Drive and Determination (22 page)

            Gina let out a sigh. “So did Will. I think someone had to physically restrain my brother when he confronted him. He had literally reached his breaking point.”
            “I don’t blame him! How could someone do something like that?”
            “Definitely not the kind of person my brother wants working for Pemberleo. You’ll be pleased to hear that George is long gone and the pictures will not appear in any magazine. They have been destroyed and are off the internet site.”
            “I’m certainly relieved about that, but that pales in light of everything else he did and all the pain he has caused!”
            Gina looked intently at Elyssa. “I’m sorry. I know what I’ve had to say has not all been easy to hear.”
            Elyssa clasped her hands and brought them up under her chin. She gave Gina a weak smile. “But you also brought very pleasant news and I will try to dwell on that.”
            “Thanks. I’d best be off. The others in Solvang will worry about me if I get back late.” She smiled and extended her hand. “I have really enjoyed getting to know you, Elyssa.”
            Elyssa rose to her feet and grasped Gina’s hand in both of hers. “Me, too. I do hope we meet again.”
            With a fervent look of expectation in her eyes, Gina replied, “I do too, Elyssa. I do too.”

*~*~*
            For the next few days, Elyssa couldn’t get Gina’s words out of her mind. Her heart swelled with appreciation for what Will had done, while it revolted against George’s contempt for others. Elyssa felt sick as she recalled how deceived she had been by him.
            That first night she arrived in Guatemala, she had fallen into a heap of tears. George had let her pour out her disdain for the man she blamed for Chad and Janet’s deaths, while all along it was
he
that was truly responsible. If anyone was guilty of not caring for others, it was George. Will was only guilty of not knowing how to show others he cared.
            From what Elyssa read in Janet’s journal and what Gina told her about Will, she couldn’t get him out of her heart and mind. Those feelings that had begun to grow more favorable toward him in Guatemala were pushing their way to the surface again now that she knew a little more about him.
            Elyssa knew she had to thank Will for what he did. She was fairly certain he wouldn’t want to be thanked, but thank him she must. Several times she picked up the phone to call, but was never satisfied with the meager words she had prepared in advance. She picked up pen and paper more than once, but the finished letters all ended up in a crumpled heap in the waste basket.
            She determined that she needed to tell him to his face. A visit to her aunt and uncle in Lamstone would give her the opportunity. She just wasn’t sure when she would be able to afford to go and she didn’t want to burden them with the financial responsibility of flying her out.
            A telephone call the very next week seemed to provide the perfect answer.
            When the phone rang, Elyssa picked it up, thinking it was some friend or family member. Instead, a woman introduced herself as Emily Brownwood, from Regency Home Management Company. She explained that she was acting as manager for someone who had built a new home and wanted to have a designer come in and do the finishing work and decorate it.
            When Elyssa asked how she heard that she was a designer, the woman told Elyssa that the owner of the house had been given her business card from someone named Charlene.
            “Charlene!” Elyssa’s eyes looked up toward heaven as she laughed at this unbelievable news. “They received my business card from Charlene and want to hire me?”
            Emily cautioned her that there were several designers being contacted, but that the owner was looking for someone outside the area. She told Elyssa that they would like her to send them a designer board with samples of fabrics, tiles, wood stains, and pictures of room layouts so they could get an idea of her preferences. Once they received hers and the others, they would make the determination of who got the job.
            When Elyssa took down the address of the management company, her hand began to shake. It was in Illinois.
            “Where in Illinois is this?” Elyssa asked, almost afraid to hear her answer.
            “We’re about 50 miles south of Chicago. We have access to everything you need close by, but the transportation system into Chicago is exceptional, with the buses, commuter trains, and the ‘L’. If you fly in, Midway Airport would be closest if you can get a flight into there. O’Hare is a little bit farther.”
            “And do you know if you are very close to Lamstone?” Elyssa asked.
            “Yes!” the woman replied. “My office is about ten miles away, but the house you will be working on is not five miles from Lamstone. Are you familiar with it?”
            Elyssa could barely formulate the answer as her excitement was building. “My aunt and uncle just purchased a house there and I had plans to visit them. This would work out tremendously if I got the job!”
            “Well that’s a plus in your favor, then,” Emily assured her with a chuckle. “We won’t have to worry about putting you up in a hotel, although money is not really an issue.”
            “Is there a budget I am to work with?” Elyssa suddenly thought to ask.
            “No, not really. You will be able to do whatever you want to do!”
            Elyssa’s mouth opened, but nothing came out. She couldn’t imagine working on a house where there was no concern for a budget.
            After a few moments, Elyssa was finally able to say, “I have a designer board already made up from my senior project which I can send to you right away, if that’s all right. It really is a true reflection of who I am and what I like to do!”
            “That sounds fine. Of course once you see the house, you’ll be able to do whatever you want with it. You won’t be bound to what’s on the board.”
            “And who is the owner of the house?” Elyssa wanted to know.
            “The owner is… I have the contact name of Richard Fitzpatrick. But you will pretty much work through me. Mr. Fitzpatrick doesn’t want to be involved in any of the decision making other than approving the design.”
            “That’s pretty surprising. I am used to people hovering over me, ready to give their opinion on all my ideas. I’ll go along with it, though, if that’s what he wants.”
            “Good. You’ll be hearing from us as soon as the designer is chosen.”
            A squeal was let loose from Elyssa when she hung up the phone. “I might have a job!”
            She scrambled out to her garage and began looking through the mélange of things she had accumulated in her few years here. She pulled out her senior project designer board and hoped it wasn’t damaged or too outdated. When she looked at it, she smiled.
Yes!
she thought.
I have to admit that this is really pretty good!
           
She carefully wrapped it up and sent it out the very next day with a big prayer that the eyes that saw this would also see the potential she had.
           
She called her aunt and they talked excitedly about the possibility of her coming out -- with a major job! She asked Maddy to do some checking on the Regency Home Management Company. Maddy called her back within the hour to inform Elyssa that it had an excellent reputation.
           
Elyssa received the call three days later that she had landed the job and she was ecstatic. A check to cover all her initial expenses including airfare would be sent immediately and the sooner she could fly out, the better.
           
Elyssa clasped her hands over her heart as she considered the ramifications of this journey. She couldn’t be more thrilled that she had a job and would be seeing her aunt and uncle, but a tinge of apprehension lingered as she wondered how, or if, Will would receive her.

Chapter 21

            When the check arrived from the Regency Home Management Company, Elyssa couldn’t believe her eyes. It was in the amount of $1,000 which was to be used for any expenses she incurred getting to Chicago. When she checked airline prices, they were fairly high, considering she wanted to leave with only a few days’ notice. She called a friend of hers who was a travel agent and they found the best deal.
            She arranged for her paper to stop being delivered and her mail to be forwarded to her aunt and uncle’s. She really had no idea how long she would be there.
            Elyssa made good use of her three days before flying out by going online and finding stores that sold designer fabrics and other home decorating supplies. She had only a vague idea about what would be required of her, but she wanted to be prepared. She knew which manufacturers she preferred to work with and wrote down several addresses of businesses that carried their product, marking them with a black “X” on a map she purchased of Chicago and the surrounding area.
            In addition to the different stores, there was one other location on the map that she had circled. It was the home offices of Pemberleo Coffee.
            In all the details that required her attention before leaving, she never once forgot about Will. Her mind raced with scenarios on how she would see him again; what she would say. She wasn’t even sure he would want to see her, but she knew she had to take a chance. She needed to offer him an apology as well as thank him for the memorials. It was just a matter of when and how.

*~*~*

            Elyssa was able to get a non-stop flight and purchased a few home decorating magazines to look through on the journey out. She wanted to be ready for anything in case this Richard Fitzpatrick had any special preferences. She cringed at some of the decorating styles she saw, but folded down the corners of the pages that had ideas that appealed to her. She really couldn’t do any planning, though, until she saw the house. She believed a house had a very definite character of its own and that the design would automatically flow from it. She would need to take that into consideration before making any decisions.
            When the plane landed at Midway Airport, she walked briskly toward the baggage claim area, where her aunt and uncle would be waiting. The airport bustled with people coming and going and the energy swirling about her filled her with immeasurable eagerness. A tinge of nervousness invaded her thoughts as she considered both the enormity of this particular design job and the state of Will’s feelings for her. She wondered whether her message of thanks, appreciation, and offer of apology would be the extent of their contact.
            The Garners waved enthusiastically when she finally made her way out to the open area of the airport. Elyssa greeted her aunt and uncle with a fervent hug and then reached out for Lillian, the youngest. With her free had, she patted Frederick, the oldest, on the head.
            “It is so good to see all of you! I have missed you so much!” Elyssa was beaming from ear to ear and gave Lillian a gentle squeeze.
            “And how fortunate for you to be able to combine a visit with a design job! You must be excited, Elyssa. I can see it in your face!” Maddy observed.
            “I am excited,” Elyssa concurred. “I couldn’t have planned this out better myself if I tried.”
            “Are you hungry?” her uncle asked as they turned to walk toward the baggage carousel unloading luggage from her flight.
            “A little. But I’m willing to fit right into your schedule. We have the weekend to enjoy each other’s company. So I’ll let you set the pace. Monday, however, I’ll be a little more consumed with work.”
            They made it to the baggage area and kept their eyes open for Elyssa’s two suitcases. When she pointed them out, her uncle easily picked them up and they walked to the car.
            As they drove away from the airport, Maddy and Edward apprised Elyssa on all that had happened the weeks since they had last seen one another. Elyssa told them all about her trip to Guatemala, leaving out one major detail -- William Denton. She didn’t feel up to talking about him, especially to her most discerning aunt. Maddy would easily pick up on the slightest quiver of voice or downward glance and know the leaning of her niece’s heart. Elyssa would wait until she knew what his reception of her would be before she told her anything. The only mention she made of him, as well as to her family, was of the memorials he and Pemberleo established for Janet and Chad.
            The time flew by quickly and the city soon gave way to the suburbs with gentle rolling hills and wooded areas. It almost reminded her of the Santa Ynez Valley. When Edward kept going straight instead of turning at the sign indicating that Lamstone was to the right, Elyssa questioned where they were going.
            “Well,” her uncle answered, “we thought we would drive you past the house you will be working on.”
            Elyssa clasped her hands together. “Do you know where it is?” she asked.
            Maddy turned around from the front seat of the car to face her. “I talked to Emily Brownwood at the management company and asked her for the address, telling her I was your aunt. Edward and I drove past it a few days ago.”
            “And?” Elyssa’s eyes widened with curiosity.
            Her uncle waved his hand across the air. “A real fixer upper. I hope you’re not too disappointed when you see it.” A sly glance and wink at his wife told Elyssa he was teasing.
            “I saw that wink, Uncle Edward. You’ve probably found the most run down piece of property and that’s where you’re taking me.”
            They drove about five more miles and finally turned onto a winding road that was lined with trees.
            “Are you sure you know where you’re going?” Elyssa asked as she looked around her. “This road seems to go on forever!”
            “This is the driveway!” Maddy exclaimed. “This is the beginning of the property!”
            They drove on in silence, Elyssa taking in the wooded area around her. “It is beautiful here, but for heaven’s sake, are we ever going to reach the house?”
            As they made a final turn on the gently curving road, Elyssa gasped. Situated across a small pond so that its reflection was mirrored, was a beautiful home. It reminded her somewhat of the English estates she had studied in her design classes, although it was smaller.
            “Oh my!” Elyssa exclaimed. “I don’t think that I’ve ever seen a more beautiful home or such picturesque surroundings.” It looked as though no landscaping had been done, but it had a natural beauty to it. She wondered if anyone had ever lived in the home.
            “What do you think, dear?” Maddy asked.
            Elyssa looked at the beautiful stone façade that covered the main floor of the house and her eyes went up to the Tudor style of the top floor. “I can’t believe I actually get to decorate this! For the first time since getting this job, I’m feeling just a little nervous!” She leaned over and reached for her aunt’s hand. “Look, my hands are shaking!”
            “You’ll do fine, Elyssa. Just trust your instincts and your natural talent!”
            Elyssa rested her chin on the front seat, unable to take her eyes off the house. “Do you think it odd that someone… this Richard Fitzpatrick… is willing to entrust his house to someone he’s never met; that there is no budget and I pretty much have free rein to do as I please?”
            Maddy shook her head. “It’s probably someone who knows nothing about decorating and really doesn’t care. All he wants is a nice house.”
            Her uncle chimed in. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s someone who isn’t going to live here all the time. Maybe it’s just a summer home.”
            “Well I can tell you one thing,” Maddy said. “This Richard guy can’t possibly be married. I don’t think any woman would allow someone else to decorate their house without some input.”
            Elyssa let out a dreamy sigh. “Just look at that grand wrap-around porch. Do you know what the first thing I want to buy for it is?”
            Maddy and Edward looked at her and together answered, “A porch swing!”
            Elyssa’s eyes twinkled. “How did you ever guess?”
            They drove home and Elyssa felt as though she were in a dream. She would never have imagined anything so grand and her heart beat ferociously. She even surprised herself when she realized she had not thought about Will once since setting her eyes on the house.
            Elyssa enjoyed the weekend with the Garners. They took her to a couple of nice restaurants, she and her aunt enjoyed a chick flick at the movies while Edward stayed home with the children, and they spent some good, relaxing time in their home. In every free moment, however, Elyssa and Maddy spread out the home design magazines and began to plan and dream.

*~*~*

            On Monday morning, Elyssa drove the car her aunt loaned her to Regency Home Management Company. It was on the main highway, so it was easy to find. Dressed in her most professional outfit and carrying her brand new briefcase, Elyssa wanted to make a good impression.
            When she pulled into the parking lot and got out of the car, she smoothed out her skirt and pulled her jacket taut. Then she took a deep breath and walked in.
            A friendly looking woman greeted her. “Hi! I’m Emily Brownwood. May I help you?”
            Elyssa reached out her hand. “Hello Emily. I’m Elyssa Barnett.”
            “Oh, Elyssa! I just knew it was you! How do you do?”
            The two exchanged pleasantries and then got down to business.
            “Here, come into my office and I’ll show you what you have to work with.”
            Once in her office, Emily produced a floor plan of the living room and kitchen. She spread it open and the two looked down at it.
            “This is what you’ll begin with. It’s a fairly good sized home, but I hope that doesn’t intimidate you. The living room and the kitchen are the two rooms you are to work on first. Then we’ll talk about whether you want to stay on and do the rest of the home.”
            “That sounds reasonable,” Elyssa affirmed.
            Emily picked up an envelope from her desk. She reached in and pulled out a photograph. “I don’t know if this will make it easier or more difficult, but this is the only thing he insists on putting in the house. You know how some people are. You will see the real thing there.”
            When Elyssa looked down at the photograph, she saw a painting of a large manor, much like one would see in England. She could definitely see a little resemblance to the house she saw yesterday. “It’s a beautiful painting.”
            “It is an estate that was in the family several hundred years ago. You can do whatever you want with furniture and fabrics, but this has to be incorporated.”
            Elyssa looked at it and smiled. She wondered if she would ever be able to meet the owner, but already decided that he held his family, even those long gone, as important and dear.
            Emily pulled out the designer board Elyssa had sent earlier. “We really liked how you fashioned your board, dear. We would like you to do the same thing with your plans for the two rooms, giving us fabric samples and furniture styles. I’ll pass it on for approval. On the floor plan, he will want to see how you will arrange the furniture you buy for the house.”
            Elyssa nodded. “And you said there is no budget?”
            Emily shook her head and reached into the envelope again. “No, and to make it easier for you, we’ll order all the paint, floor coverings, counter tops, and that sort of thing from here. I have a list of approved sub-contractors who will do the work. Just pick out the materials and tell us what you want to do with it.”
            “That’s great!”
            “You’ll be responsible to order any furnishings for the house yourself, but you can charge them to me. I have an account with most of the major stores around here.”
            Emily reached into the envelope again and pulled out some papers. “Here’s my card, business license number, and a letter of authorization from me that will enable you to charge it to me. If you run into any problems, I’ll write a check for the amount.”
            Emily handed the envelope to Elyssa. “Inside is a sheet of paper with some of the stores close by and in Chicago that you might want to check out. I have included home design stores, wallpaper, paint, and tile stores, and some of the finer furniture stores. But don’t feel as though you have to stick with only them.”
            Emily turned to face Elyssa. “Do you have any questions?”
            “Not yet, but I’m sure I will.”
            “Good. Would you like to go see the house?”
            Elyssa beamed. “I would like nothing more!”

*~*~*

            Elyssa followed Emily in her car to the house, purposely neglecting to tell her that her aunt and uncle had already driven her out there. Even though it was her second time out, Elyssa’s heart still lurched when she drove around that last bend and beheld it in all its grandeur.
            When they walked up the porch, Emily handed Elyssa the key. “This is yours, dear, as I’m sure you will be coming and going throughout the day.”
            She stepped back and let Elyssa open the door. It swung open slowly and Elyssa’s mouth dropped at the sight before her.
            They entered into an expansive foyer that seemed to travel forever. Emily pointed off to the right and they stepped through an opened set of carved wooden double doors.
            Entering into the living room, Elyssa took a great liking to its spaciousness and its tall ceilings. Glistening wood floors seemed to stretch out in every direction. An unfinished fireplace with a heavy mantel dominated one side of the living room. Elyssa knew it would be up to her to decide whether to finish it with stone, tile, wood, or a combination. Large paned windows let in light from every direction.
            “What do you think?” Emily asked Elyssa.
            “It is beautiful. There are so many possible directions to go.”
            “Come, over here is the painting.”
            The painting was protected by a heavy cloth draped over the front. Elyssa was astounded at the size. It had been difficult to ascertain how large the painting was merely from the photograph. Emily pulled the cloth down and Elyssa stood even more dumbfounded as she cast her eyes over the most magnificent oil painting she had ever seen.
            “This is absolutely beautiful!” she exclaimed. “I’d love something like this in
my
house!”
            “It truly is a beauty. The only thing I can think of that might come close to its beauty is the real home itself. I believe it was somewhere in England.”
            Elyssa walked up more closely to study it. “It definitely has hints of taupe, apricot, and spruce green. I could use any of those as my primary color.” Her eyes swept over it again. “But then again, there is mustard, ice blue, mauve, and ivory.”
            Emily tilted her head. “I think you have your work cut out for you, my dear. Just deciding on the colors to use in this place would have me in quite a state!”
            Elyssa looked around her, beginning to feel the enormity of the task before her.
            She turned back to look at the painting. “I think that having this painting as the focal point will actually help me. It will definitely dictate the mood that I will want to create in the room.”
            “Good. The wall above the fireplace will be where it is to be hung. Those are really the only instructions.”
            Emily clasped her hands. “Now, if you need anything, feel free to give me a call. My work number and cell phone number are on my business card. Do you have a cell phone in case I need to reach you?”
            Elyssa reached into her purse. “Yes,” she exclaimed, proudly pulling it out. “I actually purchased it before I came out here. I must confess I tend to drag my feet when it comes to modern technology.”
            Emily laughed as Elyssa wrote down the number for her. “I’m sure you will soon wonder how you ever survived without one!”
            “You’re probably right.”
            “Well, Elyssa, I guess we’re pretty much finished here, unless there’s something else you need.”
            Elyssa chuckled and looked inquiringly up at Emily. “Do you mind if I ask you about the owner? I mean it may affect the direction I go if he is married or has children.”
            “Mmm. Yes, I can understand that. No, he is not married, but I think he most definitely has a wish to be married someday and have a family live here.”
            “Well there goes my idea of a bachelor’s pad!” Elyssa laughed. “Seriously, though, that really helps.”
            “If there’s nothing more, then I guess I’ll leave you to begin.”
            When Emily left, Elyssa walked over to her briefcase and pulled out a large drawing pad and a fan deck of paint colors. The pad would be the place to jot down and sketch her ideas. She then walked to the very center of the room and began to turn slowly. As she did, her mind played through various scenes of furniture styles and arrangements, colors and textures. After she had done that, she walked to the edge of the room and paced along each wall, playing the same scenes over in her mind, with a few new ones added in and a few being tossed out. This style would work; this one wouldn’t. This color would be great with that color; no, that one wouldn’t do well. She took notes as she did this, as well as drew some ideas for furniture arrangements. Then she walked to each door that entered the room and imagined what would be pleasing to the eye.
            When she finished doing that, she sat down on the hardwood floor to get a final view. She had to laugh as she considered that her whole house would probably fit in this room alone.
            She drew a couple more sketches and jotted down a few more ideas. She had a fairly good idea of what she would like, although she wouldn’t know precisely what it was until she saw it. She needed to visit fabric and furniture stores and hoped that what she saw there would harmonize with the character she envisioned for this room.
            She then took the fan deck of paint colors over to the large oil painting. Thumbing through the medley of hues, she selected several that matched the colors in the canvas. She marked them, not really knowing which ones she would go with. She figured she would know when she saw the fabrics she wanted to use.
            Before leaving to go into the city to check out some stores, she had to see the rest of the house, even though there was the possibility she might only end up doing the living room and kitchen. She gave herself a quick tour, opening doors and imagining what she would do with the plethora of rooms. She ran upstairs and found four bedrooms plus an immense master suite. She walked in and immediately was drawn to the large bay window that overlooked the front. She sighed at what her eyes took in.
Oh, I could very easily wake up to this view every morning!
            The window overlooked the small pond she had seen in front. She knew there had to be houses nearby, but from this vantage point, she could not seen any evidence of them.
            She walked to the window on the other wall and saw that it overlooked a dense wooded area. In her active designer’s mind, Elyssa could foresee a small garden in a clearing down there and thought a little landscaping would certainly add some color. “But not too much!” she caught herself saying aloud. “I don’t think you can improve too much on its natural beauty.”
            When Elyssa returned to the car, she pulled out her map. Just looking at it began to overwhelm her. She was grateful that her aunt told her she would accompany her into Chicago when she was ready and would happily give her pointers on getting around using the transportation system.
            Elyssa looked down at the map at every little “x” and the one circle. She didn’t want to put off another day to stop by the Pemberleo offices and express her appreciation to Will. She knew the sooner she got this over with the better off she would feel. Her heart picked up its pace as she simply mulled it over. One way or another, by the end of the day she would know how William Denton felt about seeing her again.