The List by Alice Ward

Author:Alice Ward [Ward, Alice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Alice Ward
Published: 2017-04-21T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER THREE

Auggie

True to his word, Bill arrived the very next day, accompanied by a van with workmen and equipment. He supervised the installation of a sophisticated, state-of-the-art security system. The workmen were so noisy that the baby couldn’t nap so I took him for a ride in the car. The rhythmic white noise of the tires on the roadway surface lulled him to sleep and I took this opportunity to do some thinking. It was a sunny day and the smell of baby paraphernalia filled the car, making it feel like a little slice of heaven.

I knew that Worth was playing down the significance of Linc’s arrival and the impact it would have on our lives. First of all, as Worth’s older brother, he was theoretically in line to inherit the LaViere fortune when Mrs. LaViere, Worth’s mother, passed on. Then I realized that Linc was not her biological son — in fact, she had never even met him — and would most likely leave things to Worth. This could only serve to anger Linc even further.

Then it came to my own mother, who, at this moment, had no idea he existed. She and I never had a close mother/daughter relationship, even before I learned of all her transgressions and how badly she treated Dad, whom I idolized. It occurred to me then that maybe Dad was just the person I could talk to. I headed in the direction of his farm.

Dad was outside when I arrived. He was raking twigs and winter leaves in the backyard. His face lit up in a smile when he saw me, his eyebrows rising in delight when he saw his grandson. “Auggie!” he called, waving. He met me at the back door, gave me a kiss on the forehead and took Ford from my arms. “I can’t believe how quickly he’s growing,” he marveled, rocking the baby back and forth. “Come in, come in. It’s been lonely and I’m in the mood for a good chat,” he said, holding the door open.

I took Ford back and said, “Well, it’s a good chat you’re going to get, Dad,” and headed toward the kitchen. I’d brought the baby carrier in with me and laid Ford in it near the window where the early Spring sun was streaming in.

“Is Carlos okay?” Dad asked, referring to my Thoroughbred who had boarded with him until one of our own barns was finally completed. “Have you been able to ride him yet?” he asked, referring to Ford’s recent birth.

“He’s great, Dad. I just walked him around a bit. It’s gotten hectic and I need the exercise, so I’ll be out on him more often now. I can’t wait until I can teach Ford to ride,” I said, getting out the makings of hot chocolate for us.

“So, what’s stuck in your craw, Auggie?” he asked. Dad knew me only too well.

“I figured you’d pick up on it. Now, promise you won’t get upset about this, but there isn’t much I can do at this point.

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