“Isn’t that kind of the job of a parent?” Elvi asked, and then said, “Not the controlling part, but making the kid do things they don’t want to do. Although,” she said thoughtfully, “even the controlling part is something parents have to do too, only it’s usually done with rewards, grounding, and threats of punishment rather than straight-up taking control.”
Elvi let that sink in and then asked, “Do you really resent that you’re now a self-made, successful businesswoman and not smoking dope in a little hovel with someone who thought monogamy and work were both for idiots and dupes?”
“No, but—”
“I’m sorry, sweetie,” Elvi interrupted. “But I don’t know many parents who wouldn’t wish they could control their child when they saw they were making a huge mistake. And in Alexander’s defense, he had your best interests at heart.”
“Okay,” she allowed. “But how self-made am I if he was taking control and making me do what he thought I should?”
“You told me your friend Lex, who is your father Alexander, offered you the money to start your own store when you graduated, but you refused,” she reminded her.
“Yes.”
“And he allowed you to do that rather than take control of you, and make you think it was a good idea to accept it,” she pointed out. “Then you saved the money yourself to open the store.”
“My mother’s insurance money helped,” Sherry pointed out.
“It allowed you to open it a couple years earlier than your plan,” she acknowledged. “But you still saved the rest of it yourself. And I’m guessing you designed and stocked the store yourself.”
“I did,” Sherry admitted with a faint smile. “Lex had flown off to his supposed job in Africa and I hadn’t hired Zander yet.”
“Then your success is all your own,” Elvi assured her. “You did an amazing job. No wonder Marguerite loves it so much.”
“Marguerite?” Sherry asked, recognizing the name from her first night at the Enforcer house. “Lucian’s sister-in-law? I thought I recognized her.”
Elvi nodded. “She was going on about this store and how lovely you and everything in it were the last time I saw her. She said it was bright and airy and welcoming and . . . how did she put it? ‘Even in the middle of winter it feels like a warm spring day when you walk into the store,’” she recounted, and then smiled. “She was right. I love it.”
Sherry smiled. That was exactly the effect she’d been hoping to produce, and it appeared she’d succeeded.
“I’m quite sure your father had nothing to do with that,” Elvi said solemnly, and then grinned. “Men are rather useless when it comes to decorating and kitchen stuff.” She considered it briefly and then added, “That’s probably why your father felt he could leave you alone so soon after your mother’s death. He knew he would be no help with preparing and opening the store, and knew it would keep you occupied.”
“If he even actually left town,” Sherry said.
“Well, he probably didn’t,” Elvi acknowledged. “He was probably watching over you even then, just from a distance, as he did when your parents were still married. I think he really does love you and want the best for you, Sherry,” she said quietly. “And I hope you’ll give him the chance to be a part of your life after everything is settled.”
When Sherry remained silent, her thoughts circling, Elvi patted her hand and said, “I don’t know about you, but I could do with something to drink after all this talk.”
“I have a Keurig,” Sherry said, glancing around.
“I’m feeling more like one of those cold cappy frappy things, and I’m pretty sure I saw one of those fancy coffee shops around the corner that sell them.”
“Actually, that does sound good,” Sherry agreed.
“I’ll just go see if I can get one of the boys to get us a couple, then. Be right back!”
Sherry nodded and watched her go, then turned to peer out the window over the store. Basil and Lucian were in a huddle, talking with Decker, Anders, Victor, Basha, and Marcus. As she watched, Elvi rushed to the group. After a couple minutes, Basha and Marcus were the ones who broke away and headed for the door. Sherry supposed they wanted a couple of the drinks themselves. That, or Decker and Anders couldn’t leave the store.
Elvi turned to head back, but Victor caught her and swung her back for a kiss. Sherry smiled when Elvi threw her arms around him and kissed back, one foot leaving the ground to hang in the air. Sherry had always thought that only happened in classic movies. Apparently not. It made her wonder if she’d ever done that when Basil kissed her.
“Ah, isn’t that sweet? It must be true love, huh?”
Sherry turned with a start to find Leonius standing beside her, watching the people below.
Sixteen
Sherry stumbled back with a gasp, nearly tripping over her own feet in her clumsy effort to get away. But Leo caught her arm, steadying her. His hold also prevented her from escaping.
“Careful, clumsy Cathy,” he chided, drawing her to his side. “I wouldn’t want you to fall and hurt yourself.”