“Because you’ve never been in that situation. I’ve had my share of missteps, misgivings, mistakes. Some I will die with.”
“There’s no one that visits you?”
“This town is full of people who would visit if I’d allow it. People I’ve helped. People I’ve hired. People I’ve known my whole life, but you know, when a person fails family, it’s hard to forgive oneself, which can make one bitter.”
“You don’t seem bitter.” She pulled her hands to her hips. “I’m here to take you to the market. Are you up to going?”
He smiled gently. “Probably, but do you think I could trouble you to go for me? I’ve got a list.” He got up and crossed the room to the huge lawyer’s desk. He pulled a sheet from a yellow legal pad.
She ran her fingers across the leather on top of the desk. “Was this your desk? When you worked?”
“It was. Not when I was a lawyer here in Chestnut Ridge, but when I was in Hollywood. A whole other world. A lifetime ago.”
She noticed the pictures in the ornate frames situated between the books, some on small easels, others hanging in the spaces between the wooden shelves.
“Are these pictures of you?”
He sucked in a breath. “Like I said. A lifetime ago.”
“You knew movie stars? Is that President Reagan?”
“Before he was president. Yes. I ran in some fancy circles in California. I represented some very famous people.”
“Wow. I bet your wife loved that.”
“Oh no, that was after she died. I went a little crazy, I suppose. A friend heard about my loss. He let me be for a year or two, then convinced me to come out West and join him representing movie stars and people too rich to make good decisions.”
“I’m so sorry about your wife. You never remarried?”
“Never. Patrice was the love of my life.”
“That’s so romantic.” She touched one of the frames. “You were very handsome.”
He handed her the shopping list.
“I’d be happy to do your shopping for you. This time. Anytime. And I will always visit if you’ll let me.”
“I’d like that more than anything. But can I ask you one thing?”
“Sure.”
“Why?” His chin set.
“Why would I like to visit you?” The question surprised her. “Well, I think you’re a nice man. You’re delightful company. I don’t really know. Maybe because I’m lonely too.”
He nodded. “Call me when you get to the gate. I’ll open it for you. By the way, how did you get in?”
She felt the redness rise in her cheeks. “I pushed the gates and shimmied through.”
He laughed. “Well, there’s always that. How’d you know I didn’t have ferocious rottweilers up here guarding the palace?”
“I didn’t. I was just worried about you.” She walked out and closed the door behind her. “Thank goodness those puppies weren’t too terrifying.”
I sure didn’t see this coming.
“No, they are quite the opposite.”
“They’re adorable. I could’ve stood there and watched them play all day if I hadn’t been so worried about you.”
