A Reluctant Enterprise Read online

  “You’re right.” Camilla sounded fatigued. “I’ve been thinking. I’ve decided to hire all the help he needs after he comes home from the rehabilitation clinic. He’ll get every chance he needs to recuperate, but, and I’ll make it an ultimatum, he’s retiring. Lars-Olof, his cousin, is more than ready to take over. This will make it easier for you to follow your own path. You’ll also have to promise me something?”

  “Yes?” Raising her head, Sylvie gazed up at her mother.

  “Don’t let Aeron slip through your fingers. There’s something special about that girl that I really like, a quality you won’t easily find in someone else. She…she gets you. I can’t put it any better. In her presence I saw the Sylvie I’ve glimpsed only when you and I are alone.”

  “Mom.” Sylvie pulled her hands up in the sleeves of her cardigan. “I may have irreparably destroyed what we had. I…we hadn’t gone very far, but as you say, sometimes you just know. And I crushed that. Deliberately. Judging by the look in her eyes, I might as well have sucker-punched her.”

  “If you’re honest about it like you are now, she’ll forgive you with time. And she’s worth fighting for, right?” Camilla cupped Sylvie’s cheek. “Let me deal with your father and his successor. I’m one of the largest stockholders in the entire conglomerate, as you know. They fear me too.” She smiled.

  “With good reason.” Sylvie had to laugh even if her stomach was ready to tie itself into a neat bow. “And I’ll try to gather courage. I have to.”

  “You’ll do fine.”

  They sat together as the sun finally set in the middle of the night. Sylvie loved Sweden with its seasons, traditions, social welfare, and multitude of cultures. It would always be home, geographically speaking. That said, no matter how wonderful any country was, no place would feel like home unless Aeron was there. What if she couldn’t make Aeron see how sorry she was for all she’d said?

  It didn’t matter, Sylvie decided, and vowed to arrange for airline tickets when she got hold of her laptop. Hopefully this time she was truly going home.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Aeron leaned against the lawnmower and wondered how much more she would have time for before darkness fell. She’d half-finished the big lawn toward the lake. Not for the first time she debated if she should get a tractor mower like the one Annelie so proudly maneuvered. She decided to mow one more lap in the diminishing circle she moved in.

  When she returned to the spot she’d started from, she saw an unknown car, maybe a rental, sitting in the driveway. She hadn’t heard it arrive because of the noise from the lawnmower. Was it Lucas Hayes or someone from the publishing house paying her a surprise visit? But that didn’t make sense, as she usually communicated with both via emails or phone.

  She turned off the mower and pushed it to sit next to the largest of the maple trees. She’d continue tomorrow so no use putting it back in the garage. Taking off her gloves, she adjusted her ponytail and pulled off her baseball cap. She hoped she wasn’t covered in grass clippings, but if so, when people appeared unexpectedly they had to take you as you came.

  Aeron turned the corner and looked around for the visitor. A woman dressed in beige chinos and a blue, short-sleeved shirt stood by the front porch with a small suitcase at her feet.

  Sylvie.

  Aeron covered her mouth with a trembling hand. Was she slowly losing her mind, or was the Swedish mega-business tycoon here in the Adirondacks, dressed like any local person? Why wasn’t she busy taking over the business world at the helm of the Thorn empire?

  “Hello, Aeron,” Sylvie said quietly.

  “What…how can you even be here?” Aeron slowly approached Sylvie, and now when she stood closer, she saw how pale and tense she looked. Of course, she had to have jet lag if she’d arrived recently. “When did you get here? I mean to the US.”

  Sylvie checked her watch, the one that was the same as Aeron’s. “Four hours ago.”

  “What?” How could that be? Aeron’s mind was running in circles.

  “I took a flight to Schiphol, Amsterdam, then on to Boston, and to Albany from there. I rented a car and drove straight here.”

  Aeron merely waved in the direction of the front door. “Let’s go inside. I don’t know about you, but I need some juice. I’ve been mowing the lawn.”

  “I heard. Thank you. Something to drink sounds great.” Sylvie looked at her bag and then back at Aeron. “Should I bring it inside or put it back in the trunk?”

  “Oh. Right.” Aeron hated the idea of sending Sylvie packing without hearing her out. And what brute would reject anyone who took three flights and drove for hours to reach you? “Come in and bring the bag.”

  Sylvie drew a deep breath and carried it inside, setting it next to the door. Aeron poured them two glasses of apple juice and added some ice. When she turned around she saw Sylvie standing in the same spot, trembling.

  “Hey, are you all right?” Aeron put the glasses on the counter and walked up to her. “You’re not going to faint on me, are you?” She wasn’t being facetious. Sylvie had turned slightly gray.

  “I can’t believe I’m here. And that you let me in. After what I did to you—to us…” Sylvie sucked her lower lip in between her teeth. “I’ve gone over in my mind, time and time again, what to tell you, how to explain—”

  “Why don’t you let me tell you what I think?” Aeron said slowly. “Come with me and sit before you do fall over.” She motioned to the couches.

  Sylvie slumped onto the three-seater, and Aeron brought the juice and sat in the armchair. If she was going to keep her cool, she needed some distance. She could tell Sylvie noticed this move and probably took it the wrong way.

  “I think you panicked and thought you were once and for all stuck with both feet in the Thorn empire.” Aeron sipped her juice. “You saw your dream of independence in the US running your own company evaporate. I don’t think I’m being conceited when I think I was part of that plan. And when it began to crumble because of Daniel’s illness…” Aeron stopped talking. “Oh, God, he’s not dead, is he?” She covered her mouth for a second time.

  “No. In a rehab clinic doing quite well, actually.” Sylvie’s eyes looked glazed over as she sat with her juice untouched. “How do you know all this? About what I thought?”

  “Am I right?”

  “More or less. And you weren’t just part of my plans. You’d quickly become the biggest reason for making that plan succeed.” Sylvie wiped her hands on her thighs. “I honestly thought I was doing the right thing, the unselfish thing, to let you go. To make you go, rather.”

  “You hurt me.” Being honest was key, but Aeron hated how her words made Sylvie wince. “I was a total mess for two weeks. Then Carolyn and Annelie intervened.” She wanted to move to Sylvie’s side so badly, but she had to have some more information before she did. “They helped me analyze the situation and realize a few things my pain wouldn’t allow me to understand.”

  “I’m so glad you have such friends. In my case, my mother helped me understand. Just before we talked, I’d said good-bye to my father. For good. He poisons my life, and I can’t risk him getting under my skin again. Oddly enough, I had the feeling he understood my reasons. My mother was upset, of course, but she definitely understood. She ordered me, more or less, to fix my life, and first on the agenda was to tell you the truth and how I truly feel.”

  “Wow. That’s a tall order.” Aeron blinked. “And?”

  “You’ve already told me you know the truth of my fears…and my faults.” Sylvie patted the seat next to her. “I can’t tell you the rest with you sitting over there. Join me, please?”

  Reluctant, not because she didn’t want to sit next to Sylvie, but because of how much she wanted it, Aeron rounded the coffee table and sat down.

  *

  Sylvie could hardly breathe with Aeron so close. She looked more beautiful than ever with her hair in a ponytail and small tresses framing her face. Her eyes never left Sylvie’s, and she clung
to her glass of juice as if she’d forgotten she was holding it. Gently, Sylvie removed it from Aeron’s hands and placed it next to her own on the coffee table.

  “What my mother knew already, and of course I knew…I mean, already a few days after meeting you, I kind of knew…”

  “Knew what, Sylvie?” Aeron asked quietly.

  “That I love you, Aeron. I’m in love with you, and in retrospect I can see I’d already fallen for you the second time we were at the lawyer’s office.” Sylvie slumped sideways against the backrest, resting her head in her hand.

  “You love me?” Aeron’s lips parted. She looked so sweet and sexy that Sylvie had to remember to keep her hands to herself.

  “Yes.” Sylvie nodded, and the fatigue began to hit. Damn jet lag. And damn not having slept more than two or three hours each night for the last six weeks, ever since Daniel’s stroke. “I’d have thought it obvious to you since you had everything else I felt down pat.”

  “I sure didn’t know you love me.” Aeron sounded dazed, but who could blame her?

  “I know you’ll find it hard to learn to trust me again, Aeron, but can I at least hope you might try? If not now, then eventually?” Sylvie wanted to grab Aeron’s hands and beg, but she was simply too tired to move.

  “Trust. Interesting concept. Some say trust needs to be earned.”

  “And you? What do you say?”

  “I say trust is intimately combined with expectations. If I expect you to be truthful from now on and not withdraw—or push me away, would I be setting myself up for major disappointment or trust you to do your best?”

  “I can’t say I’ll never screw up again. Most likely I will. But I can promise to never willfully do so or push you away because I think it’s best for you. I can promise to always communicate, even if it hurts.”

  “One thing I feel I know about you, Sylvie Thorn, is that you keep your promises. It’s your protectiveness that tends to run amok and makes you act like you did here after us kissing, and in Sweden.” Aeron leaned closer and took Sylvie’s hand. “Now, it’s my turn.”

  “To do what?” Sylvie was suddenly wide-awake.

  “To tell my truth.” Aeron raised Sylvie’s hand to her lips. “I love you.” She smiled with trembling lips.

  Sylvie thought she’d actually faint as small black dots swam across her field of vision. Perhaps it was tension leaving her system too fast?

  “And as I’m rejection phobic,” Aeron said and held on tighter to Sylvie’s hand, “which is hardly a secret to you by now, I tend to overthink and also read a lot into what someone says. That’s not likely to change overnight.”

  “You didn’t read anything into what I said in Sweden—that was my fault—” Sylvie quieted as Aeron kissed her softly.

  “Shh. Don’t speak of faults. We both come from highly dysfunctional homes. Luckily you have your mom and I have Paulina, and one day I’ll tell you all about a special lady called Mrs. Crenshaw.”

  “I look forward to it.” Sylvie dared to finally wrap her arms around the woman she loved so much it overflowed every single one of her senses.

  “And just so you know,” Aeron said, “I’d just booked tickets to fly to Gothenburg two days from now. Hence my mowing the lawn like a woman possessed so it was done before I left.”

  “What?” Sylvie didn’t think she could handle much more positive news. “You were coming to see me?”

  “Yes, and no.”

  Frowning, Sylvie rubbed her temple. “Please. No riddles.”

  “Sorry. Of course I was coming to see you, but that sounds like I planned to take you out to dinner and a movie, or something. I meant to haul your ass back to the Adirondacks and then to New York.”

  “Now we’re talking.” Sylvie pulled Aeron closer and kissed her again. She took her sweet time and explored the full lips and the mouth behind them. When she raised her head, Aeron was panting and grasping for support.

  “I’ll say,” she murmured. “I would also have come bearing gifts.” She pointed to the kitchen counter.

  Curious, Sylvie looked but couldn’t see anything. “What gifts?”

  “Actually it’s one gift in many parts. Hang tight.” She bounced up with a strength Sylvie envied her right now. Returning with a semi-thick envelope, she handed it to Sylvie. “I thought if I can’t do anything else to make you happy, this would at least be good for your future endeavors.”

  Sylvie opened the envelope slowly and with a pinch of dread. “I may not be able to read it if it’s legal mumbo jumbo. Tends to have long words.”

  “Hence the MP3 player with the short version.”

  Astonished, Sylvie looked into the envelope and saw a tiny media player at the bottom. She fished it out and pressed play.

  Hi, Sylvie. Aeron here. I’m not sure where you’ll be when I hand this over, or in what frame of mind. All I want you to know is my reason for doing this. I love you, Sylvie, and I want you to be happy. Whether it’s with me or without me, here are Maeve’s shares. I’ve signed them over to Classic Swedish Inc. And yes, it is a done deal, for which your next-in-command was most helpful. Be happy no matter how. Love, Aeron.

  Sylvie gaped and stared at Aeron. “You’re insane. That’s so much money!”

  “I know. Turns out I have tons of money. I’m going to give most of it to the Belmont Foundation.” Aeron looked so happy at announcing the latter, Sylvie had to smile.

  “Somehow I figured you might do something like that. Aren’t you keeping anything for yourself?”

  “I still have a quite healthy trust fund, and my books sell okay. I’m not starving. I did keep enough to create trust funds for any potential children.” She grinned.

  “Aeron, you’re amazing. You realize that?” Almost pulling Aeron up onto her lap, Sylvie hugged her close. “And if you don’t, I’ll remind you on a daily basis.”

  Aeron snuggled closer. “No need. I feel pretty amazing just being in your arms. Finally. At last.”

  “Agreed.” Sylvie was so relaxed now, she knew she might fall asleep where she sat. “I think I need a nap, darling. May I have my old room back?”

  “No.”

  Sylvie’s eyes snapped open. “No?”

  Aeron caressed long strands of hair from Sylvie’s face. “No. You may, however, go upstairs and have a nap in our bed in our room. And since I wore myself out mowing half the lawn, I’ll join you.”

  Walking up the stairs hand in hand, they tumbled into bed and ended up in a close embrace in the center. Sylvie had never felt so loved and safe. As she wrapped herself around Aeron, she hoped they wouldn’t nap for too long. Next on the agenda was to make love to Aeron in a way that once and for all erased any potential residual doubts.

  “Stop thinking. Sleep,” Aeron murmured and yawned.

  Sylvie smiled against Aeron’s hair and then she slept.

  *

  “Did you read the last few entries?” Sylvie held up Maeve’s diary.

  “No. I stopped after the emotional last entry following my birth. I didn’t think she wrote anything more after that.” Aeron sat at her desk going through her timeline but now got up and joined Sylvie at the dining table. “What did she write?”

  “For some reason I can decipher your mother’s handwriting much better than printed text, but I still think it’s best if you read it.”

  “Okay. Stay with me while I do, please?”

  “Of course.”

  Aeron opened the diary at the page after her birth. It was blank so she flipped over two more.

  New York—1992

  My parents are dead. This is insane. It’s beyond insane, it’s crazy. How will I manage? Who will help me? There’s absolutely no one! I need someone to help me with Aeron. I’ve never been so alone.

  On another page Maeve wrote:

  New York—1997

  There. It’s done. I should feel relieved to not have complete responsibility, but all I know is I miss Aeron so much. She’s so little and so far away from home. I should go
and get her from the school tomorrow. Tell them it was a mistake, that my little girl needs to be home with her mother. I’m going to—it’s the only way I’ll be happy again.

  “Oh, my God.” Aeron browsed for the next note. “And she never did. I wonder why.”

  New York—2001

  I’m glad Aeron is away at boarding school. Nothing will ever be the same again. Two planes hit the World Trade Center and I’m home alone, glued to the TV. I hope they talk to the kids about this at her school.

  Oh, those poor souls.

  New York—2015

  My goodness. I found this old diary and had forgotten I even used to write in it. Reading back, I was stunned at how all the old feelings came rushing back. I never did become a good mother. More of a warning example, really.

  I do have hope for this year. I’ve been doing really well grasping the intricacies of the world of business. Sylvie, my dear, patient friend and co-owner of Classic Swedish Inc., has done this for me. She’s given me hope that I might approach Aeron and show her there’s more to me than partying and using drugs.

  I’m glad I found this. Reading about my hopes for the future back then motivates me to do better now. It’s never too late!

  After crying herself empty in Sylvie’s arms, Aeron blew her nose and took a deep breath. “If I’d only known.” She clung to Sylvie, who held her tight again.

  “How could you? She wasn’t very good at sharing with the one she loved the most.” Sylvie rocked her gently.

  “We mustn’t let that happen to us.”

  “We won’t. Remember our promises?” Sylvie nodded toward the couch. “We promised to communicate.”

  “Yes. Yes, we have to.” Aeron settled into the embrace. “You know, perhaps she kept this journal because she wanted me to see it eventually. And when I saw it, I’d read how she really felt and about Captain Aero.”