was a start. A very promising one at that.
“Good, I’ll come then.”
The tradespeople who’d stayed around for the ballroom reveal said slow goodbyes as I enveloped them all in hugs and offered my thanks once more. They drifted to their vehicles. We waved to them as they drove away, their faces weary but triumphant. I hoped they’d take me up on the offer of returning with their families to holiday at Cedarwood over the summer. They’d worked so dang hard for me and words just weren’t thanks enough.
There was only the four of us now, and whoever else I could rope in to help. And while I was happy we were getting closer to the result we wanted, I was still sad to see the tradespeople go. They’d given it their all, and wouldn’t be here to see the finished product – the place dressed to impress for the party.
Isla cuddled up to Micah. She seemed a perfect fit, her body folded into the crook of him, her hand entwined with his. “I might go warm up in front of the fire,” Isla said.
“Let’s all go inside. I’ll make cocoa?”
We trampled inside, our boots dewy from the wet grass. Even I’d relegated my heels to the back of the wardrobe recently, not only because I tripped over anything and everything like some blustering fool, but because it was damn cold. We’d be in for a snowy, white Christmas if this kept up. The thought sent tingles of excitement through me, imagining decorating the lodge for the festive season, and the parties we could host here. But one step at a time…
Inside we gathered in the front parlor, a spacious room that was now furnished with sumptuous chairs with fat cushions. Micah added more wood to the fire, which shot up tiny sparks like fireworks.
I hurried to the newly installed kitchen, made a pot of cocoa and brought it back with mugs and marshmallows. The kitchen craftsman had finally answered the phone, and feeling sorry for us because of the fire, and our deadlines, had sent his entire team the day before to fit it out. Everything was done by the skin of our teeth at Cedarwood, and I hoped in time we’d be more organized.
Isla helped me serve the warm drinks before we settled into the soft cushions of the couches once more.
“So,” Isla said, taking a sip of her hot drink, “did you wangle any help for the garden?”
I smiled, having completely forgotten to tell her about Mom, and her surprise knowledge. “Yes, my mom is coming.” I went to tell her about the maze, but stopped, remembering my promise. “Just so you know, my mom – Annabelle – she can be a little… reserved. Don’t take it the wrong way, she’s just introverted.”
Isla tilted her head. “Annabelle’s your mom?”
I raised a brow. “Yes. Do you know her?”
“I’ve been having breakfast at Puft and I chat with her most mornings. She’s always very interested to know what’s going on here. I thought it was odd she hadn’t visited you, but she said she was busy helping your Aunt Bessie in the kitchen at Puft…”
“She asked you about Cedarwood?” That was a very different spin to the one my mom had been giving me this entire time. She hadn’t wanted to hear a word about the place when it was me talking. How odd.
“Every day.”
“She’ll be here soon, so if you can show her what you want her to do that would be great.”
So Mom wasn’t as uninterested as she led me to believe. Why would she ask Isla about Cedarwood? And what had happened in that maze?
Mom and Aunt Bessie arrived wearing old clothes and workboots, ready to tackle the garden with Isla. I watched Mom’s reaction as she wandered the grounds, her face pinched, her shoulders slumped. As soon as she was out of earshot I said to my aunt, “What happened in the maze?”
My aunt’s mouth tightened. “It’s a long story, and not mine to tell. But she has her reasons. She got the shock of her life when you turned up announcing yourself as the new owner of Cedarwood. We didn’t see that coming! Tread carefully, Clio. This is a huge step for her, coming back here.” Aunt Bessie’s jovial nature was gone, replaced with quiet concern. But still, what was with all the secrecy?
“Why won’t anyone tell me what happened? I’m not a little girl any more, I’m sure I can handle it.”
She patted my hand. “It shaped her life, and it almost broke her. So let her tell you in good time, OK?”
“I don’t see why she just can’t confide in me.” I tried not to be petulant, but really, what could be so bad?
Aunt Bessie shrugged. “You think she’s aloof, cold, but she’s not, not really. It’s a way to protect herself, her heart. She loves you more than you could ever know…”
I frowned. “She’s got a funny way of showing it.”
“It’s self-preservation.”
I could read between the lines, and understand what my aunt meant, but sometimes it was hard not to be bitter about it all. I didn’t see the need for secrets, for hiding behind smokescreens, but I guess it was Mom’s way. That distance wasn’t a new thing; she’d been like that my whole life.
My aunt gave me one of her face-splitting grins. “I promised your dad I’d always look out for you both. He’d have been really proud of you, you know.”
I smiled, trying to conjure a memory of his face to mind, but only recalling a fuzzy picture of a man with a smile like my aunt’s and the same big, blue eyes. “I hope so,” I said. “Sometimes I feel like there’s a presence next to me here. Just every so often, when I’m alone, the shadows deepen… I wonder if it’s him?”
“Could be. When we were kids he always promised he’d haunt me if I didn’t give him half my marbles. Of course, he was still alive back then so I paid him no mind…”
We laughed and continued into the lodge. “Let me show you around.” Would the secret come out by itself? I wondered whether perhaps, if I found the maze, the secret would reveal itself to me, the mysterious event that happened there so many years ago and made my mom the person she was today.
***
I woke to the bleating of my alarm clock. I hit the buttons until the screeching stopped, and pulled the rugs back over me, settling down. Until I remembered. The party!
Today!
I threw the covers to the side, and raced to the shower. There was no time to fill the claw-foot bath for a proper soak, so I quickly scrubbed myself awake, eyeing the gold faucets, the regrouted tiles, and the ornate antique mirror hanging over the vanity. As I applied makeup, my phone pinged with a message from Amory: Good luck for tonight, darling! Show them how it’s done! xxx
Her message gave me the boost I needed. I texted back: Thanks, Amory, wish you were here xxx
Ten minutes later, dried and dressed, I fluffed my un-Carrie Bradshaw curls, and took the stairs two at a time down to the lobby, almost taking out Kai, who stood at the foot, folder in hand.
