still locked on the window.
Laura opened her folder, pulling out three fat packets of stapled papers and handing one to each of them. “One question for you all before we look at this—how old do you think I am?”
All three of them looked directly at her, and Gabi almost nervous-laughed at the expressions on Oliver’s and Luke’s faces.
Oliver shook his head. “It wouldn’t be gentlemanly to answer that question, Laura, and I’m sure Luke would agree with me.”
Luke nodded, his eyebrows pulled together as he studied her.
“Well, I’ll tell you, then.” Laura smiled. “Eighty-eight. Which is a nice round figure, don’t you think?”
No one answered.
“Here’s what’s so nice about that age—it takes a lot to get here, and when you are worth what I’m worth, it takes a lot of attorneys to get here. I’ve got the best of the best, and now?” She winked. “Now I’ve got a little surprise.”
Chapter 34
Surprise? Gabi looked down at the papers in her hand. A surprise couldn’t be bad, right? Had Laura figured out a way to keep Oliver and Luke employed, even though the board was ready to turn this into an all-girls’ camp?
But would they even want to be here if that happened?
Laura took a deep breath, lifting her own packet. “Here’s the thing. It was my financial gift that bought this property, on the recommendation of one of those attorneys. I had heard of Camp Echo, and he convinced me that there wasn’t another venture in New England more deserving of my investment. I did my research—though none of you probably even knew I was doing so—and the more I learned, the more I came to agree with him.”
Gabi could practically feel Luke’s wheels turning, wondering who this attorney was … and where Laura was going with this.
“I managed this bequest through Briarwood, because I truly wanted to believe that we could do better work for more children, and I was assured that the camp would be updated, staffed, and reopened next summer. I believe that’s all under way, so that makes me happy.” She tapped on the folders. “What doesn’t make me happy is that this board took that vote eight weeks ago. What makes me even less happy is that I suspected that’s exactly what they would do.”
“But—” Gabi shook her head slowly. If she’d known, why had she funneled the donation through Briarwood? Why not just do it outright, if she suspected they’d rejigger it in the end?
Laura put up both index fingers, stopping her. “I bought this property, and I donated it to Briarwood, but I didn’t give it freely. My attorneys wrote in a provision requiring that any change in purpose or mission be approved by me. We were sure they’d balk, but they approved it.” She shrugged. “Obviously they were anxious to get their hands on the land, and I imagine they see me as the old, doddering fool who either didn’t understand the legalese, or who wouldn’t notice if they buried the mission changes in a pile of other things that came up for blanket approval at that meeting.”
She arched her eyebrows. “I noticed. And I did not approve of the changes. An-nd, since we were unable to come to an agreement, the original bequest requires that the property be moved into a trust administered by my attorneys and myself.”
“Wha—” Gabi felt her mouth fall open as a tiny glimmer of hope took hold. “So Briarwood no longer owns the property?”
Laura smiled. “I have very, very good lawyers.”
Luke set down the papers he hadn’t yet looked at, but Gabi couldn’t tell from his face whether he thought Laura’s news was positive, or just more of the same garbage.
“So what does this mean?” he asked.
“Well, that’s why I’m here. I have some ideas, but before I finalize them, I want your input—all three of you. You’re the ones who built the place, live here, and have seen it work. I want to hear what you have to say.”
Gabi backed up on the bench, putting up her hands. “I’ve only been here for a few weeks, Laura. I can’t possibly participate. I shouldn’t.”
“Wrong.” Laura’s voice was so strong that it made all three of them jump. “Why do you think you’re here, Gabriela?”
“Huh?” Gabi blinked, knowing full well that Laura had been in the board meeting where Gabi’s summer had gone up in smoke. She’d even voted, presumably. Why was she asking?
“Um…” she stammered. “I’m here because my girls got into hot water and this