One Step Closer(27)

The limo driver had gotten out, but Wren was anxious and he didn’t have the time to make it around the car to open the car door for her. He quickly stepped around to pick up the bag, and carry it up the three steps onto the huge covered porch. The house was grand; modern with rustic touches that made it fit in perfectly with the backdrop of the mountains in the near distance. It was built with native Colorado stones and lumber and would have fit just as perfectly in Vail or Evergreen.

There was a huge lamp-like chandelier hanging high above the door, the ceiling towering up to the second story. Wren remembered the large curved staircase in the foyer held another, more ornate, light fixture sparkling with crystals that shone through a brilliant round window feature above the outside door.

“Thank you for coming to get me,” Wren murmured, glancing up into the man’s face. He looked sad, his dark eyes understanding. “Um, I’m sorry, what was your name?” she asked in a quiet voice.

“Jared.”

Wren nodded. “It’s nice to meet you, Jared.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry for your loss, ma’am. I’ve been instructed to be on call for you during your stay; to take you anywhere you need to go.” He reached into the breast pocket of his dark suit and produced a white business card with his name, phone number and the limo company on it.

Wren stopped looking for the key in her purse, wondering if it would still work in the lock. “Well, that was nice of Jonathan, but it was unnecessary.”

“Jonathan?” The man looked confused for a second then shook his head. “No ma’am. Mr. Luxon sent me.”

For a moment Wren’s heart stopped, thinking he was referring to Edison, but realized he was speaking of Caleb. The driver leaned in, reaching past Wren to ring the doorbell.

“Oh, there’s no need—” Wren began, as she pulled out her key fob and fumbled for the key to the front door.

The heavy door opened and a stout, grey-haired woman stood there, her kind brown eyes widening in surprise.

“Oh, my goodness! Wren!” The old lady’s voice filled with emotion as she reached out to wrap chubby arms around the younger girl. “It’s so good to see you, but I wish it were under better circumstances. You look so wonderful, but so thin!”

Wren wrapped her arms around Mrs. Jones, and inhaled the light scent of floral perfume and something she must have baked earlier in the day. She knew she looked horrible from lack of sleep and traveling, as she lost herself in the comfort of the arms of the woman who was the closest thing to a grandmother she’d ever known.

“Jonesy!” Wren’s eyes filled with tears. “I’ve missed you.”

“You, too, child. Come in. Come in.” Jonesy moved back into the house and took Wren’s hand in hers when the young woman entered the foyer. “You’re not expecting that awful mother of yours, are you?” She huffed with a frown.

Wren couldn’t help a small smile. No one liked Veronica, and Wren downright hated her.

“No.” She shook her head. “We don’t keep in touch all that much anymore.”

“Thank God for that. Caleb would go crazy if she dared show her face.”

Wren’s heart raced at the mention of Caleb’s name, her eyes couldn’t help searching past Jonesy into the house; looking to see if he was there.

The driver stood behind Wren, holding her suitcase and waiting for instructions. He cleared his throat. “If that will be all, Miss Wren?” he asked.

“Bring the bag in, young man,” Mrs. Jones said and waved him in. “Her rooms are at the top of the stairs, third door on the left. There are two doors, but the first is open. Up you go,” she commanded. “Just set it inside.”

Jonesy was just as abrupt and bossy as always, though she had a heart of gold and a sweet demeanor that softened her gruffness.

“Are you hungry? You look like you haven’t eaten in years!”

“It’s dancing so many hours a day.” Wren shrugged and smiled. “All that exercise.”

“Pish!” Jonesy scolded. “You young girls are always trying to be so skinny! I will cook something for you.”

Jonesy made the best food Wren had ever eaten, but she wasn’t hungry. “I’d rather unpack, take a shower, and get a nap, if I can. I have jet lag, I’m afraid. It’s the middle of the night where I just came from, and I’m beat.” The truth was, she was exhausted, but more, she wanted the opportunity to clean up before she saw Caleb.

“Oh, for sure! How silly of me. Come on, honey.” She started up the stairs, gently pulling Wren to follow behind her.

Wren looked around, trying to glance into Edison’s study that was to the right of the foyer, and then back toward the kitchen and left to the great room. She wanted to see if she could find any evidence of Caleb’s presence. Finally, she had to ask. “Where is Cale?”

“He went for a run, I think. That one! He always did push himself to the limit. I’m worried about him. I don’t think Edison dying has completely sunk in yet.”

As they climbed the long, winding staircase, that was open to the second floor, Wren contemplated Jonesy’s words and thought she was probably right. Caleb was strong, and he didn’t like to show his emotions, but his father’s death had to have hit him hard. When the two women reached the second floor, the limo driver was just closing the door to her room.