Nephew's Wife, The (3 page)

“My faith is a bit shaky right now, Mr. Powers,” Ellen replied honestly.  When he wrinkled his forehead at her, she added.  “I’m still a believer, don’t get me wrong.  I just feel detached right now.”

“That’s understandable, considering what you’ve been through.  I’ll keep you in my prayers.  I have found my faith in God and my relationship with Jesus Christ to be essential whenever I face problems.”

Ellen listened quietly.  The man’s spiritualism was comforting.  Paul had never spoken about God.  He’d tell her he believed, but he never wanted to discuss issues of faith.  His disinterest had made her question their relationship.  What kind of marriage would they have had if she could not talk about her faith in God? 

“Well, it’s time for the second half of the interview.  The important half.”  Rand stood.  “I’ll introduce you to my Aunt Dolly.”

Ellen rose and smoothed the wrinkles from her skirt.  She frowned at the worn material. If she got the job, she’d buy herself a new wardrobe.  All her clothes were frayed and faded.  When she looked up, she caught Rand Powers staring.  He’d probably never seen anyone so pathetic, Ellen thought. 

Rand described his aunt as they made their way up the curving, marble staircase and down the right wing of the mansion.  Ellen barely listened.  She felt dwarfed and lacking surrounded by such elegance and wealth. Her thoughts flew to Paul.  This was the lifestyle he had desired.  His family had money, but not like this. Paul’s goal to have it all had brought out the worst in him.  He’d become greedy, selfish, and downright unlikeable.  People became objects to use to get what he wanted. 

Ellen glanced up at the handsome, well-dressed man, walking beside her.  His face and mannerisms pointed to a contented, balanced person, sure of himself, and considerate of others.  Ellen knew little about the Powers’ family or their wealth, but she could tell Rand Powers was not a man who stepped on others to get to the top. 

“So, Miss Todd, do you think you can manage my aunt?”  Rand’s question yanked Ellen out of her wayward musings. 

“Uh—certainly,” Ellen answered, confidently, even though nothing he’d said had registered with her. She needed a job and a place to hide until media interest in her died down.  This was the perfect place.

They stopped at the end of the hallway in front of thick double doors.

“Aunt Dolly, I have someone I’d like you to meet.”  Rand tapped on her door.

“Come in if you must!”  Dolly blurted.  Her cranky tone made Ellen wish she’d listened to the nephew.  Combative personalities weren’t her specialty.  Vivian Kendall crossed her mind.

Rand swung the door open then stood back so a timid Ellen could walk in first.

“Aunt Dolly this is Ellen Todd.” 

Ellen stood quietly in the middle of the room with her arms at her sides and her hands linked in front of her.

“Hello, Mrs. Powers.”  Ellen conjured up a firm, but kitten-soft voice.  “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Umph!  How do you know?  You don’t know me.  I’m not the friendly type.  I don’t care for warm and fuzzy moments.”

Ellen saw through the woman’s belligerent façade and smiled.  The tiny woman was a lambkin at heart, grandmotherly in a prissy, proud sort of way. “I’ll remember that if I get the position.”

“I don’t need a blasted companion!”

“Then maybe we can just be friends.”  Ellen shrugged.

Dolly eyed Ellen with bafflement.  “I don’t need friends.  I have plenty.”

“You’re very blessed then.”  Ellen’s eyes blinked with sadness.  She couldn’t say the same.  Developing close friendships hadn’t come easy for Ellen.

“I want to talk to Ellen alone, Randolph.”

“Be gentle with her, Aunt Dolly.” Rand joked.  He turned to Ellen.  “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Dolly ordered Ellen to sit after Rand left.  Instead of pulling a chair up, Ellen perched on the edge of the bed, startling Dolly.

“You don’t look like the other girls Rand hired,” Dolly grumbled.  “You look sad and tired.”

“I’m sure I do,” Ellen replied, unbothered by the woman’s blunt assessment.  “Truth is, I am sad and tired.”

Ellen’s honesty and humility warmed Dolly. They were two things missing from her other three companions and the latest applicants.

Dolly studied Ellen carefully. “You look like you need someone to take care of you.”

Ellen chuckled.  “I may look that way, but I can assure you, Mrs. Powers, I’m very capable.  I’ve been taking care of myself since I was eighteen and others before that.”

Dolly’s façade crumbled. She gave Ellen a robust smile that stretched into her hairline.

“Call me Dolly. I’ll call you Ellen.” Dolly put both hands to her cheeks and worked her jaw around.  “I haven’t moved these muscles in months.”

“I know what you mean.”  Ellen dropped her gaze and sighed.

“I’ve read about you, Ellen.  You’ve had a terrible experience.”

Ellen visualized Paul, curled in a fetal position, hooked up to monitors that never quit beeping. Her eyes watered, and a knot formed in her throat. She teetered on the brink of a breakdown as the last nine years suddenly ganged up on her.

Dolly held out her arms.  “Come here, dear.”  Ellen fell into the woman’s embrace and wept.  Her tears softened the pain but not the guilt.

“There, there now.” Dolly soothed Ellen. “Crying is good.  It’s healing.”

Ellen straightened after the sobs died down.  Dolly grabbed the box of tissues on her bedside table and handed it to Ellen.  Ellen plucked out a handful and blew her nose.

“I’m sorry, Dolly,” she said, sniffling.  “I’m supposed to be comforting you, not the other way around.”

“Seems you need more comforting than I do.”  Dolly observed, patiently.  “I think you’ve come to the right place.  I believe God sent you here.”

“I’m not sure your nephew will agree.”

“Oh, I think Randolph will be thrilled I’m so cooperative.  He hasn’t seen this side of me since the stroke.”

              Ellen blinked back tears. “Does this mean I have the position, that you want me to work for you?”

              “We’ll work for each other, how’s that?”  Dolly suggested with bubbly authority.

Chapter 3

“I don’t know what you said or did to impress my aunt, but I’m very grateful for it. Her mood hasn’t been this positive in several months.”  Rand beamed at Ellen as they sat in his office. “I usually wait for the results of the background check before hiring, but you’re the first applicant to win over my aunt.  If you want, we can get started right away.”

“That suits me, Mr. Powers.”

Rand sat behind his desk, determined not to ask Ellen why her eyes were all puffy and damp like she’d had a good cry. 

“I broke down upstairs as you can see.” Ellen knew he was curious about her weepy appearance.  “Your aunt was very understanding and consoling, but I promise not to be so emotional around her.”

“I’m sure she won’t mind,” Rand said, thoughtfully.  “Besides, having someone to care about might get Aunt Dolly’s mind off her illness so don’t worry about it, Miss Todd.”                     

“Please call me Ellen.”

“I’ll call you Princess Ellen if you’d like for winning my aunt over,” Rand teased with a lopsided grin.

“Ellen will do.” Ellen blushed.

“Call me Rand.  We’re pretty informal around here most of the time.  Of course, Celeste and Edward aren’t. They’re old school. Edward is Celeste’s husband.  He’s our handyman and sometime driver.”

Ellen filed the information away in her head for later.

Rand explained details of the contract, the background check, the three-month trial period, and the salary package which blew Ellen away.  It was exactly what Ida had mentioned the day before.  After Ellen signed the legal documents Rand had drawn up, he handed her a check. Ellen gawked at the amount.

“That’s your advancement for the first two weeks,” Rand said.  “You’ll probably need a few things when you move in. Now, let me show you around.”

Ellen slid the check inside her purse then followed Rand to the foyer.  During the hour-long tour of the palatial estate, Rand discussed her duties.  Ellen made mental notes until he told her she’d be given a printed job description.  From there, she relaxed and found herself enjoying Rand’s company.  He was humorous, charming, and surprisingly down-to-earth. His generosity astounded her when he invited her to use the property’s facilities.  Her life there would seem more like a vacation at a five-star resort than work, but she didn’t tell Rand that.

“Any questions, Ellen?” He asked at the end of the tour.  They were in the sun room that ran the entire length of the house and faced a terraced patio, leading down to an Olympic-sized swimming pool.  Beyond were the meticulous grounds and glorious bay.

              Ellen pulled her gaze from the magnificent view. “May I use your driver once more to return to my apartment and pack my things?  I’d like to move in this afternoon.”  It would make her landlord happy.

              “That won’t be necessary.  I’ll call a moving company and have your things brought over here, but I’ll have Edward take you home to pack an overnight bag.”

              Ellen gave Rand all the necessary information. He went off to make arrangements with a moving company while Ellen called her landlord to let him know what was going on.  He expressed sorrow about her leaving, but was happy to finally get rid of all the reporters and curiosity seekers.

              “They haven’t left yet?”  Ellen asked, annoyed.

              “No. A couple bugged me today about where you went so early this morning.  I told them I didn’t know, that your life was your business and for them to leave you alone.”

Ellen smiled.  “Thanks, Mr. Howard.  I hope things return to normal for you and your tenants.  You’ve been kind to me, and I appreciate your patience.”

“Take care of yourself, Ellen.”

Ellen stuck her phone back in her purse and felt the letter from Paul’s mother.  She pulled it out.  It was thick as if another letter was inside.  Not wanting to ruin the pleasant day, she shoved it back inside her purse.

“Everything’s set with the moving company.” Rand returned from his office. “You should have all your things by tomorrow afternoon.”

“I don’t have much, just a few clothes and personal items,” Ellen said.  “The furniture belongs to the apartment.  Mr. Howard said he’d meet with the movers when they arrive and help them out.”

“Edward’s ready to take you to your apartment.  I’ll show you your suite when you return.”

Ellen had Edward park the car in the back alley to avoid reporters when they arrived at the apartment complex.  She hurried upstairs and made quick work of her packing.  Fortunately, all her clothes and toiletries fit in two suitcases.  The rest of her possessions could wait for the movers the next day.

Edward had them back at the Powers’ estate within the hour.  Rand met them in the entrance hall and offered to carry her bags upstairs while Edward put the car away.

“Ready to see where you’ll be living?  Rand asked, grabbing her luggage.

“Lead the way.”  Ellen was having fun.  Despite being wealthy and successful, Rand was a casual guy with an easy-going personality.  Ellen could definitely see why women were attracted to him. 

She followed him upstairs.

“You’ll be right next to Aunt Dolly. That way if she needs anything, you’ll be nearby.”  He opened a door on the left side of the hallway.

“That makes sense.”  Ellen walked in and gasped.  The suite was befitting a princess or movie star.  A small sitting area with an entertainment center opened up to a balcony with a view of the bay.  Ellen opened the French doors and stepped outside to catch the sunny breeze.

“This is beautiful, Rand.”  Ellen stood at the rail, closed her eyes, and breathed in the fragrant air.  Spring was still several weeks away, but flowers filled the yard.

Rand watched Ellen with wonderment.  She looked so young and fresh, so innocent and sweet, so soft and wholesome.  Her childlike expression defied her thirty-two years.  Suddenly, Rand wanted to know everything about her.  It rattled him.

“There’s a bathroom and a walk-in closet, too.” He turned away abruptly. His emotions disturbed and confused him.  He needed to get away from her and clear his head. Ellen Todd had just lost the love of her life and was now his employee, two very good reasons not to be swept away by her.

Ellen sensed Rand’s sudden annoyance.  She’d taken up way too much of his time.  After all, he did have a company to run.  By the looks of his estate, it was a very successful one.

“I can figure things out from here,” Ellen said, moving back inside.  She closed the doors and faced him.  “If you need to be somewhere, please go.  I’ll be with your aunt the rest of the day.  When I left her earlier, she said she had some planning to do.  I’m not sure of what, but I told her I would help organize her thoughts on paper as soon as we’re finished.”

Rand admired Ellen’s patience.  He felt badly for rushing her back inside.  “I didn’t mean to be so abrupt out there.”

              Ellen shook her head. “It’s okay, Rand. You must be very busy, running a company and looking after a huge estate.”  Ellen passed a mirror and was horrified to see her cheeks had turned a bright pink.  They stood out from her drab appearance. 

“What kind of company is it?”  Ellen asked, willing her skin tone down to his natural color.

“I manufacture furniture for resorts and offices all over the world.”

“You must travel a lot.”

They’d returned to the hallway and paused outside Dolly’s bedroom.  Rand shook his head at Ellen’s comment.

“I haven’t done as much this past year, but now that you’re here, I’ll feel better about leaving Aunt Dolly. I haven’t wanted to leave her yet.”

“She seems to be a strong woman.  Her feistiness probably helps.  I won’t discourage it.”

Rand grinned.  “You’ll be the one putting up with most of it.”

“I felt a strong connection with your aunt when we talked earlier.  I like her.”

“She must like you very much,” Rand noted.  “You don’t know how grateful I am that you’re here, Ellen. We’ve gone through three companions so far.  They were disasters. ”