Lady Next Door and Other Stories Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  The Lady Next Door

  A Home for Adam

  Lola's Decision

  Miss Lana Wilson

  A Gift for Philomena

  Also Available

  About the Author

  Copyright Information

  The Lady Next Door and Other Stories

  Dara Girard

  Published by ILORI PRESS BOOKS LLC

  www.iloripressbooks.com

  Smashwords Edition

  All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any fashion without the express written consent of the copyright holder.

  The Lady Next Door

  The dreadful woman was humming again. And loudly at that. She could hear her, even with her window shut. Mrs. Harmony Ellis looked out her kitchen window to see her new neighbor blissfully humming in her garden—not that it was a proper garden full of beautiful flowers or delicate herbs, but an overgrown monstrosity that should have been planted in the back and not near the side of the house where everyone passing by could see. That was the proper way to do things in Hamsford. But Octavia Newberry had only been a Hamsford resident for six months so she didn't know how things should be done, or worse, didn't care. She seemed the type that tended to ignore regulations and decent decorum. Why the sensible Lester Gamble had decided to rent his house to her nobody could understand. He was usually such a predictable man, but had made a very unpredictable decision to go on a year sabbatical, leaving his house to a woman no one knew anything about.

  One thing that couldn't be missed was that she was very attractive. Distractingly so. Harmony had seen her own dear boy, Ray, give the hussy more than a casual glance. Twice she'd caught him helping Miss Newberry with her groceries--much more than any single woman would need-- and actually go inside her house instead of dutifully just leaving the items at her front door. Once he'd disappeared for so long, Harmony had visions of that woman trying devious ways to seduce him. Fortunately, she knew her Ray was sensible and old enough to know that he and that woman had little in common. Ray wouldn't be swayed by a pretty face when he should only have eyes for the sweet Amelia Dawson, an elementary school teacher. She was from a prominent Hamsford family with an excellent reputation. She shared Harmony's appreciation for everything beautiful. Unlike her neighbor, Amelia didn’t drive a large truck and traipse around in muddy boots and jeans. As befitting her upbringing, Amelia always kept herself decent and refined, as a proper young lady should. Especially one who planned to marry an upstanding young man. Whenever she came to visit, or was in the company of Ray, Amelia was the picture of perfection. Her hair was impeccably groomed, makeup expertly applied, nails polished and her stylish figure clothed in a distinctive designer collection. That’s the kind of daughter-in-law Harmony expected and the only kind she would accept. Her grandmother, who she’d visited regularly as a child while living in Antigua, had taught her the art of ‘being a woman’, just as her mother had shown her. And Harmony had learned well and married well as a result. Oh, if only Terrance, her dear husband who had passed away too soon, were still around to guide her son away from the luring call of this flashy, arrogant woman. Ray was a looker too. Smart, dashing and successfully running his father's business, doubling the company’s profit within a year. Harmony knew he was perfect for a gold digger. But he was also very responsible and cared about his mother’s feelings so she would use it to her advantage in case she needed to make him realize where his loyalty should be. This was her home and not just any woman would enter. After Terrance died, Ray had moved back home to take care of her. While she had loved Terrance, he had proved difficult at times, and hadn’t managed the finances well. Ray, however, helped her maintain the lifestyle she'd always wanted.

  He’d sold his luxury townhouse, moved in and upgraded their estate to all her specifications. The entire landscaping was redone, including removing several unsightly oak trees she felt dominated the front lawn. A two-level wrap-around deck, including an enclosed sunroom and greenhouse, with a fountain, had been installed in the back of the house. Harmony had a reputation and a certain standard to uphold. Ray was a considerate young man and she couldn't blame that girl for trying to catch his eye, but her son was better than some woman whose past nobody knew about. They were an established family with a reputation to maintain. The Ellis's had lived in Hamsford for generations. Her husband's great-grandfather, on his father’s side, had settled there after immigrating from Grenada to Detroit, Michigan before finally moving to Maryland.

  Harmony turned from the kitchen window when she heard whistling. Her heart lifted at the sound of her son's bright tune until she recognized it--it was the same tune that her neighbor was humming. "What are you doing?" she demanded when he entered the kitchen.

  He paused in the doorway then flashed a wide smile use to her moods. "Good morning to you, Mother," he said giving her a kiss on the cheek.

  She pushed him away. "Don't you 'Good morning' me. What are you whistling?"

  He shrugged. "Just a tune I heard."

  Harmony pointed to the window. "Did you learn it from her?"

  He grinned. "Perhaps."

  "Wipe that expression from your face. It's indecent to grin so this early in the morning."

  "You're in a sour mood. Let me make you some pancakes."

  "I don't want pancakes. And if I did, I would have Melva make them for me," she said referring to their housekeeper and cook.

  "How about French toast?"

  "No," she snapped.

  "Have you taken your medication?"

  "Don't change the subject."

  "I didn't know we were on a particular subject."

  "Ray, I don't want you near that woman."

  "What woman?"

  "I raised you too smart to act this stupid." Harmony gestured to the window. “She’s at it again, humming like an animal in pain."

  “I think she has a nice voice.” Ray went over to the coffeemaker and poured himself a cup.

  "Nice?" Harmony sent her son a sharp look. “She's a coarse woman moaning loudly in her garden of weeds.”

  He added sugar to his cup and stirred, keeping his voice neutral. “Vegetables."

  "How do you know that?"

  "I saw her harvesting them. She had to learn to grow vegetables out of necessity. She is from a family of eight. When she was young they had little money--"

  "Then they should have stopped at two children if they had any sense."

  Ray continued. "And to help stretch the family budget she grew vegetables on the little plot of land they had. There were scary times, but they were able to make it."

  "So she grew up poor?" Harmony sniffed beginning to understand the tactic Miss Newberry was using to lure her son. He had a soft spot for the underdog. It was an annoying and unfortunate trait she and her husband hadn't been able to remove. They had both grown up extremely privileged and felt no shame in being so. They did their civic duties, but never felt the need to extend themselves in the way Ray did, such as giving his toys away when he was only five years old or organizing fundraisers for the local boys’ group home.

  "She's not poor anymore. She worked her way to--"

  Harmony held up her hand. "I don't care."

  "And she makes a delicious zucchini bread.”

  “It was edible?”

  “She offered to--”

  “I wouldn’t accept my last breath from that woman."

  "Be careful, she could be your daughter-in-law one day."

  Harmony froze at the mere implication. "I wouldn't let you! Stay away from her. She sees your handsome face and deep pockets and just wants a free ride."

  "No w
oman who kisses like her wants me just for my money."

  "You've kissed her?"

  More than once, but Ray was wise enough to keep that information to himself. He already found it troubling that his mother didn't like her. "Would you like coffee?" he asked eager to change the subject since he wasn't able to change his mother's mind about Octavia.

  "No. How’s Amelia?”

  "Fine."

  "She’s so lovely. Sweet and considerate. You’ll be taking her to Ravi's party right?”

  "Maybe."

  "There's no ‘maybe’ about it. Everyone expects you to."

  Ray knew what everyone expected, but after meeting Octavia he didn't care anymore. He didn't tell his mother that he hadn't seen Amelia in months or the reason why. He'd never tell anyone what he'd overheard Amelia say to a colleague when he'd stopped by her school to surprise her last autumn.

  "Of course he's going to marry me. Everybody knows it and I can tell he's thinking about asking me real soon. I expect my ring to be at least three carat. And I've got that mother of his in the palm of my hand so I'll have no problem running the Ellis estate the way I want."

  Ray continued to listen as she discussed how the house would be run, where the wedding would be and the honeymoon. He debated whether he should let her know he was there or remain hidden. He decided to leave and end his relationship with her. Two days later he made it official by treating her to dinner at her favorite restaurant. He knew it was a little cruel, but he could tell by the way she was dressed and her guarded enthusiasm that she expected a proposal. Instead he calmly told her that he was broke.

  She recoiled as if he'd admitted to being a criminal. "Excuse me?"

  He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat, hoping to make his lie more believable by looking uneasy. "We're broke," he repeated lowering his voice as if ashamed to admit it. "The house is a money pit and business isn't as good as people think it is. My father made a number of investments that haven't worked out. I know how much you love me and want to get married, but now isn't a good time. I think we should break up."

  "All the money can't be gone," Amelia said with a note of panic. "You still have the house in Barbados right?"

  He shook his head.

  "The flat in London?"

  He shook his head again.

  "But it's impossible. I can't believe this is happening to me...I mean you."

  "You're the only one who knows and I'll hope you'll keep it to yourself until I figure out how to handle things." Ray cleared his throat. "I just need you to do one thing for me."

  "What is it?" Amelia asked with caution, making it clear that it had better be a small favor.

  "I don't want my mother to know about this. So wait six months before seeing anyone new publicly. My mother is really fond of you and I know it will hurt her if she knew we'd broken up."

  "Oh sure."

  "I hope we can still be friends."

  "Right, of course friends," she said with a distracted air as if already trying to figure out who she would replace him with. The dinner ended soon after with both of them going their separate ways.

  Ray arrived home feeling both relieved and stupid. Sure he'd been able to trick Amelia regarding his finances, but she'd conned him for even longer. He'd really cared for her and had planned his future with her plus, as she'd told her friend, his mother adored her. But she'd fooled them both by being like all the rest who only saw the Ellis fortune. He parked in the driveway briefly missing the cozy townhouse he'd decided to give up in order to keep his mother company and closed the car door with a little more force than he should have. The sweet bite of a chilly autumn wind swept past, tossing some wayward leaves in his path. He knew the leaves weren't from his trees, but their neighbor. His mother wouldn't like that. She liked her lawn pristine.

  "Excuse me?" a female voice called out to him.

  He turned and saw his new neighbor waving him over. He inwardly groaned. She was attractive, beautiful really, but he'd had his share of those and after Amelia's betrayal he wasn't in the mood for another pretty face or coy tactics to get his attention. If that was her intention she was going to be disappointed. Ray leaned against his car making no move to go towards her. "Yes?"

  "Could I ask you something?"

  He released a fierce sigh then walked over to the small hedge that separated them. "What?" he asked in bored tone.

  "I need your help. I just got a delivery of mulch, but they put several stacks in the wrong location and I need to move them. I could really use your help."

  Ray looked at the stack of mulch suspicious. Was this a ploy? Women had used it on him before--twisted ankles and sprained wrists--all in an effort to get his attention. He looked at his neighbor's earnest expression then back at the pile. It sounded like a reasonable request. "Okay."

  "Thanks. I'll wait for you to change."

  He glanced down at his clothes. She was right. He should change out of his pressed grey shirt, black trousers and dress shoes, but he wasn't in the mood. "If I go inside, I won't come back out. So I'd better help you now."

  She shrugged. "Fine. Suit yourself." She turned and he followed her expecting her to point to the pile and let him do the rest, but to his surprise she picked up two bags, hefted them on her shoulders then carry them over to a far tree. He watched amazed. This was no helpless female hoping to have some big strong male come to her rescue. She was one who could handle things herself, but wasn't too proud to ask for assistance when she needed it.

  Not to be outdone by her Ray picked up four bags, knowing he'd be sore the next day but not caring. He helped her move the bags and when they were finished she looked up at him and smiled. "Thanks, that would have taken me forever." She wiped her forehead with the back of her soiled glove, leaving a trail of dirt against her chestnut brown skin, then she yanked them off and held out her hand. "I'm Octavia Newberry."

  "Ray Ellis," he replied liking the feel of her firm, steady handshake. He was starting to like a lot about her.

  "Nice to meet you, Ray. I owe you one. Anything you want, just ask."

  "I will," he said not wanting to leave. She was so beautiful yet so ordinary and it was a nice change. She didn't try to impress him with a list of degrees or family background or flaunt her figure in seductive clothes. Actually she didn't try to impress him at all. The Ellis name evidently didn't mean anything to her and his handsome face hadn't made her give him a second glance. He suddenly realized he wanted it.

  Ray glanced around the yard. "Do you need help spreading the mulch?" he'd never had to do lawn work in his life--that was what a landscaping crew was for--but he'd learn if she wanted him to.

  "No, but thanks for offering."

  He folded his arms. He wasn't used to having a woman say 'no' to him and he didn't like it. "I'd like to call in that favor."

  Octavia tilted her head to the side and grinned. "Okay, what do you want?"

  "To help you with something else."

  She laughed then winked, making him forget about his break up with Amelia in an instant. "When I think of something else, I'll let you know."

  He rested his hands on his hips and took a step forward. "I could help you come up with some ideas."

  "I'm sure you could," she said in a low, soft voice. "but not today. Goodbye." She patted his arm then turned and walked inside.

  Ray didn't move. His new neighbor had suddenly become a lot more interesting. She was beautiful and strong with hips that could leave a man hypnotized.

  Fortunately, it hadn't taken her long to think of something. A week later she'd asked for help with carrying her groceries, then picking vegetables from her garden, then choosing pots for her plants. Soon he was planning his schedule to make sure he was free to be with her. He was careful not to be too obvious, so their meetings were always casual and he made sure to visit Octavia when his mother was out. He knew he couldn't make his mother understand why Octavia was so special to him. Why being in her company made him feel at home, but he knew
why: because she was ordinary he could be ordinary too. He didn't have to be Ray Ellis the eligible bachelor, the successful businessman, or the dutiful son. He could just be himself. Part of that unnerved him because he didn't want her to just see him as her neighbor, or worse, as only a friend. The seasons had changed from autumn to winter and now to spring, but their relationship remained friendly and casual. He wanted more.

  "Octavia," he said one spring afternoon after helping her carry groceries to her kitchen. "I want--."

  She covered his mouth. "Don't say it yet."

  "You don't even know what I'm about to say."

  "Yes, I do. I can tell by the look in your eyes. You want to kiss me right?"

  That and a lot more. He nodded.

  She removed her hand and took a step back. "Ray, there's something you should know about me first," she said in a grave tone.

  His heart constricted and he felt his breathing grow shallow. He had made another mistake? Had he been duped again by a woman? "What's wrong?" he said trying to sound gentle even though he was ready to build a distance between them.

  "Sit down."

  He folded his arms.

  "Please."

  He did.

  Octavia sat in front of him then told him about her past, keeping her gaze lowered her voice shaking at some points. Ray sat and listened wondering why she thought that her past would make any difference to him. He watched her wanting to gather her in his arms and let her know that none of it mattered to him, but he gripped his hands into fists instead. In an instant their relationship grew deeper not because of what she shared but because it was then that he realized how alike they were. The world outside wouldn't see it: they'd only see an attractive, at times, rough woman who'd come from a big family and risen out of poverty and a handsome, wealthy refined man who had a brother and grew up privileged. But at the core they were the same.

  Octavia finally lifted her gaze. "So now you know how much I won't fit in with people like your mother--"

  He stopped her words with a kiss and discovered that her lips were one of the sweetest things he'd ever tasted...