Wicked Forest (DeBeers 2)

He gazed at me. I couldn't see his eyes, but I knew they were unmoving, intense.

"One way or another, he's going to remain in that house." he said. "Thatcher is going to remain. That's a good reason why he proposed to you."

-Really, Linden. I don't think Thatcher's purpose is to keep living in Joya del Mar. Surely there are homes just as beautiful, if not more beautiful. here.

He turned away.

"We're all going to be happy together. Linden. You'll see."

"I see the darkness coming closer," he said. "That's what I see."

"Aren't you tired? It's getting late."

"I'm all right." He turned back to me. "Don't worry." he said in a harder, firmer voice. "I won't hurt myself anymore. I've got to remain strong,"

"Good."

"To protect you," he added. He turned away again, "I've got to remain strong."

He was silent again, again like stone. I debated staying out there with him, then decided it would be better to leave him be and hope that with the morning and the light, the darkness in his mind would go away.

Mother was asleep. I went to bed. but I couldn't help lying there and listening for Linden. Finally, nearly a half hour later. I heard him come in and walk softly through the hallway, pausing at my doorway for a moment before going into his own room.

He was, surprisingly, far more cheerful in the morning. His talk was about the main house and our moving back into it. There was such a nice, positive energy about us. As if Thatcher had his ear to our wall, he surprised me with a call from his car on his way down to Miami,

'I couldn't wait to tell you,'" he began. "I just got off the phone with my father. They know everything, of course, and as I told you, they are going to accept it in their inimitable way, They have decided to move out of Joya del Mar sooner than anticipated. In fact, my usually laid-back father surprised me. He has been plotting and planning all this time, and they have made an offer and agreed to purchase a home that's turnkey ready."

"Really?"

"Yes, I have a feeling my sister had something to do with it. too, Anyway, I thought you and Grace and Linden would be pleased to know. They are moving within the month and paying you whatever they still owe, That gives you more time to get organized and think about our wedding," he said,

"That's wonderful. Thatcher."

"I'll call you as soon as I'm done here. Willow,"

When my mother and Linden heard the news, Linden was the happiest I had seen him since my return. He spoke eagerly now about setting up his studio. I, too, felt much better about all I was planning to accomplish in the next six months. My wedding, the moving, starting a new school, all of that boosted my mother's spirits as well. She had a great deal with which to occupy herself.

However, thinking about an event such as a wedding in Palm Beach also made her nervous,

"We'll take it a step at a time," I told her. "Just think of all we'll be able to do together."

That thought put the smiles back on her face, the lightness in her step, and the hope in her eyes.

Was it too much to believe that we would finally be a real family?

Later that afternoon. Jennings. the Eatons' butler, came to our front door and told me Mrs. Eaton would very much like to speak with me this afternoon, Would I be available for tea at about four? I was so tempted to say no. I was too busy. Mother gave me a look when she saw my hesitation, which was more or less a look that asked me to be nice. so I agreed to be there.

"We've all got to make an effort if this is going to work." she wisely advised. "The past is the past. We should worry only about our futures,"

I felt ashamed that she had to be the one to tell me that, especially after all she had been through.

So, with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. I went up to the main house and rang the bell. Jennings greeted me with what I thought was a look of sympathy and led me to the sunroom, where Bunny was on the telephone. She waved for me to enter and take the seat across from her while she continued her conversation.

"Don't tell me you need more time. Angelo. This is Mrs. Eaton," she screeched into the phone. "I know what you need and what you don't need. and I expect as wonderful a -menu as you did for the Turners. No, amend that. I expect something better. Bring me a list of new dishes not ever served at a Palm Beach affair.... Of course we are talking about seven to eight hundred. How could it be any less? Really. Angelo, I'm worried about you," she said, and followed it with her little hollow laugh. "I expect to see you before the end of the week," she ended with the sharpness of an army general. "Thank you. Arrivederci, "

She hung up and flashed a smile at me, then signaled the maid who was standing so still she looked like a store mannequin. The maid moved quickly to pour the tea from the silver pot and uncovered the petit fours.

"Thank you. Mary." Bunny said, which really translated to. "Leave us."