15. Chairwoman

15

CHAIRWOMAN

EVANGELINE

“ Y ou must be excited to hear from me. You never answer on the first ring,” Cleo exclaims.

“I’ve been busy lately, but today you happen to have good timing.” I cradle the phone while juggling my coffee as I push through the glass doors of the office building.

“So does that mean you’re not excited to hear from me?” she teases.

“I am glad you called because I’m about to do something really stupid or really brave,” I tell her.

“This sounds like I might need to make some margaritas,” Cleo declares, and I can hear the cabinets opening in the background.

“It’s ten in the morning,” I exclaim.

“Don’t forget about the time difference. It’s seven here,” she laughs, and I can hear one of the cabinet doors slam.

“That’s even worse!” I maintain indignantly.

“Relax, I’m just joking,” she reassures. “Seriously though, what’s got you in a twist?”

“Audrina Ellwood, among others,” I explain, taking a sip of my coffee while I stop in front of the elevators.

“I thought the two of you were friends?” Cleo questions. “I mean, not friends like we are…”

“Of course not,” I offer. “We’re friendly. You know how it is with these ladies.”

“No, actually I don’t.”

“You know what I meant,” I sigh. “This whole thing is hard. I’m trying to figure out where I fit in here.”

“You belong there just as much as anyone, Evan,” she insists, giving me a little boost of confidence. “What’s your plan?”

“I’m going to ask to take over the board,” I state resolutely.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about!”

“You don’t think I’m getting ahead of myself?” I ask.

“Sounds like maybe you think that,” she challenges.

“It’s complicated.” I bite my lip. “Rebecca Langley is on the board.”

“Jonathan Langley’s wife?” she questions. “Does she know about you?”

“No!” Jonathan most certainly would not have told her about me, but that doesn’t mean she hadn’t found out on her own.

I shake the thought from my mind and look up at the clock. “I have to go. I’ll call you later.” I shove my phone inside my purse and grab the next open elevator.

I race into the conference room to see Bethany placing a packet at each seat. There’s no one else in the room, so I have a few moments to speak with her before the rest of the members arrive. I would have been here earlier if Darren hadn’t distracted me. As soon as she sees me standing in the doorway, she sets the pile of reports down.

I wasn’t sure how I would be received after leaving without a word, but the smile on her face is comforting.

“Evangeline,” she exclaims, approaching me. She holds onto my arms as if inspecting me for damage. “It’s so good to see you.”

Instead of shying away from a hug, I hold onto her, thankful that she’s not angry with me. Being in Darren’s world is daunting enough but doing it without allies would be impossible.

“I’m sorry I left without letting you know,” I apologize.

“Darren said your grandmother passed. I’m so sorry.”

“Yes, thank you. I don’t want you to think I don’t finish what I start,” I say.

“No one thinks that,” she reassures me. “You should see Compton House,” she exclaims. “Someone donated five million dollars. We’ve been able to pay off the mortgage, and we’re making expansions. I can’t wait for you to see it.” She leads me over to the chairs.

“I would love to see it.” I knew Bethany would see to it the money went to good use. I set my purse purposefully on the seat at the front of the table. “I was hoping that seat on the board was still available.”

After all my trepidation, she gives me a wide smile, making me feel at ease. I know I don’t have to ask for that seat because it’s rightfully mine, being married to Darren, but I owe Bethany the courtesy. “There’s always a seat on the board for a Walker,” she says.

“Not just any seat.” I take a deep breath. “I want Merrill’s seat.”

Bethany straightens. “Oh, I see.”

“I want to talk to Audrina about it,” I continue. “But…”

“You wanted to run it by me first,” she finishes for me.

I smile because she understands. “I don’t want to step on any toes.”

“I can’t speak for Audrina. She stepped in when Merrill passed,” Bethany explains. “This was her way of honoring what Merrill built.”

“The two of you were her oldest friends,” I observe. “I want to be respectful because I understand what it means to both of you.”

“I think Audrina will appreciate that.” She slaps the last report down on the conference table just as Audrina and a few of the other board members enter the room.

“Evangeline!” Audrina gives me a hug. “It’s so good to see you. I was sorry to hear about your grandmother. I hope everything is settled?”

“Yes, thank you. There’s something I wanted to talk to you about.” Bethany gives me an encouraging smile. “I know that you took over the charity for Merrill and you’ve done such a wonderful job, but I’d like the chance to take on that responsibility.”

“I see,” Audrina blinks. She sets her purse down on the conference table and smiles at a few more members who take their seats at the table.

Rebecca Langley enters the room. “Evangeline,” she kisses my cheek. “I was so sorry to hear about your grandmother,” she apologizes.

“I appreciate that.” I respond by politely giving her hand a squeeze.

“Does this mean you’re back?” She looks between Audrina and me.

I look to Audrina before responding. “Yes, if you’ll have me.”

“Oh, don’t be silly. You’ve been missed, and you should see Compton House,” Rebecca says excitedly.

“I’ve heard.”

“We should go there today. After the meeting,” Rebecca offers. “If you have time, of course. I was inspired by you.” She goes on, to my surprise. “I’ve been helping out, finishing what you started with the clothing drive. We even started a mock interviews program. We’ve gotten volunteers from some local businesses.”

I had no idea Rebecca was so interested in Compton House. “Of course,” I relent. “I’m happy to hear that what I started was not only carried forward but expanded on.”

Audrina interrupts by standing at the head of the table and calling the meeting to order. She stands at the front of the room, her silver hair perfectly pulled back into a low bun and wearing a designer dress. She certainly looks the part.

“We have a change of agenda,” she announces, and I look across the table to Bethany. “Normally, we don’t vote on committee members until next quarter, but this is a special election.” She glances over at me. “Evangeline Walker would like to take over as chairwoman for the foundation.” All eyes are on me.

A new chairwoman isn’t something that Audrina can appoint, rather, it needs to be put to a vote. A vote from a board who barely know me.

“If you have something you’d like to say to the board before the vote, you may do so now,” Audrina addresses me, and I feel grossly unprepared, but I stand anyway.

“Thank you,” I say to Audrina, who steps aside while I take her place. “This foundation has come to be an unexpected gift.” I smile. “It gave me purpose when I needed it the most. I’m so glad to have been able to help so many women in need and I’d like the chance to do more and expand on the wonderful job that Audrina Ellwood has done.” I pause, looking over at Bethany and Audrina. “I would like to think that Merrill would approve.”

Audrina stands up and I move so she can take my place in front of the board. It’s hard to tell what she’s thinking.

“Let’s take a vote. All in favor of Evangeline taking over the foundation, raise your hand.”

Bethany raises her hand right away and I smile at her, thankful that I have at least one person on my side. I look around the table and to my surprise, Rebecca Langley raises her hand. A couple of the other board members start to raise their hands, and the few that don’t cause a tie in the vote.

I look to Audrina for what to do in this situation, but then I realize she has a vote too. Her mouth tilts into a smile as she raises her hand.

“Add it into the record that Evangeline Walker has been voted in as chairwoman for the Abigail Pershing Foundation,” Audrina declares.

“It’s time to call this meeting to order,” she announces.

I mouth the words thank you . She nods and then steps aside, motioning for me to take her place, which I do.

“Okay,” I take a breath to get my bearings. “What’s first on the agenda?”

“We have a few bids for the contractor work that’s left so we need an approval from the board,” Bethany pipes up.

I pull the report over, and we start going through the bids. I’m thankful for Bethany’s help as I get used to this new role, but it feels good.

When the meeting concludes, I pack up my things and notice Audrina heading out.

“Hey,” I reach out to her, and she stops in the doorway. We step aside so that the others can leave. “I wanted to thank you.”

“It was the right thing to do,” she insists, and although the smile on her face is perfectly pleasant, I’m not sure she’s okay.

“I didn’t have time to reach out to you before the meeting. I’m sorry if it came as a surprise,” I apologize.

“To be honest, yes,” she admits, and I brace myself. “I know how much effort you put in at Compton House, but… I think you’re right.”

I shake my head. “Right about what?”

She steps forward and touches my arm. I can see a twinge of sadness in her eyes. “Merrill would have liked to have you take over the board.”

“How do you know that?” I inquire.

“Because I knew Merrill,” she insists. “It was an honor to take over the board for her but it’s time to hand that over to you.”

Never did I think Audrina would make me cry.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Rebecca interjects. “I wanted to know if you’d like to go to Compton House with me? I can show you all the wonderful changes.”

“Oh, yeah. I’d love to,” I confirm.

“I was also hoping you’d be able to go to lunch with me afterwards?” she asks.

How will I be able to look her in the eye, knowing that her husband hired me to sleep with him but was denied the pleasure, and hasn’t forgotten about what he’s owed?