“I’m sorry, Emmy. I have no idea what happened after that night. When I got home from that meeting at Seddon Station, your grandparents were alive, as far as I knew, Emerson had gone back to his wife, and soon after, your mother sent me that letter. I thought it all behind us.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I’m sorry for the loss of your mother. I’m sorry that she was unwell. Had I known, I would have tried to help her. I swear I would have.”
“It’s not your fault.” Emmy said it very quietly.
“Nor is it yours.”
The healing began at that moment. Closure.
The girls had stayed out late. Carolyn was exhausted but full of energy. On the one hand, reliving her memories of the most difficult time of her life had drained her. On the other hand, it had set her free.
She was up early and on the phone with Anna.
“You want to join me? Adeline said last night that she needed some help getting things organized. We weren’t sure you would be up to it, after all the drama yesterday, but if you’re interested, I can pick you up in about half an hour.”
“I’d love to join you. I’ve spent entirely too much time concerned only about myself.”
Anna decided to park on the street instead of using her card to let herself into the underground parking facility at Adeline’s loft. “I’m still unclear on one thing. Emmy left you the first note when we got back from Arlington. How did she know?”
“She heard you and Adeline talking about Arlington in the elevator at my condo. She knew that a woman named Carolyn Cooper lived in the building, thought it a huge coincidence. She went home and put my name in her search engine. Got almost five million results and figured it was just that, a coincidence, but when she heard the two of you talking about Arlington, she put two and two together and decided I am me.”
“I’m sorry our being less than discreet put you in harm’s way.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re not responsible for Emmy’s actions. Besides, all is well that ends well. Emmy is getting the counseling she needs, and according to Odette, they may be able to help her in other ways.”
“Such a small world. You just never know.”
The girls walked toward Adeline’s building and stopped short when they overheard two young men. One was leaning against a pole and the other against a beat up old car.
“We’re not gonna be able to get up to the top floor in that building, dude. There’s security at the desk. You can’t get in the lobby. Sure has hell can’t get in the damn elevator. She’s all the way to the top.”
That got Anna’s attention. Adeline’s loft took up the entire top floor of the building.
Anna started to cough and stopped in her tracks. Carolyn stopped right beside her. The young men looked up, but seeing two older women as no threat, continued their conversation.
“I think we need to hit her when she’s getting in a car or something.”
“She parks under the building like all the other rich…”
Anna took her phone out of her purse. She hit the record button. Got clear images of the boys and caught their conversation.
Carolyn, seeing what Anna was doing, created another distraction. Subtle so that it wouldn’t get their attention. She pulled off her shoe. Muttered about the discomfort of her nonexistent bunions and fiddled with the removable pad inside the shoe.
When Anna figured she had enough, she motioned to Carolyn, and the ladies walked right past Adeline’s front door.
“What are we going to do? Shall we tell Adeline?”
“What else can we do?”
“Call Roland.”
ALSO BY THE AUTHOR
THE TEA SERIES
Hot Tea
Sweet Tea
Iced Tea
Green Tea
Peppermint Tea
Tea To Go
Summer Tea
Traditional Tea
Tea & Honey
Happy Tea
Shattered Tea
Healing Tea
Strong Tea
Wedding Tea
THE TEA SERIES: THE BLENDS
(short stories)
Romantic Blend
Perfect Blend
THE GIRLS SERIES
Las Vegas
Hawaii Can Wait
On the Road (Again)
Spoiled Fruit
THE AUNTIE SERIES
Abbie
Bethany
LESSONS, THE SERIES
Consequences
Coming soon — Promises
Learn more about Sheila and her books at www.SheilaHorgan.com
Table of Contents
TITLE PAGE
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
ALSO BY THE AUTHOR