The Hollow Page 0,38
secret?"
"It's all over town." Essie's eyes twinkled through the thick lenses of her glasses. "We might as well start living in sin openly."
"I'll go up and pack."
She laughed, swatted at him. "Before you do, I was hoping you'd have a few minutes for me. Professionally."
"I've always got time for you, in any way. Come on back. Layla's going to hold my calls." He winked at her as he took Essie's arm. "In case our passions overwhelm us."
"Should I just lock the outside door?" Layla called out as he led Essie away.
"It's a wonder you can keep your mind on your work," Essie told him as they moved into his office, "with a pretty girl like that around."
"I have Herculean power of will. Want a Coke?"
"You know, I believe I would."
"Two seconds."
He got a glass, ice, poured. She was one of Fox's favorite people, and he made sure she was comfortable before he sat with her in the sitting area of his office. "Where's Ginger?" he asked, referring to Cal's cousin who lived with Essie.
"She went on to the bank before it closes. She'll be coming back for me. This won't take long."
"What can I do for you? Want to sue somebody?"
She smiled at him. "Can't think of anything I'd like less. I wonder why people are forever suing each other."
"Blame the lawyers. Still, it's a better alternative than beating the hell out of each other. Mostly."
"People do that, too. But I'm not here for either. It's about my will, Fox."
It gave him a little pang. She was ninety-three, and he certainly understood and appreciated the value of having your affairs well in order long before you approached Essie's age. But it still gave him a little pang to think of his world without her in it.
"I updated your will and your trust a few years ago. Do you want changes?"
"Nothing big. I have a couple pieces of jewelry I wanted to earmark for Quinn. Right now, my pearls and my aquamarine earrings are going to Frannie. She understands I want to leave them to her future daughter-in-law. I've talked to her about it. And I know I can leave it like that, I can trust her to give them to Quinn. But, as I recall, you told me it's easier on those left behind if everything's spelled out."
"It generally is. I can take care of that for you." Though he trusted his memory when it came to Essie's business, Fox rose to get a legal pad and note it all down. "It won't take long to draft the change. I can bring it by for your signature on Monday if that works for you."
"That's just fine, but I don't mind coming in."
He knew she continued to go into the library nearly every day, but if he could save her a trip he'd rather. "Tell you what, when it's ready, I'll give you a call. Then we'll see which way it works best. Is there anything else you want to change, add, take out?"
"No, just those two pieces. You have everything spelled out so clearly. It gives me peace of mind, Fox."
"And if any of my grandchildren turn out to be lawyers, they can handle it for you."
Her lips curved, but her eyes stayed somber as she reached out to pat his hand. "I'd like to live to see Cal married next fall. I'd like to live through this next Seven and dance with my boy at his wedding."
"Miss Essie-"
"Wouldn't mind dancing with you at yours. And I can be greedy and say I'd like to hold Cal's firstborn in my arms. But I know that may not be. What's coming this time is worse than all the rest."
"We won't let anything happen to you."
She let out a sigh that was full of affection. "You've seen to this town since you were ten years old. You and Cal and Gage. I'd like to live to see the day you didn't have to see to it. I'm holding out for that." She gave his hand another pat. "Now I expect Ginger will be coming along to fetch me."
He rose to help her to her feet. "I'll walk you out, wait for her."
"You just go about your business. I hope you've got something fun planned for the weekend."
"I would if you'd go out with me."
She laughed, leaning on his arm as he walked her out. "There was a day."
He stood at the window, watching as Ginger eased Essie into the car.
"She's a remarkable