Starfish Island (3 page)

“I hope you enjoy wine. You’ve also inherited a rather extensive wine cellar.”

“I took a few wine appreciation classes with a friend, learning about domestic and European varieties,” she said, but didn’t tell him they’d only gone for the tastings and the fancy names were lost on her. “I assure you, I’ll enjoy every bottle, and I’m sure my guests will too. Tell me about the property. I don’t mean the financial aspects; I’ll come to your office for that. I’d like to know more about my grandmother and her life here.”

“When your grandfather was alive, they only used the house as a summer residence. After his death, your grandmother made it her year-round home. She loved this house, had a love for the land, and was very involved in the community. It’s a condition of her will that this property is never to be broken into smaller parcels.”

No chance she’d ever entertain that idea. She liked that the neighbors couldn’t look out of their windows and into her house. “As you approach from the road, the house is quite impressive. How large is the property?”

“Two acres,” he said, watching for her reaction. She didn’t give him any.

“It surprised me to find out that I was the only heir. I never met Grandmother, and Father never talked about her, so you can see why I’ve been a bit shocked at all this.”

Ellis loosened his tie. “At one time, there was another will, leaving everything to her other son, Robert, and his heirs; but that will disappeared, and as you know, Robert died some time back.”

“Uncle Robert had a son, Kirkland. Shouldn’t this house really go to him—”

“Let me finish,” he interrupted, sounding annoyed. “Kirkland was in a head-on collision with a Wave Runner a year ago and died on impact. Both drivers were drunk, and both were driving ridiculously fast. He never married and had no children. It’s inconsequential, as she drew up another will and left everything to you. You are her only legal heir.”

“Do you know why Grandmother chose to leave me everything she owned, especially since she and Father hadn’t spoken in years?” All of her questions growing up had been rebuffed, until she simply stopped asking. Just before her father died, she’d tried again, but the look of pain on his face had taken her breath away, so she’d kissed his cheek and never asked again.

It took Ellis the entire dinner to tell her all he knew, which was really nothing more than what she’d already understood: a few tidbits that anyone could glean on their own.

“Coffee will be served in the living room, as usual,” Chester said from behind her chair, where he was clearly establishing his authority. It wasn’t a request, but a command.

Why, she wanted to ask, did they have to change rooms to drink coffee? And why not in the library?

The butler had put himself in charge. Chester intimidated her; not one ounce of him was friendly. Tomorrow, she’d grab the courage to take over control of her own household—and decide for herself where she wanted coffee served.

Calm down,
she thought
. Your first night is not the time to make waves.
She followed Chester into the living room like a recalcitrant child. She liked the room, but it didn’t have the warmth of the library.

The living room was enormous, sterile, and cold, and it lacked a comfortable feel. Every room had French doors that boasted spectacular views of the waters leading out to the Atlantic Ocean. There was a fireplace in almost every room; and thankfully, this one was not in use. To her surprise, three of her beach watercolors decorated the walls, and a smaller canvas was displayed on a side table. She remembered the galleries where each one had sold. In front of the doors sat an oblong farm table converted into a desk, which overlooked the water below.

“This was Caroline’s favorite room. She loved to sit with the doors open and watch the birds. An assortment of them regularly flocked to her yard—the pelicans and mallards were her favorites. She’d bring home a box full of bread and cut it up for them; she loved sitting out on the grass, tossing them crumbs. A goose and gander are regulars. The female had been left for dead by speeding joyriders. Kids, we heard, but they never owned up. Caroline rescued the goose and found a veterinarian who specialized in birds. The two geese were inseparable while the female recuperated. Now the male seldom lets her wander off on her own. Did you know that once geese mate, it’s for life?”

She couldn’t wait to meet the goose couple. It amused her that the male was so protective. “I’ll have to do a little research about the best things to feed them.”

      “As you can see, Caroline followed your career. She had the galleries send pictures and would always make her purchases ahead of the showing. You’ll find a few more of your watercolors throughout the house. She had the same love of the beach and water that you show in your paintings.” He stared at one of the canvases, as if looking for some deeper meaning in a woman gracefully sleeping in a hammock on the beach, hat over her face. “I never liked this room. Please feel free to redecorate any way you wish.”

“I think I’d like to live here a while before I make any big changes,” Nicole told him.
Everyone, it seems, wants to control me.
“The views from the windows in this house are breathtaking.” Enough beauty to make you forget your troubles; she’d thrive in the year-round warm weather, living by the water. She visualized the view through her artist’s eye, the paint colors she’d choose and how her first painting of her new house would look on a canvas.

Ellis poured himself another glass of wine and leaned back in his chair, settling in for a long stay. “How did you happen to run into Michael Edwards?”

So much for him going home early.
His question took her by surprise, as did the fact that Ellis looked angry. “Michael Edwards?” She deliberately lingered over his name. “You mean the man I was with when I arrived? I met him on the road. He introduced himself as a neighbor and a friend of Grandmother’s. Since it was getting dark, he graciously offered to see me home—lucky for me. I ran into him and his partner removing tree branches.” She’d almost said “ran over,” but caught herself and, to her credit, didn’t laugh.

Ellis ran his hand through his thick, graying hair. “If Edwards was with anyone, it had to be his brother, Jake Edwards. Michael’s the owner of one of the largest corporations in the state, Edwards Inc., and they’re out cleaning roads.” He snickered. “That’s quite a joke, more like a photo opportunity. Gossip has it that Edwards might be running for the local representative’s seat. Jake’s a lawyer, splits his time between the family business and his private practice in Miami Beach.”

“The brothers indicated they were acting as an emergency road crew; Michael said that all the neighbors pitched in to help make the roads passable after a storm.”

“Emergency,” he snorted. “The Edwardses could afford to hire a cleanup/hauling service and have enough clout to get the island moved to the top of the city’s list. Michael owns most of this island, with the exception of a few parcels, including yours. The family can trace their roots back to when gangsters had a stranglehold on Miami. This island and the adjoining one were once a vacant wasteland, considered uninhabitable by anything but toothy alligators.” He finished off his wine. “Edwards manages his time between his offices here and in New York. I imagine he’ll be spending more time at corporate headquarters now that’s he having problems with security leaks.” He seemed pleased about that last bit.

Nicole remembered Michael’s comment about not liking Ellis and hastened to change the subject. She wanted Ellis to leave and was aware that the attorney’s eyes had never left her face, constantly assessing her. She watched him carefully as she posed her next question. “I was wondering when can we could go over the financial details of the estate?”

His body stiffened. “I realize we’ve only just met, but I held your grandmother in high regard and will follow her wishes to the letter.” He clipped his words in disapproval.

“I plan to familiarize myself with every aspect of the estate,” she explained, having every intention of being actively involved in her own financial affairs.

His body relaxed somewhat, but his eyes told a different story; he looked downright suspicious. “I hope you’re not in financial trouble. Your grandmother would never approve,” he said, stressing
never
. “It’s only fair to warn you that it takes a considerable amount of money to run the house and grounds. There is some cash, which of course you’re free to use as you wish. The paperwork for a bank account has been completed and awaits your signature at the local branch. Your grandmother would have loved it if you used the money to finish the redecoration plans she started.”

Nicole felt pressured by his insistence on redecoration and wondered why he even cared. She had no intention of committing herself to anything. This attorney and the butler would have to learn that she was quite capable of making her own decisions.

“I’m not rushing into redecoration plans. I need time to settle in,” she said firmly. “So far, I like the house as is and look forward to the challenges ahead of me. I’m sure I’ll have lots of questions and hope you won’t find it too bothersome to answer them for me when they arise.”      

“You don’t have to concern yourself with the legal or financial affairs of the estate. Your grandmother’s long-time advisors can handle anything that comes up—as they did for her. I will arrange a meeting at my office to introduce you to everyone.” Ellis relaxed a moment before going on. “You were making a living off of your artwork before I found you, is that correct?”

“Yes, and once I get settled here, I plan to continue painting. I’ll look for a local gallery to establish a new relationship with, possibly in South Beach. I understand they have very reputable galleries there and look forward to checking them out.”

His brown eyes narrowed to slits, and he looked at her for a long moment. “Come to my office in the morning, and we’ll go over the trust details. I’m hoping to develop the same rapport with you that I enjoyed with Caroline. I truly miss her. She relied on my advice and valued my opinion, and the feeling was mutual.” He finished his wine. “I’ll make sure the CPA is there to go over the financial aspects of the estate. After the meeting, we’ll go to the bank to sign the paperwork. There’s some jewelry in a safe deposit box; unless you plan on wearing it right away, you’d be better off leaving it right where it is.” He took Nicole’s hand. “I must be going. It’s rather late, and I have an early breakfast meeting.”

She yawned, not wanting to appear rude, but she wished he’d left an hour ago and hoped he wouldn’t show up uninvited in the future.

“I’m sure Cecilia Edwards will be over to welcome you soon,” he said, his voice full of sarcasm. “The Edwards family are your closest neighbors, along with an older couple who live to the right of the bridge as you drive onto the island. They’re forever looking out their window. A two-person neighborhood watch.” He snickered.

“Is Cecilia Michael’s wife?” she inquired, hoping to sound casual.

“No,” he sneered. “Cecilia Edwards Vander is his sister. Her husband, a racecar driver, died a couple of years back. He flipped that death vehicle in a turn on the track, and the car splintered apart. He died instantly. He had a large insurance policy, leaving her well off. Michael Edwards is a womanizer, busy chasing one night stands, leaving a trail of broken hearts of the women who thought they could settle him down. Several years back, he was engaged to be married, but the woman came to her senses, ran off, and married an older man. I understand she’s back. Now that her husband’s dead, she’s ready to resume their relationship.” His face relaxed into a small smile. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. Just to show how well he’s mastered the ability to fool even the smartest and prevent them from finding out he’s a bastard to the core. Caroline loved Michael Edwards like a son, for what reason, I don’t know. To me, that was her only lapse in judgment. She begged him to marry you. If she’d had her way, you’d have been wed sight unseen.”

“Marry me!” she said indignantly. The force of her words brought her to her feet. “She made him promise? What was his answer?”

“He refused. In fact, he laughed at her. She tried to further entice him by offering him a section of land that connects the two properties. If he agreed, she said she’d sign it over right then and trust him to keep his word. She liked the idea of a marriage joining the properties, but he told her flat out that he didn’t want the property that badly.”

Ellis laughed, and Nicole knew that her cheeks were burning bright red.

“Don’t let it bother you,” he said. “Depending on how you look at it, Caroline loved to manage or meddle in other people’s lives. She exercised iron control over herself and those in her life, and hated to hear, ‘No, you can’t.’ Be sure and call me if you need anything. I am your attorney, after all,” he said with confidence as he stood up. “Good night.”

She tried to answer, but anger had cut off her voice. She hated the pitying smile he pasted on his face on the way out. How embarrassing! So Grandmother had offered her as a wife to Michael Edwards, and he’d refused. If he’d said yes, just how would Grandmother have ensured her cooperation?

Slowly, Nicole’s anger subsided. In all fairness, she would have told Grandmother no, and even included an expletive or two. A mischievous smile lit her face.
I’ll make him like me. Then I’ll turn the tables and do what he’s fond of doing to women
—
dump him
. She touched her cheek, where his kiss good-bye still lingered, and shivered slightly.
This might not be a good plan.

She glanced at her watch. The rest of the evening loomed ahead of her, and she had no plans. Chester had her clothes unpacked in a room that he had selected, once again without consulting her. Tomorrow, she’d do some exploring; her first decision would be which room she wanted to move into.      

Nicole crossed the living room and slipped through the French doors, but instead of going along the veranda into the library, she leaned on the railing. The night was calm, and she could stand here all night, listening to the waves lap against the rocks. The smell of the ocean entranced her, and the warm night air felt good against her face. She wasn’t going to find it hard at all to get used to her new life. She couldn’t wait to go for a walk on the beach and dig her toes into the sand.