Remembering the burnt-out lightbulbs, she asked Sara, “Do you have any bulbs in the house? The last one in my bathroom died.”
“Oh, that explains everything,” Sara muttered. “I’ll bring some up for you.”
“Thanks, Sara.”
Halfway back to her room, Essie snapped her fingers in annoyance.Crap!She’d forgotten to confiscateZander’s key. Shaking her head at the number of things that had gone wrong in one morning, she dragged herself back up the stairs.
Once back in her room, Essie climbed onto her messy bed with the envelope. She opened the flap, pulled out the missive inside, and smiled at her aunt’s beautiful handwriting filling the page. A few shaky spots caught Essie’s eye, cluing her in that her aunt had written this recently. Esther had always had the most elegant scrolling penmanship. Essie had tried for years to copy her graciously looping script.
My beloved Essie,
Thank you for being such a cherished part of my life. I would have loved to have had a daughter just like you if Edmund and I had been blessed with children. I’ll admit I secretly imagined you were my own.
Thank you for coming to stay with me when an old lady needed you the most. Your love and companionship made my last years so happy.
Essie paused to wipe the tears from her cheeks. She missed her aunt so much. Swallowing hard, she continued.
Ferguson’s Folly is yours. I hope you will adore our home as much as I have all these years. I’m guessing by the time you read this letter, Edmund will have started talking to you. Heed his words, but remember there could always be a secondary meaning.
Essie looked up from the letter and replayed her conversation with Edmund. Nothing had seemed secretive, but her aunt would not have mentioned that without a reason. Essie would pay more attention.
Here’s the bad news. Maintaining an estate the size of Ferguson’s Folly is expensive. After the expenses of taking care of Sara’sfuture and buying off Nelson’s plans to contest my Will, you may struggle with the finances. I am so sorry, Essie.
To give you an out, I did entertain Zander Templeton’s offer to buy the property. Take a few days to go over the finances and make the wisest decision for yourself. I will share that no zoning laws rule what can and cannot be done with the estate. The building and the land can be used for whatever purpose suits you.
Essie had trusted Zander wasn’t making up his arrangement with her aunt. Would Esther have allowed him to think the sale was imminent? Probably. She hadn’t enjoyed dealing with the nitty grittiness of business. Mr. Woods always handled the details for her. Essie could see her speaking to Zander about the possibility of the purchase without committing to it. On the other hand, Zander was efficient and concrete. If Esther spoke to him about selling, he might very well conclude it was a done deal.
If I could give you a small nudge in one direction, I’d remind you how much fun we had together doing special activities: tea parties, dances for your friends, birthday parties in the garden—even weddings for your stuffies. You are an extremely creative and brilliant young woman. Perhaps now is the ideal time for you to explore that wish you had to plan events. Ferguson’s Folly could become the perfect setting to create happiness for so many.
What?Essie reread that paragraph. How had her aunt suspected she’d fantasized about putting together elaborate celebrations? That had literally been her dream since childhood.
Desperately missing Esther, Essie raised her eyes toward the ceiling and sent love toward her aunt in heaven. Of course Aunt Esther had known. Her insight had astonished Essie on so many occasions about people’s intentions and motivations. If Esther liked someone, they were trustworthy and good to the core.
Her mind raced with the possibilities. Ferguson’s Folly was a gorgeous location with the manor house and gardens. Somedetails remained to iron out, like parking, expanding restrooms, adding an event kitchen. Ooo! And an outdoor dining area.
The paper crinkled in her hands as she pulled the letter to her heart without thinking. “Oh, no!” Essie rushed to uncrumple the stationery and finish reading.
By now, you’ve either wadded this letter up for the trash, or you’ve started making the most delicious plans. I wish I could be there to help and celebrate as you make your dreams come true.
Aunt Esther
She stared at the familiar signature, mind boggled by the contents but sad she’d finished her aunt’s last message to her. Essie carefully folded the letter and slid it back into the envelope.
“Essie! Shouldn’t you leave for your meeting in a few minutes?” Sara’s voice called through the door.
“Oh, crap! Thanks!”
Essie skyrocketed into action and pulled on clothes before racing into the bathroom to put on makeup. With sunlight now flooding the room, she came to a screeching halt as she glimpsed herself in the mirror. Unable to process that anyone had seen her like this, Essie refused to replay Zander’s expressions as she tamed her wild hair sticking out in all directions on one side while smooshed on the other and removed the smears of makeup from her face. She’d never be able to face him again.
Chapter Three
Essie arrived home with her head spinning after her conversation with Mr. Woods and parked by the side of the drive where a shiny, polished commercial truck sat blocking the garage entrance with a battered one in the circle drive. What in the world was going on? She grabbed her purse and the papers Mr. Woods had given her and rushed to the front veranda where two men stood.
“Hi. Can I help you?” Essie asked.
“Hi, ma’am. I had a meeting set up with Esther Ferguson. Are you Esther?” His pressed uniform shirt introduced him as Ben from Continental Home Construction and Remodeling.
“I did as well,” the other man blurted out. He wore an unmarked denim work shirt and well-worn jeans. “I’m Ivan Clarke of Clarke’s Remodeling Services.”
