When she left to do as she was asked, Addie turned to her mother. She sat there looking at Addie like she wanted to murder her. Her father looked at her no differently. Addie asked Nick to let her father go, and Addie watched as he straightened his suit and tie before addressing her.
“Now. This is the way we’re going to do this. Milly will not be calling the police, and if she has, then this is what you’re going to tell them. That you’ve only just gotten here after…after you’ve been kidnapped for so long and you were frightened. That will play nicely for the papers. You’ll, of course, have to stay in a nice facility for a time, just to make sure that you’re well. Then after that, you’ll live with someone who will care for you until such time as arrangements can be made for you to be out in the public again.” Addie shook her head. “Addison, I’m not going to put up with this any longer. You’ll do as you’re told for once in your life.”
“I’m going to live here. In my house, with my husband.” Addie took Nick’s hand when he put it out for her. “You will live where you want. How you want, and you will have to find a job, I guess.”
“Addison, what is wrong with you?” Addie turned to her mother, and her smile made Addie feel dirty and nasty. “This is not the way we do things. We’re Wests, and Wests do not marry the first man that comes along. If you insist on getting married after a time, we’ll find someone for you. Benson, darling, put out the word now that we’re in the market for a husband for Addison. He’ll have to be older than her. Someone that is established, and he must have his own money. We’re not parting with ours now that we have it back.”
Addie moved to the door, taking Nick with her. She was nearly to it when she heard the sirens. Her grandmother was right behind them when she opened the door for the police. This was going to be hard on her, she knew it. On both of them, she supposed. It was her mom and her grandmother’s daughter, but enough was enough. Smiling to the first officer in the door, she told him what was going on.
Within two hours, her parents were being led out of the house and into a waiting cab. Closing the door behind them, she leaned against it and cried. The strong arms around her had her turning into Nick’s chest and sobbing out her pain.
It took her an hour to settle the house. Most of the staff were glad to have her parents gone, and the few that weren’t were out the door almost as fast as her parents had been. She looked at the remaining staff and then at the house. Benson had told her that everything was taken care of, that all she had to do was sign the deed and the paperwork that would make her the richest woman in the world.
“There will be a great many changes.” May, who had been hiding in the other room until her parents had left, told her good. “Not all of them will be good, I’m afraid. Most will, I hope, but there will be some bumps in the road. I’ve never taken care of a house before.”
“We’ll help you.” May patted her on the back as she moved toward the telephone and picked it up. “I’m going to order pizzas. I’ve not had that many, and I’m finding that I’ve no energy to cook tonight.”
The entire staff sat in the dining room while Benson told them what was going to happen. The garage sale was going to be a little lighter because Nick and Addie agreed to let the staff have what they wanted of the household furniture, as she and Nick were going to start anew. Things were already looking up.
Her grandmother was in the living room just after things were cleaned up and Addie went to sit with her.
“I’m very proud of you.” Addie kissed her on the cheek and hugged her to her. “I just spoke to Bentley. He said to tell you that he’s proud of you as well.”
“I talked to him before coming here. I’ve asked him to live with us. He said that only if it was your desire. I’m hoping that you’ll say yes.” Her grandmother looked in the corner of the room and Addie did as well. “Grandda is there. I can see him.”
“I see him too. He told me that I’m going to be here awhile yet.” Addie felt her heart twist and she asked her what she meant. “I thought that now that you’re all settled that I’d just go and see him. But he said no. I have things to do here.”
“I should hope so. I know nothing about being the rich and famous.” Her grandmother smiled. “You can’t leave me, I need you. You’re all I have in the world.”
“You have Nick.” Addie nodded, but it wasn’t the same, she told her grandmother. “He’s in love with you. I’ve never seen a love like he has for you. Reminds me of my Jacob.”
“I love him too. He told me that even though he thinks that you’re an odd old bird, he loves you a great deal.” Her grandmother smiled. “Please say you’ll live with us. I really do need you. I have to learn how to be a West again.”