the coming days. After she’d had time to recover from the long drive.
Just here in the lobby, she mentally noted the dated wallpaper, the unpolished floors, the drapes that should have been thrown out ten years ago. As she continued to wait, she realized that the old broken furniture was probably the best part of the waiting area.
Her temper grew the longer she waited. What had her uncle been doing with all the money coming into the resort? Some of it had been coming to her, she knew. Each month she’d received a deposit into her account, as per the arrangement between her and her uncle’s lawyer. The funds had helped pay for her schooling as well as the hours and hours of counseling she’d needed over the years.
It was a little over half an hour before her aunt Roslyn walked towards her. Her aunt’s low heels were the only sound she’d heard in all that time waiting, with the exception of the running water of the fountain.
Not once had the phone rang or any other customers or guests come into the facility. As each minute had ticked by, her heart had died a little more and her nerves had grown worse.
The moment she spotted Roslyn, she pasted on a smile and stood up. She stopped herself from rushing across and hugging the woman. The memory of the last time she’d seen her aunt played over in her mind, causing her spine to straighten and her smile to strain.
She was seventeen, standing alone over her parents’ fresh graves, when Roslyn stopped next to her. She hoped for a few words of encouragement. What she got was far from it.
“You know, they’re in there because of you,” Roslyn said as she stood rail straight next to her.
Raven glanced through tear-filled eyes at her aunt. Over the years, Roslyn had always been distant—kind, but distant.
“I didn’t do this,” she said softly.
Roslyn leaned closer to her and lowered her voice. “Didn’t you?” Her eyes narrowed slightly, then she straightened suddenly. “I don’t want you anywhere near my children. It’s very obvious you’re a bad influence. I’ve talked to Colin’s mother. She’s willing to take you in.”
“Take me in?”
“She’ll be here in a few hours.” Roslyn started to turn away. “For the time being, your uncle and I will run the resort per your parents’ wishes.” She walked away without another word.
“Aunt Roslyn.” She nodded briskly.
“So, you’ve returned?” Her aunt’s once-beautiful blonde hair had been cut shorter and had streaks of grey and dark brown in it, giving it an unwashed and messy look.
There were far more wrinkles and age lines than there had been and at least twenty extra pounds on the woman’s normally fit frame.
Roslyn Brooks assessed Raven with dark, unemotional eyes.
“I suppose you want a place to stay?” she asked as she motioned to Raven’s luggage, sounding as if Raven were asking for a handout. Raven nodded quickly and raised her eyebrows slightly, a move that she knew her aunt would take as a play for power. After all, this was her place. Willed solely to her by her mother and father. Her uncle and aunt had only been running the business while she’d been away.
Her aunt turned quickly and walked back over to the receptionist. Raven followed, leaving her luggage where it was.
“My niece will need a room,” Roslyn started.
“A suite,” Raven corrected quickly. “One in the west building.” She remembered that it was the last building her father had added during his ownership of the resort and so the newest. “Top floor,” she added at the last minute.
Roslyn sighed and looked even more annoyed, but she nodded to the woman. Then she turned back to Raven. “How long can we expect your visit to last?”
Raven smiled. “Oh, I’m not here on a visit,” she said smoothly. “I’m back. I intend to take my place and run the resort.” She leaned slightly on the countertop, making sure that her voice was raised just enough that the receptionist would hear.
When the woman’s fingers stopped working on the keyboard, Raven knew that the employee had gotten the message, loud and clear.
Her aunt’s eyes narrowed as her lips thinned. “Indeed?” she said between clenched teeth. “Does Colin know your plans?”
“No.” She sighed and acted bored. “I had hoped to surprise him with the news. It’s too bad he’s out.” She shrugged slightly. “You will have to let me know the moment he’s back”—she glanced around and frowned— “at work. Until then, I’ll take