Page 32 of Spilling the Tea

Zoey beamed happily. “I will make myself available.”

Felicia Laverne nodded. “Good,” she said, patting Zoey’s hand. “When will you be revisiting Chancellor’s ranch?”

Zoey sighed deeply. “I believe I wore out my welcome the last time I was there. I probably won’t get another invitation to come back.”

“Poppycock. The key to your returning memory is that ranch and all the surrounding land. I recall your mother, Michelle, as a young woman. Like Arabella, she was such a pretty girl. She would join her parents here during the summers while in college. I recall how much she enjoyed riding horses. Your father did as well. Chancellor should give you a tour of his property on horseback.”

“I rode on my own to the lake the other day. I was grateful to him for letting me borrow one of his horses. Although I felt something while there, I didn’t remember anything, which was frustrating.”

“Don’t get frustrated, Zoey. Give your memory time. I believe it will return. You should return to the lake since it was in your dreams.”

Suddenly, Felicia Laverne remembered something. “Maybe that wasn’t the lake. There is another lake with a cabin on the property toward the east side.” Forcing to the back of her mind who that cabin had been built for, she added, “I recall it was where your parents often stayed whenever they came to visit Michelle’s parents. I guess as a young married couple, they preferred their privacy.”

“Chance didn’t mention there were two lakes.”

“He probably didn’t think about it. When the Johnstones bought the ranch, they did not need a cabin that far away from their ranch house. They sold that parcel of land. Since it was sold before Chance purchased the ranch, it’s not his property.”

“Oh,” Zoey said in a disappointed voice.

“But don’t worry, dear. I know the person who bought it.He’s a childhood friend of three of my grandsons and is an honorary member of the Madaris family. His name is Trevor Grant. He and his wife, Corinthians, live on the opposite outskirts of the city and use the cabin as a getaway to enjoy the lake.”

Felicia Laverne remembered the time Trevor had loaned the cabin to his friend Sir Drake Warren and his now-wife Tori, two former CIA agents, who were hiding out from an assassin. “Um, come to think of it, that cabin might be perfect.”

Zoey raised an arched brow. “Perfect?”

“Yes. This is my last week with my son Nolan and his wife, Bessie. I’ll return to my son Jake’s home at Whispering Pines next week. I’ll be there for the next six months. It will be closer for you.”

“Closer?” Zoey asked.

“Yes. You don’t need to stay in one of those pricey hotels and drive to Whispering Pines to chat with me. That particular property borders Whispering Pines. I can’t see why Trevor wouldn’t let you use the cabin while you’re here.”

A huge smile touched Zoey’s face. “You think that he would?”

“I don’t see why not. I’ll call him this weekend.”

“Thank you so much for everything. You’ve been most kind.”

At that moment, Corbin entered the patio. Felicia Laverne frowned. “I don’t recall sending word for you to come, Corbin.”

“You didn’t have to. Everybody knows when it’s your nap time.” He grinned.

Felicia Laverne knew that was true. “Make sure Zoey gets back to her hotel safely. She and I will talk again one day next week.” She turned to Zoey, smiled, and said, “I enjoyed our chat, dear, and I can’t wait to see you next week. And by the way, the Madaris family will host their annual family reunion in July. I hope you’ll attend, so I can introduce you to all my sons and their families.”

“Thank you, Ms. Felicia Laverne. It was kind of you to invite me, and I would love to attend.”

***

When Felicia Laverne awakened from her nap, she’d discovered Victoria, her first-born great-granddaughter, and her husband, Senator Roman Malone, had made a surprise visit from Washington, DC.

The couple happily announced to everyone they were expecting. Their news filled the entire house with overwhelming joy. Although Victoria and Roman had been married for only six months, they wanted to start a family immediately.

When Felicia Laverne showed the couple what she’d begun knitting weeks ago, letting them know that she’d known but had kept their secret, Victoria had thrown her head back and laughed before giving her a huge hug.

Later that night, Felicia Laverne placed her knitting aside. Sitting on the side of her bed, she gazed at her wedding picture and thought about that day and how happy she and Milton had been. It was a day some thought would not happen. But she and Milton had loved and trusted each other and had been determined to be together.

She closed her eyes at the thought of being unable to remember precious moments in her life…like Zoey Pritchard was unable to do. Just thinking of such a thing was disheartening. She’d watched Corbin and Zoey and hadn’t felt anything there. No chemistry. No attraction. The two had established a relationship built on friendship and nothing more. That made her wonder about Chance, who claimed he’d been too busy to bring Zoey to meet her, which was why Corbin had done so.

Had he been that busy, or was there another, more profound reason for his absence?

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