The Blissful Garden

By James Aa. Keister

It's a birthday party for Angela who turns 17. Only the wealthiest were invited by her twin aunts in an effort to get her married off and out of their hair. Once Angela marries she no longer inherits the multibillions left by her dying grandfather. She refuses, she follows her grandfather's instructions and hides in the secret garden until his death. She discovers she isn't alone in the garden and meets Aaron. Her grandfathers lawyer finds her there and helps her with her many court battles against the twin aunts who are ruthless in their attempts to take what is hers. The castle they reside in holds many surprises for Angela and Aaron and their daughter Hope. Many mazes, tunnels, towers and fortunes are theirs to find. They also discover another wing to the castle with an occupant living there. Tragedy strikes with the death of Hope and an inconsolable Angela is about to give birth to twins and Aaron will face tragedy again. Love does prevail and provides strength to go on.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Aa. Keister
• Release date: Mar 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310461866

James Aa. Keister

James Aa. Keister, was born and lives in Monroe, Michigan. An artist in both the arts and music. Letting this strong sense of talent flourish over into his writings. With an imaginative endorsement of realism that brings forth an ever flowing twist to his novels.

Book preview

Preface

In ones life time a little pain must come, and after the pain some will experience a beauty beyond describable. A bonding that once was just out of reach and many surprises that may yet test their endurance. Memories of pain will produce episodes of distrust and magnify the need for security and intensify the need for watchfulness for all will not be as it seems on the surface. What was, will indeed attempt to re surface taking all ones fortitude to prevent it. A combination of trust, hope, love will be necessary tools to prevail. Love being the most important tool of all. For with it one is able to meet, overcome and grow. Expand to all heights and with this comes a budding future. A blissful garden.

The Secret Garden House

It was her seventeenth birthday and the old mansion (more a castle) was a buzz with activity. People floated around the giant rooms like graceful ghosts. Most of the guests were much older than she was at the tender age of 17. Their hair graying or already silvered. As she tried her best to put on the fake smile her two aunts tried teaching her to use, she floated in among the ghostly guests. For the most part, it seemed to be working. But in other cases... a little too much. As one of the male guests, a Thomas Welterson, from what she was told by one of her aunts, thought her smile meant that she had an interest in him. And he chased her around the mansion halls all night. Touching her every chance he was able. At first, her hand, or arm, then her dress sleeves, hair, or face, which she recoiled from. Then forced her into a dance where he simply reached in between her breasts to touch her necklace and released it a little too uncomfortably for her. Then to top it off...he patted her on her backside. That is when she had had enough of the groping by this lame suitor.

Angela...try and be a little nicer. Angela's aunt Victoria told her. They all have a lot of money. And you need to find a good man. Get married and live happily ever after. Valorie added. She was Victoria's twin sister.

Then please, by all means aunt Val, you go and let them grope all over you. Maybe you can find a nice one. Cause I can't. And I don't want any of them. Angela stated. It was not her picture of any sort of fairy tale where the poor little girl finds her handsome prince and love ever after. No, this was more her version of a nightmare she couldn't seem to wake up from.

But dear, you need to. Victoria began, You are the last in a long line. And with your grandfather ill, you need to be wed.

No thank you. Angela gave her a slight nod before she turned to leave. But then turned back around. It's my birthday...and I can't even enjoy it. And I swear, if one more loser touches me...I'll scream! She told her aunt with a smile. Victoria knew the girl wasn't playing around. Whenever Angela gave warning with a smile, she meant to carry out that threat. But before Victoria could stop the girl, she had paced off.

Shoot! She said.

Shoot what? Victoria's twin sister Valorie asked.

Her. Victoria nodded at Angela.

Wish we could just kill her off. Would make things a lot easier. Valorie stated.

Why won't she just find a nice rich man? Victoria asked.

It's not so much a man we need her to find.

I know, I know. It's the key.

Has she given any clue to it's where a bout’s? Valorie asked.

Not one. Oh wait! She did mention something about a garden.

Garden? Valorie questioned oddly. The only gardens are out front and the one in the back. You make mention of the garden again, and I'll have them searched. She told her twin, but just then, they heard an ear piercing scream. The ball room went deathly silent. Faces were staring. Valorie and Victoria headed to the middle of the ball room. Victoria already had an idea of what happened. Angela had made good on her threat. As the girl stood with her hands on her hips, staring down an embarrassed man. Being that the twins were hosting the event, they were responsible for every mishap. And of course the pleasantries of the guests, but Angela was one unpleasant...pleasantry.

Please, everyone. Victoria raised her hands. "Everything is okay. Please, go back to enjoying yourselves.' She said as she looked over at the musicians and nodded. They began to play another song. Valorie stood staring at her niece through all the whispers and glances that stirred like a dust storm.

What happened? She demanded to know. But Angela only stared right back. Then looked over at Victoria.

Come dear. Victoria told the girl with a wave of her hand. Then took the distraught child up to her room. Telling Valorie that she would explain what was going on. Later. Valorie huffed and paced off to calm her guests. Up in Angela's room, Victoria sat the girl down on her bed and sat next to her.

I should have known. She began. You always make good on your threats. Always have.

Well he should of left me alone. I hate him. He stinks of old liquor and those stupid cigars he smokes. Makes me sick to my stomach. Besides, they're all fat and lazy. Old and stupid. Angela complained.

And let's not forget...very rich. So they had to be smart enough to do that, where most haven't . Besides, It's only this one night. Let them grope. What will it hurt? The aunt tried to sound convincing.

Me! Angela stated flatly. I'm sorry, but I can't and won't marry someone I cant' stand being around. She turned her head to look away.

But dear. If you don't find someone soon, how will your future ever be secured?

Why does it need to be? Angela asked.

Look around dear. All this... Victoria waved her hand. Your grandfather is very ill. And may not make it for very much longer. Then what? All this will be gone.

No it won't!

Are you still believing that fairytale about my father giving you...all this? My sister and I are entitled to it. All of it. His whole affair. His whole estate. Not you dear.

That's what he told me. That's why he gave me the key to the safe and his will. Me, not you. Not aunty Val.

So you say. I've never seen a key. Have you even seen the safe? The will? Or even read it? How would you even know if it even exists? You don't , silly child! Victoria asked.

Not yet. But I will. When grandfather is Her words stopped. She couldn't bring herself to thinking of her grandfather's death. Why do you and aunty Val want me married off so bad? What's in it for you? She turned the tables.

Dear child. If you would try and understand. She paused. If you're not married before that will is read...not only do you suffer...but I suffer as well. Me and your aunt Valorie. We all do. She lied with a half truth. After all, it would be Angela who suffered, over the loss of it all and or the twin aunts if the girl did not marry.

If your married, then we all benefit. The aunt said in truth and in lying. Nothing more. So please. Can you just try to be as nice as possible. You may find someone more to your liking. There's more than a hundred fine men here. Victoria calmly spoke with a smile. But Angela shook her head no. I just need a little time to myself right now.

Okay fine. But don't be too long. Everyone's still expecting cake...and a decision. Victoria raised her brows, then got up to leave the room, then stopped at the doorway, turned. Dear. You mentioned something about a garden once. I'd love to grow a nice flower garden with you sometime. Maybe we could start one together. In this garden you've mentioned. Wouldn't that be nice? She asked. Angela just nodded. Victoria smiled and left.

I don't think so. Angela whispered to herself. She quickly got up and ran to the door. Peeked out and saw her aunt disappear down the long stairway. Closed her door and locked it. She knew that soon, one of her aunts or one of the smelly guests would try to invade her privacy. She ran over to where her fireplace stood. Most of the year it stood in all it's mahogany glory, free from ash and soot until the next wintering season. She pushed the secret button her grandfather had shown her and saw the wooden panel slide open. She slid into the dark corridor, turned and shut the panel. Followed it down to the tunnels end, turned to her right and followed that tiny hallway to it's end. Made a left and went half way down that passageway. Found the length of rope that hung down from some sort of lever and gave it a quick pull. Another panel slid open and she exited out into her grandfathers room. The lights were dimmed down. The smells of medicine and her grandfather's scent lingered in the air like an old familiar ghost. And it made her smile. She could see him laying in his bed. Sheet pulled to his chest. A machine hooked up to some sort of monitor that beeped and clicked with tiny flashing lights and wavy lines that ran across it's screen. Wires reaching out over him like claws that seemed to dig into the mans chest. Seemingly sucking the life from within him, and she wanted to rip them away. But knew that they were only there to monitor his heart, breathing, and pulse. She tip toed over to the door and took a look out at the hallway. Shut it and quietly stood by her grandfathers side. Reached down and slid her hand under his. Saw his eyes flutter.

Grand dad. She called him. 'It's me, Angela." She whispered.

Angel. He weakly said as he rolled his head to the side and stared up at her. He tried to smile but was so weak.

Aunty Vic and Aunty Val want me to marry one of their old goats. Says it'll help us all. But I don't want to. What should I do? She asked.

Don't, He said with a soft raspy voice. Don't listen to... He coughed, Them. He took a couple more labored breaths. They lie. You remember what I told you?

Yes. I do granddad. I do remember. I love you. Please get better. I'm scared. She squeezed his hand.

Bring food, clothes,'cough', out to the garden house, 'cough', all you'll need. Hide there. You know the way. He weakly pointed at the open panel next to his fireplace.

I do granddad. But why?

Soon, my girl, I must leave. No,'cough' stopping it. And you must stay safe until, 'cough cough,' Howard comes for you. cough! He knows where the safe is. It holds my will. You have the key. cough' he's my lawyer. Until then, stay away from them. Do you understand? He was breathing hard.

Yes granddad. Angela nodded and lay her head on his chest. He ran his hand over her head, brushing her hair back.

You're just like your mother. Angela had never got the chance to know her parents. They were involved in a plane accident that killed them both. Leaving Angela in the hands of her aunt twins. Who had raised her from age one. Angela's grandfather stepped in when she turned eight to take over the care of Angela when her aunts refused to. Only because the girls inheritance money had run out. Passing Angela off to the grandfather. He was the one who had shown her the secret places and tunnels that ran like a maze throughout the huge castle. As well as, the secret garden he had designed and built in a place no one had ever seen or could find. It would now be Angela's safe haven.

You have your mother's eyes, her voice, her curious nose. He touched her nose which caused her to giggle.

I wish I could have known her. She sounds lovely.

She was. He said. But you have to hide or they'll, 'cough', try and take what is yours.

'cough, cough.'

I love you granddad. She said, then heard voices down the hall.

Go! He said. She kissed his cheek and ran for the hidden panel. She pulled the string and the panel closed. She could hear her aunts talking just beyond.

Stupid girl!

Shh! Father's sleeping, maybe we shouldn't wake him.

Why doesn't she just tell us where the key is?

She won't. And father doesn't know where she's hidden it.

Daddy. Are you awake?

Val and I need to know where the will is.

Your so sick now. You need to trust us.

That's right. You can't trust that little whore. She's been down stairs letting those men grope all over her. Touching her. Angela heard those hurtful words and about lost it. The anger drove deep. But pursed her lips and let her eyes go narrow.

I knew it. She said under her breath. Grandad you were right. She raced off down the narrow passageway to her room. Then out the door while her aunts were busy. One of the wanna-be suitors tried to stop her but she shoved him to the ground. He lay there bewildered. While Angela headed straight to the kitchen. She gathered sacks of food she could easily prepare and raced back to her room. Hid them in the passageway and went back for more. Making several trips. Getting all she could before she seen her two aunts reappear