The Rosaries (Crossroads Series) (23 page)

Lakeisha
was at Natalie’s house, resting for long stretches at a time, and trying to recuperate as much strength as possible before the departure date, which was set for the thirtieth of June, only a week away.

She had no recollection of what happened the night she was attacked  – her brain had somehow erased all memories connected to the event. She remembered going upstairs, and being in her former room, but from that moment until she woke up at the hospital, her mind was like a blank slate. Her long term memory was intact, but the assailant’s face was completely erased from recollection. She didn’t know if she had seen him, since she could not remember even being struck.

Natalie was taking great care of her. After being discharged from the hospital, she had picked her up and taken her to her place, in spite of her mother’s warnings.
Lakeisha
didn’t know why Mrs. Sanders was so abrasive toward her, since they barely knew each other, but she assumed that the older lady was simply erring on the side of caution.

Today, Natalie spoiled her by bringing her coffee in bed. “Good morning
Lakeisha
. How are you feeling today?”

“Oh Natalie, you really shouldn’t do this. I don’t think I’ve ever been so pampered in my entire life; it makes me feel awkward.”

“Well, then stop feeling that way, because I need to know you are making a full recovery for our upcoming trip. In fact, I will be taking your breakfast order now – you have to eat if you hope to regain your strength.”

Lakeisha
smiled.” Yes, Ma’am, but I think a little oatmeal is all my stomach can take first thing in the morning.”

“Oatmeal is on the way. Would you prefer maple syrup and brown sugar, or baked apples?”

“Maple syrup and brown sugar sounds wonderful, thank you.”

When Natalie went to the kitchen to prepare her breakfast,
Lakeisha
fluffed up her pillows and lay back down. She still had horrific headaches, and got dizzy if she stood up too fast, but she otherwise she felt well, getting stronger with each passing day.

Natalie had no internet connection at home, so
Lakeisha
decided to go by the library later, to send a message to Sister Justine. Her cell phone, which was in her back pocket the night of the attack, was missing, and to make matters worse, she could not remember Sister Justine’s number.

Natalie walked in with her oatmeal and more coffee, and set the tray on the bedside table while she helped
Lakeisha
sit up.

“Natalie, stop fussing over me.”

“No complaining – my ears are deaf to complaints.”

She laid the tray on
Lakeisha’s
lap and walked over to open the curtains and window a bit, to let in a little morning breeze.

“So, Natalie, how are things going with Ryan?”

“They are going, I suppose. I haven’t had much of a chance to see him these past few days, with preparations of the trip and all, but I really enjoy being with him.”

“He is not sincere, Natalie.” There, she had said it. She had planned to keep out of it, but there was something about Ryan that didn’t feel right, and
Lakeisha
didn’t want her new friend to be hurt by a player.

“What makes you think that,
Lakeisha
?”

“It’s nothing in particular, really, and definitely nothing he has done. He’s quite suave, that one is.”

“So why do you feel he is not being honest? You are a very perceptive woman,
Lakeisha
– is there something about him I’m not seeing?”

“I don’t know, Natalie. If that’s of any consolation I can’t see it either and that’s what worries me. I can normally read through people, and there is something I don’t like about the story his soul is telling. I think Ryan is in financial trouble.”

“The Wheeler family? I really think you are misreading your instincts on this one,
Lakeisha
. They are old money, and that kind of financial stability usually lasts through time. The Wheelers own a great portion of Wilmington. I doubt they will ever be in any type of financial trouble.”

But the seed was planted. Even after
Lakeisha
got out of bed and went to shower, Natalie wondered if there was any truth to her claims. There was no time to think about that right now; she had to go by the agency to pick up the itinerary of the trip, and stop by Aunt Catherine’s attorney to sign some papers to give him temporary power of attorney while she was gone.

Ryan called while she was getting dressed. “Good morning Sweetheart, did you sleep well?”

“I did, Ryan; what about you?”

“Just peachy, but I really miss you. I’ve hardly seen you this week.”

“I’m totally bogged down, Ryan. Hopefully I can get all my ducks in a row within the next few days and create a little time for us to spend together before I leave.”

“I hope so, Natalie. Sometimes I worry that you don’t feel the same about our relationship as I do. Did you give any thought to what we talked about last week?”

“About being exclusive you mean? I have, Ryan, but I really would prefer to not think about it too much until I get back.”

“Oh…I was really hoping you would consider talking to your family before you go to London, Natalie.”

Hmmm…why all the hurry?

She pushed that thought away quickly. She didn’t have to make any decisions yet, no matter how hard he pushed her.

“I think it is best if we take a little more time, Ryan. I like you, but I’ve been burned by relationships before, and I really would feel more comfortable if we wait a while.”

Ryan swallowed hard, which increased Natalie’s suspicions even more, before he spoke. “I understand, Natalie. I guess I’m a romantic fool, and I was hoping that you were as swept away as I am.”

Iced tea in a southern country kitchen wasn’t even as sugary as this. She suddenly felt that
Lakeisha’s
feelings might be hiding more truth than she initially gave them credit for.

“I’m as involved as you are, Ryan, but right now my focus is not in the right place to be fair about this. I really would like to wait a while before I make any commitments.”

Ryan kept silent for a few moments.

“Ryan, are you still there?”

“I’m here, Natalie.” He was in control of his tone of voice once again. “Okay, I will leave you to your plans, then. Call me later.”

“I will. And Ryan…thank you for understanding.”

“No problem, Natalie. Have a great day.” No ‘I love you”; no ‘I’ll think about you today’ – Ryan was pissed.

She thought of their conversation while she got ready to go out. He really was sort of pushy…was there more to his demands than what met the eye? She decided she would poke around about the Wheelers’ financial status a bit later. For now she had to concentrate on the tasks at hand and take care of the trip details that still needed to be finalized.

Melody was getting excited and was counting days before their trip to England. She needed the time with her husband, and Mario looked like he could definitely use a break, after all the long hours he had worked lately. She was actually a bit worried about him – he was involved in a case that his department had been trying to wrap up for several months, and the fever of his professional passion was burning on high-octane. He never got enough sleep, rarely ate a decent meal at regular hours, and his face was beginning to show signs of the neglect. He lost weight and was often irritable, snapping at little insignificant things and pacing restlessly when he was at home.

She fixed herself a cup of coffee and went out to sit on one of the front porch rockers. It was a glorious morning; one of those days when she was elated to live in
North Carolina
– the temperature was warm, the skies blue, and birds were everywhere. To this day she was very
happy with her decision to buy her mother’s part of
Grandmama’s
farm. She couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, and truly felt at home in her country setting.

Today was promising to be a lazy day; she made mental plans to go by the travel agency to pick up the itinerary and then, maybe, a little shopping. She occasionally missed her job as a paralegal, but the drive was simply too long, and the farm was entirely too big, for her to be gone all day and still take proper care of it. When Mario suggested she stay home, she was thrilled – in her mind she saw herself being a bit like
Grandmama
, taking care of animals and spending a lot of time meditating with nature. But Mario wasn’t like Grandpapa who stayed home and took care of things at the farm, providing constant visual companionship even when he was scurrying around working on this and that. Mario was constantly working, and Melody was beginning to feel lonely. Maybe, upon returning from their trip, she would think of finding a part-time job in
Johnston
County
, to keep her occupied in the daytime hours.

Something in the yard caught her attention – everything she looked at appeared to be in pairs. She saw two doves cooing on a branch nearby, two squirrels chasing each other on the tree beside the barn, and even a couple of lemon-colored finches eating from the bread crumbs she threw in the yard the night before after dinner. Everything at the farm seemed to work as a couple – that awareness made her feel even lonelier, and she missed the days when Mario was around more.

She got up from the rocker and went inside to get dressed, eager to snap out of the funk that was threatening to take over her mind. She needed to be around people, to hear music and maybe get a little lunch in town; in fact, it was the perfect day to call her friend Isabel, and see if they could get together and catch up a little.

When she thought of Isabel, Melody was almost thankful for Hurricane Katrina, the terrible storm that had ravaged through New Orleans four years before and had forced several residents to relocate to other parts of the country. Without Katrina, she might have never met Isabel.

The thought of getting together with someone she liked and respected as much as Isabel cheered her up, and sped her along as she got ready to go. She would tell Isabel about Paul’s encounter, and about her trip. She couldn’t wait to hear her friend’s thoughts about it all. Suddenly she felt elated, and took one final glance at the sky before going inside – now that she had a plan for the day, the sun felt warmer and brighter.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Wheeler, but we have to adhere to bank regulations. The terms of the loan were quite clear, and as much as we would love to work out a compromise, our hands are tied. We need to receive a payment within thirty business days, or the properties will go into foreclosure.”

“William, we have always paid off loans on time. I’m sure there are some strings you can pull to give us a little slack.”

“I’m afraid not, Mr. Wheeler. Unless you can provide us with something solid beside the good reputation of your company, we won’t have any options but enforce the terms of the loan. We need a payment within thirty business days. Believe me when I tell you that we are already stretching our regulations by allowing you the extra time.”

Ryan couldn’t think of anything to reply. He simply nodded and looked down at the notice William Schuler had personally come to deliver. The bank always reserved a special treatment for the Wheeler family, even when the transaction was one that would declare the death of the family’s financial empire.

Ryan stood up and held out his hand to shake William Schuler’s. “Thank you Mr. Schuler. I’m certain we will be able to find a solution.” Gone was the first-name basis that had created a slight camaraderie until today.

As he walked William Schuler to the door, Ryan knew he had to think of something fast. Suddenly an idea flashed in his mind. “Mr. Schuler, would you be able to extend the terms of the loan if I provide you with something that will prove beyond any doubt that the loan will be paid off in a timely manner?”

“What exactly are we talking about Mr. Wheeler?”

“I’m working toward a merger, Mr. Schuler.”

“What kind of merger?”

“It’s still under wraps, and really I shouldn’t be talking about it, but Natalie Sanders and I have gotten engaged. You probably haven’t heard yet, but my fiancée just became the sole beneficiary of Catherine
Bouvier’s
estate, which is valued in the millions. We spoke of it last night, and she is definitely willing to help me fulfill our family’s financial obligations. Her
attorney has advised her to wait until all the property transfers are finalized before paying off our loans. Technical details, you know?”

Ryan watched William Schuler’s face brighten as he thought of what he just heard.

“Well, of course this fact alone changes things greatly, Mr. Wheeler. I will let my superiors know and we will discuss the situation this afternoon in our meeting. I assure you that I will keep your disclosure private, and will allow you and Ms. Sanders to announce the happy news to the world.”

“That’s wonderful, Mr. Schuler. I am delighted we were able to find a point of agreement.”