For Evergreen

By Sharon Peterson

No one in Stacey Dicksons family was more surprised than her to discover she was the sole heir to her grandfathers beloved Evergreen Golf & Country Club. Having spent every summer of her life there, Stacey decides to take on the challenge of continuing her Grandfathers legacy and feels sure that with the help of her lifelong friends, she can manage the operation for at least one season. But where Stacey goes, trouble inevitably seems to follow and when her friends and staff begin to show up injured, she is torn between keeping Grandfathers dream alive and what she knows in her heart is the best thing for everyone and for Evergreen!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493181599

Sharon Peterson

Sharon Peterson and Gail E Lewis live in Ontario, Canada. Although they have been writing separately for many years in the form of songs, poems and screenplays, Only One is their first novel as a mother-daughter team. Look for more thrilling adventures in their future releases.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

GRANDFATHER’S WILL

Stacey shivered, the cold silent ambiance hung heavily throughout the boardroom of her father’s legal firm. Grandfather, so recently laid to rest, her grief not yet abated, she was ill prepared to take part in this family gathering technically deemed ‘The reading of the will.’

The room, its teak paneled walls lined with shelves of leather bound reference books, now felt so austere and empty. Even though several of the armchairs were presently occupied by others who appeared less grief stricken than she, the presence of those family members did nothing to warm the atmosphere.

Even though her feet were cushioned by the thick, plush rose carpet, Stacey still did not feel comfortable discussing such delicate matters as her Grandfather’s last wishes in this frigid, complacent environment.

‘Oh, if only I could bring him back. I could put a stop to all this,’ a tiny voice whispered softly in her head, making her shudder again as goose flesh traveled up one arm and down the other. Tears were brimming in her green blue eyes as she struggled to subdue the emotions welling inside her.

Silly, but she found herself comparing the emotional distance that she was feeling in the room, to a day many years ago when she was just a little girl. Her favorite doll had been left out in the rain and destroyed. Granddad was the only one who totally understood her loss, the only one who comforted her. The only one who seemed to care enough, to become a temporary replacement for the doll when she had gone to bed that night with empty arms. He had sat at her bedside until she fell asleep. Well, Stacey was a big girl now but for all of her twenty-four years, some words of comfort would still be more than welcome.

It was her grandfather she had lost this time and there would never be a substitute. Not one person present in this room was perceptive enough to fully understand how deeply she was hurting, or why. Not even her own father possessed the inborn temperament that was essentially her grandfather.

Unconsciously, she relinquished the battle and tears began spilling slowly down her naturally rosy cheeks. Through watery eyes, she became aware that she was thoroughly analyzing each of her relatives in turn.

Her father, Eldon Dickson, cut a formidable silhouette at all times and today was no exception. His full head of brown hair was only recently showing a distinguishing touch of gray at the temples. He wore a well-trimmed mustache over his full mouth and heavy thick brows crowned his dark brown eyes. He carried a mien of distinction about him which was visibly reinforced by the fact that he was always impeccably dressed.

He was a loving and demonstrative parent albeit an indulgent one. It had always been to Graham Dickson, Eldon’s father, that Stacey voiced her concerns, her heartaches and her childhood dreams. In retrospect, it had been Graham’s advice she had heeded and abided by, his arms she sought for comfort, not her father’s.

She continued to surmise the others in the room. Across the table sat Jim Dickson who was Eldon’s Uncle, her grandfather’s only brother. They grew up pursuing totally different avenues in life. While Graham had played professional golf and eventually came to own his precious golf course, Evergreen, Jim had become a broker on Wall Street. He dabbled wildly in the stock market, never cautious, taking risk after foolish risk. Through luck alone, fortune smiled upon him and one single investment begat a self-made millionaire.

His age seemed more apparent every time Stacey saw him. His hair was a snow-white cap atop his line-ridden face. Once a very tall and attractive man, he now stooped slightly, due to a bone disease, and a permanent scowl disguised what good features might have remained. He sat frowning and silent to the left of her father, his impatience obvious. He didn’t want to be here either.

Chuck, Jim’s oldest boy, had grown up the proverbial rich kid on the block. Every opportunity had been made available to him. All he’d had to do was grab the brass ring. He exuded an arrogance that gave people the impression that he had actually earned the money he so easily spread around. He had owned, wrecked and replaced all the latest sports cars, and treated his women with a comparable lack of respect.

He was handsome, though roguish in appearance. His eyes danced with mischief and mistrust. Stacey could easily imagine the parade of broken hearts left lying in the path of his playboy youth. At least, until he had had the adversity of meeting Elise, who was as rich and spoiled as he was, he’d fallen in love and eventually married her. Stacey was certain he was as much attracted by Elise’s demanding selfishness, her evil temper, and her money as he was by her popularity. All that and her staggering ability to convert the ugliest rags into Cinderella’s magic gown simply by putting it on. Her beauty was astounding and Chuck was happy to bask in her limelight.

Jay, Chuck’s younger brother, was, on the other hand, quiet and somewhat shy, with tendencies to withdraw from society for lingering periods of time. He’d never married, but the same young lady often accompanied him whenever he had need of a female companion. Stacey never did discover the role that young lady played in Jay’s life, but she had never deemed it a matter of importance either. Stacey was actually amazed that Jay was present here today at all. That he had attended the funeral was equally surprising since, more often than not, as an archaeologist, he could only be found somewhere accessible by camel or elephant.

Digging up ancient bones, cities and artifacts was Jay’s sole life’s work. He was of slight build, had a full beard and wore his light hair much too long for a man creeping into his upper thirties. His eyes already showed signs of age beyond his years due to the hours spent in the hot dry sunlight and sand storms during his career. Still, Stacey’s affections for Jay had always been stronger than anything she had ever felt for Chuck.

Stacey, her father’s voice brought her abruptly out of her reverie. If you would please show us the courtesy of your attention… . The sentence trailed off as he resumed his legal persona. As I was saying, there is a personal letter here for you from your grandfather. I’ll give it to you now, but since it does not concern the business immediately at hand, nor the others present here, please refrain from reading it until we have concluded this meeting.

He placed the envelope in her outstretched hand. Though not obvious to the others in the room, Stacey knew just how deeply this whole afternoon was affecting her father. The reading of any other will was usually of little or no consequence to him on a daily basis. He was a family court lawyer as well as senior partner and consultant for the firm which afforded him an emotional detachment. But to have been obligated to disclose the contents of this particular will? This one had been placed in his care by his own father and though it demonstrated a certain amount of trust from the senior Dickson, the procedure was taking its toll on Eldon.

It might have appeared to the others that he was short of patience or angry with her but Stacey knew that wasn’t so. His legal nature simply took precedence over his personal feelings. The displeasure directed at her she knew was a facade purely for their benefit.

His voice drummed on in her ears and once more she detached herself from reality and became that little girl again. One who could, at any instant, climb up into the safety of Granddad’s lap for a big hug. The reality was all too clear that Granddad would never be there to hug her again.

I’m not going to reiterate line for line all that is written from here on, Eldon was saying. In short, it appears that aside from those specific items that I mentioned earlier, all of my father’s other possessions, are now the property of my daughter Stacey. There was a hint of bemusement in his voice.

At the mention of her name, Stacey once more snapped quickly to attention lest Eldon scold her for woolgathering again. Her eyes lowered, resting on her tiny hands where they lay folded atop the letter he had given her, a damp tissue clutched tightly between them. Feeling a little more under control now, she wouldn’t need that any more and she peered to the side in the hope of a wastebasket to toss it into. There didn’t appear to be one near her, so she held on to the stale tissue, continuing to stare down at it.

I don’t care that Granddad wasn’t very rich, she told him sadly, and unaware of why everyone else was suddenly glaring at her, continued. It really isn’t that important, is it Daddy? When he didn’t comment, she went on, But what about Evergreen?

Graham’s golf course Evergreen, was the one thing he had valued above all else. Surely it would have been handed down to his only son. That part of the reading must have escaped her during one of her day dreams.

Eldon Dickson was a lawyer, a legal advisor. Sure he played golf and was very good at it, but first and foremost, he was a lawyer. It was highly unlikely that he would abandon his lifestyle and career to operate a golf course.

Chuck was also already a fully qualified criminal lawyer and only recently, had been given a partnership in her father’s firm. To use Eldon’s favorite quote, when referring to the younger man, he was ‘a damn good one too!’ when he chose to put his natural talent to work.

Jim was too old and too rich to care one way or the other and Jay had neither the education nor the inclination to launch himself into the business world at this stage of his life.

Stacey, the first born female in three generations, had graduated with a B.A. in law only weeks prior to her grandfather’s death. She was not only a seeded tennis player and could demonstrate more prowess on a golf course than any one of them, she had always imagined she would eventually join her Father’s firm.

The silence in the room became suffocating. Suddenly, the full impact of her father’s words ‘Everything belongs to Stacey’ struck home. Surely that didn’t mean Evergreen too? What in Heaven’s name would she do with a golf course? Bewildered and overwhelmed, she glanced around the table to see the equally stunned expression on everyone else’s faces and knew that it must be true.

Yes, Stacey darling. He could see the anxiety in her eyes and his manner softened slightly. Evergreen also belongs to you, but not in the material sense of the word.

I’m sorry, she whispered. I—uh—don’t understand.

Her remark brought a tenuous smile to his lips. There is a codicil here to suggest that you might wish to sell Evergreen, or I can do that for you, therefore allowing you the cash to invest in securing a future for yourself.

I always thought my future was secure with Dickson, Hargrove and Dickson once I passed the Bar. I’m still going into law you know? She was aware that an unnecessary edginess had slipped into her voice but this day had dragged and the entire process was beginning to make her feel nauseated.

Sensing her discomfort, he concluded his meeting. Let’s get the formalities over with so these gentlemen can be on their way. We can discuss your investment opportunities and education at home. The lawyer in him over ruled Eldon’s fatherly instincts. He tactfully picked up the papers lying before him on the table, signifying that the meeting was indeed terminated. He confirmed it with; These documents will be in my office and available for perusal by anyone who may wish to read them through. He nodded, stood momentarily at the head of the table and promptly left the room.

Stacey could not ignore the side-glances darting her way as she pushed away from the boardroom table. As she stood and edged her way around the end of the table, she took note of the wry look in Chuck’s eyes and would recall it later when memory brought the incident to mind. A warning shiver traveled the length of her spine and this time it was not due to the cold.

She followed her father down the lavishly decorated hallway that lead to his private office. She knew she would feel better once she was comfortable and relaxed in more familiar surroundings. As Eldon opened the door to his expansive office, Stacey could almost smell the cherry blossoms; the odor emanated so strongly from the cherry wood furnishings. Quietly closing the door, her father took his seat behind the large desk. The sun reflected off the highly polished wood creating a glow that was so obscure, the desk seemed to take on a personality of its own.

Stacey still held the precious letter in her hand. She reached out to place it on the large ornate credenza, then having second thoughts, quickly picked it up again and placed it in her pocket, eliminating any chance that it get left behind.

Solemnly, she eased into one of the deep high backed, leather armchairs. She would have much preferred to curl up in a corner of the overstuffed sofa against the wall with a pillow in her lap to hold.

Eldon was busy fussing with a stack of papers and Stacey sat in silence, gazing around her. The grandeur of this room still astounded her even considering the countless times she’d been here before. The finely bound volumes of law books, the antiquity of the furnishings, and the collection of fine art on the walls gave the office the aura of a study in a colonial mansion rather than that of a law office in a corporate high-rise.

A heavy sigh escaped her unconsciously as she decided to avoid the diatribe of advice she could expect once her father caught his second wind. Dad, I think I want to go home. You don’t mind, do you? She asked using her best little girl look. Her eyes pleaded with him as she went on hoarsely. I’ve had enough for one day, I need to be alone. To cry, to think, to—Oh, I just want to go home. Making no attempt to maintain self-control, she surrendered to tears and the sobs began to rack her body.

She looked as her father’s hands closed over hers, he pulled her to her feet and took her tiny frame into his arms, cradling his ‘little girl’ against his broad shoulders. His soft words comforted her to some extent, and as he rocked her gently, she heard him say in a choking voice Tomorrow will be time enough to talk or even next week if it suits you better.

After giving her a reassuring squeeze, he stepped back and rested his hands lightly on her shoulders Certainly, you go on home now, I’ll see you later. Stacey could not overlook the tears slowly creeping down his cheeks but she made no mention of it. It did remind her, though, to always remember that he really was her own gentle and loving Dad, with all the feelings and emotions of a parent and a son, not simply a hard-nosed lawyer. Today, that facade had been promptly discarded when he’d left the boardroom.

Her hand moved instinctively to the pocket of her tailored, tweed jacket and the letter she had carefully tucked there. She wanted to be alone now, to read that letter, to absorb the last words her grandfather had to say to her in peace and solitude. The Will may have been public, but that letter was for her eyes only. It meant the world to her that he had taken the time to direct his personal feelings to her alone. He knew she would hear and understand.

Curiosity began to nullify her emptiness just a little. With a forced smile, she bent to retrieve her handbag where it had fallen beside the chair. Thanks Daddy, I needed that, I’ll be all right now, she assured him, not so sure she was telling the whole truth. I’ll see you at dinner.

* * *

Eldon permitted himself the luxury of relaxing in his massive leather chair. He pulled out the bottom drawer of his desk, lifting from it, an almost full bottle of bourbon and a tall glass. Indulging himself further, he poured a stiff measure, replaced the bottle, leaned back and with little precaution, downed the entire contents in one gulp. He sighed, thinking perhaps he should have taken that drink before the meeting to compose himself as much as Stacey needed his shoulder to cry on only moments ago.

Reversing the swivel chair, he surveyed the constantly moving city that sprawled fourteen stories below him and allowed his mind to wander. He wasn’t really interested in anything particular out there, but drifted into a natural state of oblivion. His thoughts were a jumble and transfixed on nothing, yet he was fully aware of the decisions he had to make.

He had mourned the loss of his mother over ten years earlier, but somehow he just assumed his father would go on forever. They would always be there for each other. Stacey seemed to be of a similar opinion. She hadn’t carried on this way when her grandmother had passed away. Of course, she had been a lot younger then. The truth of the matter was, that of all the time Stacey spent at Evergreen, the majority of it was not in Grandma’s kitchen like most youngsters. Her time had been spent on the tennis court, or the golf course with her grandfather. Their love was an unbreakable bond, a force between them, grandfather and granddaughter. They rode horses, picked dew worms and created new sand traps, worked in the Pro Shop, always side by side. It was a joy to watch them. If you wanted Stacey, just look for Graham. There she’d be, up to her little girl ears, doing whatever he was doing with all the enthusiasm of any grandson Graham may have ever wished for, something Eldon regretted not having given him. Aris, Eldon’s ex wife, refused to ever have another child after Stacey was born.

An abrupt knock on the office door brought him quickly back to reality. It was Saturday and there was no secretary to quietly announce visitors or to screen unwanted intruders. He should have risen to answer it himself, but formality was not on his list of priorities at the moment, so, instead, he simply shouted, Come in.

His concern lessened even still when it was his cousin and junior partner who stepped into the room and promptly closed the door behind himself.

A little edgy are we? Chuck tossed at him sarcastically taking note of the empty glass on the corner of the desk, But then I guess we all have reason to be today, don’t we? He went on, not allowing Eldon the opportunity to reply.

Boldly and without invitation, Chuck proceeded to park himself in the same chair on the opposite side of the big cherry wood desk that Stacey had recently vacated. He deliberately ignored Eldon’s look of distain and let his gaze travel at random around the room. Continuing on with his one way conversation without even the courtesy of addressing his senior directly, he said almost accusingly, Wasn’t much reading to Uncle Grahams’ Will was there?

This time pausing for an answer, and when none was forthcoming, carried on, It would be a safe assumption that you did cover everything?

It was more a statement, another accusation perhaps, although it was one that Eldon didn’t deem deserving of an answer. He was not in the mood to control the anger swelling in him. He spun on his cousin with venom dripping from his tongue. There are several ways I could interpret that statement Chuck, so just what are you implying? Need I remind you that I am merely the executor of that document not the author? Are you suggesting I omitted something, or was my father’s will too elementary even for you? He reached for the papers he had carefully stacked so neatly a short time ago and tossed them across the desk to land in front of Chuck. I told you the papers would be here for anyone to read if they wished to. Go ahead, the pleasure is all yours.

He may have been your father, Eldon, but somewhere here, the fact that the man was also my father’s brother, and therefore my uncle, has been overlooked, wouldn’t you say?

"No one is overlooking anything, Chuck, least of all my father. He did what he wanted to do with his estate, and perhaps I should remind you that without that will, as his only son, I would have automatically inherited everything anyway. This way, it simply goes to Stacey instead. If you are making a point here, I’m missing it. So please don’t hedge. Get right to it." Eldon rose from his chair to stand at the window, displaying his back intentionally to his adversary, gazing once more at the city below.

My point is Eldon, that family is family. All members treated equal and the like. I feel that Evergreen should be sold and since there are only five of us left in this immediate family, including Stacey, one fifth should be given to each of us. His attempt to disguise his resentment was wasted on Eldon.

Chuck, a will is a will. It’s been probated. It’s a legal document, legal and binding. Are you telling me, even as my associate lawyer, you’re going to contest it? You want my permission to drag my daughter through a court of law to appease your selfishness and you think I’m going to give it? Fury blazed like fire from Eldon’s dark eyes as he all but shouted at his partner.

Eldon, Eldon, calm down. I’m not suggesting any such thing. God man! I love the girl too. No—not court. I don’t want to formally contest the will, but we are lawyers, Eldon. We’ve had to sort out things like this, time and time again. There isn’t a will written that doesn’t have a loophole somewhere if you look hard enough. So what I’m thinking is that we could find one. Stacey will go along with anything you say—.

Hold it right there, Chuck. I’ve heard enough, and I mean it when I say I will not tolerate another word about this. Eldon gazed at this man, who had the audacity to sit in this very office, in the very chair Stacey sat in, and make such blatant suggestions. This man who he thought he knew so well. The similarity of the two men ended at the thousand-dollar custom tailored three-piece suit and the two hundred-dollar ties they wore.

Chuck was a relentless criminal lawyer. If he took on a case, whether guilty or innocent, that client could be reasonably sure of winning. He had a certain amount of professional ethics, but he played to win, which he did, in nine cases out of ten. However, he only accepted one case out of every ten that came across his desk.

Eldon, on the other hand, was a corporate lawyer. He looked after large estates and one particular large corporation who needed a full time legal advisor on staff for consultation. He was the epitome of ethics and protocol.

Eldon waited as Chuck took a cigarette from his gold cigarette case, and as the flame burst from the matching gold engraved lighter, something else began to confuse him. Chuck was in line for a partnership with the firm. He had a beautiful home, a lovely wife, and, by the look of things, was not pressed for spending money. These facts created another obvious query. The elder man asked subtly, Tell me Chuck, yesterday you were content with your life and what you had. Today you’re asking me to help you con my daughter out of something that has been given to her, rightfully, and with the love and devotion of her grandfather. A note of suspicion crept into his voice. Is there something I should know? Perhaps you’ve gotten yourself into some financial difficulty? Taking advice from your father again?

Chuck knew what he was getting at but allowed him to finish before assuring him emphatically, No, Eldon. You’d know about it if there were a problem. I just heard some rumblings about some developers who were interested in buying Evergreen and I thought… well maybe it would just be sold. He rose and walked to the bookshelf where he leaned on one elbow, and continued ashamedly, his head bowed slightly. Eldon, you know Elise. You know she expected me to inherit something of Uncle Graham’s estate, something more than a couple of paintings. Sure, I know the value of them, but I’d like to keep them. I love her too, Eldon, but she is, and always will be, money hungry. Other than clothes, the only thing she ever wants is more money. Oh, Hell man! I’m beginning to sound like an absolute ass. Forget I brought it up. His shoulders dropped, and his usually handsome face became somber, as a shadow of guilt spread over it. He cursed inaudibly, and escaped from the room without allowing time for rebuttal.

Not quite convinced of the validity of Chuck’s explanation, Eldon made a mental note to be a little more cautious. With a sigh of exasperation, he sunk exhausted back into his chair and let his mind meander where it would.

Nearly an hour passed before he realized it was getting dark and Stacey would be expecting him for dinner.

He gathered up his overcoat and his briefcase, looked habitually around the room, stepped into the hall and locked the large oak door behind him. Perhaps he shouldn’t dwell on the exchange between himself and Chuck. Unless… Chuck insisted on pursuing it.

CHAPTER TWO

A WORD OF ADVICE

From inside her blue convertible, Stacey pushed the button of the remote control that triggered the latch on the wrought iron gates of Elmwood, the Dickson family estate. The world outside could not enter here unless they possessed a similar remote or whispered their name into the intercom that was attached to the gatepost. This ensured Elmwood and its inhabitants a measure of safety and seclusion. She moved her little sports car slowly inside, and the gates closed automatically behind her.

Her attention was momentarily drawn to the well trimmed hedges that lined the drive, the beautifully pruned trees spaced perfectly about the huge, immaculately manicured, front lawn. The house itself was majestically situated in the center of it all with large white pillars along the front verandah. As a child, she often heard it compared to Tara, the plantation in Gone with the Wind. Elmwood had been Stacey’s home all her life. She couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, unless it was at Evergreen.

She pulled around the circular drive with its little island garden in the center that would soon be filled with colorful flowers. It was there she left the car for Norman to put away. She literally dragged her feet up the steps of the colonial style home Eldon had built to suit Stacey’s mother before she was born.

Hello, I’m home, She called. She made her way across the tiled foyer and in the process, shed her suit jacket carelessly tossing it over the arm of a large tuxedo chesterfield as she wandered on into the living room.

Clara, the housekeeper, who somehow always seemed to be right behind you when you wanted something, but was never there when you turned to look, was right behind her now, scolding Stacey for her carelessness. Stacey, this is not like you, Clara told her picking up the jacket, indicating that she would do it for her this time. In all my years, I’ve never had to pick up after you and I don’t intend to start now. There was a teasing smile at the corner of her mouth but the sympathy in her motherly eyes didn’t escape Stacey’s keen perception.

As Clara bustled about the room, closing drapes, she chatted on, I realize this a trying time for you, but, my darlin’ girl, it’s all part of life. You’ll feel better soon enough. Her words were harsh but Clara didn’t believe in masking the truth.

I’m sure you are right, Clara, but I feel so lost and empty. An all too familiar lump manifested itself in her throat and she refrained from saying anything more lest the tears break free again, if there were any tears left to cry. It seemed to Stacey that that was all she had done this whole week, every time someone uttered a word to her. Of course, lately, no matter who she spoke with, everyone was offering condolences and sympathies, which almost always provoked more tears.

She plunked her body down on the edge of her favorite chair and dropped her head into her hands. Oblivious, she watched Clara through her fingers as the woman deftly lifted each item off the glass top table in front of Stacey, dusted beneath it then sat it back in exactly the same place. She proceeded to follow the same pattern in every area of the room. A stack of books her father had neglected to return to his library, a potted plant, an ashtray of porcelain pottery, and an antique fruit bowl, each in turn cleaned and dusted where no dust was visible, and put back, as though it had never been moved.

In the big bay window sat a tall, white swan of matching pottery, surrounded by plants, making a natural habitat for the fowl. Stacey allowed her eyes to wander as Clara quietly moved from place to place, flicking the dust cloth over the guilt framed mirrors hung between the two full-length windows along the side of the house. Off in the distance, past rolling hills, you could see the faintest outline of a great rambling farmhouse.

The house always referred to as ‘The Ridges’ belonged to Elmwood’s nearest neighbor, owned by the Fieldings. Their oldest daughter Veronica had become Stacey’s best friend over the years. How many times had she taken Veronica to Evergreen for summer holidays? They had both learned from her grandfather, and over the course of those summers, Veronica had become a very competitive golfer and Stacey’s adversary on the course. It warmed her heart when her friend had paid her respects at the funeral but then, hadn’t grandfather treated Ronnie like his own? And Ronnie had loved him too. Naturally she would be hurting over his death. Stacey made a mental note that she should go see her sometime this week, just to let Ronnie know how much she appreciated her thoughtfulness and offer a little comfort in return.

Veronica had been labeled ‘Ronnie’ by friends in high school and she had never been able to shake it as an adult. It suited her although there was nothing of the tomboy about her.

Where would they spend those lazy summer holidays now that Evergreen was going to be sold? What if the new owners didn’t take care of it? The beautiful grounds could easily become neglected. The streams, although man made to deliberately run through the golf course, could become polluted with garbage by careless people. What if they never opened the course to all the old faithful members who patronized Evergreen for years and years? It was heart wrenching to imagine how quickly a place such as Evergreen could deteriorate or even be redeveloped. The pain would be severe, as if it were grandfather himself who was being hurt. Evergreen was his life’s work. He had poured his heart and soul into it for so many years. The idea of someone other than him operating the club, living in the big house, made Stacey’s blood run cold. Yet, grandfather’s suggestion was for her to sell it. Or was it? Suddenly, remembering the letter she had temporarily forgotten, she hastened up the stairs to her room where she knew Clara would have taken her jacket. She reached into the pocket and grasped the envelope tightly. Hands shaking, she broke the seal. Perhaps there were answers here. Maybe some of the questions plaguing her about the golf course could be solved when she read his words.

Sinking slowly to the edge of her bed with its bright white pile spread, she began to read what her grandfather had written:

My Dear sweet Stacey:

Please miss me now that I have gone, but please do not grieve too long. I lived a very full life, and until I lost your loving grandmother, I was a very happy man. You helped to fill the void that losing her created and along with many other things, I thank you for it.

However, because you were so very young when she died, there are some things that neither, you, or anyone else, including your father, were never aware of.

Evergreen was my whole life. You,