so Lena sat down with them and asked, “All right. So what have you three been
plotting?”
“How
to get your stepmother into rehab.”
“Without
me marrying Chase?” Lena asked doubtfully.
“Yes,
but really, that’s not a bad idea,” her Pops said.
“Haven’t
you ever heard of arranged marriages?” Charles added.
“Oh
for crying out loud,” Lena sighed. “Chase, do something.”
He
shrugged. “I don’t know. I think they might have a good point. We should at
least hear them out.”
Lena
rolled her eyes. “Oh for heaven’s sake,” she said with annoyance.
“Hey,
I keep telling you that I’m a great catch.”
“How
about trying to figure out a few alternative ways to help Jeanette,” Lena
suggested. “Like maybe something that doesn’t involve making my controlling and
extremely irritating father happy.”
“We
were talking about that too,” Chase admitted.
“Really?”
“Really,”
he smiled gently.
“Oh
thank God,” she breathed.
“Lena,
honey, we’re just as concerned about Jeanette as you are. You’re just a hell of
a lot of fun to tease.”
Lena
rolled her eyes at all of them. “OK. Let’s hear it then. What have you got?”
Several
hours later, after a hefty steak dinner and a good conversation, and having
discussed the issue of getting Jeanette into a treatment facility until they
were back to the notion of Lena marrying Chase, Philip and Charles were leaning
back in their chairs, talking about their golf games. Chase looked over at Lena
and grinned, then pulled his chair closer so they could talk without
interrupting the fascinating discussion about who had the better drive on the
14th hole that day.
“If
they’re golfing tomorrow, you’re either going along, or I’m staying behind. Do
you know how much of this I had to put up with today?” Lena asked.
“Oh,
I can imagine. But I don’t golf.”
“Neither
do I. I drove the little cart.”
“Oh.
So you and I could caddy while they golf. Or better yet, we can find something
more interesting to do.”
“Like
what?”
“I’ll
come up with something,” he grinned. “Come on, watching the traffic move out on
the highway has got to be more interesting than watching those two play golf.”
“Good
point,” Lena said.
“Did
you bring hiking shoes?”
“I
brought next to nothing. I packed in a hurry. I needed out.”
“I
guess I can see why. Your father is a piece of work, isn’t he?”
“Oh,
you have no idea,” she sighed as she stifled a yawn.
Chase
smiled over at her. “Come on. I’ll take you home. Granddad and your Pops are
going to be at it for a while.”
She
sighed. “OK. Thanks. Let me say goodbye to Toby and leave him a hell of a tip. I’ll
be right back.”
When
she arrived at the bar, she sat down in the same stool she’d been in earlier,
and Toby immediately joined her.
“You
OK?” he asked, bending down to peer closely at her face.
“Yeah.
I’m fine.”
“You
marrying the suit?” Toby asked with a smile.
“Nah,”
she said.
But
Toby just laughed. “Yeah, right. With those two old guys conniving? Just please
invite me to the wedding. I wouldn’t want to miss it.”
“There
will be no wedding,” Lena said firmly.
“Sure
there will be. And I want an invitation.”