Read Online Crown Jewel by Fern Michaels - Free Book Online Page B

mind but there had been something in the young man’s eyes when they’d shaken hands that had sparked hope in him.
    â€œDo you want to tell me where you’re going in case anyone calls?”
    â€œNo one is going to call me. I changed the telephone number the day Philly died. To answer your question, I’m going to the cemetery. I want to say good-bye.”
    Ellie nodded solemnly.
    Ricky hugged her. “I don’t tell you often enough how much I appreciate all you do for me. You’ve been with me twenty-five years. You’ve never once said a cross word to me. I’ve never heard you complain either. Those early years couldn’t have been easy on you. I was pretty wild back then.”
    â€œBut look at you now.”
    Ricky pinched her plump cheek. “Are you ever going to tell me what you wanted those hundred autographs for?”
    Ellie smiled. “I guess I can tell you now. We raffled them off at my church so we could buy new carpeting. It was our most successful fund-raiser ever. Father Michael was so grateful.”
    Ricky laughed. “Why didn’t you just ask me for a donation?”
    â€œBecause I couldn’t do that. Autographs are different. Go now before it gets too late and they lock the gates. What would you like for dinner?”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter. I’m going, I’m going.”
    He was at the door when the housekeeper said, “Mr. Ricky?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œYour boys are very handsome. They look just like you did at their age. I’m looking forward to getting to know them.”
    â€œLet’s just hope they don’t behave the way I did at that age.”
    Â 
    He hated coming to the cemetery. And yet, he came faithfully, almost religiously. He’d always come alone, and wondered why that was. Once, Philly had asked him to come, and he’d said he had other plans. Of course it was a lie. When he was a little kid full of piss and vinegar and found himself in trouble, he’d always run to either his mother or father to tell them his troubles. To this day, he did the same thing. There was a time when he’d worn a path to the two gravestones embedded in the thick grass. Now there were three. An empty plot next to Philly’s was his. He shivered at the thought.
    His thoughts whirling, he didn’t see her until he was almost on top of her—Roxy. He turned to leave, not wishing to intrude on whatever it was she was doing. He cringed when he remembered the vicious fight he’d had with Roxy over Philly’s final resting place. She’d wanted a different cemetery and an elaborate headstone. With Timothy Andreadis’s help, Ricky had seen that Philip was buried next to their parents, as was his wish.
    â€œI know you’re there, Ricky. I can smell your aftershave. I was just leaving.”
    â€œTake your time,” he muttered as he prepared to walk away.
    â€œRicky?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œIf you stop by the house, I’ll give you my folder on all the ideas I had for the Crown Jewel. Surprisingly, Philip gave me free rein. You might want them if you’re planning on going ahead with the resort. Or, I can mail them to you. Yes, that might be best. Mailing them, that is.”
    â€œAre you all right, Roxy?”
    â€œNo, Ricky, I’m not all right. I’m not sleeping, and I’m drinking too much. You know, it wasn’t at all like that lawyer said. There are two sides to every story. I apologize for my behavior. For every action there is a reaction. Good-bye, Ricky.”
    â€œIf it’s a question of money…”
    â€œIt’s not. Your people are really on top of things. I got the paperwork in the mail today regarding my pension fund. I didn’t even know I had a pension fund. Philip’s comes to me, too. I didn’t know about that either. I’ll survive.”
    â€œIf there’s anything I can…”
    â€œThere isn’t.