Chapter Seventeen

Elise had to admit, everything was going smoothly.

She glanced around from her vantage point on the front porch, noting the chairs lining it were filled with smiling people, the lawn was full of partygoers laughing over a rollicking game of croquet, and several people were down on the beach, skipping stones and helping set out wood for what promised to be a massive bonfire on the beach later.

She saw Tucker standing with a couple of other men and three women, his head thrown back in laughter, obviously happy about the influx of people at Timberline.

She breathed a sigh of relief – they had gotten the house into tiptop shape with literally minutes to spare – before the first guests had arrived, and so far the food and drink was holding out. Jed had the car parked on the road, so if he needed to, he could escape to run to the store in Calumet to stock up on whatever they needed, without having to worry about his vehicle being blocked in.

The plan was for a bonfire tonight, a night of rest for everyone, a “bed and breakfast” style breakfast tomorrow, a field trip to Copper Harbor during the day tomorrow for those who wanted to go shopping or exploring, and then a fireworks display in the evening, with probably another bonfire after that.

Even the weather was cooperating – clear skies, a brisk breeze keeping the flies away, and a normal temperature.

Everything was perfect.

Elise smiled to herself as she surreptitiously eyed Tucker again, her heart swelling with happiness at his obvious good cheer.

She was glad she’d been part of the reason he was able to smile.

#

Tucker was fully engaged in talking to Madison, Billy and Andrew, but he couldn’t help his eyes from straying around to periodically find Elise throughout the afternoon.

He told himself he just liked to know where she was in case she had a question or needed something – but deep down, he knew he just liked knowing where she was.

Elise Blake was a wonder – able to tidy a house, prepare prodigious amounts of food, organize crafts for the kids to do all day so they wouldn’t be bored, greet his guests and make them feel at home, all with a smile and a patient nature that he certainly wouldn’t have had if the roles had been reversed.

He watched her again, noting her wide smile as Wendy and Betsy brought her some beads woven onto a necklace, which she promptly put around her neck, despite the plasticy appearance of the beads and the brightly colored twine that clashed with her understated shirt.

He liked that she didn’t seem to care one whit about whether it matched, just that it was from the girls.

Elise glanced around then, and they locked eyes for a long moment, both seeming to smile a “hey, this is good, right?” to each other. Tucker raised his hand and gestured for her to join him, and she send the two little girls scurrying off with a whispered suggestion at a new craft, then walked across the lawn to join him.

“And who’s this?” Andrew asked, gesturing with his beer bottle. “I thought I knew all of Tucker’s friends.”

“Andrew, Billy, Madison, this is Elise Blake. She’s Betsy’s live-in tutor here at Timberline,” Tucker said, hoping that sounded proud and not in any way condescending.

“So, you’re the help,” Madison drawled, flicking her long dark hair over her shoulder with a slight eye roll.

Elise nodded, keeping her chin held high. “Some of us have to work for a living. I just happen to do it here at Timberline with Betsy as my charge. She’s a wonderful girl.”

“I thought you didn’t like kids,” Madison directed her question to Tucker. “Why didn’t you just send her to school?”

“I like having her here, and Elise challenges her as her teacher,” Tucker said evenly.

“Probably cheaper to send her off to school than paying for a live-in nanny. Isn’t the kid old enough to take care of herself?”

Tucker cleared his throat. “Elise isn’t a nanny, she’s a teacher, and she helps keep the house here too.”

“Wow, so you really are the help,” Madison shot back, eyeing Elise up and down, not caring that she was searing Elise’s pride with every word.

“Have you read the book?” Elise asked lightly. “’The Help’, but Kathryn Stockett?”

“I don’t have time to read,” Madison replied airily.

“Or seen the movie?”

“Wasn’t that about poor blacks or something?” Madison asked. “I like sticking with what I know.”

“Rich men, shopping and a great merlot, right?” Billy teased, and Madison laughed, a high, tinkly laugh that drew the attention of the men around her.

That and the thigh skimming miniskirt and low cut tank top that showed off ample tanned cleavage made damn sure every guy in the state knew who Madison Duncan was.

Obvious, much?

“And what is it you do?” Elise asked, straining to sound polite as she directed her question at Madison.

“I’m a writer,” the girl replied carelessly. “I’m published.”

“Oh?” Elise replied. “Where?”

“I write for lots of magazines and I’m working on my first novel,” Madison replied. “I don’t have to work.”

“Well, I do. And I’m proud to work here,” Elise said, her temper getting the better of her. “Betsy is a wonderful child, and Mr. Hale is a great employer.”

“Watch out, Tuck – it’s just like all those horrid books they made us read in school where the governess falls for the master, or wanders the moors being dramatic and wanting attention, or only biding their time until a rich man saves them from extinction,” Madison said, and Elise’s jaw actually dropped open at the rude and insolent comment. “God, I hate the classics.”

Tucker cleared his throat again. “I hardly think that’s the case, Maddy. If you’ll excuse me – Elise, can I ask you a quick question in private? About Betsy,” he added over his shoulder, guiding her away with a hand on her arm.

“What’s wrong with Betsy?” Elise asked, her voice full of concern, following him into the house and then into the kitchen.

“Nothing, I just wanted to get away from them for a minute,” Tucker explained, releasing her arm and stepping back. “I’m really, really sorry. That was all – that was out of line. I should have said something to her. I was just… well, kind of stunned.”

Elise shook her head. “No need. She’s entitled to her opinion. No matter how small minded and misguided it may be.”

“Still, I feel like I should apologize on her behalf. I’m sorry Elise – I don’t ever think of you as ‘the help’ or that you are less than anyone else because, god forbid, you have a job. Hell, I have a job. Jobs are, you know, important.”

“I appreciate that,” Elise said softly, noting his discomfort and appreciating it. “But don’t worry about it. I’m tougher than I look – some prissy girl with upside down opinions isn’t going to keep me up at night. And I happen to like the classics, but I’m guessing that of the two of us, I’m the only one that’s actually read any of them.”

Tucker sighed, even as her last comment made him smile softly. “Madison can be – a handful. We’ve been friends since we were kids, even dated in high school. She’s beautiful, and she knows it. And she’s rich, so she can flaunt it, but it’s Daddy’s money, so she’s always on the lookout for who she can put down to build herself up in a way, I think because she isn’t self sufficient.”

Or because she’s a right bitch, Elise thought unkindly to herself.

“Still, we go back a lot of years…”

“Sir, you don’t have to explain anything to me. Seriously. Not a big deal – after all, I am the help when you get down to it.”

“Don’t call me sir.”

“Mr. Hale?”

He glowered at her, and she smiled teasingly.

“Go back to your guests. I’m fine,” she replied, making a shooing motion with her hands. “At least I like everyone else, so I’m not totally doubting your taste in human nature.”

Tucker laughed and turned to go. “Thanks, Elise.”

“You’re welcome… Tucker.”

He was smiling as he left the kitchen, liking the sound of his name on her lips.

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