Page 5 of Nigel

"That'sprejudicial and you know it. Grace proposed to me."

"That's becauseyou were pussyfooting around the subject for a year. Marla and I justmet two months ago."

"You have apoint."

"Precisely. Andyou are on for Saturday. I have to take a quick trip to Italy onFriday but will be back by the afternoon on Saturday."

"How is theproject going?"

"Wonderful. Ineed to scout out some material, something I cannot assign to anyoneelse."

"And we bothknow how much of a perfectionist you are."

"Right."Instead of putting on the jacket, he slung it over his arm and pickedup his keys. "I am running late for a meeting. Thanks."

"That's whatfriends are for."

The wind had pickedup somewhat when he made his way out to the parking lot. The scent ofroses blooming in the circular garden hung in the air and the scentof rain that had fallen this morning was very pleasing. Nigel tookthe time to sniff, before sliding into the vehicle. Touching thescreen, he dialed the private number to his office.

"I am running afew minutes behind."

"I have alreadycalled the restaurant to alert them of that fact," his assistanttold him in her cultured tone.

"Thanks,"he grunted as he navigated through midday traffic. "I should bethere in fifteen minutes."

"I will let themknow."

Clicking off, heconcentrated on the road. It did not bother him that much that he wasforty-five and still unmarried.

He kept tellinganyone who asked that he was married to his company and that wastrue. If at some point, he found himself longing to be with someonewho truly understood him, that might change. Adjusting the mirror, heplowed into traffic until he turned off at the intersection.

Sliding to a stop, hepushed the door open as the valet rushed forward to hold the dooropen and take the key fob.

The setting wassurreal. The place belonged to a friend and club member and was runby the beautiful and classy Chantelle Lee who had just recentlyreturned after being on maternity leave for six weeks.

"I neverexpected to be met by management," he said teasingly as she cameforward.

"Your seatingarrangements have been changed. You are out on the east terrace."

"It's a lovelyday for it. How is the young one?"

"Keeping us upat nights." She lifted her face for his kiss before leading theway.

Chapter 2

Ava automaticallyleaned against Kyle’s shoulder when he came next to her and putan arm around her. She was fighting back tears.

The year had gone byso quickly that it was difficult to realize that their mother hadbeen gone for twelve months. The family were gathered around theplot. Fortunately, they had managed to secure a place close enough tothe father they never really knew.

It was a lovelyspring afternoon with birds tweeting from various trees. Lionel hadnot exaggerated about the flowers. There were varieties. Their motherhad loved gardening and had turned the large grounds into ashowpiece. Ava had not inherited her green thumb and had hiredsomeone to maintain the place.

The two grandchildrenwere grouped together. Michael was twenty-six and working in hisuncle’s law firm and fourteen-year-old Chloe was in school.Maria, Lionel’s wife was standing with Kyle’s wife,Dahlia and they were both deep in conversation.

“I have thefeeling that she is looking down from wherever and smiling,”Ava said with a sniff.

“She would haveenjoyed the gathering,” Lionel murmured as he came to stand onthe other side of her. They had brought folding chairs and a tableand enough food to feed an army. The Saturday afternoon had broughtout several family members paying respect to their dead.

“She wouldhave.” Jeffry came forward to join forces and made a unit. Allfour of them stared at the simple headstone that had her name, dateof birth and date of death etched in black letters. And the simplephrase that said beloved mom, grandmother and wife.

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