Part 22 (1/2)
”Yesterday. Edward brought me back home.” She smiled happily at her husband, who appeared genuinely pleased at her return.
”And we both agreed to no more pills,” Edward added.
Marjorie smiled. ”I'm very glad to hear that.”
Creighton stood behind his wife, his gla.s.s held high.
”Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, ”it's been an interesting past few days, but we've survived and, thankfully, have grown closer and learned more about each other because of it.” As the group toasted their newfound unity, Creighton mouthed a silent acknowledgement to Selina.
”As you all know,” Creighton continued, ”I was named as the sole beneficiary of my father's will. I, however, don't believe that's very fair. It's not what Edward and my mother would have wanted.”
”Selina,” he went on, ”you've given this family so much over the years, including (with your story yesterday) a chance for Edward and I to better understand our parents. Therefore, Edward and I want Black Island to be in your name.”
Selina's jaw dropped. ”What? You mean ... ?”
”The house, the trees, the cove, it's all yours,” Edward explained.
”We just ask that you'll allow us to visit from time to time,” Creighton rejoined with a laugh.
”Of course you can,” Selina exclaimed. ”It-it wouldn't be the same without you boys here. All you boys.”
George embraced his mother and pumped Creighton's hand furiously. ”You've made my mother a happy woman. I don't know what to say.”
”You might tell us what you'd like to do with your life,” Creighton suggested.
”Do?”
”Well, certain colleges are known for their medical programs, others for law, and still others for business.”
”Are you saying ... ?” George questioned.
Selina, meanwhile, gasped and hugged her son.
”We're saying, George, that you're our brother,” Creighton stated simply. ”Even though there are some who may look upon you as a lesser brother, in our eyes, you're equal.”
George reached his hand across the table and shook Edward's hand vigorously. ”Mr. Edward, thank you. Thank so much.”
”You're welcome. And, by the way, you can drop the 'Mr.,” Edward replied with a smile.
”I will, Mr.-I mean, Edward.” George turned to Creighton and pumped his hand just as furiously as he had Edward's. ”And thank you, Mr. Creighton. Thank you!”
”No, thank you,” Marjorie piped in. ”If it weren't for you, it might have been me looking down the barrel of that gun and things might not have ended so well. Although, I have to admit, I'm still not sure where you came from.”
”It was that cat of yours,” George said. ”He was pacing back and forth by the steps. When I saw him, I figured something was wrong, so I went downstairs to investigate. I-I saw Constable Smith and then you in the boat with Miller. I knew I'd never catch up by
swimming, so I went by foot and met up with you by the neck of the cove.”
”I don't care how you did it,” Marjorie remarked. ”I'm just glad you did.”
”That makes two of us,” Creighton added before turning his attention to the platinum blonde seated beside Marjorie. ”Griselda!”
”Oh, boy,” she muttered under her breath. ”Here it comes.”
”Don't be worried,” Marjorie a.s.sured. ”This is good news.”
”You sure? Because the last time we were at a table like this, it didn't exactly end well for me.”
”You'll think differently this time,” Creighton promised. ”Aside from playing a drunk-”
”Which you did brilliantly!” Marjorie noted.
”-my wife tells me you're a talented seamstress. That's why, if you're interested, we'd like to set you up with your own dress shop. Not just mending or alterations, but designing, sewing, and selling dresses. How would you feel about that?”
Griselda's eyes filled with tears. ”How would I feel? My very own business. My own money ... mine! I-I'm overwhelmed.”
”And I'm overwhelmed that you helped me the way you did,” Marjorie said. ”So I guess that makes us even.”
”Edward,” Creighton addressed his brother. ”You didn't think you'd leave this table empty-handed did you? You've helped father run the business for years now and, during those years, you've done a far better job than I ever could. Therefore, I'm signing father's shares of the business over to you.”
”Thank you,” Edward said.
”However, I'm also kicking you out of the family home.”
Edward's face was a question. ”What?”
”Griselda will be staying in the house, but you and Prudence need a fresh start. That's why I'm giving you the money to purchase your own home ... with one stipulation.”
”Certainly,” Edward agreed. ”What is it?”