Finding Elizabeth (4 page)

As she reached the second floor, Claire
heard the ringing of the door bell. Stunned she stood there trying
to figure out if she should answer it. Nobody knew she was here
except for James, Janet and Steve. What if someone was here to rob
the place.
Now you are being ridiculous. This place has been
empty for almost fifty years and nothing has happened. Besides a
robber wouldn't ring the bell.
Placing the journal on the hall
table near the balcony, she ran down the stairs and opened the door
just as the man was turning to walk away.

"Hello, can I help you?" Claire asked
cautiously.

"Hi are you Claire?" the man responded.

"Yes, I 'm Claire Van White and you
are?"

Reaching for Claire's outstretched hand he
said, "I'm Daniel.... Daniel March. My mom said you had some areas
of your home you were considering remodeling."

"Yes, of course. But Janet didn't tell me
you were her son."
Or that you were one of the most incredible
men I have ever seen.
"Please, Daniel come in."

With the realization that she was covered in
dust and must look a mess, Claire quickly led Daniel into the
parlor and excused herself. "I have been working in the attic and I
am covered in dust. I need just a few minutes to change my clothes
and I would be happy to show you the areas I would like to
update."

As he stood there, Daniel watched the
beautiful brunette walk out of the room. Even with the dust on her
clothes and the cobwebs hanging from her hair she was without
question the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. His mother
hadn't said much, just that the owner of the Van White mansion has
been found and that she would like to update the kitchen and
bathrooms.
Thanks mom, you could have told me she wasn't an old
spinster.
Wishing she would have given him just a little more
detail about the new owner, Daniel glanced down at his clothes. He
was hoping somehow magically he was wearing something nicer than
the work clothes he already knew he was wearing.

Claire rushed to change her clothes and
brush her hair. Of all days to meet a handsome stranger. She
couldn't help but notice the way Daniel looked at her. The desire
in his blue eyes told him she would be nothing more than another
conquest. With his rugged good looks and brown wavy hair, she knew
he could have any woman he wanted. She just couldn't stop thinking
of the way his dimples appeared with his slow generous smile.
Stop it Claire, Adam was the love of your life and he hasn't
even been gone a year.

Claire made her way back into the parlor
feeling much more confident about her appearance, "If it's ok with
you, I think we should start in the kitchen. That is where the
majority of the work is needed."

Following Claire through the beautiful old
home, Daniel couldn't help but be a bit envious. He had always
wanted to find a beautiful home like this and lovingly restore it.
Of course having grown up here at Van White Estates, he had been in
the home on several occasions and knew that this home needed very
little restoration.

As they entered the kitchen, Claire said, "I
would like to tear out all the earlier renovations. I was thinking
maybe I could have new cabinets built that fit in with the era of
the home. To keep the kitchen bright, I like the look of white
cabinets and I think that glass fronts would look great in this
space. I love the look of an old farm house sink, if we could find
one in good condition. And I would prefer to have marble or granite
countertops that would accent the gray and white marble floors. And
I want modern, high end stainless steel appliances."

Pulling out his notepad and tape measure,
Daniel quickly took measurements. "I will have to draw up the plans
and I can have them to you next week for your approval. I also have
a portfolio, if you would like to look at my work. It might give me
a better idea of what you like and dislike. If you approve the
plans, I could start work as soon as I finish my current
project."

Daniel followed Claire through the rest of
the home, as she showed him the bathrooms she wanted to restore. He
couldn't help but notice that she didn't want them to look brand
new. She wanted everything to look original, but with modern
touches. The thought made him smile.
That is exactly what I
would do to a beautiful old home
.
Keep the integrity and
make it functional by today's standards.

Walking back into the foyer Claire said,
"Thank you so much for coming today. I wasn't expecting you to take
time out of your Saturday evening, especially since it's Valentines
day. I'm sure you have better things to do than work."

"Nah, not really," Daniel said with a wave
of his hand. "I'm single and for me its just like any other
day."

"Well if you don't have plans, I was
thinking of heading in to town to get something to eat. Would you
care to join me?"
Wow, Claire seriously, that is very bold. What
has come over you?
"Um, If you have your portfolio with you,
maybe I could take a look at it."
Good save Claire.

With a wide grin Daniel said, "I accept," as
he stepped back and let Claire lead him out the front door.

***

Sliding into the seat across from Daniel,
she had to remind herself this is not a date. This is business. As
soon as they ordered their food, an awkward silence threatened.

Claire nervously sipped her coke, "Your mom
and I came to town today to look at a building that will be
available soon. I'm thinking of opening an antique store."

"Really? I love antiques. The history and
the unknown about who owned them fascinates me. When I was a
teenager I began collecting antique pipes. I think it is my love of
antiques that has fueled my passion for restoring old homes,"
Daniel said.

"I love antiques too. It has always been a
dream of mine to open an antique store. It was disappointing that
the building we looked at didn't have a second story. I'm sure
there was one originally, but now it's just a single level. Do you
think it would be possible to build a loft to add to my floor
space?" Claire asked with a hopeful smile.

Daniel returned her smile, "I would be happy
to go take a look at it. I know it could be pretty expensive. But I
was thinking we could use mezzanine. It would keep the structural
integrity of the building and allow you to have the extra space you
need. You could choose the size you want, and it would give the
store a modern feel."

Claire's face brightened, "I love that idea!
I hadn't thought about it, but it would be perfect. My vision for
the store is to combine the old with the new. With the building
being old and the metal loft being new, it would give it the
trendy, upscale look that I want."

As the waitress brought their dinner, they
settled into a more casual conversation. Daniel told her of his
past and growing up at Van White estates and how he had always
admired the home. He spoke lovingly of his parents and his
childhood. He relayed stories about the estate and exploring the
different buildings when he was a child. He agreed to come back and
show her the grounds and buildings, in his dad's absence. Claire
was thrilled with the thought. Knowing her own childhood and how
she loved to explore she hoped she would see the property through a
child's eyes.

As the waitress cleared the table, obviously
anxious for them to leave, Claire couldn't help but think of Adam
with a pang of guilt. But she reminded herself this isn't a date.
They reluctantly stepped out into the cold night air, just as the
first snowflakes began to fall.

They drove back to the estate in silence.
Claire didn't want to admit it, but she was having a great time.
For the first time in months her thoughts were not clouded with
constant grief and thoughts of Adam or the accident. She knew he
would always be with her. But with all that had happened in the
past two days, she was beginning to see she could have a future,
even if it had to be without him.

Breaking the silence as they pulled into the
driveway, Daniel said, "I had a wonderful time tonight." Getting
out of the car, they headed toward the front door. "Are we still on
for touring the property tomorrow?"

"I had a wonderful time too. It isn't often
that I find someone who shares my love of history and antiques. And
yes, if you aren't busy tomorrow I would love to look around the
property," Claire said. Sensing he wanted to lean in to kiss her
she quickly said, "Good night," and with that she opened the door
and slipped inside.

Scratching his head in confusion, Daniel
headed toward his truck.
What were you thinking man, don't mess
this up. She is a client, and your parent's boss, even if she is
the most wonderful woman you have ever met.

With her heart pounding, Claire stood in the
foyer trying to gain control of her emotions. Thinking of the
implications of what a kiss would mean.

After her heart slowed to a normal pace
Claire headed upstairs, grabbing the journal off of the table
before stepping into her bedroom. She heard the familiar ding of
her cell phone and went to answer it. She had several text messages
and the voicemail indicator was lit up. Listening to the message,
she couldn't help but smile.
Leave it to Jen to worry about
me
. "Hi Claire, it's Jen, you haven't answered any of my texts,
please call me back. You said you were going to Eureka, and you
would call when you got there. I'm afraid something horrible has
happened to you. I don't care what time it is, please call me back.
Disconnecting the call, she quickly read through the text messages,
which were pretty much the same. There was a message from her
mother, telling her she was in Arizona and she planned to stay
until spring.

Claire dialed Jen's number. Answering on the
first ring Jen asked, "Where have you been? Why didn't you answer
my messages?"

"You won't believe what has happened,"
Claire spent the next hour relaying the events of the last couple
of days. Before hanging up Claire convinced Jen to come for a
visit. She was eager to show off her new home and discuss plans for
the store.

She had been friends with Jen all of her
life. There wasn't a time she couldn't remember her being there.
Claire considered Jen more of a sister than a friend. They did
everything together, sometimes fighting, but usually laughing,
giggling and being silly.

The two had rented booth space in an antique
store in Bentonville and loved going to auctions and estate sales
to find their treasures. Jen had always been the outgoing quirky
one, and Claire more calm and subdued. She wasn't really shy, but
not particularly outgoing. She knew given the opportunity Jen would
jump at the chance to move to Eureka and open the store with her.
And aside from Adam, Claire couldn't think of another person she
would rather have by her side.

After a relaxing shower, Claire decided she
would look over the package of information James had sent with her.
Looking around the room, she couldn't remember where she put it.
Since it was probably still in her car, she would wait until
tomorrow to go get it. Instead she grabbed the leather bound
journal she found in the attic and headed to the turret room just
down the hall. She built a small fire, hoping the chimney was
clean, and that it was safe. Sitting down in a comfortable chair
she propped her feet up on a nearby ottoman. Claire picked up the
journal and for the first time she noticed the name engraved on the
front, Elizabeth Van White. Opening to the first page she began to
read.

January 14, 1886

Dear Diary,

Today is my 17th birthday and Mother and
Father threw a grand party in my honor. I think everyone I know in
Boston was in attendance. We all had a glorious time, even father
who is typically quite sour seemed to enjoy himself.

I wore the new gown mother had Mrs. Jenkins
make for me. It is stunning, garnet velvet and adorned with tiny
cream rosettes. I was afraid that with my red hair it would look
horrendous on me. But mother assured me I was a vision, and would
be the envy of all our guests. Mother fixed my hair in ringlets and
piled them loosely on my head, so they cascaded off of my
shoulders. It was the first time she ever let me wear my hair in
such a grown up fashion.

The party was wonderful, I danced with every
eligible bachelor at the party, even Franklin Arnold. I had hoped
that he would fancy another girl by now and leave me alone. He is
such a bore, but father adores him.

I wish Thomas would have been allowed to
attend the party, but I did see him when I snuck away for a few
minutes to get some air. He followed me into the garden and he gave
me my first real kiss. I ran away quickly for fear someone would
see and that father would make a scene in front of our guests. The
kiss was magnificent and so exciting. I felt like I was floating on
a cloud for the rest of the night.

Oh how I wish father would let him court me.
But father thinks ill of his daughter dating one of the hired
hands. Not that father really cares what I think or want. He is
concerned only about what others will think and of his standing in
the community.