“Well, I need to go. Drive safe, Ellie, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
When Ellie hung up the phone, she sat in stunned silence, still trying to process Clara’s death. It had been years since she’d last spoken to her aunt, but the time apart did little to dull the sting of her loss.
PARTIII
SPRING
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
Thunderstruck
May 1962
Cresting the hill, a scene from a postcard unfolded before Ellie’s eyes. Rolling emerald fields dotted with pines and oaks sloped gently toward the blue-green water of Douglas Lake. And in the distance, rising in undulating waves of purple and green, were the Smoky Mountains, their rounded peaks shrouded in mist. The view nearly took her breath.
Twelve years had passed since she’d seen anything like this, and all it took was one glimpse for the memories to start flooding back.
Descending the hill, she noticed a marina where once there had been pristine farmland. Scanning the horizon, she spotted a house, then another, and a half dozen more on the far shore. Apparently the once well-guarded secret had finally gotten out.
At the stop sign, she made the right onto Deep Springs Road. She knew this stretch like the back of her hand, and as she paralleled the shoreline, she was transported back to the summer when she was nineteen.
Turning up Clara’s drive, Ellie’s mind drifted to the last time she’d been in Sims Chapel. Armed with the knowledge that Jack had been waiting to propose, Ellie felt the fury twist inside her, reinforcing her belief that someone had betrayed her.
She pulled into the side yard and parked beneath the shade of a majestic elm. How it had grown since she’d last seen it. Taking a moment to settle her nerves, she prepared herself mentally. The funeral alone was stressful enough, but the possibility of seeing Jack coupled with an extended stay with her mother was enough to push her over the edge, and it would take every ounce of strength and restraint she had to survive the visit.
When she was ready, Ellie grabbed her suitcase and headed for the door.
“Ellie.” Marie welcomed her inside. “It’s so good to see you, dear. I’m glad you could make it.”
“Good to see you too, Mother. How are you holding up?”
“Fine.” Marie’s stoic features gave no hint of what was on her mind.
Ellie addressed her with a cordial smile before stepping into the foyer. Taking a moment to let her eyes wander, Ellie found things nearly the same, down to the position of the chairs in the living room. “It’s like I never left,” she muttered.
“I thought I heard your voice.” Amelia suddenly appeared and pulled Ellie into a long hug. “How are you, sis?”
“I’m okay.” A wave of emotion swept over her. “How long have you been here?”
“A couple of hours. Mom got here last night. This has really done a number on her,” she whispered so Marie couldn’t hear. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her like this.”
Ellie glanced over her shoulder, surprised that her mother had any feelings.
After exchanging pleasantries, Ellie found her old room and made herself at home while Amelia whipped up something to eat. When it was ready, the three of them sat down to dinner and discussed plans for the funeral.
“I have a meeting with the funeral director tomorrow morning at nine,” said Marie. “Amelia has agreed to accompany me. I figured you might want to visit the lawyer regarding Clara’s will,” she said to Ellie.
“Wouldn’t that be the responsibility of Clara’s executor?”
“Yes.” Marie gave her a look. “It would.”
It took Ellie a few seconds to make the connection. “I’m Clara’s executor?”
“So it would appear.” Marie averted her gaze. “Clara didn’t want a gathering of friends, so we’ll have a service and the burial Monday morning at the cemetery. Which means there’s much do between now and then.”
* * *
That night, after Marie had gone to bed, Ellie and Amelia sat on the back porch.
