Watching Amanda by Janelle Taylor Page B

head.
    Amanda looked over the rest of the letter; there were more inane instructions about what not to touch and where not to look and then some legalities and the name and address of William’s lawyer. She put down the letter and sat back against her chair, wrapping her hands around her mug of tea. She eyed her sisters, chatting about their father’s eccentricities as though this were a common occurrence, three sisters having tea, talking.
    A comraderie was developing among them. If anything, this crazy letter and the terms of the will was making new relationships possible. And for that Amanda was grateful.
    Suddenly a cry came from Amanda’s bedroom, and Olivia and Ivy jumped up.
    â€œI hope we didn’t wake him,” Ivy said.
    â€œNo,” Amanda responded with a smile. “It’s time for him to wake up. She headed inside the bedroom to bring Tommy out to meet his aunts, lest they make excuses about having to be somewhere and run out the door.
    â€œAwww,” Olivia said, her features softening at the sight of the baby. “He’s so beautiful.”
    â€œJust perfect,” Ivy cooed, trailing a gentle finger along his cheek.
    â€œWell, I’d better get going,” Olivia said, taking her coat from the hall closet. “I have crazy deadlines and my publisher is sending me to Paris for a fashion show next week. I’ll be gone for almost a month.”
    The entire time I’ll be tested in the brownstone, Amanda thought, surprised by her disappointment. So much for developing a relationship.
    â€œHey, I’m going away for a few weeks too,” Ivy said, smiling. “Declan and I are going to Ireland, where his parents still live, to visit his friends and relatives who won’t be able to come here for the wedding. I’m so excited!” But a cloud passed over Ivy’s expression. “I just wish our father had liked him—approved of him,” Ivy said. “At least before there was time to try to change his mind, but now ... ”
    â€œThe most important thing is how you feel,” Amanda told Ivy.
    â€œThat’s right,” Olivia said, pulling her black knit hat over her hair. “And remember something. No one was good enough for William. Not even his own daughters.”
    â€œThat’s harsh, but unfortunately very true,” Ivy said, slipping on her coat.
    Amanda nodded. “Well, maybe these envelopes and their contents will shed some light on the mysterious William Sedgwick, the father we barely knew.”
    Olivia and Ivy nodded. There was little left to say on the subject.
    â€œWell, good luck with your move to the brownstone,” Ivy said to Amanda. “I still don’t like that bit about someone watching you, but perhaps it’s just a ruse to deter you from not following his instructions.”
    â€œI’m sure it’s exactly that,” Olivia added. “I mean, it’s not like he could have hired someone to spy on you from inside the house.”
    â€œThat’s true,” Amanda said, feeling a bit better about that part of the letter. “Anyway, I haven’t decided that I’m going to go through with this bizarre thing,” Amanda said. “I don’t know that I even want our father’s brownstone. I never spent a single day in his home. I’m not sure I’d be comfortable inheriting it when he’s gone. It has no meaning to me whatsoever.”
    â€œMaybe he’s trying to change that,” Ivy offered.
    â€œFrom the grave,” Olivia added.
    Amanda shrugged. “I guess I need to give this all some thought.”
    Olivia nodded. “Well, if you do decide to fulfill the terms of the letter, I’d keep that piece of paper with you at all times—you don’t want to forget any of the instructions about what rooms you are and aren’t allowed to go in.”
    â€œWho knows—maybe there are trip wires or hidden cameras or