“Yes?” Candace’s tone was impatient.
“When will you tell the children?”
Candace didn’t flinch. “Children are resilient, you know. We’ll tell them when the time comes.”
Wendell did not know that children were resilient. And he strongly suspected Candace did not, either. How could she? Candace was a childless woman making life-altering plans for the daughters of her estranged only brother.
There was one thing Wendell did know: the Lancasters had loved each other and this place most of all. One week ago, Julia and Pippa had lost almost everything. And now they would lose the rest. “The sooner you tell them, the better,” he said.
Outside the office door, there was a sudden scuffle. All three adults turned as the door flew open with such force that it banged back on its hinges.
It was Julia, a wild expression on her face. Wendell’s heart sank at the sight of her.
“Tell us what?” she barked.
FourteenJulia
The men had fled the room like rodents off a burning ship, but Julia didn’t care. She’d overheard enough from the other side of the door to know that it was her business and she had every right to know it. Mr. Banks had looked rather sorry as he gathered up his laptop and briefcase and said a hurried goodbye. And Wendell; what was he doing? At least he’d had the heart to ask about her and Pippa, but that didn’t change the fact that he was in here with her aunt, plotting behind her back. Julia made sure to catch his eye and glare as he, too, headed for the door.
Her aunt was the only one who remained, an air of irritation playing at the corners of her otherwise composed expression. “You should knock first,” she said as soon as the men exited.
“And you should tell the truth!”
“No one is hiding any truth from you,” Candace said. She’d been holding the door for the men, and now she strolled back to the chairs she and Wendell had occupied for their little meeting. “Please sit.”
“I will not,” Julia said. She crossed her arms. “What’s going on? What is this about my parents’ property being sold?”
Candace clasped her hands, and Julia felt the air in the room shift. “You and your sister have suffered an unimaginable tragedy this summer, and I am so sorry for both of you.
“But you need to recognize that my life has also changed suddenly. I’ve had to return to the States to take care of your parents’ affairs and to attend to you and Pippa.”
Julia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Were she and Pippa merelyaffairsto Candace? Two new inconveniences to contend with? She knew her aunt had no experience with children, but she’d hoped that would somehow change with time. Julia didn’t need another parent: she had a mom and dad, and no one could replace them. Besides, she was fifteen going on sixteen. Soon she’d be a real adult, and she’d be able to take care of both herself and her sister. Candace was merely a babysitter: someone to keep the house from burning down. Someone to drive them to orthodontist appointments, to make sure they had food in the fridge. She was no parent, that was for sure. “Is that what my parents’ will says? That you had to come take care of us?”
“It does. Which I plan to do, rest assured.”
“What else does it say? I have a right to know.”
“Please don’t be so dramatic, Julia. Mr. Banks and I have barely had time to review it ourselves.”
Dramatic was her friend Chloe crying for two days after a bad haircut when the stylist cut her bangs too short. All Julia wanted to know was how much worse her already ruined life was going to get. “What does the will say?” she repeated flatly.
“Your father provided for you both beautifully. Mr. Banks is in charge of financial allocations, and over the years, you will receive disbursements.”
So her aunt was not in charge of everything after all. Julia felt her insides relax just a little.
“There is plenty of money for your education when you turn eighteen. And there is discretionary money for your future when you turn twenty-five: for investment, for travel, for your first home. You’re very fortunate in that regard.”
And yet none of that would bring her parents back. Warily, Julia sat down. “I heard you say that you want to sell something.”
“Yes. The will leaves me in charge of your parents’ property.”
Julia narrowed her eyes. “My parents have lots of properties.”
“Indeed. Commercial properties, which will remain as investments for the time being. And this one, White Pines.” Candace paused. “White Pines is the one we need to figure out.”
“What do you mean,figure out?”
“As you know, I am your appointed guardian. As such, there are decisions I need to make on your behalf.”
