Chapter 17
“Warren, I don’t know what to do about Samantha. She was so rude to Andrea at lunch today. I told you the remarks she made. I can’t believe she would do such a thing, especially in front of Evelyn and Jean. It was so embarrassing.” Charlotte Milburn paced up and down the thickly carpeted family room of their large colonial home in Riverdale.
Grimacing, Warren put down the newspaper and tried to comfort his wife. “Now, Lotty, don’t get involved with the girls’ disputes. Let them work it out. I’m sure everything will get sorted to a satisfactory conclusion.” He didn’t like to see his wife fretting about anything. Her usually angelic face transformed into a pouting, shrewish expression, which made him uncomfortable. He patted the cushion on the sofa next to him. “Come and sit down, my dear. Don’t excite yourself this way.”
Not the least bit appeased by his solicitous gesture, she kept pacing. “It’s because your mother left Samantha all that money. She should’ve divided it equally between the three girls. I can never forgive her. It wasn’t fair for her to favor one grandchild over the others.” She halted directly in front of him with a challenging stare.
Warren knew this liturgy by heart. “You know I had nothing to do with my mother’s will. I was as surprised as anyone when it was read. She was a very opinionated woman. Once she made up her mind about something, she never changed it.”
“Well, Samantha’s turning out to be just like her. She said she’s not attending the wedding.” Charlotte threw up her hands in frustration. “I want Andrea’s wedding to be perfect in every detail. How will it look if she doesn’t come to her own sister’s affair? Think of all the embarrassment it will cause us.” She fixed her pale-blue eyes intently on him. “You must speak to her. Make her change her mind. I won’t have her spoil everything because she’s decided she doesn’t want to be there.”
He gave a helpless shrug, a resigned expression on his face. “What do you want me to do? She works every day, and I’m busy at the bank. We spend most weekends at the club. I don’t feel like driving down there late at night. It’s not the best neighborhood, you know.”
“That’s just it,” Charlotte exclaimed. “Andrea was only telling the truth when she described Samantha’s house as a hovel. I always thought she made a terrible mistake, investing in that decrepit place. But did she listen to us? Oh no, she went ahead and bought it. Well, if Samantha can’t see what we all know is true, she’s lacking something. I tried my best with her, I really did, but she just does not have any taste.”
Warren pushed his glasses up and rubbed his eyes wearily. Arguments between his wife and daughters were unpleasant and usually fruitless. He tried to stay out of their way. Relating to women in general was intimidating. “Lotty, I know you put much effort in raising our daughters. You have no reason to feel guilty or blame yourself. If you want me to talk to Samantha, I’ll phone her tomorrow. I don’t know what good that will do, but I’ll try.”
“Tell her you’ll come down there and talk to her in person if she doesn’t agree to be one of the bridesmaids. She can’t be allowed to do this to us. Make her understand her duty to her family.” Charlotte let out a huff of annoyance as she finally sat down next to him. “I won’t get a wink of sleep until this whole thing is settled.”
He put his arm around her shoulders. “Lotty, don’t talk like that. Take one of those sleeping pills tonight. You need your rest.” And he needed his.
~ ~ ~
On Thursday morning, Sam made sure she ate a large breakfast before heading to the gallery. It would be a long day with many details to handle. Jack Norris’s paintings had to be hung, labeled, and ready to show in the large front gallery. The opening was scheduled from five to seven that night. When the phone rang, she was tempted to let the machine pick it up. However, she had a gut feeling someone from her family was calling.
“Hello?”
“Samantha, I’m glad I found you home,” her father said.
“Hi, Dad. What’s up?” She rarely heard from him. Her mother did most of the phoning.
“Well, I think we need to talk about Andrea’s upcoming wedding. Your mother’s very upset you don’t want to be there.” He paused, as if waiting for her to say something.
Sam knew her mother had put him up to this maneuver. “I’m not comfortable with the way Andrea speaks to me, and I don’t want to be around her. She can get one of her friends to use that bridesmaid outfit and fill in for me.” She heard him give a long sigh, and then he was silent for what seemed like several long minutes.
“Samantha, you know why Andrea is annoyed. It’s because Grandma Wilma left you that money. She should have divided it equally among the three of you.”
“This has nothing to do with money. Karen’s husband is a very successful businessman. Andrea has always been supported by Ben, even after they divorced. Both of my sisters live a lavish life style, and neither one of them has ever worked. I don’t know what they’re bitching about, because it makes no sense to me,” she retorted.
“You should still be able to understand Andrea’s feelings and overlook her inconsiderate remark about your home. Please do this for your mother and for me. We’re not getting any younger, and I don’t want to see your mother under stress like this.”
It was Sam’s turn to be quiet. His remark about her parents getting older hit her in a vulnerable spot. Her dad turned seventy several months ago. “Let me think about it.”
“What’s there to consider?” he shot back, getting impatient.
Sam was not going to concede on this issue right away. “If my appearance is so important to Andrea’s wedding, tell her to phone me. I don’t like having you and mom play this intermediary role. Listen, I have to leave for the gallery now. There’s an art reception tonight from five to seven. I probably won’t get home until nine. She can reach me then.”
“Samantha, I don’t know if Andrea wants to phone you after the way you insulted her yesterday,” her dad intoned.
“Well, you’ve got your answer. If she’s not interested in calling a truce, neither am I.” With that, she hung up the phone and unplugged it. Let them all stew about the matter. She was not going to waste any more of her valuable time.
~ ~ ~
Fortunately, Sam was too busy at the gallery to worry about family problems. Jack Norris and his wife, Heidi, were there to help install his paintings. Peter and Sam worked on getting the labels printed and also prepared the brochure that would accompany the show.
“I can’t believe how that new hair color has transformed your appearance!” Heidi exclaimed as she worked alongside Sam.
Heidi was a tall, willowy blonde with a cheerful disposition. Sam always enjoyed talking to her. “I was ready for a makeover,” Sam replied, positioning a label next to one of Jack’s colorful abstract paintings. She stood back to see if she’d affixed the label correctly. “Jack’s new work is great. I love the direction he’s going.”
“How are your large geometric artworks coming along? Peter mentioned you were attempting big pieces.” Heidi held a level against the bottom of one painting to make sure it was hung accurately.
“Not too well,” she replied frowning. “I’ve been busy with other things, like my sister’s wedding and stuff.” And with Jordan, although she didn’t mention his name.
Heidi sent her a speculative glance. “Jack told me a tall, good-looking guy was waiting to take you out for lunch when he was in the gallery last week. Is this a new relationship?”
Sam hesitated while she mentally decided how much to reveal. She liked Heidi and, more importantly, trusted her to keep a confidence. “I’ve been seeing someone for the last few weeks, but it feels like I’ve known him a long time. Which is ridiculous, because I haven’t.” She picked up one of Jack’s smaller paintings and placed it with a group of others of similar size. “This goes well here. What do you think?”
“Looks good to me. Jack should be back soon with the rest of his work. Even with a van, it’s difficult to get everything over here in one trip. By the way, when I first met Jack I felt exactly the same. Within the space of two weeks I knew he was different from the other guys I’d dated. Maybe this is the right one.” She slanted a mischievous look in Sam’s direction.
“I’m too busy for anything permanent!” Sam exclaimed. “With a full-time job and only two days a week to paint, how could I find time for a man in my life?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Heidi replied coyly. “By the way, is he an artist?”
Sam laughed. “No, not at all. He has one of those white-collar positions.”
“Maybe that’s good. At least one of you will always make a decent living. In our case, as you know, Jack teaches art history and graphic design at a community college, which brings in a steady income. And then he has his summers off to paint. It’s difficult to make ends meet selling art unless you hit it big time.”
The door to the gallery swung open and Jack came in, carrying one large painting and a smaller one. “How’s it going? I think we’ll be able to fit everything in. I only have four more in the van.” He put the paintings down carefully against a wall and walked about, studying the pieces already hung. “Looking good. Where’s Peter?”
Sam gestured to the back. “In his office, printing the brochure.”
Jack headed in that direction while Sam and Heidi continued hanging paintings.
By early afternoon, everything was hung and labeled. A batch of brochures about the exhibition and the artist were stacked in a neat pile on a stand by the front door.
The opening was a decided success, Sam thought, heading home at eight. The crowds were good and there’d been several sales already. But she was bone tired and could hardly wait to crawl under the covers for a good night’s sleep. Hopefully there’d be no urgent messages waiting for her.
~ ~ ~
“Your sister’s on the phone.” Amelia stuck her head into Jordan’s office late Thursday afternoon.
“Which one?” he asked, not looking up from the folder he was reading.
She hesitated. “I think it’s Diane. Should I put the call through?”
He sat back in his chair with a bemused expression. Not having heard from any of his sisters for several days, he should probably take the call. Then again, it was peaceful not hearing from them. “Find out who it is and tell her I’m tied up with a client. I’ll phone her when I get home tonight.” Breathing a sigh of relief, he went back to work. With a weekend away looming, he’d need to be at the office late every night, plus work on Saturday. Still, it was worth it. The thought of spending two days and nights with Sam without any interruptions was exhilarating.
A smile lit his face as he thought about the cozy bed-and-breakfast he’d reserved a room in for the weekend. Facing the lake, it was a charming place surrounded by lush woods and nature trails. In his mind’s eye, he saw the two of them lounging in bed on Sunday morning without a care in the world. They’d have a sumptuous home-cooked breakfast before meeting with the realtor, who’d be showing them the property. If it met all his expectations, he’d seriously consider buying it. Of course, he’d value Sam’s opinion since she’d most likely be the one accompanying him there. As this thought flashed through his mind, he came out of his reverie. What was he thinking? He’d known her less than a month, and already he was considering a future together. He’d better be realistic about their relationship. She might be someone who bounced around from one man to another; although, that was hard to imagine. Thoroughly confused, he decided to let the matter rest.
Jordan phoned his sister Diane late Thursday night. “What’s up? I haven’t heard from you, Lori, or Amy in almost a week.” He munched on a chocolate-covered ice cream sandwich while he made the call.
“You must be happy about that!” she exclaimed. “And you must be keeping pretty busy. You’re never home when we call. What’s happening in your love life?”
He heard her giggle after she said that. “None of your damn business,” he retorted in a playful tone of voice. He was not about to illuminate Diane. Asking her to keep a secret was a hopeless endeavor. He’d learned this the hard way over the years. If he told one of his sisters anything, the others were sure to find out.
“Well, aren’t you the secretive one,” she teased. “Anyway, what are you doing this weekend? Since we couldn’t get together last weekend, how about you come to our place for dinner? Either Saturday or Sunday evening, whichever is best. Amy’s free both nights, and so is Lori. What do you say? It would be fun to catch up on things.”
Dishonesty was not usually part of Jordan’s character, but he had to find some way to refuse without getting too specific. “Look, Diane, I appreciate you thinking of me, but I’ve made plans for the weekend, and it looks like I may be busy most upcoming ones, too. I might be able to rearrange my schedule one day and meet you for lunch, if I know a few days in advance.” It was the best he could do.
“Wow, she must be something else. When are you going to let us meet her? I can’t wait to see the woman who’s replaced Lara. By the way, Lara has a new boyfriend, a really nice guy, and he’s taking her to Andrea’s wedding. Isn’t that great?”
Jordan couldn’t care less about the new boyfriend or Andrea’s wedding. “I’m glad things are working out for her. If you speak to Lori or Amy, say hello for me. Things are busy at the office, and I just haven’t had time to make personal calls.” After he finished talking to Diane, he sat for a few moments, deep in thought. One of these days he’d have to introduce Sam to his sisters. When would be the right time, though? As he brooded about the matter, he wondered if he should invite Sam to that wedding he was obliged to attend on the Memorial Day weekend. He could broach the subject while they were in Connecticut looking for his country retreat. Andrea’s affair would be much more fun with Sam around. Yes, that was what he’d do. And the wedding would be the perfect place to present Sam to his family.
~ ~ ~
“Did you read the note with the check?” Beth asked Sean. They were heading home late Thursday evening.
“Yeah, I read it,” he replied without much enthusiasm.
“Well, what do you make of it? I didn’t think Sam had that much money to throw around. Evidently, she’s doing well with that new venture into television.” Beth’s tone was grim.
“I say we send it back. We’re not a charity case. Business has been booming lately for some reason. We don’t need her money.”
“Maybe she feels guilty about Brice getting injured and all the trouble she caused. Are you going to call that lawyer? You know she could have given us the guy’s name right from the beginning. I don’t know why she was stalling that way,” Beth grumbled.
“I’m not sure,” he hedged. “I talked to Brice briefly yesterday, and he’s returned to work. The chiropractor fixed his back, and he’s able to do most of the things he did before the incident. If he’d been seriously injured and out of work for several weeks, we might have a case.”
“At least he ought to get his medical bills paid by the guy!” Beth exclaimed.
“I thought of that, but Brice assured me he has excellent medical coverage at the museum, so that’s not a problem. He didn’t sound as if he wanted to make a big deal out of it. So, if he’s not pushing, why should we get involved? Besides, I talked to one of the lawyers who lunches at our restaurant and he didn’t think we had much of a case either.”
“Well, I’m still upset with Sam for the way she behaved that night. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to resume our friendship.”
“Just send the check back and let her know we don’t need the money. There’s no point in holding a grudge though. We shouldn’t have put the two of them together in the first place. You’re always so concerned about the fact that Sam doesn’t date enough. Maybe you need to stop playing matchmaker for a change.” Sean pulled into a parking spot near their apartment.
“Believe me, I’m sorry I ever bothered.”