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“Yes,” Hope admitted. “When I found out I was expecting Ella I was more confused than I’d ever been in my life. Honestly, I thought I was going to give her up for adoption. I was too ashamed to tell any of you.”
“That’s crazy,” Olivia said. “We’ve been friends for most of our lives. If not us then who?”
“No one,” Hope said with a shake of her head. Her voice sounded flat. “Not a single soul knew about Ella, not until I came home the other day and told my parents.”
“She’s beautiful,” Callie said, reaching out and gripping Ella’s tiny little finger. Ella squeezed her finger back. Suddenly, she wasn’t crying anymore. “Something so beautiful should never be hidden away. I know how strict your upbringing was, Hope, and I’m pretty sure you were afraid of your family’s reaction.”
“Not to mention my church community,” Hope confessed. “I didn’t want to be judged. And I wanted to make up my mind about Ella without interference and judgment.” Hope looked down at Ella, who grinned up at her. Hope let out a contented sigh. “In the end I decided to keep her, and I couldn’t be more over the moon about my decision.”
“As you should be,” Morgan said. “There’s nothing more precious in this world than a child.”
“Are the four of you finished with your confab? Or shall we reschedule the reading of Hattie Alexander’s will for a more convenient time? Perhaps you ladies want to have a tea party instead.” Mr. Mayhew stood in the doorway, his face mottled red with anger. He tapped his foot on the hardwood floors.
Callie held up her hand. “We’ll be there in just a moment. Until then, could you please give us some privacy?”
Mr. Mayhew let out a snort and stormed off down the hall.
Hope clutched her baby tighter to her chest and rocked her to and fro.
Once he had left the purple parlor, all four women burst out laughing. Before they knew it, tears were streaming down their faces. Callie clutched her belly and chortled.
“He’s really losing it,” Morgan said.
“H-he’s so official,” Charlotte said with a rueful shake of her head.
Olivia threw back her head and roared with laughter. “H-He reminds me of Mr. Higgins from high school.”
Hope began to snicker. For the next few minutes the girls tried to collect themselves.
“I suppose we ought to head back in there and get down to the business at hand,” Callie said, placing her arm around Hope.
Baby Ella was content at the moment, snuggled in her Mama’s arms.
“I hope she doesn’t make a ruckus,” Hope fretted. She bit her lip.
“It’s no big deal if she does, Hope,” Olivia said with a grin. “It’s just us in there. Your friends. We’ve got your back.”
“She’s right,” Charlotte said. “If Mayhew has anything to say about it, he’ll have to deal with us.”
Hope sent them all a look of gratitude before they left the purple parlor and headed to the library.
A frazzled looking Mr. Mayhew greeted them at the door. “Come in. Come in. I can’t wait a moment longer to start the proceedings. Unfortunately, Miss Tolliver is still MIA.”
As everyone settled into their chairs, Mr. Mayhew pulled out a document from his briefcase. He drew out his glasses from his inside pocket and placed them on his face. With a dramatic flourish, he cleared his throat. “Welcome to the reading of Hattie Alexander’s last will and testament. I, Hattie Mae Alexander, being of sound mind and body, lay forth the specific instructions for the distribution of my estate.”
She smiled as she heard Pearl had been given a large sum of money and precious items from Miss Hattie’s estate. Pearl dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, clearly overcome with the generosity of her dear friend.
Callie felt her eyes glazing over as Mr. Mayhew continued to speak. She perked up when she heard her name mentioned, along with that of Olivia, Hope, Morgan, Fancy and Charlotte. She sat up straight in her chair, wondering what token Miss Hattie had bequeathed her. Whatever it was, she felt grateful, especially for Miss Hattie’s mentorship and kindness.
“Callie Duvall, you have been bequeathed one sixth ownership of Savannah House, along with an emerald necklace, stocks in the HR Corporation and a personal scrapbook.”
“What?” Callie asked, interrupting Mr. Mayhew. She shoo
k her head, not believing what she’d just heard. Miss Hattie had left her partial ownership of Savannah House?
Mr. Mayhew looked at her from behind his glasses which were perched at the end of his nose.
“Is there a problem?” he asked in an imperious voice.
