“It was a good memory to give her. I’m going out for a little while. You should take a nap and rest.” Savannah leaves before Anika can ask any questions.
Frowning, she takes a quick bath and changes into a clean dress. Dinner will be served in the dining room downstairs. She is just finishing her hair when someone knocks.
“Come in,” she calls and turns with a smile to find Daisy at her door.
“You look refreshed,” Daisy says.
“I feel better. How about you?”
“I’m going to keep an eye on the children with Mrs. Henrietta. Glenn has asked that join him for tea in the gardens outside.”
Anika smiles, “The Gardens?”
“Oh, Allen and I walked through when we first arrived. They have a maze garden, with glowing lanterns, walkways, and even seating areas for evening tea.”
“That sounds lovely. Thank you.” She hugs Daisy surprised by the woman’s grip on her.
“Is everything okay, Daisy?”
“Yes, I’m just feeling sentimental. Thanksgiving is coming, and I feel so thankful to have you and Delaney in our lives. You should know how blessed we are that you are here.”
Anika sniffs back her tears, “Thank you, Daisy. I can’t believe how quickly you all feel like family.”
Daisy laughs and pushes her gently to the door, “Go on, now before I cry. Take a wrap it’s getting cold.”
“Yes, ma’am,” she laughs and wraps her navy-blue wrap around her shoulders.
Anika walks quickly out and down the stairs to find Glenn waiting for her. He frowns at her and her stomach erupts in butterflies. Before she makes it down the last step, he reaches her and rests a hand on her hip.
It is only natural for her hands to rest on his shoulders. “Why so worried, Mr. Ward?” she teases.
“It’s nothing,” his eyes drop to her mouth, “You look beautiful.”
Anika blushes, and glances around the empty lobby. “Glenn?” she murmurs.
He steps back, and she follows him down the last step, missing the feel of his touch. “Tea is in the gardens,” he offers her his arm and guides her through the lobby and down a hall leading to the back of the small hotel.
Anika gasps when they step outside. Trimmed bushes create a maze of walkways and paths, lit with gas lanterns.
“The sun will set in an hour and at night the gardens look enchanting.”
Anika glances at him as he begins to chat and give her the history of the gardens. Glenn doesn’t do small talk, she thinks. He’s nervous. Why is he nervous? Her heartbeat accelerates as they walk, and he seems to be walking quickly now.
Finally, he guides her to an opening in the maze to a gazebo. Anika is delighted to find tea, fruit, and biscuits set up. She gasps,
“Glenn, this is wonderful!”
“I’m glad you like it,” he takes her small hand in his and wonders at the strength in them as he guides her inside. The weight of her Father’s will weigh heavily in his pocket and heart.
She pours the tea and offers him a cup while she butters a biscuit. Her caramel eyes watch him nervously toy with his food before she sits her cup down with a snap.
“Alright, Glenn. What’s going on? You’re making me nervous.”
Glenn jumps, before laughing softly. “I should’ve known you’d call me on it.” He takes a deep breath and pushes the small plate away.
“I wanted to talk to you in private. Today Dayton surprised me with some news.” Glenn draws some papers from his inside jacket pocket and stares at her. “He hired a Pinkerton detective to research your father’s estate.”
Anika inhales a sharp breath, and her eyes fly open wide before narrowing with fury. “How dare he! Why on earth would he do that?” she jumps up and starts pacing. “Who does he think he is? That is personal!”
“Yes, but…” he tries to explain, but she is waving her hands and rambling.
“He had no right! You wait till I see him again…”
Glenn jumps up and grabs her gently by her upper arms, stopping her tirade.
“You will want to hear this, first.” Anika goes pale and lets him guide her back to a chair and scoots one next to her before offering her the folded-up documents.
“This is your father's last will and testament.” Anika refuses to take them. She crosses her arms protectively over her chest and stares at them. “No. I don't want to know, Glenn.”
“Yes, but you need to know.” Slowly, he unfolds the papers, placing them on the table beside her. She reaches a trembling hand out and traces her father’s script.
“I don’t know if I’m strong enough to read it, Glenn. Tell me what it says,” she pleads.
“You are the sole surviving heir, he left everything to you and Delaney.”
Anika jerks as if slapped, “No! He hated me, Glenn, he refused all my letters.” Tears fill her eyes and slip down her cheeks.
“No, he didn't.” From his other pocket, he draws out a bundle of letters tied with a brown cord. He places them on the table beside her. “Saul lied to you. Your father's letters were returned unopened.”
Glenn was prepared for the fury, anger, rage but not the wail of sorrow that erupts from her soul. It rips from her soul and batters him. She drops her head into her hands and sobs.
“It’s going to be okay, Anika,” he promises as he lifts her from the chair and into his lap. Her body is wracked with sobs, shaking him to his core.
“I thought ... he hated me… Glenn, why would Saul do that to me?”
“I don’t know,” he answers honestly and hands her a handkerchief. “You need to look at this as a gift,” she pushes back and stares
