She never thought she’d have to say goodbye to so many after returning home from her trip.
Over the next two weeks, she needed to say goodbye to George upon his passing, and goodbye to Emma and Cameron before his wedding to Shelly. She’d say goodbye to Jenna, Jack, Sam, and Elizabeth after the charity benefit for Cameron’s foundation.
She’d already taken care of the artwork for Jenna. Jenna didn’t know it was her doing, but it was taken care of just the same. She’d had her assistant at Fairchild Industries contact Cameron about the property and working on a development idea. Those plans were in the works.
She had a few gifts to finish up before she left for good. It didn’t matter if she stayed in the city or left on her ship. Able to work anywhere, she liked it that way.
She would forever be tied to Cameron, but she needed her freedom. Maybe another trip on her ship was just the ticket. Someplace exotic, warm, nothing like San Francisco and the memories she’d made here.
She opened the front door and stepped out onto the entryway with George at her side. A man wearing a suit handed her a set of keys.
“Miss Fairchild, I presume. These are for you.”
She took the keys and looked behind the man at the brand new convertible Jaguar parked on the circular driveway. Black with tinted windows, it gleamed in the morning sun. She’d been looking at brochures with George, trying to decide which car she’d like to buy. She’d never had a car of her own and wanted something wonderful for her first big purchase. This was the car she’d picked out. Speed and beauty combined into the most perfect automobile. She loved it.
“George, no. You didn’t.”
“It’s the one you wanted. I called the dealership and had it delivered. It’s yours.”
“No. You can’t. It’s too expensive.”
“It certainly is,” Walter said and stepped out the door. “Dad, you can’t be serious. You bought your friend a car.”
“Walter, shut up. I can do as I please.”
He turned to Marti. “It pleases me to buy this for you. I hope you like it and enjoy it. Think of me every time you’re behind the wheel.”
“Oh, George. I will. I will always remember you. I’ll remember our long talks and poker games. I’ll forget you owe me twenty-five fifty, by the way,” she said and winked at him. “I’ll remember the day I met you, again, on the docks at the harbor, and how we stood in the pouring rain. I’ll remember everything we talked about and the reasons for my being here. Because of you I met Emma and Cameron, and for a little while, I was happier than I’ve ever been in my life. My grandmother gave me The World; you gave me a little piece of heaven. I’ll remember it all. I’ll remember you.”
In the end, a life came down to the people you leave behind and their memory of you.
George held her close. She understood his inner desire to be remembered by someone who loved him for who he was and not what he had.
“I’m leaving.” Walter’s angry voice intruded on her moment with George. “Just remember, Marti, no judge will uphold his will if he’s left it all to his mistress. I’ll keep you in court for the rest of your days.”
“Just leave. I don’t want anything from George except his friendship, and I’ve already got it. You and I have nothing to fight over.”
The attorney thanked George for his time, assured him everything was in order, and left with Walter.
She took her new car for a spin with George. They took some back roads and listened to the purr of the engine as she put the car through its paces around every turn. George had the time of his life, told her he hadn’t felt like this since he was a teen, driving his first car.
She was glad to give him one more fun day. It was the last one they would share. His health took a turn for the worse the next morning.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
* * *
CAMERON SAT BACK in the limo listening to Shelly talk on her cell phone with some girlfriend of hers. He’d never get used to her itemizing and calculating the cost of everything they’d gotten for the wedding or ordered for the ceremony. In fact, she did it all the time with everything. She was obsessed with how expensive something was, and