Page 213 of Taken Away

Mabel’s Office

Anne reached the door marked MANAGING DIRECTOR.

She didn't knock.

She turned the brass handle and pushed the door open with enough force that it slapped against the wall.

Aubrey looked up from Mabel's desk, a stack of Mercer documents still spread in front of her.

"Anne?"

She kicked the door shut behind her.

"Tell me Walter's wrong."

Aubrey blinked.

"Excuse me?"

"Tell me you're not making plans to expand this place."

"Why?"

"Because you don't spend twenty years expanding something you're planning to leave."

"No." Anne jabbed a finger toward the windows overlooking the vineyards. "This was supposed to be one year, Aubrey."

Silence.

"One year. You collect your inheritance, sell the winery, and go back to the life you spent years building."

Aubrey slowly stood.

"This is my life right now."

Anne gave a short, disbelieving laugh.

"Listen to yourself."

"What?"

"You sound like her."

Aubrey's expression hardened.

"Who?"

"Mabel."

Anne swept her hand around the office.

"Every conversation with your aunt ended exactly the same way. She always knew what was best for everybody else. And now you're sitting in her chair, making decisions like you're planning to spend the next twenty years here."

She stepped closer.

"She left you this place with strings attached. She tied you to it. She couldn't control you while she was alive..."

Her voice dropped.