Chapter 2

The prolonged silence was becoming uncomfortable. Ellie had only agreed to the dinner invitation because her mother had insisted on it.

"I have not seen you in weeks. And your father told me you visited him a few days ago. I am your mother, surely, I deserve the same courtesy?" She had made it sound like a competition which had pissed Ellie off.

But Eleanor knew how to pile on the guilt. Now she was here in the cold and clinical apartment having dinner on the balcony overlooking the city. Her mother loved the spotlight and had chosen a place in the middle of the uptown area with all its bustle and bright lights.

Ellie adored the city as well, but she preferred someplace where the lights were not vying or obscuring the pale orb of the moon and the brilliance of the stars. And she did not like the sounds of traffic whizzing by or staring at the lights from the towering buildings surrounding the apartment.

Her mother had retired from acting or so she declared several times, but every now and then, a plum part would come up and she would be charmed into going back in.

"That's all Marge!" She dismissed the housekeeper with a flick of one elegant hand. During the meal, they discussed inconsequential things, like the weather and the ending of summer and her mother's trip to Europe to do some shopping.

"You are leaving for a week."

"I am…" Picking up the delicate wine glass, she took a sip.

"What's the name of the place?"

"River Glades."

"I have never heard of it."

"It's a tiny town that has been put on the map because of Axel Lakeside."

"I hear rumors that he is some kind of recluse."

Ellie smiled at the slightly scornful tone in her mother's well-modulated voice.

"Something like that."

"He doesn't really go out in public, does he?"

"So, I have heard."

Dark brown eyes studied her, critically. One of the reasons Ellie tried to stay away from her mother was the fact that she was constantly under the microscope. Eleanor Bailey was a beauty and even though she was fifty-eight years old, she had managed to maintain her youthfulness.

Critics and fans alike gushed about her flawless complexion, and many wondered if she had help cosmetically.

Her hair – thick and processed was brushed back from her face and styled at the back of her neck into an elegant chignon. Her makeup was superbly applied. The dress she was wearing was of fine apricot silk, the collar decorated with white Venetian lace. Diamonds were at her throat and her lobes.

Ellie had made an effort to dress up , but she was afraid that where her mother was concerned, she had not done a particularly decent job. She considered the chic apple green sleeveless dress appropriate dinner wear, but one could never tell with Eleanor.

After the endless and exhausting routine of putting on and taking off makeup when she was a model, she now preferred to go without most of the time.

"You look a little pale."

Ellie cut into her veal and concentrated on slicing it into bite sized pieces as she waited for the chance to cool down a little before responding. Her mother was easily slighted and when that happened, she could hold a grudge for months. Ellie did not have time for a war – not even a cold one.

"I have been running around trying to get ready for the trip."

That response was met by a few minutes silence. "I wish you would find someone and settle down." Eleanor picked up her glass by the stem and studied the ruby red liquid critically. "Marva has a son…. "

"I have met Marva's son, and he is as dull as a dishwater. I don't need you setting me up with anyone."

"He has a very successful law firm and is prominent in society. He has hopes to go into politics."

"Good for him."

"He stands a good chance of making it to the White House."

"I wish him all the best." The conversation had taken its usual turn and Ellie was ready to call it a night. But leaving prematurely would only make the situation worse. "My career…. "

"I really thought it was a hobby."

She tamped down the anger and the words that were trying hard to spew.

"It is a career and I happen to love it. I also happen to be incredibly good at it."

Lips pursed; Eleanor stared at her. "You are already twenty-eight and before you know it, you are heading into biological decline."

Ellie lifted a brow and could not help but laugh. "Is that a thing?"

"If it's not, it should be." A cold mask had descended on her mother's face and Ellie knew that she was in for a long lecture, something she did not want to deal with right now.

She had rushed from the magazine to her place, so she could get ready and spruce herself up to have dinner with her mother, something she had to force herself to do. And she had deadlines.

An article she was writing needed some finishing touches and she still had to finalize her travel details. She tended to leave everything at the last minute, which almost always got her into trouble.

She hated packing and would end up flinging things into her suitcase without the least bit of care. She had done the research and realized that while September was humid and mostly hot here, it wasn't the same for River Glades.

The place was full of rivers and mountains, which contributed to the temperature dropping at an alarming rate. She had also read that the rainfall was in the seventy percentile.

"If you are thinking of getting married and having children…"

"I am not!" Pushing the plate away and hoping she would not offend the housekeeper – she liked the woman and applaud her for putting up with her mother - but her appetite was nonexistent. "I think you have done enough for both of us."

Eleanor's eyes flared, and her lips tightened. "I don't need you to sit judgement on me."

"I wouldn't be doing so if you would just stop trying to make me into something I am not." Placing the napkin carefully next to her plate, she pushed back her chair.

"I am sorry, mother, but I have to go. I have a million things to see to before I leave, and I am way behind."

A cold silence met her sentence and Ellie resigned herself to the fact that she would not receive a phone call in the next week or two.

"I, …I will see you when I get back."

Blatantly ignoring her, Eleanor turned her attention to the meal in front of her, clearly dismissing her.

Hesitating slightly in case there was some thawing in her demeanor, Ellie stood there for a few seconds before leaving the room. She was halfway to the door when Marge hurried to catch up to her.

"I was hoping you would stay for dessert." The woman beamed at her fondly as she fetched her light jacket. "I made pudding, just the way you like it."

"With the treacle on top?"

"And a side of whipped cream."

"I would have loved a slice, but I have to run."

Marge gave her an understanding look and shook her head. "She loves you; you know."

Ellie shrugged, "she does not show it." Leaning down, she kissed Marge's weathered cheek. "You have been more of a mother to me than she ever was."

The housekeeper pressed her against her ample bosom. "Take care of yourself, child."

Pulling the heavy doors open, she made her escape and went towards her car with a sigh of relief.

*****

"More coffee and fruit cake?" Caitlin hovered at her son's side with the coffee pot in her hand.

Shaking his head, he patted his stomach ruefully. "I am going to have to spend an extra thirty minutes on the treadmill when I get home." Taking the pot from her, he placed it on the snowy white tablecloth and took her hand. "If you continue to feed me like this, I am going to be twice my size."

Her eyes went moist as she stared at him. He had done her proud, exceeded every expectation and given her and his sister every creature comfort imaginable. She was still getting used to having maids on hand and insisted on doing the cooking herself.

Placing a kiss on his brow, she brushed back a lock of coffee brown hair that had drifted to his forehead. "You need a wife."

"When I find one that matches your attributes, I am going to jump all over it," he grinned at her.

Patting his shoulder, she moved away to go and put the coffee pot down. "Okay, you two, shoo and let us clear the table."

Pushing back his chair, Axel went around to pull out the one his sister was sitting on.

"Take the rest of the wine with you. The patio is lovely at this time of night," their mother instructed.

Plucking the bottle from its cold bed, Axel scooped up the two glasses and preceded his sister out the double glass doors that led directly to the wide patio. Selecting the wicker chairs placed around a white lawn table, he lowered himself into it and watched as Cathy did the same. "Wine?"

"When have I ever said no?" Picking up her glass, she handed it to him. When he had replenished her glass, she sat back and closed her eyes in appreciation. "I love the view from here."

He agreed with her. The patio faced a gently flowing brook and his mother's brilliant garden that was blooming in profusion. A gently breeze was blowing on the palm trees and wafting the scent of nature in full bloom towards them. He had bought two adjoining properties and combined them.

He had also hired a landscaper from out of town to tend to the grounds, the result one of stunning beauty. There was a pool that could be seen from where they were sitting as well as a tennis and basketball court. He and Cathy were very athletic and whenever he was in town, he would make use of the amenities.

"How is the guy?"

His sister sent him a why look that spoke volumes. "He has a name."

"Gary, is it?"

"Gregory."

"When am I going to meet him?"

"When I decide that you will not frighten him off. He is intimidated by your success and who wouldn't be? He is a simple schoolteacher, earning a public servant's salary."

"I admire civil servants. You happen to be one." He pointed out with a smile.

"But I am a teacher whose brother happens to be a multi-billionaire. I don't have to work for a living. My bank account is loaded, I never touch my salary. I travel whenever I am on vacation, and I have adopted several children in the community – ones I am responsible for."

She waved the hand holding the glass in the general vicinity. I really like him, he appears to be the right guy, but he is afraid he does not measure up."

Axel studied his sister for a few seconds. They both looked like their mother and had inherited her thick coffee brown hair and golden eyes. Which to his mind was a blessing.

The bastard who had sired them had hightailed it out of town right after Cathy was born, leaving their mother to fend for herself. They owed everything to her and as far as he was concerned, she was a bloody hero. He was afraid that he was looking for a woman with her wonderful qualities and so far, had not discovered any.

"Are you sure you are not using that as an excuse not to be with the guy?"

"His name is Gregory," she said irritably, "and that's ridiculous."

"Is it?" Stretching his legs out, he took a sip of his wine. "We are both screwed up where relationships are concerned."

"You more than me," Cathy remarked quietly, her eyes wandering over his profile. To the world, he was this mega phenomenon – a man who had turned the business world inside out and achieved so much.

But to her, he was just her brother, one who had fought for them, who had protected her when she was being bullied at school, because of the hand me downs they had been forced to wear to school. He was her hero. He gave them everything and Gregory had remarked on that.

"What would I be contributing to the relationship?" He had asked that very valid question. "I cannot afford to give you fine jewelries and fancy cars. Your brother has already seen to that."

Her car was not fancy, but it was brand new and had been bought with cash, leaving her free of debt. She could do anything she wanted, buy anything. Her brother's private jet was available to her, and her mother and they had taken trips around the world.

"You were more forgiving."

"That's because he left when I was just a baby."

"I was five and even then, I saw the signs that he was heading out the door. He would come home drunk most of the time and sullen as if the entire world was against him. Mom used to try her best to make things comfortable, but it was never appreciated."

"You still put him in a nursing home to live out his days."

"He was family, and it would have been recorded by the damn press that I was a monster." He shot the rest of his wine and put down the glass.

"He wanted to make amends."

"He wanted a piece of the action," Axel said bitterly. "He was a lousy father and an even worse husband. We were well rid of him." He poured some more wine. "This guy …"

She didn't remind him of the name.

"Yes?"

"Invite him to dinner."

"With you here?"

He shot her an amused look. "I want to meet him."

"He is not going to want to attend."

"Then it makes me wonder if he has an ulterior motive."

"That…,"- she pointed her glass at him. "That right there, that suspicious look on your face, the skepticism, and the reluctance not to even call him by name, is the very reason he is afraid to show his face around here. Mom met him."

"And?"

"She likes him."

"She likes everyone. She is too sweet for her own good."

"And you are too cynical for yours."

"Invite him to dinner. I promise to be on my best behavior." A smile lurked in his golden eyes.

"Yeah, right," she snorted. "Now tell me about this article."

"It's a pain in the ass." He grumbled, making her laugh.

*****

Upstairs in her elegant blue and cream bedroom that overlooked the patio, Caitlin gazed out at the two children seated there in perfect camaraderie. She was blessed to have such well-behaved children, ones who had made it in life.

Her Axel was a major success, everyone in town spoke his name. He had not turned his back on River Glades, but after making his immense fortune, had come back to build them a house, one that was much too big for just two people, but it was lovely and gracious.

And he had spruced up the park, rebuilt the three high and elementary schools and was rebuilding the library and giving the park a facelift. He also was building a museum, and a theater.

Her heart was fairly bursting from her chest. Picking up the expensive bottle of cream, Cathy had insisted on buying her when they visited an exclusive boutique in Paris, she wandered over to the bay window to get a better look at her two children.

The only worry she had was that he would not find someone who was worthy of him, someone who would look beyond the money and see his heart.

Axel was tough, he had hardened over the years when he had to fight to get to the top. She had seen the hope fading from his eyes to be replaced by considerable hurt when her husband had finally left home.

He had stepped up to become the man of the house, even at that tender age and had sworn to her that he would get them out of this life of poverty, and he had kept his promise and then some.

Uncapping the unscented cream, she dipped two fingers into the airy lightness and rubbed it into her skin. The well-dressed sales associate had assured them that after several days of using it, they would begin to see marked improvement and tightening of the skin.

If it had been up to her, she would have left it, especially after hearing how horribly expensive it was. But Cathy had insisted and like her brother, she was as stubborn as a mule.

"Axel wants you to have anything you want, and money is no object."

"This could feed a child for months."

"You already feed most of the children in River Glades and send money to every missionary outside the US." Cathy had told her firmly. "Now it is time to concentrate on you. We do not have to pinch pennies anymore mom, so let's enjoy it."

She was still struggling to acclimatize herself to being waited on. Axel had insisted on hiring a housekeeper plus two maids. When she had protested, he had convinced her that the women needed the salary, and he was right.

But it felt strange. Every bit of it. Reading about her son's success in the papers, hearing him referred to as a financial genius had the ability to make her weep like a baby. But having a lot of money was not enough.

He needed someone and she had hoped he would have found a nice young woman by now. She had seen the photos of him with different celebrities, one every week, and it made her feel sad and disappointed.

She knew it had something to do with his father running out on them and to compound things, that dreadful woman had betrayed him by being with another man.

Caitlin could not understand how a woman could cheat on someone like him. But the Lord knows best, and it was better he found out about her before he tied the knot and made things permanent.

But oh, she wanted to see him married and with a child. She wanted a grandchild so much, someone to spoil. With a sigh, she moved away from the window and went to put away the cream. She had hopes that it would happen soon, and she was not giving up.

*****

"When is she due to arrive?"

"I thought it would have been announced all over town and placed on billboards."

Cathy laughed at the pained look on his face. "The mayor must have forgotten that tiny detail. I did hear several of the teachers whispering about it. Apparently, this woman, Ellie Logan was a model – a lingerie model…" She rolled her eyes. "Quite beautiful and more than a minor celebrity. Her mom was an actress – is an actress."

"You seem to be abreast."

"You are a major celebrity and everything you do makes news. Who knows? It might be fun."

"I just wanted to be left in peace."

"Then you should have stopped making money. And I hear she is very good. I have in fact read several of her articles."

He cast her a glance. "Don't tell me you are a fan," he snorted.

"What if I am?" She asked defensively. "Her writing is brilliant, and she has a way of getting to the heart of the matter." She slid him a thoughtful look. "She might be just what you need in more ways than one."

He frowned at her. "Stop playing Cupid."

"You need someone."

"I had someone."

"Not that greedy bitch. I never liked her. She would pretend that she was all over you until you left the room. She thought that mom and I were white trash."

"Did she actually say that?"

"No, but it was there loud and clear. You are well rid of her."

"I concur." That was also a topic he did not like to explore. Serena had pretended she was in love with him when the only thing she had been after was his money and what he could give her.

He was still bitter, but it was healing. She had been calling him lately, but he refused to take the calls, hoping she would take the hint. He wanted nothing to do with her. Finishing the wine, he rose. "I think I will walk to the house from here to clear my head."

Hauling her out of the chair, he brushed his lips against her cheek and took off.