Someone Like Me (Stillwaters Series) Read online

  “Go open the front door,” Gerald directed his son, handing him a bag out of the trunk. “I’ll get the rest of your things.”

  Doing as told, Scott entered the foyer of his Dad’s house and was immediately greeted by a blast of horns and shouts of joy.

  “Welcome Home!”

  Relatives surrounded him. Scott laughed, so much for not wanting surprises.

  By the end of the evening, he was ready to pack his bags and head back East. It seemed that every relative living in Stillwaters had problems and they wanted the new City Manager to solve them.

  “I haven’t officially taken the job,” Scott complained to his father, “and your brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews have given me a list of complaints a mile long. I always thought of Stillwaters as a happy place.”

  “It is.” His father flashed him a devilish grin. “It’s happy to have you here to deal with all of this family drama.” He slapped his son on the back. “And, Lord knows, I am too.”

  CHAPTER 2

  “I don’t believe it!” Melanie Taylor’s eyes were as round as saucers. The news her godmother had delivered was too good to be true.

  Emma Owens, fondly known as Miss Emma, had called Melanie earlier that day and asked her to come to her house for dinner. It was while they were dining that she had delivered the most unexpected news.

  “You actually got me an interview to become the manager of a Bo Design Shoppe?”

  “Yes, I did.”

  Melanie followed her godmother into the kitchen. “And the job is in Stillwaters?”

  “Yes it is.” Miss Emma’s eyes sparkled as she enjoyed Melanie’s breathless reaction.

  “But I’m no kin to you. I thought that jobs in that town were passed on to family members.”

  “It just seems that way. Anyway, I consider you family.” Miss Emma placed the dirty dishes in the sink. “So when I overheard Mrs. Strong say that she needed someone to take her place, I mentioned you.”

  Melanie couldn’t stop grinning. Miss Emma was her heart. She had been her mother’s best friend since childhood and Melanie had always thought of her as a second mother. Like Faith, her godmother was in her sixties, and she was still an attractive woman. Her coffee brown complexion glowed, and her large brown eyes always seemed to sparkle. Melanie liked to imagine that she was the only recipient of her effervescent smile. Standing a mere 5’ 1” tall, Miss Emma was a petite powerhouse who for as long as Melanie could remember had played a significant part in the lives of Faith Carson’s family.

  There were many Christmas holidays when the only gifts Melanie and her two sisters received were the ones that Miss Emma delivered. Having no children of her own, she had always been there for her three goddaughters and they loved her dearly.

  Melanie’s bond with Miss Emma had always been strong. Her godmother was such a positive person, always encouraging and complimentary. As a child Melanie wanted to be just like her. She wanted to wear an afro because that’s how Miss Emma wore her hair. She wanted the same high cheekbones and prominent lips. Up to this day, Melanie wore a touch of lipstick just like Miss Emma always did. She used to follow the woman around like a stray puppy, basking in the glow of her smiles. When Melanie stepped out on faith and kept a promise to herself to improve her life, it was Miss Emma who supported her every step of the way, just as she was doing now.

  “Thank you for this.” There were tears of gratitude in Melanie’s eyes.

  “You’ve earned this chance, sweetie, and it’s time for you to move forward.”

  She was right. Melanie had received notice two days ago that she had passed all of her final exams. She was officially a college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. There would be no pomp and circumstance celebrating her achievement. Her degree was being mailed to her. She had cleared a special place on her wall where it would be displayed. Never had she been so proud.

  Melanie wiped her brow mockingly. “It’s been blood, sweat and tears getting to this point. I get tired thinking

  about it.”

  “No, don’t ever forget the struggle, especially when you start to believe that you don’t deserve what’s ahead for you.” She gave Melanie a hug that was returned with just as much affection. “I don’t know of anyone who deserves a shot at getting that job more than you.” Breaking their embrace, she held her at arm’s length. Her dark eyes met Melanie’s darker ones. “You go for it.”

  Melanie’s stomach was queasy with excitement. “I’ll have to beef up my resume.”

  “Then do it.”

  “I’ve got to get my interview suit cleaned.”

  “The interview is tomorrow morning, wear a dress.”

  Melanie felt foolish making so many excuses. This woman was her biggest cheerleader. She couldn’t let her down.

  “This is way beyond what I expected so soon. It’s kind of scary,” she confessed. “My plan was to move up to assistant manager at the discount store and then...”

  “Plans change. I’ve always told you and your sisters to…”

  “Think big,” Melanie finished.

  Miss Emma cupped her ear and leaned forward. “I can’t hear you.”

  “Think big,” Melanie said with more conviction. “And never settle for anything less.”

  Miss Emma gave a sad sigh. “Unfortunately, your sisters didn’t listen.”

  She started rinsing the dishes. Melanie placed them in the dishwasher for her. The chaotic lives Wanda and Jolene led sadden them both. “You went after what you wanted. You’ve defied every obstacle placed in your way. It’s because of your example that Myra didn’t get caught up

  in all of this baby mama drama like her cousins and so many other young people out here.”

  “You’re right about that.”

  Her baby girl was Melanie’s greatest joy. Myra had maintained a 4.0 grade point average from grade school through high school. That achievement had earned her an academic scholarship to Spellman University in Atlanta.

  “I want you to claim that job,” Miss Emma declared,

  Melanie took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “I’m claiming it right now.”

  “This is what you have worked for—a good job, with a good salary. You’ll be the boss at a high end store that you will manage.”

  “Located in the town of Stillwaters,” Melanie said with hushed reverence. She opened her eyes. Miss Emma could see the fear in them.

  “It’s a real town filled with real people, nothing more,” Miss Emma assured her.

  “Except that the people in it are members of the richest and the most powerful family for miles around.”

  Like everyone who lived in the area, Melanie had grown up aware of the history of Stillwaters. It was founded decades ago by William and Esther Stillwaters. William had been a black man light enough to be mistaken as white, when he purchased the mill in Bauer. After some of the men in town discovered his race, he was murdered by a vigilante mob. To protect Esther and her children, the two families of the couple moved to the land William had purchased for his wife and children. After seeing that the murderers from Bauer were punished, the Stillwaters clan had built a wall around their town, excluding anyone from outside their family from residence.

  Melanie knew very little about the people who lived there except that they were African American and owned nearly every acre of land and every major business as far as the eye could see. Their influence in this area was undisputed.

  She had ventured inside the town’s fortress like wall only once. That was when Stillwaters had opened its commercial district to residents in the surrounding towns. She had been Miss Emma’s guest at the Grand Opening ceremony and had been in awe of the exclusive stores that lined the town’s main street.

  “There’s nothing to be nervous about, baby,” Miss Emma assured Melanie. “I’ve worked for the Stillwaters family for more years than I can count. They breathe in and out like we do. You’ve got the job description and the application. I put a good word in for
you and all you have to do is nail the interview. I have no doubt that you’ll do that.” She walked past her and out of the kitchen.

  The message could not have been clearer. The direction of Melanie Taylor’s future was up to her.

  ****

  “I have come to the conclusion that some of your relatives are certifiably insane,” Scott Stillwaters declared. He was sitting with his father on the large veranda of the Come Right Inn, a luxury bed and breakfast franchise owned by one of the families in the Stillwaters clan.

  Gerald stretched his long legs out in front of him and grinned at his frustrated son. “So they’re my relatives now.”

  “Well, I’m talking about your brothers and sisters, not mine. Dealing with them makes me grateful that I’m an only child.”

  Gerald chuckled. “If I’m not mistaken, Gerry...”

  “Dad!” Scott chastised his father with a warning look.

  “Oh, excuse me, I forgot, I’m suppose to call you Scott now.” Gerald didn’t hide the fact that he wasn’t fond of the change.

  In business circles Gerald Stillwaters, Jr. had always gone by his middle name, Scott, to distinguish himself from his father. His relatives called him Gerry. However, since moving back to Stillwaters he had asked them to dispense with his nickname, but his request wasn’t being taken seriously. Except for his Aunt Ginny, his other aunts and uncle all but ignored his appeal. His Dad was trying to respect the request, but he wasn’t pleased.

  Gerald continued, “As I was saying, you’re the one who decided to give up an exciting career as the globe-trotting CEO of S & F Consortium. You wanted to settle down to the serenity of small town life.” He looked at Scott. “And this is it.”

  Scott hung his head. “Yes, you’re right about that.”

  Since his graduation from the Wharton School of Business, Scott had dedicated his life to strengthening his family’s financial empire. Having worked his way up from the Director of the Stillwaters Foundation to the coveted position of the head of the S&F Consortium, it had been his responsibility to administer the multi-layered financial interest of the vast Stillwaters holdings.

  Scott had been relentless in his efforts to increase his family’s power and influence. He had let nothing stand in his way, including his marriage. It had ended in divorce years ago.

  His success as a business man came as a surprise to no one. He had been trained by the best, his father. Gerald Stillwaters, Sr, was the founder and CEO of William Financial Services, one of the first investment firms in the United States founded by an African American.

  Gerald had written books about financial investing that were still being used as text books in business schools throughout the nation. Scott could not have had bigger footsteps in which to follow, and he had done so judiciously, until a couple of months ago.

  He had been sitting in an airport in West Africa, waiting for his plane’s departure when he became mesmerized by the interaction of a small family of four. Their loving relationship had brought a smile to his face, and reminded him of how much he had missed in his life.

  He was in his early fifties with no wife or children. It seemed that everything he did revolved around work. Most of his adult life had been spent in airports, traveling from one business meeting to another. Vacations had been few and far between. Yet here he sat in another airport, alone and lonely. He was tired of being both. It was at that moment that he decided to make a change in his life.

  The reins of S & F Consortium were handed to one of his cousins and Scott had moved to Stillwaters. The plan had been to take some time to make a decision about what he would do next in his life, but he had let his father talk him into this City Manager position. It had only been a few weeks ago and he was already regretting it. Thank goodness he had struck a deal with the members of the City Council—which consisted of his aunts and uncle—to serve in the volunteer position for only one year.

  Before sealing the deal, he had spoken to his cousin, Bev Cameron Wilson to see what she thought, and she had been skeptical. They had been raised together, like sister and brother, and she knew him well.

  “You have lived in London, Paris, Rome and New York City. I don’t see small town life as being for you.”

  He was determined to prove her wrong. Not only did moving here give him the opportunity to reconnect with his loved ones, but he could be of assistance to his family in a different way.

  The town of Stillwaters consisted of a little over one hundred fulltime residents, all of whom were related. When the entire Stillwaters clan was in residence the population swelled to nearly three hundred people. The other relatives were transients, owning homes in town, but coming and going at will. When Scott became City Manager, he thought that it would be easy looking after a town full of relatives. It didn’t take him long to realize how naïve he had been.

  The Stillwaters clan had always been a passionate lot. In spite of their motto—Family First—disputes and disagreements were plentiful. This was especially true among the elders, which consisted of his father’s four siblings, the children of William and Esther Stillwaters.

  Three of the siblings—Jane, Maxine and William, Jr.—were older than his father. Gerald and his sister, Ginny, were born triplets, but their brother, Gardner, died at birth. As adults, each of the siblings had engaged in highly successful careers that had taken them all over the world, but they had grown up in this town and they loved it. Each had returned to Stillwaters to live out the remainder of their lives.

  In their seventies and eighties, age hadn’t diminished the siblings’ drive or ambition. Neither had it lessened their competitive natures. They were the anointed—family royalty—and the town was their personal kingdom.

  “Your sisters and brother are as stubborn as hell,” Scott griped, “and so are their children.”

  “I take it that you’re referring to your cousin, Elaine.”

  “Of course. Not only am I the main referee around here for feuding siblings, but now I’m hiring sales people too!”

  “You don’t sound too happy about that.” Gerald seemed amused.

  “I don’t remember that as being in my job description,” Scott snapped. “She’s trying to get me to interview some woman outside of the family to manage the clothing store.”

  “Well, now that her husband has retired, your cousin wants to join him when he travels. They’re going to the African continent.”

  “So I’ve been told. She further informed me that they were leaving in a few days and she didn’t have time to interview anyone to fill her position.” Scott ran his hand through his graying mane. “I’ve got enough to do in this town! I don’t understand why her brother doesn’t hire a manager for the store. It’s his franchise.” He was referring to Elaine’s youngest brother, the world renowned clothing designer, Bo Buchanan.

  “How’s he going to do it?” Gerald asked. “He’s out of the country.”

  “So she claims. She also claims she’s asked several family members if they’d take over, but nobody is interested except her granddaughter, Azure, who’s already working in the store, but she’s only sixteen.”

  “Then it looks like you’re stuck with the job.” Gerald rose from his rocking chair, prepared to leave. He looked down at his son. “Don’t stress over this. Emma Owens recommended the woman and you know her opinion is as good as gold. See ya.”

  Slipping on his sunglasses, Gerald went down the steps. Scott watched as his father climbed into his golf cart and drove away.

  Well, that was that. Any words of sympathy he hoped to get from his Dad about his complaint weren’t to be. Miss Emma had been working in Gerald’s home for decades. They both loved and respected her. When she spoke, they listened. But Scott was still wary about hiring the woman who Miss Emma had recommended. The candidate was from the town of Bauer and the history of that town would forever remain linked to the dramatic Stillwaters family tragedy. He could only hope that the lady in question wouldn’t come with as much drama.


  ****

  Dewitt Stanley was antsy as he shifted impatiently from foot to foot. He glanced quickly toward where the bus was parked, silently willing it to move forward so that he could board it with his fellow passengers. He had no doubt that, just like him, they were anxious to get as far away from here as possible.

  Behind him stood the penitentiary where he had been housed since he was twenty-five years old. Today was freedom day. He had heard the clank of the bars that had entrapped him for the very last time. As he waited he swore to himself that he would never be back here again.

  The time he served was hard time. He had counted every hour, every minute, every second in that hell hole. He wouldn’t breathe a sigh of relief until the prison complex disappeared from sight. Only then could he proceed with his plan.

  There had been plenty of time to hone it. Reveling in the thought of how he would get his revenge was what had kept him going.

  As the bus pulled up to the small cluster of men, Dewitt climbed aboard. This was only the first bus ride he would be taking today. The next one would be longer and would take him back to the town he loathed almost as much as the woman who lived in it. He would tolerate the time he would have to spend there, because what he had planned for Melanie Taylor would be well worth any sacrifice he might have to make.

  CHAPTER 3

  “I see that you do have some management experience.” Scott’s eyes traveled down the neatly typed resume and then back to the woman sitting across the desk from him. “You’ve acted as assistant manager during your supervisor’s absence.”

  “Yes, and I plan to apply to become a permanent manager at the discount store too.” Instantly, Melanie regretted her words. Would he think that she didn’t want the job because she was trying to get a promotion where she was presently employed? Sweat trickled down her back.

  The man interviewing her had introduced himself as Scott Stillwaters, and he hadn’t wasted time with pleasantries as he got right to business. It was hard for Melanie to ignore how handsome he was. His head full of graying hair was striking against his mocha brown complexion, and the lashes that framed his expressive eyes were as thick as a woman’s. His physique was slim, but the arms beneath his rolled up shirt sleeves were toned and muscular. Although he was polite and professional during the interview, he did seem somewhat disengaged.