Rafe approached the back door, his footsteps slowing as he neared. This was the closest he had come to the main house and his appraising gaze wandered over the stonework in appreciation. The drive split into two directions, one side leading to the back where he knew the original owners would have had servants enter and received deliveries. The other side curved toward the front door where a wide portico would have accepted the family and guests, keeping them from the weather.

A three-story turret was built into only one front corner, facing the long expanse of lawn and gardens. Moving beyond the back of the house, he peered over the stone wall, seeing the drop down to the river. The view was breathtaking and he realized all the rooms at the back of the house would have that same view.

Bringing himself back to his task, he saw a small table by the back door with a large, manila envelope sitting on top with a note attached. Stalking over, he read the note.

Thank you for taking the envelope to my attorney. The address is enclosed. Please take the day off for your trouble. I do not need anything from the grocery, but thank you all the same. Please call if needed. Ms. Bellamy

The handwriting was definitely feminine, the lettering strong and precise. He smiled at the thought of the elderly lady handwriting her correspondence while sitting at a delicate antique table overlooking the gardens.

Shaking his head, he turned and headed back down the drive toward his truck. With the day off, he decided to drive to Richmond first to take care of delivering the envelope before stopping to check on Miss Ethel.

An hour later, he entered the stately offices of Mr. Thomas and observed a distinguished, white-haired gentleman speaking to the receptionist. As the man finished, he nodded politely toward Rafe before turning to walk down the hall.

Stepping up to the desk, Rafe said, “I’m here to deliver this envelope of signed documents to Mr. Thomas from Ms. Bellamy.”

Before the receptionist could take the envelope, the older gentleman turned on his heel and stared unabashedly at Rafe. He moved toward him, his gaze sweeping up and down, assessing.

“I’m Mr. Thomas,” he introduced. “And you are?”

“Rafe Walker, sir. Nice to meet you.” He stuck his hand out, noting the attorney’s firm handshake. “Well, I’ll be on my way.”

“You are her new groundskeeper, I believe?”

Cocking his head to the side, he nodded. “Yes, sir. I’m working there during the summer.”

“I understand you came recommended by Miss Ethel. That’s the highest recommendation I can think of,” Mr. Thomas said, a twinkle in his blue eyes.

Chuckling, Rafe nodded. “Then I consider it an honor to have her think that of me. Actually, Miss Ethel raised me.” If he thought that bit of information was going to settle uncomfortably with Mr. Thomas, he was surprised when the attorney smiled widely.

“Ms. Bellamy is not just a client, but a friend. You’ll forgive my inquisitiveness, but I like to make sure she is well taken care of.”

“I would expect no less from a friend of hers, sir.”

Mr. Thomas nodded, a slight smile curving his lips before sticking his hand out once more. “It was my pleasure to meet you, Mr. Walker. I hope your stay at Bellamy House is a good one.”

“Thank you, sir. So far I’m loving the work there.”

“I’m glad you’re there, especially now that her housekeeper is on holiday.”

Eyebrow lifted, he nodded. “I wondered if there was no one to assist her.”

“Oh, she gets around just fine, but has someone to assist a few days a week with the heavy cleaning.”

“Good. Glad to hear that,” Rafe replied, finding himself relieved at the information. With a nod, he walked back out into the late spring sunshine. Driving out of town, he called Miss Ethel. She picked up on the first ring.

“Rafe, dear, how are you?”

“I’m good. I had to run an errand for Ms. Bellamy and am in town. I thought I’d run by and take you to lunch.”

“Oh, dear. Normally I would, but I’m going to a church mission afternoon tea today.”

Disappointed, he said, “I’m glad you’re staying busy, but I’ll miss you. Maybe on my next day off we can make plans.”

“Of course, Rafe. Just let me know. By the way, how is the job going?”

“Perfect,” he enthused. “I’ve been outdoors every day this week so far. Got the lawn and drive hedges whipped into shape. Next I need to start on trimming the trees and flower gardens.”

“Have you…uh…met your employer yet?”

“No, but we communicated by text if she needs something.” Chucking, he added, “I’m glad she can handle a smartphone.” Realizing he sounded patronizing, he hastened, “Not every older person is as adept at staying up on technology as you, Miss Ethel.”

Her laughter rang out before she said, “You know, Rafe, life has a way of surprising you when you least expect it.”

Disconnecting after goodbyes, he turned down the highway heading back toward the west, following the James River. Stopping in the little town closest to Bellamy House, he dropped into the local grocery store to stock up. Eggs, meat, bread, oatmeal, peanut butter, fruit, and cans of soup and vegetables. Shaking his head, he thought about how lean he ate while living in California. Now, not having to worry about his shape, he worked hard outside every day and burned off the calories he ate…and enjoyed eating.

Looking around the little store, he wished he could take something back to Ms. Bellamy, but had no idea what she would like. Passing the bakery, he noted a little plate of freshly made sugar cookies and stopped. Reminded of the millions of cookies Miss Ethel used to make, he snagged the plastic-wrapped platter, thinking no one would turn down cookies.

On the way to the checkout counter, he spied a platter of fresh fruit. Grabbing that too, he added it to the basket. Smiling at the cashier, he noted her eying him up and down. Inwardly chuckling, he realized he had not been ogled in over a week. God, that feels good. Just a couple weeks home and he already felt the change.

“You new ‘round here?” she asked, her eager face turned up toward his.

“Working for now at the Bellamy place,” he murmured, wondering if she was old enough to drive, much less flirt with a man his age.

Her gasp drew his attention back to her face, lifting his eyebrow in surprise.

Wide-eyed, she shook her head while leaning in, whispering loudly, “You work for the witch?”

Unsure he heard her correctly, he stammered, “The…the what did you say?”

“She’s a witch…everyone says so. Her family’s all dead. The kids at school say she put a hex on them.” Shaking her head derisively, she added, “You better watch out. They say she’s scary ugly—”

“And I think you would do well to tend to your customers and stop repeating malicious gossip,” he growled in response.

A man wearing a manager’s badge walked over, his disapproving gaze lifting to Rafe. “Is there a problem here?”

“Maybe you should teach your employees to have respect for their customers,” he bit out. “I believe Ms. Bellamy orders her groceries from here. Perhaps she needs to find a new place to do business.”

Now the manager stared wide-eyed at him before swinging his gaze to the young cashier. “Carly, get in the back and work on the stock.” Turning back to Rafe, he rushed to say, “Please accept my apologies, sir.”

Nodding curtly, he strode from the store. As he placed the groceries in the passenger seat of his truck, he heard steps behind him and turned quickly.

The manager had followed, saying once more, “I am sorry about that. The teenagers let their imaginations and their mouths run wild.”

“Why do they talk about her like that?”

Shrugging, the man said, “I’ve only been at this store for less than a year. When I first started, Ms. Bellamy’s weekly delivery order had already been set up. She just orders online. I’ve never met her, but…” he shrugged, “talk in town is that she had been away and since she’s come back, she’s lived in seclusion. She doesn’t have any family left. I suppose that gets tongues to wagging.” With that, he nodded toward Rafe and hurried back inside.

His good mood now blown away, he climbed into his truck, his mind on the woman inside the stone castle. It was nice to spend his days working in her yard with no added agenda from her. Miss Bellamy just needs my skills to care for her property…no other expectations. He had been simply thinking of her as an older woman, perhaps shut-in due to her age, but now he wondered if there was not a physical ailment as well. Then why the hell doesn’t she have household help?

Brooding as he drove back to her place, he flipped on the radio to a country station and found he looked forward to returning to his cottage at the edge of the woods.

* * *

Spying out the small window by the door, Eleanor saw that the small table by the door now contained a bag with a note attached. Curious, she stepped outside, glancing around first. Stepping into the sunshine, she picked up the bag, finding it heavier than she expected. Peeking inside, she spied a platter of cookies as well as fruit. Unable to keep the smile from her face, she walked back inside, opening the note after placing the bag on the kitchen counter.

Ms. Bellamy, it was an honor to run the errand for you. Mr. Thomas sends his regards. I hope you enjoy the fruit and cookies…I couldn’t resist. In case you need me for anything, please don’t hesitate to call. Yours truly, Rafe Walker

Rafe Walker. She had never known anyone with the name Rafe. Her eyes glanced toward the cookies and she smiled at the kind gesture. Unwrapping the plastic from the plate, she took one of the decorated sugar cookies, sinking her teeth into the sweet deliciousness. Deciding to fix a cup of tea, she let it steep before carrying it to her study. Settling at her desk, she smiled again, feeling less lonely knowing the kind gardener was out there, close by, turning the tangled lawn into its former stately beauty.

* * *

“Marty, I told you, I’m on an extended break.” Rafe had finally answered his agent’s call after ignoring multiple calls, texts, and emails. “I’m taking the whole summer. No modeling. No plans. And no more fucking calls from you.”

“I know, I know what you said,” the whiny voice replied, “but I just wanted to make sure to stay in contact.”

“What the hell do you think taking a break is?”

“Just make sure you take care of yourself, get exercise and stay healthy, so you can come back ready to go. I’m already lining up contracts for you. Great stuff, top-notch companies—”

“You forget, Marty, my contract with you is over. My time and my body are mine again.”

“Rafe, man, just keep your options open so that when the time off gets boring, you can come back.”

Chuckling, he replied, “I’m getting daily exercise in the sunshine, taking care of a beautiful gothic mansion overlooking the James River. I assure you, I am not bored.”

“Fine, fine, but just remember—”

“No more calls,” he interrupted before disconnecting. Breathing a sigh of relief, he returned to his book.