Eugenia's Embrace

Tears sprang from Eugenia's eyes. How unfair life could be! She and Frederick had only recently become truly close, like a father and daughter. And now this? She had so wanted to make his life happy, to fill the void that he apparently had created by being distant all the years he had lived here. He had only begun to realize the implications of that act, and had begun to entertain people in his massive house. And now? The house would be silent again.

"Where is he?" Eugenia said quickly, picking her skirt up in her arms. She wanted to go to him.

If she hadn't been on the mountain, making love, maybe she could have been with him.

"He died immediately, Eugenia," Alison said softly. "He was taken to the morgue. He's being prepared to be laid out at the Opera House."

"He's going to be on view, at the Opera House?"

"He requested it in his will. A lawyer was here a short while ago asking for you. He told me to tell you that Frederick would be ready for viewing tomorrow morning, and he also told me to tell you that he had much to tell you of importance."

Eugenia's heart began to pound. "He said he had much to tell me?" she gasped.

"I'm sure Frederick left something to you in his will."

"I wonder what?"

A pounding on the front door drew Eugenia's immediate attention from her thoughts. "Damn. Who's doin' that?" she stormed, then headed toward the door herself. She flung it open to find Adam standing there, his face crimson, the sweat pouring down in streams.

"What the hell do you think you're doin', Eugenia. Rushin' away from me like that?" he demanded, pushing her aside, entering to stand beside her.

Eugenia burst into tears and fell into his arms. "Oh, Adam," she moaned. "It's so horrible."

"What… the… ?" Adam mumbled and eyed Alison questionably.

"Frederick died while at his Opera House this afternoon," Alison said softly, then left Eugenia and Adam alone.

"Did you care that much for that old man?" Adam asked, tipping Eugenia's chin upward with a forefinger. She didn't have to answer, he could see the deep sorrow in her eyes.

"For only a short time. He was like a father to me, Adam." She continued to sob on his shoulder.

* * *

Chapter Nineteen

Frederick's death had drawn his largest audience. They lined up the full length of Myers Avenue to take a last look at his remains. In life, he hadn't realized the respect and admiration of the townspoeple. He hadn't even once glorified himself for being responsible for having brought many pleasurable hours to so many people by the magnificence of the performers he had chosen to be presented to the people of Cripple Creek.

But now, opening the front door leading into The Towers, Eugenia stifled a sob. This was the first time she had entered since his death. A death that had resulted in her becoming the sole owner of The Towers!

Stepping on inside, Eugenia paused to look around her. The silence of the large living room was deafening, almost unbearable for her. His absence left such a noticeable void. She felt as though she should hear the tapping of his cane, or the gruffness of his voice at any moment. But only silence was greeting her this day. And how sad that the house had just begun to know merriment, to now be filled with a hushed silence so soon once again. Hearing movement behind her, Eugenia swung around and found Adam standing at the door, frowning in her direction.

"Adam?" she whispered, hearing her voice echo back at her from the corners of the large room.

Adam walked in and stood beside her, taking her hand in his. "I saw you walking in this direction, hon," he said thickly. "I thought you might need some moral support. I'm here to give you that much if you want me."

Eugenia began to sob and half-cry, then fell into his arms. "Yes, yes," she murmured. "I want you. Thank you so much for caring."

"My love, I'll always be here for you. As long as you want. I do care. Deeply."

Eugenia pulled away from him, picking the fullness of her skirt up into her arms. Slowly, s

he made her way around the room, touching the piano, the chairs, the draperies.

"It's all mine now, you know," she said sadly. "He left this all to me."

Adam stood his ground, watching. "Yes. So you told me," he said, taking his cowboy hat from his head to turn it round and round in his hands.

"I can't believe he loved me that much," she said, putting her hand to her nose, sniffing. "But he truly did."