Nelson Estates Series: Box Set: Nelson Estates Series

By M.D. James

The Nelson Estates Series: Box Set is a collection of the three novellas that make up the series, which continues where The Muse Series left off.

The Gift:
In this continuation of the "Muse Series", Ruthie is eleven and must deal with losing Cam, the boy she always thought was her twin brother, after his father sues for custody. Soon afterwards, her guardian, Aunt Sarah, is given a gift which opens the door to lies and deceptions that put everyone in danger.

This book is a novella, following in the style of classic V.C. Andrews novels which combine gothic horror with family saga, and continues where "In My Frozen Tears - Vol. 2" left off.

The Academy:
In this sequel to "The Gift" and continuation to the best-selling "Muse Series", Ruthie is harassed at school for the rumors surrounding her summer with the Smythes and her possible mental problems. When she decides to get a fresh start at The Academy, an all girls private school in Virginia, she realizes that she can't run away from her problems.

Ruthie's first introduction to The Academy is through a cold and stern headmistress, who assigns her a room with a less than accommodating roommate. Even so far from home, Ruthie must still deal with lies, deceit and abuse. To find out more, you will have to read the book.

This book is a novella of approximately 15,000 words.

The Summer:
It's the end of Ruthie's junior year at Avondale Academy, but she receives bad news that sends her home early. Over the summer she not only deals with both love and death and the consequences of both, but also with the downward spiral of her once twin-brother, Cam.

This book is the sequel to "The Academy" and the third book in the Nelson Estates Series, a continuation of The Muse Series. It is a novella of approximately 16,000 words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Porterlance Books
• Release date: Aug 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9781497776258

Book preview

Chapter 1

It’s only going to be a little bit longer, Ruthie Uncle Zack told me as we sat quietly in the sterile hallway of the courthouse building waiting to hear the judge’s verdict.

It had been three years since Daddy died and I had found out that my twin brother, Cam, wasn’t actually my twin brother at all.  He was actually my Uncle.  Mommy and Daddy raised him as their own son because Nana Jane was suffering from mental problems and couldn’t take care of him.  They wanted Cam to have as normal of a life as possible. 

When I found out that Cam was really my Uncle, I kept the information to myself.  Our family already had too many secrets and too much heartache.  I wanted to protect Cam from any more. 

And, for a while, it wasn’t an issue.  Cam and I learned how to go on with our lives after Daddy passed away.  We made friends at school and even renamed Great-Grandpa’s mansion in honor of Daddy.  It was now Nelson Estates.  While being raised by our Aunt Sarah and Uncle Zack, neither of whom was really related to Daddy, wasn’t really the typical upbringing for young children, we were happy. 

Nana Jane, who was really Cam’s mother, lived with us as well.  I wasn’t even sure if she knew Cam was her son, because she always treated both of us like her Grandchildren.  She lived at Nelson Estates with us and no longer seemed to have any mental issues.  In fact, if I hadn’t seen her sick in the hospital myself, I never would’ve even believed she suffered from a split personality. 

Life was good, or at least as good as it could be without Mommy and Daddy.  That is, until six months ago, at least.  That’s when George, Cam’s real father, showed up demanding custody.

George was one of the doctors at the mental hospital where Nana Jane lived.  I know Aunt Sarah and Uncle Zack didn’t like talking about it in front of me or Cam, but I overheard them say that George could never win custody of Cam because he abused his role at the hospital when he and Nana made Cam.  I hoped they were right.

I didn’t expect him to have such good lawyers, my Aunt said to Uncle Zack as we waited to be called back into the courtroom.  She seemed nervous.  Our family had a lot of money and the best lawyers I was always told.  As my Aunt tightly squeezed my hand to calm herself, I was no longer so sure, though. 

Everything’s going to be fine, Uncle Zack reassured her before turning his focus to Nana Jane.  Are you okay, Mom?  You’re really quiet.

I’m fine.  Just nervous.  How could he do this? she asked, as if she and George held a special bond of love and respect. 

Even though I was always told that Cam and I were twins, for as long as I could remember, I took the role of older sister with him.  We were both eleven now, and Cam was becoming a little man.  He no longer confided his feelings to me as freely as he once did.  Since this whole ordeal started, he has been keeping more and more to himself.  I didn’t know if that was his way of preparing for the worst, but it left me feeling almost as though he had already been taken away.  I just wanted the judge to say that Cam was allowed to stay with us forever, so we could get back to our normal life. 

An hour later, one of our family’s attorneys notified us that the judge was ready to deliver his decision.  No matter what he says, it’s important that you stay calm and reserved, the attorney warned.

What do you mean, no matter what he says?  You told us the judge would definitely side with us, my Aunt asked in a harsh whisper.

Sarah...he’s just doing his job, Uncle Zack said to try to calm my aunt down.  He had always been the more level headed of the two.  I don’t think I can ever remember seeing my Uncle mad or angry.

I held onto my Nana’s hand as we re-entered the courtroom.  She held onto Cam with her other hand.  The attorney’s said we had to show family unity...whatever that meant.  Nana tried to stay calm as we took our seats, but I could feel her hands trembling. 

When the judge finally came out, he started with a speech...something about how custody hearings were never easy because he was responsible for a young person’s life.  The state’s position is to keep the child, whenever possible, with the mother, he continued.  That brought a smile to my Aunt’s and Nana’s faces.  However, this situation is anything but normal.

What does that mean? I heard my Aunt softly ask one of our attorneys. 

After giving it a great deal of thought, I believe Cameron Muse would be better off in the custody of his father, Dr. George Evans.  For a few seconds after the verdict was announced, the courtroom was dead silent.  I think everyone was holding their breath waiting to see if the judge was finished or not. 

The judge instructed Cam to go home with his father, but Cam ran from the courtroom instead. 

I’ll go get him, I volunteered as I wiped the tears from my face. 

I found Cam hiding in one of the small rooms outside the courtroom.  I’ll run away and hide! he threatened when he saw me.  I’m not going with him! 

Seeing the tears coming from Cam’s eyes only made me cry more, but I had to be strong for him.  It’s going to be okay, I tried to reassure him even though I didn’t really believe it myself.  Aunt Sarah and Uncle Zack are going to fix this.  You’ll only have to live with him for a little while.  I was no longer sure if I was trying to convince Cam or maybe myself that things would be alright.  I gave him a hug and promised that we would talk all the time. 

A few minutes later, Nana, Uncle Zack and Aunt Sarah found us, all with tear-stained faces.  Your father has agreed that you can call us anytime you want, Uncle Zack told Cam as if that was enough to make him feel better. 

Don’t call him that, he’s not my father! Cam yelled, as he tightly hugged our Uncle’s waist.  In a way, I think Cam thought of Uncle Zack as his father.  After all, he had been more of a father to Cam than Daddy was.

Once Cam calmed down some, we all took turns saying goodbye.  We could see George in the hall, waiting patiently.  I wanted to think he was a good man, for Cam’s sake, but what kind of person rips a young boy away from the only family he knows?

I’m so sorry this has happened to you, Nana Jane told Cam as she held his cheeks in her hands.  We all love you, and will be here for you anytime you need us.

I love you guys...please don’t make me leave! Cam pled over and over again as the social worker took his hand.  I felt like we were abandoning him.  I’m sure that’s what he felt as well.  As he was taken from the room, my eyes were filled with freely running tears.

We were instructed to wait a few minutes before leaving so there wouldn’t be any scenes in the parking lot.  By the time we headed to the car, I felt numb. 

On the ride home, I purposely drifted off to sleep, sure that when I awoke I would realize everything was just one long bad dream.

Chapter 2

As I had feared, Cam’s custody hearing was not a dream, but a real-life nightmare.  It took some time to get used to such a big change around the house.  Cam did call every night, at first, and I did still see him at school.  But, as the weeks passed, Cam got more and more comfortable with his new life and called less frequently.  That was only the first of many changes around Nelson Estates.

Several weeks before the custody hearing, Aunt Sarah began seeing someone.  We all knew his name was Bryan, but none of us had ever met him.  Well, after Cam went to live with his father, Bryan came over to make sure my Aunt was okay. 

He was a handsome man, with a charming smile.  I could see why my Aunt was attracted to him.  He was tall, with piercing blue eyes, and dark wavy hair.  He reminded me of an actor, but one that maybe plays a lawyer or doctor on television.  He didn’t seem to like children, though.  Whenever he was around me, he seemed uneasy. 

With Uncle Zack being the head of wardrobe for many of the motion pictures shot within the state, he was often away on location.

Because of that, and Cam being taken away, Aunt Sarah stayed in much more than she used to.  I think she felt like it was her responsibility to be a mother to me.  With her at home so much, though, that meant that her boyfriend, Bryan, was also over a lot.

The more time I spent around him, the more I felt like he was hiding something.  One time, I even caught him smoking outside...something I was sure my Aunt didn’t know about.  He always went on and on about how healthy he liked to live life. 

Go on upstairs, Ruthie, and put on something nice, my Aunt told me one late spring day.  Bryan says tonight is a special night.  I didn’t see why I had to be involved or what was so special, but I didn’t argue.  I didn’t want to give my Aunt any reason to be unhappy.  Bryan seemed to be the only thing that kept her from being sad since Cam left.

Aunt Sarah no longer worked at the restaurant as an executive chef.  Since Ms. Barker, our housekeeper and cook, went to live with her sister in Rhode Island, Aunt Sarah took over the duties of cooking.  After all, it was usually just me, Nana and herself at home.  We still had a part-time housekeeper come in two times a week, but other than that, there were no servants on the payroll anymore. 

Are we going poor? I once asked my Aunt. 

No, honey, why would you think that? she laughed. 

Well, because we no longer have a chauffeur or maids, and Ms. Barker is leaving, I explained.

You know, I didn’t grow up with maids and people to help do things that I could do myself, my Aunt explained.  And, as for Ms. Barker, I love her and will miss her dearly, but her sick sister needs her.  We musn’t be selfish.

Since Daddy died, I suppose, I owned the mansion and our Great Grandfather’s hotel.  Of course, Aunt Sarah was put in charge of everything until I was an adult.  Mostly, though, our lawyers and accountants handled everything, Uncle Zack told me. 

When I returned to the kitchen after putting on my best summer dress, Aunt Sarah was still getting the food ready for Bryan’s visit.  We were going to have a picnic out by the lake on our property.  I was excited because I loved the lake and because Nana was going to join us.  It would have been perfect if Bryan didn’t have to come along as well.

Once Bryan arrived, we all made our way to the lake.  Although it was a beautiful day, Aunt Sarah said it still wasn’t quite warm enough to go swimming.

So, what’s so special about today? Aunt Sarah asked Bryan as she unpacked our picnic basket. 

You’re going to have to be patient, my love, Bryan told her.  I thought I was going to barf anytime he called her that.  I have an announcement to make....soon.  I was assuming his announcement had something to do with the bag he had brought along with him.  It was a medium sized, blue gift bag, but I couldn’t see what was inside.  The top was stuffed with pale blue tissue paper. 

After we ate the wonderful sandwiches and other food my Aunt prepared, Bryan suggested Nana and I go play a game of Frisbee.  I wanted to object just because it was his suggestion, but Nana talked me into it.  Come on, it’ll be fun, she told me. 

She was right.  We made it into a game where after each throw we took one step away from one another, widening the gap between us.  Every time someone failed to catch the Frisbee, the other person got a point.  Nana had already won two games and was on the final point of our third game when we heard Aunt Sarah scream. 

What’s wrong? I asked as I ran to see what was the matter. 

Nothing.  Oh, nothing, honey.  Everything is wonderful!  That’s when I saw the gift box lying in the grass.  I was still confused until my Aunt showed me her hand. 

You’re going to get married! Nana exclaimed from behind me as my Aunt showed off her new diamond engagement ring. 

I was speechless.  This couldn’t be happening.  First I lost Cam, and now I would be losing my Aunt. 

Oh, don’t be sad, Ruthie, my Aunt told me when she saw my eyes begin to tear up. 

I don’t like him! I shouted.  I didn’t know what had come over me, but I was tired of always being silent and pretending to be strong when I felt like my world was shattering. 

My Aunt took my hand and brought me to her lap.  There’s no need to be jealous of Bryan.  He’s not taking me away from you.  We have discussed it and we will live here once we get married, as one big, happy family.  Besides, she continued, after all the sadness we’ve all suffered, isn’t time we had something to be happy and excited about?

As my Aunt tried to reassure me, I could see Bryan standing to her side glaring at me.  I could tell he didn’t like me any more than I liked him.  Just because he didn’t seem to like children, didn’t mean that he wouldn’t love my Aunt and make her happy.  For her, I would try to be happy. 

Chapter 3

My mood improved the next week when Uncle Zack came home.  Hey there, Tiger! he shouted as I ran to greet him at the door.  Uncle Zack was gay, but didn’t act it.  His job was about the gayest thing about him. 

Did you bring me anything? I asked excitedly, before even giving my Uncle a chance to put his bags down.  My Uncle always brought me and Cam souvenirs from the movies he worked on.  Usually it was some article of clothing that the actors autographed.  I took very good care of them, because my