Heavenstone 02 - Secret Whispers

undressand might just fall into the bed in his tux. I barely managed to get myself cleaned up and into my nightgown. When I crawled under the light blanket and laid my head on the pillow, I saw Cassie standing there, her body glowing.
    “We buried our mother again tonight,” she said. “Sleep on that.”
    I turned my back on her, closed my eyes, and dove into a pool of sleep, welcoming darkness, silence, and amnesia. I didn’t open my eyes until noon, and even then, it took twenty more minutes for me to get used to the light and gather enough energy to get myself showered and dressed. Like a sleepwalker, I maneuvered down the hallway and down the stairs. To my surprise, both Ethan and Uncle Perry were already up and dressed and having their late breakfast out on the patio, where they could observe the final cleanup being carried out. They both rose at the sight of me.
    “Hey, Sam,” Uncle Perry said. “Are you awake?”
    “Not yet,” I said. Ethan rushed to kiss me good morning and pulled out my chair. Doris was out with fresh coffee and some morning rolls. I told her that would be fine for now.
    “Your father called just before they boarded the cruise ship,” Uncle Perry said. “He wanted me to tell you he’d call the first chance he got. That was quite an affair last night. No one who attended is going to forget it.”
    “The wedding to beat all weddings,” Ethan said.
    I could see Uncle Perry was waiting for me to agree, but I sipped my coffee silently.
    “Looks like another beautiful day,” he said. “They’re almost finished out here. The Heaven-stone estate should return to its idyllic state soon.”
    “Not soon enough,” I muttered.
    The way Uncle Perry and Ethan glanced at each other told me they had been discussing me.
    “Well, you guys enjoy the rest of the day,” Uncle Perry said, rising. “I’m heading back.”
    “I’ll be in shortly, too,” Ethan told him.
    “I don’t think you’re expected to.”
    “That’s the best time to do what you have to do, when it’s unexpected,” Ethan told him.
    Uncle Perry laughed. “Looks like you’ve been Heaven-stone brainwashed already. All right. If you need anything, anything at all, Sam, you make sure to call me, okay?”
    “Thanks, Uncle Perry.”
    “I’ll drop by in a few days nevertheless and invite myself to dinner.”
    “I’d like that.”
    He kissed me, shook Ethan’s hand, and walked off.
    “I really like him,” Ethan said. “He’s quite different from your father, not as tough, perhaps, but he gives you a chance. Too many people in high positions are so arrogant, so condescending.”
    “Lucille would say he’s not arrogant enough. She finds something wrong or weak with everyone she meets.”
    “I don’t know. My guess is she’ll be quite different now.”
    “How?”
    “Not as uptight about everything. She has nothing left to prove. She’s there.”
    “Speaking of that, why do you have to go in today? You heard Uncle Perry. No one expects it.”
    “I’ll just show my face. I sort of promised Lucille I would keep my eyes on things.”
    “Promised Lucille? Did my father ask you to do that?”
    Ethan smiled. “I’m not stupid, Semantha. When Lucille asks you to do something for the corporation, it’s pretty much your father asking as well.”
    I didn’t hide my displeasure.
    “But I’ll be back soon. From the looks of it, you could use some quiet time, anyway. Why don’t we plan to meet at the pool late in the afternoon? We’ll relax, have a simple dinner, and just curl up together and watch a DVD. How’s that sound?”
    “Refreshing.”
    “Good.” He finished his coffee, glanced at his watch, and rose. “I’m going up to dress for the office. You staying out here?”
    “For now,” I said.
    He gave me a fatherly peck on the cheek and hurried off.
    Doris came out to see if there was anything else I wanted and to clear off some of the dishes. I still had no appetite.
    “Where’s Mrs. Dobson this morning?” I asked her, realizing I hadn’t seen her yet.
    “Oh, Mrs. Heaven-stone told her to take today off along with her regular day off. She went to visit some friends in Lexington.”
    “Mrs. Heaven-stone?” I muttered, more to myself.
    “I guess we call her that now, don’t we?”
    “Yes, of course, Doris. You should take the day off, too,” I said. “We’re not doing very much. I certainly don’t want an elaborate dinner.”
    “Oh, I couldn’t . . .”
    “Yes, you can,” I