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*
Arriving at LangleyPark, Baird drove straight to the house and parked off the mudroom. Entering the house, they saw Mrs. Johnson in the kitchen.
“You’ll find them in the library,” the cook said.
Ella followed Baird through the house to the library, where it was just Alec and Cara. The aunts and Uncle Frederick returned home yesterday, and even though no one said it, Ella thought it had to be a bit of a relief that the older family members weren’t present now.
“You’re back early,” Cara said, as Baird greeted Alec and then leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek.
“Bath was rather boring,” Ella teased, taking a chair close to her sister’s spot on the couch. “Especially in light of what might be happening here. Have any rude paparazzi shown up? Any calls I can help handle?”
“There have been a few calls,” Cara said, smiling faintly, “but Mrs. Johnson is handling them. She doesn’t tolerate any nonsense.”
Mrs. Johnson entered with a tea tray then. “No, she doesn’t,” she said firmly. “I will not have my family pestered. Most of what’s online now is click bait anyway.”
Ella and Cara exchanged amused glances.
“I see you’ve made some of my favorite egg and cress sandwiches,” Baird said.
“There are a few steak sandwiches in the mix as well,” Mrs. Johnson said. “I didn’t know if you’d had time for lunch, so hopefully this will hold you all over to dinner.”
Ella hadn’t felt hungry earlier but was starving now. “Thank you so much. I’m glad to be back.” She looked at her sister and Alec. “I was worried about you two.”
Alec shook his head. “There’s no need to worry. There’s nothing to be done. The word is out and whatever will happen will happen.” He smiled, but it was strained. He looked tired but resolved. “We will get through. We always do.”
*
Ella was atthe cottage, curled up next to the fire and looking at the tree when she saw a sweep of headlights and then the headlights went off, and she heard voices and then the voices faded away. Whoever it was must have gone to the house.
A few minutes later, another car parked and more voices before those people too were gone.
Cars kept arriving, and finally, Ella threw on her pink sweater over her blouse and jeans, combed her hair, added a jacket and hurried up to the house to see what was going on.
A party was going on.
Ella stood in the doorway of the green drawing room, shocked. Baird joined her.
“What is happening?” she asked, seeing Cara in an armchair with women circled around her and Alec by the fireplace speaking with several men.
“These are neighbors,” Baird said. “They’ve come to lend support.”
The neighbors kept arriving, too, car after car, the doorbell ringing almost constantly. No sooner had the door closed than someone else was knocking, and Baird was there to open the door, pointing Alec’s neighbors and friends into the green drawing room where everyone was gathering.
Ella had no idea who arranged the gathering, but someone had organized it, because everyone came with something—food, drink, flowers, gifts. They’d come to be there for Alec and Cara. They’d come to show support.
Ella could see from Alec’s expression as he moved around the green drawing room that he was touched, and overwhelmed, by the display of friendship and solidarity. Perhaps Langley Investments would take a hit for being in the news, but Alec would make sure the company would recover. Alec wasn’t egotistical. Alec never put business before friends or family. He valued relationships and this gathering at his house was proof that his community valued him every bit as much.
The gathering touched Ella’s heart. Cara had wanted a party to create goodwill with the neighbors, but she hadn’t needed to worry. The goodwill was there. Even better, Ella didn’t hear one guest ask about Phelps, or the embezzlement. There was no mention of Langley Investments or business. But it didn’t take the neighbors and friends long to see that Cara was expecting and, again, no one mentioned it until Alec stood by Cara, and with his hand on her shoulder, shared the news. The neighbors cheered, celebrating the announcement as good neighbors and friends do.
Ella was still smiling as the guests departed. Everyone was gone by ten, and after shooing Alec and Cara off, sending them to bed, Ella went around collecting glasses and plates, crumpled napkins, tidying things so Mrs. Booth and Mrs. Johnson wouldn’t have to tomorrow.
Ella was quite happy to be in the kitchen on her own. The plates had been scraped and were soaking in hot soapy water. The crystal had been rinsed and was waiting to be washed next. She spread dishtowels all over the marble counter and then began to wash, enjoying the ritual of washing, rinsing, and setting on the towel to drain and dry.
Baird entered the kitchen. He’d changed into sweatpants and a thick shirt. “I’ve come to work,” he said, pushing up his shirt sleeves.
“There’s nothing for you to do,” she answered. “I’ve got this all under control.”
“It meant a lot to Alec, seeing everyone show up here,” Baird said taking a dish towel from a drawer and helping her anyway. “I think it was good for him to see how much he matters to people.”
