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PassionandPrivilege TheBillionaire'sDynastySeries,Volume1 LexyTimms
PublishedbyDarkShadowPublishing,2024
Thisisaworkoffiction.Similaritiestorealpeople,places,oreventsareentirelycoincidental.
PASSIONANDPRIVILEGE
Firstedition.February7,2024.
Copyright©2024LexyTimms.
WrittenbyLexyTimms.
@Copyright2024ByLexyTimms
ALLRIGHTSRESERVED Nopartofthispublicationmay bereproduced,storedinorintroducedintoaretrievalsystem,ortransmitted,inany form,orby any means(electronic,mechanical,photocopying, recording,orotherwise)withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofboththecopyrightownerandtheabovepublisherofthisbook Thisisaworkoffiction Names,characters,places,brands,media,andincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously Any resemblancetoanactualperson,livingor dead,events,orlocalesisentirely coincidental Theauthoracknowledgesthetrademarkedstatusandtrademarkownersofvariousproductsreferencedinthisworkoffiction,whichhavebeenusedwithout permission Thepublication/useofthesetrademarksisnotauthorized,associatedwith,orsponsoredby thetrademarkowners Allrightsreserved.
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PASSION & PRIVILEGE BLURB THEABILITYTOHAVEachoiceinwhatyoudoisagreatprivilege...
TimothyHastingsisreturningtohisancestralhome,GlorianaManor Hewantstorestoreittoitsformergloryandhires CatherineJacobson,ayoung,eagercarpenterwhohasareallovefortheproperty.Timothyisdrawntoherandwhenhehears she’sinajambecauseofacockyex,heofferstobeherplus-oneattheex’swedding
Thetwoformabond Timothy’steenagestepdaughterarrivesandhestrugglestohelptheteenthroughherdrama One night,hefallsintoCatherine’sarmsbutquicklyfeelsitwasamistakeandwalksaway,leavingherwonderingwhathappened. Herealizeshemadeamistakeandtriestotalktoherbutshe’snotinterestedandwalksawaytheminutethejobisdone
TheBillionaire’sDynastySeries
FindLexyTimms:
Passion&PrivilegeBlurb
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-One
ChapterTwenty-Two
ChapterTwenty-Three
ChapterTwenty-Four
ChapterTwenty-Five
ChapterTwenty-Six
ChapterTwenty-Seven
ChapterTwenty-Eight
TheBillionaire’sDynastySeries
SleepingWiththeEnemy
CONTENTS MorebyLexyTimms:
CHAPTER ONE Catherine
MYTRUCKWITHABOUThalfashockleftbounceddowntheroad.Thegrocerieswereonthevergeofpoppingoutoftheir bagswhenIhitapothole
IpulledmytrustyoldFordtruckintothefamiliarparkinglotofmydad’sworkshop.Withthewindowdown,Icouldsmell thescentofsawdustandfreshlycutwood.Itwasacomfortingaromathatremindedmeofmychildhood.
Ishutofftheengine,thegentlerumblefadingintothebackground,andIsurveyedthefamiliarsurroundings.Theworkshop wasoldandweathered,butitwasstillsturdyafteralltheseyears.Theapartmentattachedtotheworkshopservedasmydad’s veryhumbleabode.Itcertainlycutdownonhiscommute,butIwishedIcouldgethimintoanicerplace.Oneofusneededto winthelottery Ofcourse,thatwouldrequireustoactuallyplaythelottery
Withatotebagfilledwithfreshproduceandgroceriesinhand,Imademywaytowardtheapartment’sentrance.The routinehadbecomesecondnaturetome.EverySaturday,aftermyvisittothefarmer’smarket,Iwouldswingbytocheckon Dad Iwastheonlyonearoundtotakecareofhim Lordknewhewasn’tgoingtotakecareofhimself
Settingthegrocerybagsonthekitchencounter,Icouldn’thelpbutsmileattheuntidiness.Iwasalwaystryingtocoaxhim intotakinghisvitaminsandtheprescriptionsthedoctorputhimon.Iwantedhimtoliveforever,oratleastuntilthedayafterI died Icouldn’tfathomlosinghim Ididn’twanttodealwithgrief Beenthere,donethat Notinterestedindoingiteveragain
“Dad?”Icalledout,realizinghewasn’tinthebathroom.
Hewassupposedtobetakingthedayoff,afactIhadinsisteduponnumeroustimes.Weekendsweremeantforrelaxation, orsoIbelieved.Yet,adistanthumofmachineryreachedmyears.
Iletoutafrustratedsigh.“Dammit,Dad.”
Iquicklyputawaythefruits,veggies,andthegoatcheeseIknewhelovedandmademywaytotheworkshop.Thewooden doorcreakedopen,revealingthefamiliarsightofsaws,drills,andaworkbenchscatteredwithtools.Themachineryhummed steadily,andthere,amidstthedustandwoodshavings,hestood,aruggedfigurewithhandsstainedbythemarksofhiscraft.
“Dad,”Icalledout,turningoffthetablesawtoputanendtohisunauthorizedworkday.“Itoldyoutotakeweekendsoff. It’simportant.”
Myfatherlookedup,andhiseyescrinkledatthecornersasheofferedasheepishsmile.“Iknow,sweetheart.ButI’vegot worktodo.”
“AnditwillbethereMonday,”Isaidwithasigh.
“I’vegotbignews”Hegrinnedandtookoffhissafetyglasses
Iarchedaneyebrow,theannoyancegivingwaytocuriosity “Whatisit?”
“Abigprojectthatcouldputourbusinessonthemap YouknowGlorianaManor?”heasked,hiseyesreflectingaglintof excitement.
Agrinplayedonmylips.GlorianaManorwasmyabsolutefavoritehouseintheworld.AtrueQueenAnneRevival, standingtallsincethelateeighteenhundredsandmiraculouslyuntouchedbythemodernizationcraze
“Yes,”Isaid,waitingforhimtotellmesomethinggood
“There’sbeensomewhispersthattheownerislookingforacrewtocomeinandrenovate,toptobottom Interiorand exterior.”
Myheartplummetedintomystomach.Mydreamproject.GlorianaManor,thepinnacleofarchitecturalhistory,andthey weretalkingaboutrenovatingit?Panicsurgedthroughme “Dad,wecan’tletthemruinit Wehavetoputinabidforthejob They’llslapgraypaintoneverywallandpaintallthatgorgeouswoodwhite.”
Dadsighedandshookhishead.JacobsonandSonshadareputationforrestoringoldhomeswithoutstrippingawaytheir charm,butGlorianaManorwasanintimidatingproject “Catherine,that’sahugejob Huge It’sprobablyaboutthirty-thousand squarefeetofworkontheinsidealone.I’mnotsurewecanhandleajoblikethat.”
“We’llhireacrew.Peoplewetrust.”Ipleadedwithhim,mypassionforthecraftburninginmyeyes.I’dofficiallybecome ajourneymancarpenterlastyear,despiteDadwantingmetopursueadifferentpath Butthiswasmychance ourchance to makeamarkonhistory.Thathousewasbeautiful,evenifitdidn’tlooksogoodrightnow.Itwasoneofthelasthomesinthe worldfromthatperiodthathadn’tbeenstripped,gutted,andredonewithamoderntwist
“Ijustdon’tthinkwewouldhaveachance,”hesaid “Therearegoingtobealotofcontractorsfromallaroundthecountry thataregoingtobeabletooutbidus.Itwouldtakeusfivetimeslongerthananyofthosecompanies.Ijustthoughtyouwould beinterestedtoknowit’sfinallygettingrenovated”
Ifeltapangofdisappointment,butIwasn’tabouttogiveupsoeasily GlorianaManorwasaonceinalifetime opportunity,andIcouldn’tjustletitslipthroughourfingers.
“Dad,we’veworkedhardtobuildourreputationandgainthetrustofourclients,”Iargued.“Wemaynothavethesame resourcesasthosebigcompanies,butwehavesomethingtheydon’t Dedication,craftsmanship,andadeeploveforwhatwe do.We’verestorednumeroushistorichomesinthistown,andwedoitwithcareandpassion.GlorianaManordeserves nothingless We’reoldschool JacobsonandSonsCarpentryistherealthing Yes,we’realittleslower,butthatdoesn’tmean wecan’tdoit.”
Myfatherstudiedmeforamoment,hiseyessofteningwithanunderstandingthatonlyafathercouldhave.Hesighedand ranahandthroughhisgrayinghair “Youreallythinkwecandoit?”
“Iknowwecan,”Ireplied,determinationburninginmyvoice “Withtherightteam,therightplanning,andourunwavering commitment,wecanrestoreGlorianaManortoitsformerglory.Wecanbringoutitsbeautyandpreserveitshistory.Andwho knows?Thiscouldbeourbreakthrough Ourchancetoshowtheworldwhatwe’recapableof”
“I’llthinkaboutit,”hesaid “Butdon’tgetyourhopesup Lookattheworkshop Wedon’thavethespaceorequipmentto takeonaprojectlikethat.”
Iwantedtostompmyfootandpout.“Thinkaboutit.Please.Ireallywantthis.Wecandoit.I’lltakeonthebulkofthe work”
“I’llthinkaboutit,”hesaid “IthinkI’mgoingtograbsomelunchandrestmyeyesforaminute”
ItwasexactlywhatIwantedhimtodo,butIwantedhimtotellmehewasgoingtoatleastscheduleanappointmenttolook atthehouse.ButIwouldgivehimaday.“Good,”Isaid,smiling.“Youshoulddothat.Iputfreshgroceriesinyourfridge.Igot someofthatgoatcheeseyoulikeandfreshjuice”
“Thanks,hon,”hesaidandpattedmyshoulder
Helefttotakeanap,leavingmedevastated.Mydreamwasslippingawaybecausemydad,theboss,hadreservations.I wanderedaimlesslyaroundtheshop,grapplingwiththedisappointmentandtidyingupalittle.Ilookedupatthesignthathad beencarvedbymygrandfather JacobsonandSonswasafamilylegacy Mygrandfatherpassedthebusinessdowntomydad withtheintentionofmydadhavingsonsthatwouldjointhebusiness.
Surprise.Itwasme.Adaughter.Andthatwasit.ThatwastheendoftheJacobsonsons.ButIwasdeterminedtokeepthe familybusinessgoing Iheardacarpullintotheparkinglotandcheckedoutthewindow IsmiledwhenIsawmylong-timeboyfriend Iwalkedtothedoorandsmiled,watchinghimclimboutofhiscar “Hi,”I said,expectingakiss.
“Hey,whatareyoudoinghere?”heaskedwithouttouchingme.Hewalkedrightpastmeintotheshop.
ScottandIhadgrowndistant.OurpathshaddivergedwhenheleftSleepyHollowtopursueanarchitecturedegreein anotherstate Now,heworkedforalocalfirm,butourconnectionseemedstrained “Ineedtoborrowatool,”hemurmured.“Italkedtoyourdadearlier.” “DidyouhearaboutGlorianaManor?”Iasked.
“No.Whataboutit?”
“Theownerislookingtorevampit,”Isaid.“Iwantthejob.Ireallywantit.Thisisthedreamjob.Doyouthinkyoucan helpmegetachancetoputabidin?”
Hehadhisbacktome.Iwasn’tevensureheheardme.“I’mbusy.I’lllookintoitovertheweekendandgetbacktoyouon Monday.”
Myexcitementflickered,buttherewasalingeringdoubt.Washestillasinvestedin“us”asIwas?
“Butwe’llbeseeingeachotherbeforethen,right?”Ipressed,remindinghimofourplansforthenight.Hewassupposedto takemeouttoarestaurant areservationconfirmationIhadglimpsedonhisphoneweeksago,thinkingitwasforourfiveyearanniversary.
Hehedged,claimingtobebusy.Suspicioncreptin,butsodidexcitement.Maybehewasplanningasurprise.Hegrabbed thetoolandheadedforthedoor Isteppedinfrontofhim “Hey,doIgetakiss?”
“Catherine,I’mbusy,”hemutteredandgavemeaquickpeck “Ihavetogo”
“I’llseeyoulater Loveyou”
Ismiled,knowinghelikedtosurpriseme Hewantedmetobelieveheforgotouranniversary ThenIwouldbesadandhe wouldsendmeatexttellingmetomeethimattherestaurant.Itwasoneofourfavorites.Itwastherestaurantwewentto wheneverwewantedtohaveaspecialdinner
IalreadyhadadresspickedoutandIcouldn’twaittoknockhissocksoffwhenhesawme Thingshadbeendifficult I washopingthedinnerwouldbeareset.Wecouldstartfreshandmaybetalkaboutthenextstepsinourrelationship,sincehe wasbackintown
IfinishedcleaningupandleftDad’sshop,headingbacktomyapartmentintown Idecidedtotakeadetouralongaroad thatofferedapanoramicviewofGlorianaManor.Ipulledmytruckoverandstaredupatthehouse.
Itsatatopahill,lookingoverSleepyHollow.Themajestichouseroseabovethetrees,abeautifulbutdilapidatedrelic.It wasugly,butIcouldseethebeautyundertheovergrowthandfadedpaint Noonehadlivedtherefordecades,yetitwasstill ownedbytheoriginalfamily.Iwonderedabouttheowner’smotivationtoreviveit,tobreathelifebackintoitstimeworn walls Whynow?Weretheygoingtosellit?Turnitintoamuseum?
Determined,Idecidedtodowhateverittooktowinthebid Tonight,IplannedondiscussingitinlengthwithScott GlorianaManorwasn’tjustaproject.Itwasmypassion,achancetorestorehistory,andIcouldn’tletitslipawaywithouta fight Thiswasmydream,andIwasreadytomakeitareality withorwithoutDad’sapproval Ipulledbackontotheroad
andcontinuedonmyway,takinglooksintherearviewmirrorasIdrove.Iletmyselfdreamaboutgettingtorestoreit.Ihad seenpicturesoftheinsidebuthadneveractuallybeeninthebuilding
Ihadtogetinthere,justtoseeitwithmyowntwoeyesbeforesomeonedestroyedit
CHAPTER TWO Catherine THESOFTCREAKSANDgroansofmyrundownapartmentwerebothwelcominganddepressing.Itwasn’tmuch,butithad beenhomeforawhilenow Thewornwoodenfloorsandcrappybeigepaintweren’tprettybutitwasallIcouldaffordfor now.IfIletmyselfstartlistingallthethingsIhatedabouttheplace,Iwouldspiral.
Itwaswhatitwas.Icoulddwellonthenegativeorsuckitupandkeepputtingonefootinfrontoftheother.Ihadmoved intotheapartmenttenyearsago Tenverylongyears IconstantlytoldmyselfitwasgoingtobethelastyearIwasintheplace Iwasgoingtosaveenoughmoneytoputadownpaymentonahouse.
Thenanotheryearcameandwent,andIwasstillscrapingby.ButIhopedthiswouldbetheyear.Asajourneyman,Icould startchargingmoreformywork Now,Ijusthadtogettheworkthatpaidwell ItfeltlikeIwasonahamsterwheel Ijustkept spinningmywheels,tryingtogetsomewhereandgoingnowhere.
Imissedmychildhoodhome.Imissedthecutelittletwo-bedroomcraftsmanthatIgrewupin.Butlifewascruel.Myfather hadtosellourhomeinordertoavoidbankruptcy Iknewhowhardthatwasforhim Itcrushedhissoultogiveupthehousehe restoredwithhisowntwohands.Irememberedthemanylatenightswespentrefinishingthefloorsorrebuildingthestaircase. Ilovedthosemomentswithhim Thatwasthesparkthatlitmyloveforcarpentry
MyfatherandIdecideditwouldbebetterifhemovedintotheapartmentoverthewoodshop Itsavedonrentandhecould putallhisenergyintokeepinghisbusinessafloat.Theplacewasverysmallwithonebedroom.Iknewhewantedmetostay withhim,butweneededourspace Ifoundmyapartmentandthatwasthat
Ineverwenttocollegelikewehadplannedforyears Themoneyjustwasn’tthere,andhonestly,Ididn’twanttowaste timelearninghowtowriteaproperessay.Iwantedtoworkwithmyhands.Iwantedtobeacarpenterjustlikemydad.He wasdisappointedbutitwasforthebest Heneededmewhetherhewantedtoadmititornot Hedidn’ttakecareofhimself ThatwaswhyIhadtocheckonhim.
Lastyear,Ifinallygotmyjourneymen’s.Iwasthrilledtogettoworkalongsidemyfatherinsteadofbeingthehelperorthe personthathandledthebusinesssideofthings Together,wewererunningthebusiness Hewasstilltheexpert,butIwasable totakeonjobsonmyownandbringmoremoneyintothebusiness.Thingswerebetterthantheywereafewyearsago,butwe stillhadalongwaytogo
Iputawaymygroceriesandcleanedupabit TheoneperktomyshittyapartmentwasthefactIdidhavemyownwasher anddryer.Thatwasanewaddition.IwassogladIdidn’thavetotrekdowntothelaundromatanymore.
Iglancedattheclockanddecidedtogetreadyfordinner.Yes,itwassupposedtobeasurprise,butwhenScottshowedup orcalledandaskedmetomeethim,Ididn’twanttobewearingmyjeansandhoodie Inmylineofwork,Itendedtodressvery casually.Very,verycasually.Iwasoftencoveredinsawdust.Iworefadedjeans,heavyboots,andtypicallyhadatoolbelt slungaroundmyhips Itwasn’tveryfeminine IwantedtoremindScottIwasstillasexywoman
Itookashower OnceIsteppedout,IlatheredmyselfwithmyfavoritescentedlotionthatIknewScottloved Istarted gettingready,aritualthatinvolvedchoosingtheperfectoutfitandmeticulouslyapplyingmakeup.We’dbeentogetherfive years Iwantedtoremindhimofthatwomanhefellinlovewithbackthen Iknewwewerebothbusyandcaughtupwithour careers.Itwasimportantwehadthesemomentstoreconnect.
WhenIwalkedintotherestaurant,Iwantedhimtolookatmeandbeproudtocallmehisgirlfriend.Maybeaftertonight, he’dwanttocallmehisfiancée Iwasstillwaitingontheproposal,butIsuspecteditwascomingsoon
Assixturnedintosevenandtheclockcontinuedtickingofftheminutes,asenseofdisappointmentcreptin.Thereservation timewasinchingcloserandScottwasnowheretobefound Idialedhisnumber,hopingforanexplanation,buthisphonewent straighttovoicemail.Maybeheforgot,losttrackoftime,orsomethingcameup.
Thirtyminutespastthereservation,Iresignedmyselftotherealitythatthesurprisedinnermightnotbehappening. Disappointmentsettledoverme Ihadbeenstandingtoavoidwrinklingmydress,butclearlyitdidn’tmatter Ifloppedontomy old,usedcouchandpouted.JustwhenIwascursingthemanandthenfeelingguiltybecausemaybesomethinghadhappenedto him,Iheardsomeoneoutsidemydoor
Igrinnedandjumpedup Iquicklysmootheddownmydressandrushedtoopenthedoorwiththeexpectationofseeingmy boyfriend.
“Amber?”IaskedwithconfusionwhenIsawherholdingalittleboxwithabow.
“Catherine?Whatareyoudoinghere?”
“Ilivehere,”Imutteredandwalkedbackinside.
Shefollowedbehindme.“Butwhyareyouhere?AmIearly?Ithoughtyouwouldalreadybeatdinner.”
“Metoo.”
“Isherunninglate?”
“Idon’tknow,”Isaid,sighing.“Ikeepcalling,buthe’snotanswering.Thereservationwasalmostanhourago.Isawhim earlierandaskedifIwasgoingtoseehim,buthesaidno.Ithoughthewasteasing.”
“Howweird,”shesaid.“Andrude.”
“What’sthat?”Iasked,pointingtothebox.
Shegrimacedandtriedtohideit.“Iwasgoingtoleaveitatyourdoor.Itwasacongratulationsgift.”
CongratulationsbecauseweboththoughtScottwasgoingtopopthequestiontonight. “Thanks.”
“Youlooknice,”shesaid,smiling.
“Thanks,”Isaid,sighing.“Alldressedupandnowheretogo.”
“Whydon’twegototherestauranttogether?You’realreadydressedup,andit’sashametoletthenightgotowaste.We’ll drinksomenicewineandeatoverpricedappetizers”
Atfirst,Ihesitated Theideaofsalvagingtheeveningfeltlikeadesperateattempttomendsomethingthathadalready shattered.Butthen,asparkofdefianceignitedwithinme.WhyshouldIletScottruinmynight?
“Let’sdoit,”Isaid,smiling.“Thisfacetookalotofwork.”
Shelaughedaswewalkedout.Therestaurantwaspackedasusual.Wemadeourwaytothebarandorderedcocktailsand abasketofstuffedmushroomstosplit Thequietatmospherewasfilledwithasoft,goldenglowfromthelow-hanging chandeliers.Themurmuredconversationsofdinersprovidedasoothingbackdrop.Itwasn’tthedinnerIhadbeenexpecting, butitwasnice,nonetheless Itwasoneofmyfavoriterestaurants,butitwasalsooneofthemostexpensiveintown,which meantIdidn’tgettoeatatitveryoften.
Mygazewanderedaroundtheroom,takinginthecozyambianceoftherestaurant.Butthen,asiftheuniversehadacruel senseoftiming,myeyeslockedontoasightthatsentshockwavesthroughme AcrosstheroomsatScott,sharinganintimate
dinnerwithanotherwoman.Theywerebothleaningacrossthetableliketheyweretryingtogetcloser.Hewassmilingand lookingatherthewayheusedtolookatme
Mybreathcaughtinmythroat AsIwatchedthem,apainfulrealizationsankin Scott,themanIthoughtwasplanninga surprisedinnerforus,waswithsomeoneelse.Theyheldhandsacrossthetable.Iwatchedasheleanedinforakiss.The worldseemedtoblur Theblooddrainedfrommyfaceandanicychillraceddownmyspine Ifeltasensationakintomyheart beingrippedoutofmychest.
Ambernoticedmyexpressionandfollowedmygaze.Agaspescapedherlipsasshetookinthesceneunfoldingbeforeus. “Asshole,”shehissedunderherbreath.
Withoutaword,Istoodup,thebarstoolscrapingagainstthefloor Ibarelyheardanything Ihadtunnelvision Itwasjust meandmycheatingboyfriendinthebusyrestaurant.EverythingelsefadedawayasIwalkedtowardthetablewhereScottand hisothergirlfriendsat
AsIapproached,Scottlookedup,hiseyeswideninginshockattheunexpectedintrusion “Catherine!”
Scottstammeredashewithdrewhishandfromthewoman’sgrasp Inotedthewayhislipsformedatightline,thecolor drainingfromhisface.Thewomanturnedtome,herbrowsfurrowinginconfusion.“DoIknowyou?”sheasked.
“No,”Ireplied,myvoiceshaking.“Butyouseemtoknowmyboyfriendquitewell.”
Thewoman’sfacefell,hereyesdartingbetweenScottandme.Itwasasifshewastryingtoprocesswhatwashappening, butitwasn’tfastenough
“Ididn’tmeanforyoutofindoutlikethis,”Scottbegan,rushingoutthewordsasiftheycouldsomehowdampenthereality ofhisbetrayal.“Catherine,I ”
“Saveit,”Iinterrupted,holdingupahandtostophisstumblingresponse.“Idon’tneedyourapologies,Scott.Oryour excuses WhatIneedisforyoutolookmeintheeyeandtellmehowlongthishasbeengoingon”
Hehesitated,confirmingmysuspicionsevenbeforehemuttered,“Afewmonths”
“So,whileIwasbusyplanningourfuture,youwerebusyruiningit,”Ispatathim
Thewomanacrossfromhimlookedmortified,hergazeflittingnervouslybetweenus “Catherine,stop,”Scottsaidwithexasperation,asifIwastheoneruininghislife
“It’sover,”Ideclared,myvoicesteadydespitetheturmoilwithin “Enjoyyourdinner,”IaddedbeforeIwalkedaway Amberrosefromherseat,shootingadirtylookatScottandhisnewwoman Withoutsayingaword,welefttherestaurant behind,thedoorclosingontheshatteredremnantsoftheevening.AmberandIwalkedinsilencebacktohercar.
Therealityofthesituationsankin.ThepersonIhadtrusted,theoneIbelievedwouldbemypartnerincreatingafuture, hadbetrayedmeintheworstwaypossible Hewasadespicableman
“He’sadick,”Ambersaid “You’rebetteroffwithouthim”
“Whywouldn’thejusttellmehedidn’tlovemeanymore?”Iasked,notexpectingananswer.
“Becausehe’sacoward.Hewantedhiscake,icecream,sprinkles,andthewholenineyards.It’snotlikehe’sthatgreatof acatch.Youcandobetter.Letherhavehim.He’llscrewheroversoonenough.Menlikethatneverlearn.Theyleaveapathof destructionintheirwake,andwhentheygettotheendoftheroad,theywonderwhytheyarelonelyoldfarts.Fuckhim.”
Ifeltamixofemotions.Theywereallatwarwithoneanother.Anger,sadness,andasenseofliberationallviedforthe topspot.Thepainwasraw,butsowasthenewfoundclarity.Scott’sactionshadseveredthetiesthatboundus,buttheyalso
releasedmefromtheillusionofarelationshipthatwasbuiltondeceit.IsupposeditwasluckyformeIfoundout.Thisthing couldhavedraggedoutforweeksormonths
Ishookitalloff Thewoundswouldheal,thescarswouldfade,andthestrengthwithinmewouldprevail Scottwasnot goingtogetmedown.Irefusedtolethimwin.
CHAPTER THREE Timothy THEHEAVYDOOROFGLORIANAManorcreakedopen,revealingagrandentrancehallthatechoedwiththefaintwhispers oftime Isteppedinside,theairthickwithdustandmemorieslongforgotten Theonceopulentsurroundingswerenow shroudedinsilence,thefurnituredrapedinghostlysheets,frozeninatimelessslumber.Cobwebshungineverycorner.The oncepolishedwoodfloorsweredullandcoveredinathicklayerofdust
Ihadn’tsetfootinthisplaceformanyyears,notsincecollege,andcertainlynotsincethepainfullossofmyparentstwo decadesago.Themanor,oncefilledwithlaughterandwarmth,hadbecomeadistantmemory.Butnow,asthesoleheir,Iwas readytobreathelifebackintoitsdecayingwalls Iexhaled Mybreathkickedupdust
Thesunshinecomingfromawindowhighupthewallhighlightedeveryparticleintheair Itwasadauntingimage Ididn’t knowifitwouldeverlookthewayitdidwhenIwasakidvisitingmygrandparentswhentheycalledthisplacehome.
AsIwalkedthroughtheemptyrooms,thejobgrewbiggerandbigger.Ihadthehorriblethoughtitmightbeeasiertojust tearthewholethingdownandrebuild Idismissedthethoughtimmediately Themansionwasahistoricalsite Itdeservedthe loveandattentionitrequiredtorestoreittoitsglorydays.Ihadbeentoldithadgoodbones.Itjustneededalittlehelp.The thinghadstoodabandonedandneglectedfortoolong
Thelibraryontheupperfloordrewmein,itsshelveslinedwitholdbooksthatwereprobablyworthafortune Iletmy eyesglazeover,imaginingmydadsittinginaleatherchairwithabookopeninhishand.BennetEdmundson,mytrusted assistant,joinedme Hisexpressionsaiditall HethoughtIlostmydamnmind
MaybeIhad
“Yousureaboutthis,Timothy?”Bennet’svoicecutthroughthestillness.Justspeakingstirredupdust,whichmadehim cough.Hewavedahandinfrontofhisfacetocleartheair.
Inodded.“I’vewantedtobringthishousebacktolifeforoveradecade.Itdeservesmorethantheslowdecayit’sendured. I’mgoingtodoit.”
Bennetstudiedmyface,perhapssearchingforanysignsIhadtrulylostmymarbles.Thememoriesofthisplacewere special.IfeltadeepconnectiontoGlorianaManor.Iwasn’tgoingtoletitfallapartanyfurtherthanitalreadyhad.
Regina,myex-wife,haddetestedthisplace.Theonetimewevisitedafterwegotmarried,shespentthehourcomplaining andgaggingovertheoriginalmahoganydetailsandvintagetiles.Forher,SleepyHollowanditshistoricalcharmwere inconceivable.Sheyearnedforthestarkcontrastofwhitewallsandgoldfixturesinthecity.Shewantedadoormanand modernconveniencesthatweren’tfoundinSleepyHollow.So,welivedinthecity.
Butnow,IfoundmyselfsingleandRegina’swantsdidn’tmeanshittome.Mycareerhadreachedapointwheremy physicalpresenceatthecompany’sheadquarterswasnolongeranecessity.Foralongtime,IenvisionedalifewithRegina andherdaughter,mystepdaughter,Paisley,livinghere.IwantedPaisleytogettogrowupinthemansion.Ihaddreamedabout spendingtimeinthebackyardonalazySundywithmegrillingsteaks.Maybeshewouldevenhaveadog.Thosedreamswere shatteredwhenReginabalkedattheideaoflivinginanoldmansioninasmalltown Sheneededthepenthousehighabove Manhattan.Sheneededtolordoverhersubjectsfromherspotintheivorytowersheseemedtothinkshelivedin.
“Iwanttocheckoutthemasterbedroom,”Isaid.
“Areyousure?”heasked.“Ireallydon’tknowhowsafeitistobewalkingaround.Thesefloorboardsmightgivewayat anyminute.”
“It’ssolid,”Itoldhim.Istompedmyfoottoprovemypoint.“It’sugly,butit’snotcrumbling.”
Bennethesitatedforamomentbeforenoddingandfollowingmepastthegrandstaircasetothewestwing.Thewood creakedslightlyunderourweight,butitheldstrong Aswereachedthelanding,Ipushedopenthedoubledoorsleadinginto whatusedtobemyparents’bedroom.
Theroomwasinastateofdisarray,theonceelegantfurnishingscoveredinsheets,andthewindowsobscuredbyheavy drapes Raysofsunlightfilteredthroughthegaps,castingasoftglowonthewornruginfrontofthestonefireplace Itfelt bittersweettobebackinthisroom.
Istaredatthechippedporcelainsinkandthecrackedtiles,imagininghowthisroomcouldbetransformed.Adeepsenseof determinationrosewithinme,fueledbythememoriesofmyparentsandtheirloveforthishouse Theyhadputsomuchof themselvesintomakingGlorianaManorahome,anditwasmydutytohonortheirlegacybyrestoringittoitsformerglory.
“Bennet,”Isaid,turningtomyassistant.“Wehaveourworkcutoutforus,butIbelieveinthisplace.Ibelieveinitshistory anditspotential Wearegoingtobringitbacktolife,oneroomatatime”
Bennetlookedatme,hiseyesreflectingamixofdoubtanddetermination “It’sgoingtobealongandchallengingjourney, Timothy.”
“Ilikeachallenge.”
Wemadeourwaybackdownstairstothegrandfoyer.Thechandelierthathungoverthespacewasoldandwasn’tworking, butIhopeditcouldbefixed Itwasthefirstthinganyonesawwhentheywalkedthroughthefrontdoors Itneededtobegrand
Ilookedaround,appreciatingthatthebasicfootprintofthehousewasstillthesame Unliketoday’smodernworldwith openfloorplans,themansionstillhadlotsofwallsdividingthespaces.ItwasnothinglikethepenthouseIlivedinwithmyex. Thatwasjustanaddedbonus.
“Doyouhavethebidsfromthecontractors?”IaskedBennet.
ThelookonhisfacetoldmeIwasn’tgoingtolikewhatIsaw.“Ido,”hesaidashehandedmethefiles.
Iflippedthroughthedetails.DisappointmentgnawedatmeasIscannedthebids.Thepricetagsmeantlittle.Itwasthe contractorsthemselveswhofellshort “Iwashopingforbetter,”Imuttered
“Ithinkyou’regoingtohaveahardtimefindingcontractorsthatwanttotakeonaprojectofthismagnitude,”hesaid “This isn’tatypicaljob.”
“So?”Isaid,shrugging.“It’sajob.Peoplewanttomakemoney.Judgingbythedollaramountsonthesebids,Iwouldsay thattheyareveryinterestedinmakingalotofmoney”
ThethreebidsbeforemelackedthecraftsmanshipandpassionrequiredtoresurrectaplacelikeGlorianaManor The contractorsseemedmoreconcernedwithprofitmarginsthanwithrestoringthesoulofthishistoricabode.Ifrowned,myvision ofbringingthishousebacktolifecollidingwiththeharshrealityofthebidsbeforeme Allthreebidswerecookie-cutter versionsofoneanother.Sheetrock,granitecountertops,andthetypicalknockdownofwallstocreateanopenfloorplan.
“Excuseme,”acoupleofwomensaid.
Theywerethecleaningcrew.BeforeIcouldgetintotherenovation,Ineededtoclearoutthedustandseewhatexactlywe wereworkingwith
“Noneofthesecontractorsarefitforthetask,”Imuttered,frustrationevidentinmytone
Bennetnoddedinagreement “Wecanseekoutmore,Timothy Findsomeonewhotrulyunderstandsthesignificanceofthis place.Thebiddingisstillopen.I’mjustgivingyoutheonesthatI’vereceived.”
Isighed,mygazesweepingthroughthedesolaterooms.“Weneedsomeonewhocanbreathelifebackintothesewalls,not justapplyafreshcoatofpaint Idon’twantthisplacetolooklikeeveryothermansion Iwantittolooklikeahomebuiltinthe eighteen-hundreds.Iwantittolooklikewe’vesteppedbackintimewithtoday’ssafetystandards.”
Wemadeourwaythroughthefoyertowardthebackofthehouse.ThelandscapersIhadhiredwerediligentlyworkingto reclaimtheoutdoorareasfromnature’sgrasp Theovergrownfoliageandneglectedpathwayswereslowlybeingbroughtback toorder.Therosegardenlookedlikeanoutofcontrolrose forest.Thebeautifulshrubberyandflowerbedsthathadoncebeen mymother’sprideandjoyhadbeendevouredbyinvasiveweeds Thefountainthathadoncestoodasafocalpointofthe extensivegroundswasdead.Thewaterhadbeendrainedlongago.Thecementwascrackedbeyondrepair.Itneededtobe replaced
Iobservedtheirprogress,aflickerofhopekindlingwithinme Theexteriorheldasmuchpotentialforrestorationasthe interior.GlorianaManor,initsentirety,deservedasecondchance.Iturnedtolookbackatthemassivestonehomebuiltnearly ahundredandfiftyyearsago Thetowerwithitsbaywindowswasoneofmyfavoritepartsofthemansion Itwaswheremy mother’ssittingroomwas.Thefullsunalwaysmadetheroomfeelsoinviting.Shelovedbeinginthere,reading,relaxing,or playinggamesonhertablet
“We’llfindtherightteam,Timothy,”Bennetreassuredme,hisconfidenceunwavering Inodded,thedeterminationtoresurrectthisforgottengemburningbrighterthanever GlorianaManorhadweathered storms,bothliteralandmetaphorical,anditwastimetobreathenewlifeintoitswearybones.
“Expandoursearchforcontractors,”Isaid.“GobeyondtheconfinesofNewYork.Hell,putoutaworldwidecallfor help”
Henodded “I’lldothat,butyouknowthatwilldelaythings”
“Startschedulingone-on-onemeetingswiththesecontractors,”Icontinued “Iwanttoheartheirideas,theirplansfor restoringthemanortoitsformerglory.NooneisgettinghiredunlessIseetheirplans.AndmaybemakeitclearI’mnot interestedinmakingmyhouselooklikesomeHollywoodcelebrity’smodernmansion Idon’twantcleanlinesandallthatshit Iwantthedarkwood,justlikeithasnow.Idon’twantLEDlighting.Iwanttheoldfixtures,andifthatisn’tpossible,Iwant thefixturestolookold”
Bennetnoddedinacknowledgment “I’llgetonitrightaway,Timothy”
AsBennetlefttomakethenecessarycalls,Ifoundmyselfstandingaloneinthegarden Thelatespringairwasastark contrasttothebustlingcityscapeIhadgrownaccustomedto.Iwalkedbackinside,rollingupthesleevesofmyshirt.Iwore jeansandworkbootswiththeanticipationofthisbeingaworkday Itwasdifferentthantheusualthree-piecesuitIworefor mydayjob.Butthosedayswereinmypast.Iwasdonewiththecorporateworld.Thelackofair-conditioninginthemassive housewasabitofanissue,butthankfully,thehighceilingsandlotsofopenwindowshelpedgettheairflowing
Theviewfromthekitchenwindowframedasectionoftheovergrowngardenoutside Irememberedmymothergrowing herownherbs.Shewassoproudofthoseherbs.AsIgazedattheneglectedgreenery,aflashofblondecaughtmyeye.The suddenmovementdrewmyattention Iwatchedindisbeliefasawomanstumbledandfellovertheovergrowngardenwall “Whatthehell?”
