Tuesday October 8

Bobbie awoke feeling rested. This dry, arid weather was good for her sleep. She got up and stretched and checked her computer. She saw that a year ago she was planning a retirement party and gulped; Saturday October 12, the day of the Carson memorial, was the one-year anniversary of Alex’s death. Her husband has really been gone a year. She still had moments when she forgot and might see him in the corner of her eye.

She heard a sound in the hall and Barb knocked on the door and came in. “I thought I heard you up all ready. Trixie and I were talking about our Europe trip. We leave in just over a week.”

“I know, I’m really looking forward to getting away. I’m too stressed out about this oil business, the motel, the memorial and did you realize that Townes’s memorial is on the one-year anniversary of Alex’s death?”

“Oh no, how do you feel about that?”

“I’m not sure. I’m feeling some of the same feelings again, this time about Townes. I’m left with a big responsibility and I feel overwhelmed. When Alex died, I had the motel project in front of me but I wasn’t alone because I knew I was back in Crow Harbour. When I broke up with Ambrose, I just missed Alex more. Now, now with Townes it’s a different sadness, I’m not afraid of being alone; but I’m pretty far from home.”

“It’s complicated for sure. I think you’ll be mourning Alex, along with Townes on Saturday.”

“They would have been friends, I think.”

“Trixie popped her head in the door. “Hi, you guys are up early. I didn’t sleep so well. I was up late looking through the Carson Oil Prospectus. You’ve got some big financial decisions to make. To that end I thought I should contact Frank. He wanted to come to the memorial too. He’s asking where he could stay.”

“I’ll clear it with Dina and Sam but he can probably stay here. Let’s get to the kitchen and check on the coffee situation.”

“Um, he wants to bring his wife Belinda and her older brother Brent.”

Barb turned and looked at Bobbie. “Wasn’t Brent the guy who was interested in Townes’ mom?”

“For 2 days at least. He’s probably sad about the lost potential too. I bet Dina would like to meet the guy who turned Nancy Carson’s head.”

They entered the kitchen and Dina directed them into the dining room. There was a coffee carafe there and Trixie and Barb sat down.

Bobbie followed Dina back into the kitchen. “My accountant was a friend of Townes and wants to come to the memorial. Do you think it would be a problem if he and his wife stayed here? Also, his brother-in-law, Brent, was friend of M. Carson. And he would like to come too.”

“Thanks for checking with me Bobbie. You’ll have to give some direction around meals but the ranch has three guest rooms and Sam and I will get them ready this morning. Do your friends eat breakfast? I have prepared a fruit salad and a frittata.”

“Thank you, Dina, that sounds delicious.”

Bobbie went back to the dining room. “You can let Frank know that they can all stay here.”

“OK Bobbie that’s great. Barb reminded me that this is the one-year anniversary of Alex’s death. How are you doing? Did losing Townes bring it all back?”

Bobbie sighed. “Yes. I think I can handle it though.”

Trixie’s phone pinged. “Sorry this is Frank with their travel details. I think we have time for breakfast before we go to the airport. They are on their way; having a wife who is an airline exec. sure helps speed up travel planning.”

Dina had her hands full bringing in the fruit salad and frittata. So Bobbie jumped up to help her. Dina smiled to herself and allowed Bobbie to take a dish.

After they ate Bobbie went out to the kitchen. Thanks Dina that was lovely. It looks like we have more guests arriving soon.”

“Yes, we can be all ready. How about a steak barbecue for dinner? Do you have any thoughts about a reception after the memorial on Saturday?”

“The steak sounds delicious, please don’t worry about lunch, we’ll probably want to tour around town a bit once we pick up our guests at the airport. I’ll have a think about the memorial reception and get back to you after dinner this evening.”

“Sam can bring around the minivan.”

“Perfect.”

Bobbie walked back into the dining room. “We’ll have a minivan to pick up Frank and them. Trixie, did you have any thoughts on the will?”

“I think I understand a few things. Carson Oil is a publicly traded company and the shareholders won’t let you just dissolve it or anything. In fact with Nancy’s shares added to Townes’s shares you have about 40 percent of the company and are the largest shareholder.”

“I will be. I don’t understand enough about what that all entails.”

“We’ll have to talk to Frank.”

They finished up their breakfast and took the dishes into the kitchen. Barb insisted on helping Dina clean up and she was relaxing a little bit more. Trixie and Bobbie went to change and went out to the front driveway and Barb was close behind. A large Honda minivan was waiting for them.

Bobbie got in the driver’s seat. All aboard. This van is just like the one Alex had to take the kids to hockey practice; except it’s newer.”

They got to the airport just as the plane was landing. Bobbie waved as she saw them exit the plane and start walking to the terminal.

Belinda reached them first. “Hi Bobbie, this is a quaint little airport isn’t it. Frank and Brent will be here soon, they’re getting the bags. I’m so sorry that such a sad occasion brings us here.”

“Thanks Belinda. I’m glad you could come. I need all the support I can get.’

Frank and Brent arrived. “Hey Bobbie, how are you holding up?”

“Pretty well Frank; and Brent I’m sorry about Nancy too.”

“Brent sighed. “Of course, I only knew Nancy for a short time but I liked her and I’m sad she had such a violent end.”

“It was a terrible accident. I’m Barbra King one of Bobbies friends.”

“I’m sorry Barb, this is Frank’s wife Belinda, who you may have met and Brent Hill, Belinda’s brother who is a retired pilot.”

Frank gave Bobbie a little hug. “OK, now that we all know each other, what have you got planned Bobbie?”

“I thought we’d tour around the place a little and then get some carrot cake and coffee as a snack before we go back to the ranch. I looked on the internet to find some things to look at.”

The drove through the downtown and though the edge of the residential area and back around the small business park.  They found a nice walking trail and got out of the van to stretch their legs. Trixie and Frank took off to do the small walking loop. Brent had a camera and was photographing the views and Barb and Belinda and Bobbie just strolled around reading the information plaques set up around the area that described some local history.

Bobbie finished reading the displays. “The town itself isn’t very old and the Carsons and the Ruggles, that’s the lawyer’s name, were founding members. They have been her for 4 generations. By this time, they had all returned to the parking lot.

“I hope you all don’t mind; I’d like to stop by Danny Ruggles’ office and confirm the details around the memorial.”

Trixie nodded. “I’d like to meet him too.”

They arrived at the office and Trixie and Bobbie got out. They went into the office and asked the receptionist if they could see Mr. Ruggles.

He came out to meet them. “Hi Bobbie, it’s good to see you, I had a few things to discuss.”

“Hi Daniel, I want to introduce you to Trixie McNally the CEO of Fox Energy. She’s come into town for the memorial.”

Trixie and Daniel shook hands and he motioned them into the office. Daniel sat at his desk and he motioned to two chairs. Bobbie sat and Trixie remained standing.

“I think we’ve got a misunderstanding we need to work out.”

“What’s the problem?”

I think you’re confused about your ownership of Carson assets. The estate has not gone through probate yet. You don’t own anything until it does. Carson vehicles can’t be insured and you shouldn’t be driving them. Nobody should.

Bobbie and Trixie looked at each other.

“Another thing is, you don’t own the Carson ranch. You have no legal right to stay there. It is part of the undecided estate.”

“Right, what about Dina and Sam, the ranch managers?”

“Hmm, I can arrange for the estate to pay them, they can stay there as caretakers.”

Trixie turned on her heel. “It was nice meeting you Ruggles, I’m sure we’ll meet again.” And left.

Bobbie was flustered. “I’m so sorry, I misread the situation and will take the vehicle back and let Sam and Dina know about the changes to the vehicle use. She Cleared her throat. “I stopped buy to check in about the Carson memorial…”

Daniel interrupted her. “Yes. it will be at the country club. Do you plan to attend? I’ll need you’re name for the doorman.”

Bobbie suddenly got the urge to leave, like Trixie. “Very well, I’ll let you know, thanks for arranging everything.”