Turns out wait was about all I did. The note had said noon. It was a quarter to one by the time they came back. My mind was already racing with the kind of terror really only parents know.
“Jesus, what happened?” I asked as Chase got Katie down off his back. “Mommy!” Katie said, toddling toward me at high speed, making it most of the way before going down. “There was a complication,” Chase said. “Hi again,” Whitney said, appearing behind him. “Oh, um, I'll leave you alone to talk,” I said, picking up Katie. “This actually involves you too,” Chase said, grabbing my arm. “It does?” I asked, not quite understanding what was going on. “Yes,” he said in a way that made me sit back down. Chase waved Whitney in and closed the door behind her. Whitney came over and sat on the overstuffed chair as Chase made for the minibar. Pouring a Glenfiddich for him and a Brown Cow for Whitney, he came back over and sat down next to me on the couch.
“Sorry, we've both had a bit of a shock,” he said, punctuating the statement with a sip from his tumbler. “What happened?” I asked, getting nervous again and clutching Katie to me. “Etta,” Whitney said, taking a sip of her own drink. “Oh,” I said, sure I would never hear that name again. “She's gone,” Chase added. “That's good, right?” I asked, not sure what he was getting at. “Very good,” he agreed. “I can't really argue,” Whitney said. “Especially since she took money from you,” Chase said. “Oh, no, I never gave her any cash. She asked, and I wrote her a check. I already canceled it.”
“Smart,” Chase said, impressed by his sister’s thinking, if nothing else.
“She really is oily,” Whitney said, as though realizing this for the first time. My heart really went out to her. I knew what it was like to find out that someone you loved wasn't who you thought they were.
“Don't beat yourself up or let it make you cynical. She had me fooled for the better part of a decade, so I speak from experience,” Chase said. “I guess,” Whitney said, clearly still hurt, “How much did you spend on the hotel?” Chase asked. “Two grand, why?” Whitney asked. Without a word, Chase got out his checkbook and an expensive-looking marble themed fountain pen. The kind of writing instrument that tended to come in polished wooden cases with attached price tags ranging from fifty to eighty dollars. Quick as could be seen, Chase wrote and pulled out a check form, giving it to Whitney. “Oh, no, I can't, really.”
“You can and you will,” Chas said, putting away his checkbook and pen. “But—” “Trust me, I owe you.” Chase said. “How?” Whitney said, looking at the check with something resembling wonder. “Etta isn't the only one who was lying,” Chase said. “What?” Whitney asked, looking like she was going to cry. “I wasn't straight with you about my relationship with Ashlyn,” he explained. “Are you sure?” I asked, not wanting him to do anything he might regret. “Yes,” he said firmly. “Whitney, I lied to you. Ashlyn and I are not engaged. We didn't even know each other before a week ago. We came together through circumstance when I saw her asshole of a landlord throwing her out and did my best to help the situation, which included having her and Katie stay here. My friend Ann, do you remember Ann Howell?” “Yes,” Whitney said, quietly. “Well, she said that she knew lots of people, herself included, who successfully used fake fiancés to get themselves out of all sorts of jams. I know it's a bit twisted, but I figured even better than that would be a fake family. A beautiful fiancée and cute step-daughter to put Etta off for good,” Chase explained. “Did you know?” Whitney asked, looking straight at me. “Yes, but I didn't know the whole story.” “What whole story?” Chase and Whitney asked in unison. “That Etta was still into Chase.” “Into my money,” Chase pointed out. “Yeah, I can see that.” Whitney agreed. “Well yeah, she tried to get your inheritance too and actually did rip you off on the flight and the hotel. That's why I owe you. If I hadn't gone on with this stupid charade, you would have been staying here instead of at a hotel.” “You wish we weren't here?” I asked, his words like a knife in my heart. “Not at all. I don't regret for a moment helping with the landlord or taking you in. I've really liked having you around. I just wish we hadn't tried to do the whole fake relationship thing. I should have just stood up to Etta and told her the truth from the beginning.” “Can't argue with that,” I agreed. “So, what do we do now?” Whitney asked. Chase looked at her and then me. “Well, I would really like Ashlyn and Katie to stay if they want to. I would also like to pursue a real relationship, but that would probably be too much too soon.”
“We can work it out,” I said, unable to keep from smiling.
“I would like to stay, too, if that would be okay,” Whitney said, “I have a lot of making up to do.”
Her brother smiled and nodded.
Chapter Seventeen
Ashlyn
I was never too big on Mondays. With piano music followed by claps playing in my head, I rolled out of bed and went into the guest room. I woke Katie to get her ready for the day — moving in a sort of fugue state. Katie was as spritely as ever.
After getting my daughter bathed and dressed, I got her into her highchair doing my best to get her to pay attention long enough to eat the yummy blender mush I had mixed up for her.
“Morning,” Whitney sang, stretching in her position on the couch. “How can anyone be that happy in the morning?” I asked Katie. “Birdie!” Katie said, pointing to the tree outside the patio door. “Indeed, it is,” I agreed. “Is there any coffee?” Whitney asked, wandering over to the kitchen, clad in panties and a T-shirt. “I'll put some on, kid,” Chase said, emerging from the master bedroom, already looking dapper in a navy blue, pin-striped suit. “Chase!” Katie yelled, her food completely forgotten. And with that, a quiet morning with just Katie and I went into full gear. “Why do you call her that?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. “He’s quite a bit older than I am,” Whitney admitted.
“And I helped raise her,” Chase added, getting the coffee down. “That too,” Whitney agreed. Everybody properly caffeinated, Whitney went to the master bedroom to get changed, and Chase got ready to go. “When do you think you'll be back?” I asked, Katie reaching out for him as Chase looked for his car keys.
“Not too long. It is mostly paperwork to settle the estate. I should be back around lunch tomorrow,” he said, giving Katie a kiss on the forehead.
“Do you actually have to go to San Diego?” I asked. “They pretty much insisted. It needs to be witnessed for security.” “How did Whitney get her share without being there?” I asked. “No idea, but I'll be sure to ask them that after I get the money.” “Do they know that you're a lawyer too?” “Nope,” he said with a gleeful smile.
“That should be a nice surprise,” I said. “I just wished I knew what to do with it all. I knew it would be big, but I never knew it would be this much. Along with what I already had, which isn't insubstantial by any means, I'll be downright wealthy. Not just rich but actually wealthy.” “Charity,” I suggested with a smile. “I did think about that and it is certainly going to be a factor. Though there would still be a lot left. I'd really like to invest it, too. Help build something,” he said, taking me somewhat by surprise. “There can be a lot of money in cleaning companies,” I suggested. “I'll think about it, we can talk about it when I get back,” he said. “Thanks for getting Katie back into daycare,” I said. “No problem.”