I laughed at her absurdity. “I found the picture in the scrapbook. At first, I thought it was Worth and then realized the timing was all wrong and this man was shorter. You were in the picture, so surely you knew him.”
“Oh, your father was forever throwing those barbecues and I suppose he knew Worthington and included him. I didn’t keep up with all your father’s friends,” she said, although I noted that she called him by his full name and not simply “Worth.” Perhaps he was, indeed, the power-wielding man Worth suggested he was and giving him a nickname seemed too disrespectful. I was glad Worth didn’t feel that way, although I suspected he encouraged people to call him Worth as a means of demeaning the first name he’d inherited. If there ever was more of a rebel than me, it was Worth.
It made me feel warm inside to defend him and to consider him as belonging to me.
After I put the clothes away, I called a friend of mine who had graduated from law school at UK and made an appointment for the next day. I would ask his help in creating the foundation. Then would come the test of asking Jessup for the first donation, as Worth suggested. The prospect didn’t scare me, but it did make me wonder once again what Worth had done to turn things around so dramatically.
I knew, instinctively, that the men in our set were accustomed to handling business deals outside the office. This had long been their tradition and huge transactions went down on the strength of a handshake. Nevertheless, this was becoming a way of the past as new money continued to infiltrate the establishment, and they brought with them their rules and legal advisors. I didn’t want Worth to somehow overlook the transition in how things were done, or to get caught out of his element and be unable to maneuver his way out of the predicament by calling in old favors. He was a grown man, however, and I’d have to trust him as he was asking me to do.
In reflection, I could see that perhaps I’d been unfair to him and wondered whether I should feel obligated to make it up to him in some way. I hadn’t heard from him since the dinner I’d left; he was giving me time to cool down. He not only knew me as a person but as a patient. He understood how I reacted and I doubted he took offense at anything I’d said or done. I just wanted to make sure, though. I went to bed that night feeling considerably more cheerful than when I’d awakened. I had no inkling, however, of how drastically my life was about to change.
***
I rose early and dressed in semi-business attire. I was to meet Brandon Knotts, my friend from college at eleven but had asked him to meet me outside Sunset Village instead of at his office. I think he’d always had a crush on me and was only too glad to hear my voice on the phone and accommodate where I wanted to meet.
I saw his eyes light up a bit as I climbed out of my car. I’d worn one of my new suits, soft pink with a rather short skirt. He kissed my cheek and held on perhaps a bit too long for casual greeting, but I let him get away with it.
“This is it,” I said, waving my hand toward Sunset Village.
“This is what?” he asked, looking without really seeing.
“I want to start a foundation and have the proceeds benefit this home for retirees. I have a friend who is here and it’s pretty dismal inside. I want to improve life here. Who knows where this might lead.”
“And you want me to do the legal work,” he followed, grinning.
“Yes, of course you will. Remember that I know where your skeletons are buried,” I reminded him, smiling.
“You always were a little dickens, Auggie. Seeing anyone these days?” he asked. Brandon could be counted on never to overlook the details.
“Maybe, maybe not,” I said mysteriously. No point in bursting the boy’s bubble until I’d gotten out of him what I wanted.
Brandon turned to look at the home and asked, “So, Auggie, dear, what are you hoping to accomplish with this foundation?” His brown eyes were warm and I remembered him as having a big heart. He was looking especially handsome in a light tan suit and the changing leaves on the trees provided the perfect foil.
“Well, I would like to add some activities to benefit the residents. A stable for carriage horses, an arts and crafts wing, a dialysis clinic, an expanded dining room and a movie theater to begin with.”
“I’m impressed. In fact, I may decide to live here myself,” he teased.
“Relax, Romeo, there’s no one there who’s your type, but I’m sure we can find something useful for you to do.”
“I don’t doubt that… don’t doubt that at all,” his voice was thoughtful. “Well, let me go inside and have a chat with the administrator and see what we’re dealing with. I suggest you leave this to me and I’ll be in touch. What about property?”
I pointed to acreage behind and alongside the home. “Take your pick. Figure out how much you want and Dad will help us get the owner to sell or maybe even donate it.”
“You don’t miss a trick, do you, Auggie?”
“That’s why I ride,” I sidetracked.
“I hope he knows what he’s getting,” he commented.
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t be coy. You know exactly who I mean. It’s all over your face. Don’t panic. I’ll still help you, but don’t forget me if things don’t work out. Deal?” He laughed and hugged me.
“Deal!”
“Okay, now go away. I’ll be in touch.”
I left Brandon gathering up his laptop and briefcase and got into my car. On the horizon were heavy, dark clouds, drooping like leaves that were trying to hold back the winter that wasn’t far behind. I shivered, knowing my riding days were soon to be curtailed.
My cell rang and I grabbed it up, keeping one hand on the wheel. It was Worth. “Hello there,” I said in the most neutral tone I could manage.
“Busy?”
“Just left my attorney at the home,” I filled him in.
“As a patient or as a promoter?”
“Very cute.” I couldn’t tell if he was teasing me nicely or being a jerk.
“Have an hour or so?”
I thought about it a moment and decided whether to rush home and ride Carlos before the weather came in or whether Worth deserved another chance. “Okay, where do I meet you? I’m not in dinner clothes,” I informed him.
“Good, because I wasn’t talking dinner. In fact, business wear is just fine. Meet me on Morley Road at Lexington.”
I thought momentarily. “That’s the McLean farm,” I pointed out and wondered what was going on.
“See you there,” he finished the conversation and the line went dead.
Now, what’s he up to? I rolled my eyes and began to reconsider. The clouds were building even more and I wasn’t dressed for rain. Nevertheless, I’d promised myself to trust him so I drove to the McLean place and saw him waiting for me. I pulled in behind his car and he came back, offering a hand to help me out of the Mercedes.
“Hi,” he said, kissing me briefly, but warmly. At least I was definitely feeling warmer after his lips left mine.