“It is. And thank you.” She took a breath, shaking her head. “Oh, Mother. The drama. You could have just told me the moment you knew. Instead of fighting we could have planned how we’d manage the time. I didn’t quit skating because of you. I competed as long as I did because of you. And I don’t hate skating—I love it. But I was done with so many aspects of the trials. They were right—Izzy Banks couldn’t take the pressure.”
Winnie sighed. “They say the mind is not affected by ALS. They’re wrong. I’ve made some foolish decisions in the past couple of years. I’ve snapped at you in anger and lived to regret it. But that’s not all. I’ve flown as far as Switzerland for a miracle cure when my specialist assured me all along the research hasn’t caught up with the power of this disease.”
“Well, I guess you’re lucky you had that option to fly to Switzerland. Does your specialist do anything for you?”
“I’ve been taking a drug to slow the progression, but it’s not going to cure me and there comes a time... Grace, you’ll need genetic testing. You should be prepared.”
Grace nodded. “What is Virginia’s role? Nurse?”
“She’s an assistant. She’s been with me for three years and now she does far more for me than she bargained for. I hired her as a secretary but she exceeded my expectations. She’s a genius with the computer.”
Grace tilted her head and smiled. “Is that so?”
“She’s amazing. And she knows she’ll be looking for work before long.”
Grace knew that anyone who worked closely with Winnie or inside the house went through complete background checks and came with high recommendations. Winnie was a genius at hiring the best people. Just look at what Mikhail was able to accomplish for her. “When you say before long...”
“How long will I live? I have no idea. Six months? A year? If I live a year, it won’t be a good year. I’ve already had more time than eighty percent of ALS patients. But Virginia knows her way around files and names and accounts. She can help you with that—she’s managed all of my correspondence for a couple of years now. And she will be replaced with a nurse sometime soon.”
“In San Francisco?” Grace asked.
“It’s where I’ve lived since you were twelve years old,” she said.
“Isn’t that big house getting a little overwhelming?”
“What do you mean?” Winnie asked.
“It’s just that—doesn’t it take quite an army to keep that place going?”
“Indeed,” Winnie said with a curl of the lip.
“Mother...Mama...I called Mikhail and he’s coming. He wants to see you.”
She stiffened in shock. “Why?”
“Well, aside from the fact that he’s fond of you? He also believes he owes his reputation to you. It was because you hired him that he had such success. Now, here’s what I need to know—how long are you staying here? In Bandon?”
“I can have this cottage for another week, but I was going to go home as soon as possible. Hopefully, you will be coming with me.”
Grace shook her head. “I have commitments. For this week, I have lots of orders. After that there’s a wedding out of town—one that I’ve been looking forward to. If I had an emergency, there are several florists who would be happy to take my orders. In fact, for the out-of-town wedding, Mamie and Ross could do the job—they trained me.”
“I’m aware,” Winnie said, and not happily.
“I want to tell you about my business, Mama,” she said. “Let me make us some tea.”
Grace started with an idea right after reading her mother’s letter and that idea grew as she thought about it. She understood that many people would think running a small flower shop could be a little boutique business, a small-scale and simple operation. And that was true, it could be. But it could be more, depending on who operated the business. Iris had told her that when her mother operated that little shop, they could barely squeak by financially—Rose had done little more than create floral arrangements for the locals who were familiar with her.
Grace had grown the shop significantly, hiring a marketing firm to assist in PR with computer marketing, coupons, specials, advertising in bridal catalogs and in bridal stores, not to mention a website. She’d implemented a creative and complicated computer program to minimize the time spent on demonstrating what was available along with pricing. She was an expert in buying the finest and most cost effective flora and her designs were definitely among the most beautiful. Why else would brides come from towns surrounding Thunder Point rather than going to their own neighborhood florists?
All of her accounting was computerized and she had not run through the trust her father had left. After buying the store and renovating the loft to live in, she had some modest investments that were managed by a wealth-management firm. She hoped the work she was doing would keep her quite nicely for the rest of her life, but it was possible she could actually expand if the notion suited her lifestyle.
“And what about this boyfriend?” Winnie asked.
“Troy? He’s the most wonderful man, but I thought we’d talk about my business, Mama. It’s really important to me that you know I’m not dabbling to pass the time. I love it, I’m serious about it, I’m good at it. I’m one of the best, Mama. I realize it’s not the career you would choose for me, but it’s not a waste of time. And depending on how I run it, it can be very successful. Will you come to see it? This week?”
“Of course, Grace,” she said. “I’d like to see your store. Now tell me about this man. Does he know you’re very wealthy?”
Grace sighed. Well, Rome wasn’t built in a day. “Until yesterday neither of us knew I even had the potential to be wealthy. Apparently Troy found out first. I read your letter this morning.”
“You must have known that I—”
“Number one, you and I have barely spoken in five years and when we did, it didn’t go well and, number two, I have always thought of you as...” Her voice trailed off and, unexpectedly, tears gathered in her eyes.
“Thought of me as what, Grace?” Winnie asked.
“I’m twenty-eight. You’re fifty-one. I thought you’d live forever. To at least ninety-five.”
“I thought I’d live through at least two face-lifts,” Winnie said sourly. “I haven’t even had my first yet!”
Grace let go a huff of laughter, but she had to wipe her eyes.
“I was planning to be the best preserved ninety-year-old in the city,” Winnie said. “Just tell me about your young man, Grace.”
Grace took a deep breath, wiped her eyes and carried on. “The woman I bought the shop from became my best friend—Iris. She’s a high school counselor and she’s married to the sheriff’s deputy in charge of the substation in our little town. I met Troy through Iris—he’s a high school history teacher. He makes light of it, as if it’s just something he does to fill the days and finance his adventures—he loves everything from river rafting to skiing to rock climbing. I think he’s into every sport but figure skating and surfing. But when Iris talks about Troy’s teaching she describes him as the most dedicated teacher she knows. He doesn’t just teach them history, he keeps an eye on them, paying close attention to any issues that need intervention. He watches for signs of abuse, bullying, drug and alcohol use, any problems teenagers might have. Iris says Troy would make an outstanding guidance counselor—his instincts are right on. There are students whose lives are changed because of Troy’s skills as an educator.”
“You had good teachers,” Winnie said defensively.
“Probably, but it’s not the teachers I think about when I look back and examine the choices I’ve made, when I think about the opportunities and accomplishments. It’s the coaches. I’ve had two of the best.”
* * *
Grace called Troy’s cell and asked him if he’d join her and her
mother for lunch at one of the resort restaurants. He was pleased to do that and he showed up at the cottage to push Winnie’s wheelchair.
Winnie might not be ready to admit it, but Troy charmed her. He made her laugh and her eyes twinkled. If there was a sweeter, kinder and funnier man, Grace had never met him. And he was completely sincere, Grace felt that in her heart.
On the way back to Thunder Point, she asked him what he would do if money were no object. “Grace, that is such a remote possibility for me, I’ve never even thought about it. I have no idea. Probably something fun and irresponsible.”
“But you’re the most responsible person I know. You work hard, you save, you measure every penny.”
“That’s because in my life, money has always been hard to come by. I learned to be careful at an early age.”
Grace and Troy were back in Thunder Point by three, but Grace didn’t open the shop. Instead, she made and returned a few phone calls, and then she went upstairs to her apartment and got on the laptop, researching ALS. At six, Troy showed up with crab cakes and salad from Cliff’s and a bottle of wine. They talked about all she’d learned in just a few hours of research, how much more she should know, including the need for genetic testing.
“I’m going to do a little more reading tonight,” Grace said.
“Would this be a good night for me to spend at my place?” he asked.
“Can you stay? I’m not going to read all night. And tomorrow I’m going to work in the shop in the morning and in the afternoon I’m going to close the shop and drive over to Eugene to pick up Mikhail. He’s going to stay at the resort with my mother for two or three days.”
“And what will you be doing? Will you spend the evening with them?”
“Maybe part of the evening, but I think it would be best if I let them catch up. Would you like to join us?”
“I don’t think so. But I hope I’ll meet him before he leaves. Why don’t you let me keep the shop open till five or so. I can sell what you have on hand, then I’m due to help Cooper for the next couple of nights.”
“Troy, did you plan to go somewhere? Is my sudden crisis keeping you from doing something fun with your spring break?”
“You think I’d run out on you now? Gracie, I think the way you handle this is one of the most important things you’ll ever do.”
“Because?” she asked, but she knew. She just wanted him to put it into words for her.
“Because you have this one chance to get things right between the two of you. And you should take it.”
“Right,” she agreed. “I hope I don’t really screw it up. And I hope I don’t mess things up with you, because you’re pretty important to me.”
“I’m a big boy, Gracie. Don’t worry about me. I’ll stick with you while you go through this.”
“And after I’m through it?” she asked.
“After? You might be living an entirely different life. Let’s see what all this means. I gather there’s a fortune involved. And not a small one.”
“Troy, that doesn’t matter. You can’t imagine that it would matter.”
“You can’t say that yet. That’s one of those questions that will have to be answered when it’s not just talk, when it’s real. But for now, while you try to sort all this out, you can count on me.”
* * *
That had such an ominous sound, Grace was a little nervous. Concerned enough that she didn’t sleep all that well.
When he took her in his arms, everything felt the same—easy and delicious and perfect. But she suspected that Troy, like just about anyone would be, was a bit intimidated by Winnie and her money. Money that she wished to confer on Grace but only after Grace jumped through all the right hoops. What Troy didn’t understand and couldn’t until it was, as he said, real was that Grace had been happier since she’d been on her own than ever before. And she’d been happier with Troy than she thought possible.
Once she was alone in her shop, when Troy was off doing his own thing, she placed a call to Ray Anne Dysart. Everyone knew Ray Anne was the person to contact for real estate needs. She wasn’t sure how to phrase her request exactly. She asked Ray Anne if she had time to stop by Pretty Petals this morning. She wanted to talk about property for rent or sale.
Ray Anne walked in not too long after, and with her was a pretty blonde woman. “Hi,” Grace said with a smile.
“Grace, meet my niece, Ginger. Not really my niece, but almost. My cousin Dickie is like a brother to me and this is his daughter. Ginger is staying with me for a while.” After the brief introductions, Ray Anne was all business. “How can I help you? Ready for a little more space than your darling loft?”
“Not exactly. I love my little loft. My mother lives in San Francisco and she’s up here for a visit. She’s staying at the Dunes in one of their beautiful little cottages. And she’s handicapped. She’s not getting around well and the San Francisco house isn’t the best for her disability. She can barely manage the stairs and it’s only going to get worse, and soon. Of course I’d like her to be closer. I’m afraid she has a progressive degenerative disease, and we don’t know how much time there is.”
“Oh, Grace,” Ray Anne said, hand to her heart.
“We’re doing as well as we can with the diagnosis,” she said, making it sound almost as if she’d known as long as her mother had. “Now, when I’d like her nearby, when she’s getting worse, I want a house for her. A one-level house. A beautiful flat house. She’s certainly not up to looking at houses, but everyone knows you’re the best there is. Fortunately, my father took care of my mother—he passed a long time ago. That San Francisco house will bring a nice price and she has a healthy pension. She can afford to spend her last months in comfort.”
“Almost anything in San Francisco can fetch a good price. Do you know what kind of house you’re looking for besides one level?”
She shook her head. “I don’t. It has to be ready. We don’t have weeks or months to decorate. Even though my mother isn’t getting around much, it should be spacious.”
“And will you be staying with her?”
“I’m sure I’ll be spending my share of nights there, but let’s think of her. I want her to have something to look at—”
“Oceanfront?”
“That would be wonderful, but anything that doesn’t feel like a hospital room. She has ALS. The symptoms are coming faster now. I think she’ll be bedridden in a few months.”
“And your price range?”
“I don’t have one. I don’t know how much my mother has socked away, but there’s plenty. She has old family money and, Ray Anne, I don’t want any of it. I want her nearby or else I’ll have to close the shop and go to San Francisco until...” She cleared her throat. “If you find something wonderful, I’ll look at it and if it’s perfect, I’ll find a way. My mother has always lived well.”
“I assume you want to rent?”
“I’m flexible,” Grace said. “If there’s nothing stunning for rent but there’s a listing that’s perfect, I can always sell it...” She looked down. “Later,” she finally said.
Ray Anne reached out and touched her arm. “There are some nice properties around. Have you looked online?”
“I haven’t. But I could—”
“Don’t worry about it. Write your email address on the back of this card,” she said, helping herself to one of Grace’s flower shop business cards and flipping it over. “I’ll get right to work on this. I can see why you’re in a hurry. I’ll send you some links.”
“Is this possible, Ray Anne?” Grace asked. “Because I have to convince my mother that this is a better idea than me moving to San Francisco for a year.”
“If it’s possible, darling, I can do it. It’ll give me a chance to show Ginger a few things about real estate and hunting property in case... Wel
l, my darling girl is with me for at least a few weeks, maybe longer, and we’re visiting local businesses to see if anyone needs help. Ginger wants to work while she’s here.”
“Are you serious? What kind of work?” Grace asked.
Ginger flushed and looked down. “My experience is mostly in retail. I worked in women’s clothing, housewares, a little bit in an office. I’ve done a lot of things.”
“Did you work in decorating at all, while you worked in housewares?”
“I wouldn’t call it decorating, no. But I did things like bridal registries.”
“I’m desperate for help. Especially now, with my mother and all. Do you have any interest in flower design? This is a small boutique, but it’s busy. Not crowded, but busy. There are a lot of phone orders and arrangements to design. I spend a lot of time in the workroom, putting them together. Most of them are not originals but created from pictures I have and they’re pretty easy to learn. I try new things from time to time.”
“I don’t know,” she said with a shrug. “I could try.”
“Would you like to spend a morning with me? Just to see how it feels? It’s very messy work.”
“Could I? The idea of a small shop appeals to me a lot more than a restaurant or—” she glanced at Ray Anne “—real estate.”
“It’s okay, babe,” Ray Anne said. “Not everyone is cut out for my job, even though they think they are.”
“Can you come tomorrow morning? Early? Eight o’clock?”
“I can do that,” she said.
“Wonderful! Ray Anne, thank you. Send me pictures, please.”
Sixteen
Mikhail Petrov’s flight arrived promptly at three in the afternoon and he walked into the baggage-claim area with a duffel over his shoulder. He was sixty-six and his face was whiskery and lined with age, but his hair was reddish brown. Bad color, Grace thought. He’d had bad hair color for so many years. But for a man his age, he was fit and strong. Small but built like an ox with his big shoulders and short legs. She held up her tablet upon which she had typed, in very large letters, PETROV. He didn’t smile, but she did. He was accustomed to limos or at least town car service. It wasn’t as if he wouldn’t recognize the best figure skater he’d ever coached.