Eva's Deadline

Eva turned to see her high-school friend Fran Oliver. “He does. Larger than life.”

“He’ll be missed.” Fran put her arm around Eva’s shoulder. “That was a beautiful service.”

“It was. Pastor Jordan did a wonderful job officiating.”

“It’s sure good to see you again, Eva.” Fran dropped her arm and stood back, regarding Eva with solemn eyes.

Eva nodded. “Good to see you, too. How’s the teaching going? Still love it as much as you did at first?”

Fran’s solemn expression relaxed, and she smiled and smoothed her short blond hair. “You bet. Chasing those high-school kids keeps me in shape.”

“Thanks so much for coming. I appreciate your and Jason’s support.” Eva looked around. “Where is your husband? I should thank him in person.”

“He’s over there talking to Mark. They’re basketball-team buddies.” Fran nodded toward the other end of the room. “But we’re not your only support. Alison and Trudi came, too. And some of the others from our class.”

“Yes. I spoke to them at the service.”

“You have more friends here than you might think.”

Eva looked away. “I know I haven’t been in touch much since I left....”

“I understand, but you’ve been missed.” She tilted her head. “Any chance you’ll be coming back?”

“No. I love my life in Seattle.”

“I’m glad you’ve found the place you want to be, hon, but that doesn’t keep me from wishing you were still here. Uh-oh, Jason’s waving at me. We need to pick up the twins from the babysitter’s.”

After Fran moved off, a man about her father’s age, with thick white hair and black-rimmed glasses, stepped to Eva’s side. “Hello, Eva, do you remember me?”

“Of course, you’re Hal Barnett. I’ve been in your drugstore many times. Your son was a year ahead of me in high school.”

Hal nodded. “I haven’t seen Carson for a couple years. Left town, same as you. What is it about our town that makes our kids want to leave?”

Eva shrugged. “Some of us just want to explore the rest of the world, I guess.” She thought of Brett, and her stomach twisted. That was what he’d wanted to do, but tragedy struck before he had the chance. Thinking of her brother prompted her to reach up and finger the silver chain that held his medal.

“We’ll sure miss Seb.” Hal slowly shook his head. “He did so much good for our town, ’sides publishing the news. Will you be comin’ back to help out at the paper? Not that Mark isn’t doing a bang-up job, but it’d be nice to keep the newspaper in the family, doncha think?”

“’Fraid not, Hal. I’ve found my place elsewhere.”

Hal’s mouth turned down. “What’s gonna happen to the Herald?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it.”

She spoke the truth. She hadn’t been involved with the Herald in the past, so she hadn’t given any thought to its future.

They chatted for a few more minutes, and then Hal excused himself to return to the buffet table. Eva finished her food and set the plate on a nearby cart. She turned to see Mark and a tall, slender man in his fifties heading toward her.

“This is Lawrence Prentiss,” Mark said when the two men reached her side. “He was your father’s attorney. I mentioned him the first night you were here.”

Ah, the man who had Seb’s will. She’d been so busy with other matters she’d all but forgotten about that. “Hello, Mr. Prentiss. I don’t think I remember you....”

Lawrence Prentiss extended his hand. “You wouldn’t. My wife and I moved here from Portland three years ago. I took over Sam Lambert’s business when he passed away.”

“I do remember the Lamberts.” Eva shook Lawrence’s hand, which seemed more bones than flesh.

“My condolences for your loss, Eva. Your father was a fine man.”

“Thank you, Mr. Prentiss.”

He cleared his throat. “As you undoubtedly know, Sebastian left a will.”

“I didn’t know until Mark mentioned it. My father was a very private person. There was a lot he didn’t share with me.”

“I understand, but now that I’m back in town, we need to schedule a time when the three of us can sit down together and read it.”

Mark raised his eyebrows. “The three of us?”

Lawrence nodded. “You need to be there, too, Mark.”

“Why do we need a reading of the will?” she asked, folding her arms. “I thought that was something done only in the movies.”

Lawrence’s thin lips cracked a smile. “I know it sounds dramatic, but your father requested that you and Mark meet with me. I’m only following his instructions.”

“But I’m leaving for Seattle as soon as this reception is over. Can’t you just send me a copy?”

Lawrence shook his head. “No, I’m obligated to honor Seb’s wishes.”

Eva was tempted to stand firm on her “no.” But the man was only doing his job. She heaved a sigh. “Can you see us tomorrow?”

“I can. How about one o’clock?”

“Fine.”

Lawrence turned to Mark. “How about you, Mark?”

Mark rubbed the back of his neck. “Saturday? I’d planned a hike with Sasha, but, yeah, I’ll be there.”

“Great,” Lawrence said. “I’ll see you both in my office at one o’clock.”

* * *

AFTER HE’D TUCKED Sasha into bed that evening, Mark settled in his recliner with a cup of coffee. Satisfaction brought a smile to his lips as he thought about the day’s events, all fitting tributes to Seb.

Lawrence Prentiss’s insistence that he be present for a reading of Seb’s will left him scratching his head, though. Why would he be in Seb’s will? Then again, why not? Their relationship was more than boss and employee. They’d gone fishing together and played pool on Friday nights at Durango’s Tavern. Mark had become involved in some of Seb’s charity projects, such as helping out at the community center’s free Thanksgiving dinner.

Seb had often told Mark he was like a son. “I had a son...once,” he’d say. If they were in his office, his gaze would stray to the photos on his desk.

His thoughts returned to the will. Seb had probably left him a token of appreciation for his friendship and loyalty.