The Seeing Garden by Ginny Kubitz Moyer

Author:Ginny Kubitz Moyer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: She Writes Press

TWENTY-NINE

It surprised Catherine to find that Nathaniel Law, who was well into his seventies, was an extremely attractive man. Watching him from across the reception room, she tried to pinpoint the reason for his appeal. He had an athletic figure, with only the slightest paunch. His hair was steely gray mixed with black, and he had a well-trimmed Prince of Wales beard, which gave him a look of urbane sophistication. But most of all, it was his charisma, the way he had of fastening his complete attention on the person who was speaking, as if nothing else mattered. And his every movement, even one as small as lighting a cigarette, was the briskly robust action of a much younger man.

Alma was as attractive as her husband, though in a different way. She had a statuesque, beautiful figure, and her hair was the kind of silver that still looks blond, giving her a more youthful look than most women in their late fifties. While Nathaniel was dynamic magnetism, she was coolness: correct, but utterly lacking in warmth. Catherine was grateful Harriet was there to lead the conversation as the three women, sitting by the French windows, made the requisite small talk.

“It’s been quite a while since you were last at Oakview,” said Harriet. “I believe my father was alive, was he not?”

“He was,” said Alma. “We were here before the earthquake.”

“I hope you find it just as beautiful as before,” said Harriet warmly.

“I’m sure I shall.”

“You live in Sacramento, I believe?” asked Catherine.

“Outside the city, yes.” Alma held her empty glass out to the side and Hayes darted in to take it from her. “I’ve never liked big cities. I positively hated our years in San Francisco.”

“The Laws have a large ranch,” said Harriet to Catherine. “They breed horses there.”

“We don’t. I do,” said Alma, with an emphasis on the pronouns. She glanced at her husband, who was deep in conversation with William. “Nathaniel likes to ride, but that’s the extent of his interest.”

Catherine scoured her memory for anything she knew about horse breeding but came up short. “It must be a fascinating hobby,” she finally said.

“Oh, it’s more than a hobby.” Alma turned to look directly at Catherine. “It’s my raison d’être. There is nothing more gratifying than the birth of a foal. And sometimes you attain perfection.” She accepted the refilled glass from Hayes and took a sip.

In the pause, Catherine tried to think of the next place to direct the conversation. She wondered if Nathaniel and Alma had any children, but it seemed the wrong moment to ask.

“You will enjoy our plans for tomorrow,” said Harriet, who, unlike Catherine, appeared to be perfectly at ease. “We thought we’d do lunch at the stables and go for a long ride in the hills.”

“What an excellent idea,” said Alma. She had become more animated ever since horses were mentioned. It was proof, thought Catherine, of her aunt’s maxim that a good hostess remembers what her guests enjoy. Harriet was a natural.

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