Drive and Determination (8 page)

Chapter 7

            Elyssa returned to the townhouse, still trying to reconcile the Will she saw today and the Will she had known about for the past two years. While she knew she should focus on her task of going through Chad and Janet’s belongings, she paced about the living room. Her feelings fluctuated as she recalled his arrogance at the wedding rehearsal dinner and reception two years ago. As she considered the glimpses she caught today of a man who actually had shown an ability to care, she found it increasingly difficult to hold on to her resolve never to forgive him for sending Chad and Janet here, ultimately leading to the accident that took their lives.
            Folding her arms in front of her and going to the window to look out, she could not decry the accommodations Chad and Janet had while they lived here. It was simply beautiful and they had everything they could have wanted. From all she had heard, Janet had been content here. She had been happy and had made the most of everything.
            She walked over to their bedroom and stood at the door. Looking in, she felt she was not yet ready to step over the threshold to begin going through their more personal things. Perhaps she would tackle it tomorrow afternoon when they returned from Antigua.
            Looking inside the master bedroom from the frame of the door, she saw a picture of the two of them over their bed. She tentatively took a few steps in to get a better look. In it, they were surrounded by beautiful, large flowers. She was sure it had been taken somewhere here in Guatemala. She glanced about her and knew that there would be things in this room that she would want to take home with her; things that didn’t really have monetary value, but purely sentimental value. At the moment, however, she was not ready to sort through the things in this very personal sanctuary of her sister who was now gone.
            A knock at the door interrupted her musings. Walking into the living room, she saw Shelley Walker through the open door. Elyssa went over and opened the screen door, inviting her in.
            “Hello, Shelley.”
            “Hi, Elyssa. When Manuel returned our car, I knew you had come home. How did your day go?”
            “It was incredible.”
            “That preschool is something, isn’t it?”
            Elyssa nodded. “I had no idea.”
            “Janet loved going there. She only hoped that the little time she could devote there would make a difference in at least one small child’s life.”
            Elyssa sighed. “She was always that way, wanting to help out someone who was hurting, take in some stray or lost animal, or just be there to listen.” A single tear appeared in Elyssa’s eye and trailed down her face, prompting her to quickly wipe it away. “Do you have some time to talk?”
            “Why do you think I came by?”
            Elyssa and Shelley talked for a good part of the afternoon. Most of it dealt with Chad and Janet. Elyssa was grateful for the insight Shelley had on their life in Guatemala. She appreciated the light she shed on how happy Chad and Janet seemed together.
            At one point, the conversation drifted to William Denton.
            “I don’t know him well at all, Shelley. Just what kind of man is he?”
            Shelley looked intently at Elyssa. “He is a man of integrity. He demands it from all of us. I heard there was some incident recently regarding one of the employees that really had him steaming mad. I don’t know who it was or what they did, but Will quickly took care of things.”
            “In what way?”
            “I really don’t know. One of his greatest dictates regarding Pemberleo Coffee’s employees is respect and privacy. If he hears any gossip, it infuriates him, particularly gossip about him or his family.” She took a sip of coffee and then continued. “I would imagine that’s because he is such a private person. He doesn’t want talk of him or anyone else being bandied about.
            “I have heard his whole life is Pemberleo Coffee; that he lives and breathes it. Is that true?”
            “Well, I can’t say whether his whole life is Pemberleo Coffee, but I know he puts a lot into it. He’s actually kind of a mystery to most of us. Even Chad, who was his best friend in college, was concerned about how little Will ever got out. What he does with his time I can’t conjecture. Sometimes he just disappears. Whether he’s locked up in his office working twenty-four seven or jet setting about the globe, is something that only he really knows.”
            When their conversation ended, Shelley invited Elyssa to join them for dinner that night. She agreed, as she was eager for lively companionship. She was grateful to be able to spend that evening with the Walkers and their guests. She hadn’t enjoyed herself as much in months.
            Elyssa went to bed that night trying to figure Will Denton out. In attempting to rationally evaluate his character, she was dismayed to discover that she might be vulnerable to him if he continued to behave as he did today. His compassion for the children, particularly that little girl, had touched Elyssa’s heart.
            However, all she had to do was recall the rude behaviour that she had been witness to, and his dealings with George Westham, and she was fairly sure she would be able to keep her head on her shoulders and view him as she should.
            He was the same sort of man as her father’s boss, who pushed his employees beyond what was reasonable for the sake of the company. As he apparently had no family other than a much younger sister, he would not put a high priority on the time others would want to spend with their loved ones.
            She finally drifted off to sleep after repeatedly and most vehemently reminding herself who the man, William Denton, was and what he stood for.

*~*~*

            The next morning Will arrived promptly at ten. When he walked in, Elyssa felt a most disconcerting flutter as he strode past her dressed in a crisp muted pastel shirt and slacks. His aftershave wafted across her nose and she looked away, suddenly wishing he was a short, overweight, ogre of a man who smelled like disgusting body odor. She had to make a determined effort to ignore the effect he was having on her senses.
            “Good morning, Elyssa. Are you ready?”
            She nonchalantly gave him a nod of greeting and murmured an affirmative, looking around her for her purse while he stood patiently waiting.
            “Here it is.” She picked it up and he walked her to the door.
            They walked out to the parking area and Elyssa noticed Manuel standing next to a nice sedan, instead of the limo.
            “Good day, Miss Elyssa! How are you today?”
            “I am fine, Manuel. How are you?” Elyssa answered cheerfully. She looked over at Shelley Walker, who was just walking over. “Good morning, Shelley,” she called and waved.
            It did not escape Will’s notice how different her greeting was to them than it had been to him.
            “Good morning, Elyssa,” Shelley replied. “Good morning, Will.”
            Will nodded at her. “Good morning, Shelley.”
            Shelley looked at Elyssa. “Are you all set to step back in time and spend a little money?”
            “Spend some money?” Elyssa asked.
            “Ah, yes. Some of the finer stores are located in Antigua. If you want any jade jewelry, this is the place to buy it.”
            “Thanks for letting me know, Shelley. I’ll keep my eyes open.”
            They walked toward the sedan and Manuel opened the back door, waving his hand toward the car for Elyssa to step in.
            Elyssa looked at him and then back to Will, who was eyeing her also, curious as to whether she would again insist upon sitting up front. While she certainly did not cling to this whole “chauffeur” arrangement, she obligingly slid into the back seat, joined by Will.
            They drove away from the apartment complex and within a few minutes, Will’s phone rang.
            He briefly looked to Elyssa and offered what seemed to be a sincere and regretful, “Excuse me.”
            Elyssa turned her head to look out the window on her side of the car. She took in a frustrated breath as she heard only his end of the conversation.
            “Can’t your find who owns it? Well do what you can. I really want this! No, that is not acceptable… Have Marlowe get on it then. I don’t care if the weekend is coming up. I want a contract and this finalized before I leave Guatemala!”
            Elyssa’s eyes widened as she continued to look away from him. As he issued his orders, she thought of all the family members of these people who would suffer because of his demands. It reminded her just how much her family suffered at her father’s long hours at work to comply with the orders of his demanding boss. She was sure the intense stress he was under contributed to her father’s heart attack and most likely all for a measly increase in profits!
            A fleeting thought crossed her mind that sent shivers up and down her spine. Could Chad have been tired when he was driving the night of the accident because Will demanded he put in extra hours? Was he in a rush to return to Guatemala City from the lake because of Will’s insistence? She stole a glance at him as he raked his fingers through his hair in frustration at something that was being said to him. Looking up in the rear view mirror, she caught Manuel’s eye. He gave his head a minuscule shake and shrugged his shoulders slightly.
            She turned her attention back to the scenery as they drove through Guatemala City. Looking out the window on Will’s side, she noticed that the volcano was now in sight and a steady stream of smoke trailed out. Each time she had seen this sight, it didn’t cease to impress her
. How often
, she thought,
does a person get to see an active volcano?
But it obviously meant nothing to Will as he seemed solely intent on dealing with his business, oblivious to the scenery passing by, and certainly not inclined to carry on any sort of conversation with her.
            The drive to Antigua passed quickly for Elyssa as Manuel provided a more entertaining distraction from the front seat than listening to Will’s end of the phone conversation in the back seat.
            Sensing Elyssa’s frustration with her back seat partner, Manuel began giving her a brief history of Antigua, which at one point had been the seat of Spanish colonial government. Several major earthquakes destroyed the city in 1773.
            By the time they reached Antigua, Will had completed several phone calls. Elyssa noticed the tightening of his jaw as he turned away from her and stared out the window. If Elyssa had learned how to read men at all, she knew his body language was telling her he was not happy with something.
            She cared little about the demeanor of the man next to her, as the cobblestone roads, old buildings and ruins, and the Agua volcano outside the window captured her attention. The main street was lined with little shops that were most inviting. She was determined to embrace this charming town and try to forget her pain and grief for a short time! He could stay behind in the car for all she cared, with his scowl, his thoughts, and his blasted cell phone.
            No, she mused as an afterthought. It was most likely a satellite phone as he seemed to have constant accessibility wherever they were. She groaned inwardly as she considered that with that phone there would be very few places he could go where he wouldn’t be able to easily connect with the office and his
Pemberleo Coffee
world.
            Manuel found a parking space on the street and adeptly pulled into it. He turned off the motor, removed the key, and turned back towards them. “If you walk up this street, you’ll find the best shops. Up at the end you’ll find the restored palace, although it is not as grand as the original. Down the side street in that direction you will find the ruins of Las Capuchinas, a convent. If you walk through any ruins at all, these are the ones to see.”
            “Thank you, Manuel.” Elyssa looked over at Will who had unbuckled his seat belt and without saying a word opened the door and stepped out. Before Manuel had even had the chance, Will walked around and opened Elyssa’s door.
            “You didn’t have to do that,” she said a little more defensively than she liked.
            “I know,” was all he said.
            Elyssa raised one of her fine brows in surprise.
He certainly doesn’t want to tag along with me again, does he?
she wondered to herself. She looked back at Manuel and gave him a questioning look which was answered by a bemused smile and a raised eyebrow of his own.
            Elyssa began walking toward the rows of shops with Will walking alongside. Neither had spoken a word since getting out of the car. She felt weighed down by his presence and could not make herself understand why he was so intent on remaining at her side.
            They came to a jewelry store and both stopped simultaneously to look in the window. The display of jade items was beautiful.
            “Shall we go in?” Will asked.
            “Yes,” Elyssa answered. “I would like that.”
            They walked in and were greeted in by an American clerk behind the counter. “May I help you?”
            “You’re an American!” Elyssa was surprised.
            “Yes! I’m here for a year living with a family and learning to speak the language. This job gives me practice, but I do so enjoy helping an English speaking person. Can I show you something?”
            “I would like to look around a little first,” Elyssa answered.
            Elyssa walked away from Will and was amused to hear the young girl gush over him. “I would be more than happy to help
you
find something.”
            “I think I would like to browse, too, thank you.”
            That didn’t seem to stop the young girl from coming out from behind the counter and standing closely at his side. Elyssa chuckled as she saw her look at him most admiringly. Elyssa turned her attention to the display in front of her, but easily overheard the conversation.                       
            “Are you interested in buying something for your wife over there?”
            “Uh, no. She is not my wife.”     
            “Oh, I see. A gift for your girlfriend then?”
            “No, she’s… no, thank you.”
            Elyssa thought he sounded somewhat abrupt and soon the young girl returned to her place behind the counter. The salesgirl didn’t cease gazing at him, giving him a hopeful smile each time he looked in her direction.
            Elyssa shook her head at the poor girl’s instant infatuation. Her gaze drifted over to Will, and she had to admit he was truly a handsome man. He was tall and had a lean, sturdy build. His dark curly hair framed his face and complimented his dark eyes. When she thought about it, the young girl had every reason to be infatuated with him. At least with his outward appearance.
           
If you only knew what he was really like!
 she thought to herself. She turned back to look at the jade and grit her teeth tightly together.
He may be handsome,
 she thought,
but he has to be the most inconsiderate and arrogant man I have ever met!
 
            Elyssa turned her attention back to the display of jade and finally saw a pair of oval drop earrings that she liked and that were reasonably priced. She noticed that Will was also making a purchase on the other side of the store.
            When she had paid for her earrings and joined him, she inquired about his purchase. “You didn’t buy that jade letter opener I saw, did you? I was tempted, but couldn’t bring myself to pay the price.”
            “As a matter of fact, I did not.”
            “Then it certainly had to be the pen holder. I am sure it will add just the right touch to your desk.”
            “No,” he answered, a smile twisting upon his lips, believing that her mocking of him was preferable to her just ignoring him.
            “Then what? Please don’t tell me it was a pair of jade cufflinks.”
            “No again. Nothing for myself.”
            “Then something for your new admirer?” Elyssa looked over at the young girl behind the counter. “I am sure she would be pleased with anything you bought her.”
            Will narrowed his eyes at Elyssa. The intensity of his gaze made her shudder. She turned away as she realized that this man most likely had a volatile passion in both love and anger.
            “Actually, I bought a little something for my sister.”
            His words surprised her and she looked back at him. The intensity she had just seen in him had suddenly and surprisingly been replaced with a look of tenderness. Rather than allowing herself to be drawn into that gaze, Elyssa thought this would be a good opportunity to find out more about his younger sister.
            “Ah, your sister. Tell me about her.”
            “You want to hear about Gina?”
            Elyssa nodded. They walked out of the store and continued up the street.
            “Well, I think I mentioned to you that Gina is almost twelve years younger than me. Quite a surprise for my parents, I think.” He let out a soft chuckle. “But a nice surprise. She has always been a real sweet girl. I couldn’t have asked for a…” His voice trailed off as he realized what he was about to say. The last thing Elyssa needed to hear now was about how sweet a sister she was.
            Unfortunately, he heard the catch in Elyssa’s breath and was confident she knew what he was going to say. He quickly continued on. “In the fall Gina begins her first year at Stanford, in northern California. Just north of where you live, I believe.”
            “It’s a real nice campus. And what is she majoring in?”
            “Business Management.”
            “Of course, I should have guessed,” Elyssa said. “Does she have plans to oust you and become the first woman president of Pemberleo Coffee?”
            Will smiled. “I think not. While she hasn’t outright said so, I believe her interests lay in a completely different field.”
            Hearing Will talk about his sister stirred her again. She could easily comprehend from his words and expression that he was fond of her.
            Talk of Gina, however, was suspended as they came upon some of the old ruins. They were transported back hundreds of years walking through them.
            After walking through several, Will waved his hand up the street.
            “The convent is down this way. Did you wish to walk through it?”
            “Yes I would like to.”
            When they came to the convent, they approached a small window outside where Will walked up and ordered two tickets. Elyssa began to reach for her wallet, but was stopped when Will firmly put his hand up. “I’ll take care of this.”
            From the insistent look in his eyes, she knew she dared not argue with him.
            When they walked inside the doors, they were greeted with a contrast of beautiful gardens and decaying ruins. Elyssa let her hand run along the dusty exterior of the building, imagining what it would have been like for a young woman to have lived in this convent and to dedicate her whole life to her faith.
            They walked past novice cells that were not much larger than her kitchen at home. She paused at one and looked in the doorway, wondering what it would be like to forgo ever marrying. She suddenly wondered whether she would ever marry. Things did not look too promising at the moment.
            She turned her head and saw Will pull out his phone and turn a corner. He was quickly out of sight. She shook her head and determined that if she ever were to have even a fleeting flutter of attraction for the man, to quickly extinguish it. He would never be able to completely leave his work at work!
            Elyssa let out a long sigh and turned in the opposite direction. This place wasn’t that big. She figured she would meet up with him again eventually.
            Elyssa strolled about the ruins, peering in rooms and wondering what they had once been used for, what type of furniture had filled them, and what, if any, accessories decorated the place. She walked in and out of the beautiful gardens, breathing in the fragrant flowers and reveling in their bright colors.
            Up ahead, she noticed a tour group and caught up with them. The tour guide spoke English and she listened attentively to his description of how life was here for the women. They came upon a large domed room and were told that historians were not really certain what it had been used for, but possibly for worship ceremonies.
            The guide ushered everyone in and told them to spread themselves around the dome and against the wall. He then singled out a lady and had her whisper something to the person next to her. When she did, everyone on the other side of the room laughed.
            “The acoustics in this room allow one to hear what someone is whispering on the other side!” He had a few others try it before he continued on.
            “Now, if we have anyone here who can sing, we shall have a real treat, for the acoustics created by its domed shape will give it a beautiful rich sound!”
            He looked around and everyone shook their head. “No singers? Certainly there must be one!”
            Elyssa had taken singing lessons when she was younger, but felt awkward volunteering since she wasn’t part of this touring group.
            When no one volunteered, the guide asked again. This time, Elyssa meekly raised her hand. “I am not a part of your tour group, but if that doesn’t matter, I could sing for you.”
            “Splendid!” the tour guide exclaimed. “Sing anything you like, but face toward the center.”
            Elyssa swallowed, moistening her mouth which now felt dry. She suddenly wondered what made her do such a thing as to volunteer to sing! Her mind swirled for a song and the only thing she could think of was hers and Janet’s favorite song,
I Will Wait for You
,