Drive and Determination by Kara Louise Read Free Book Online Page A

She hoped that once she had gone to Guatemala and taken care of Janet and Chad’s things, she would never hear from William Denton again!

Chapter 3
                Elyssa sat comfortably on the plane, occasionally glancing out the window down to the world below. Her eyes closed as she listened to classical music through the ear phones the plane provided. Her seat had been bumped up to first class and she was fairly certain she knew who had done it and why. William Denton’s meager attempts at assuaging the anger and bitterness she harbored towards him didn’t work in the least. Whether it appeased his conscience or not, that was something only he could answer. She really didn’t care.
            The movie had just finished and the lights came on. It had been a comedy, she had gathered, from the pratfalls and silly antics she noticed when she occasionally looked up, but she was in no mood for humor. She was on her way to go through the belongings her sister and brother-in-law had in their home in Guatemala.
            For the past two weeks, in preparation for this trip, Elyssa had forced herself to look through scrapbooks filled with pictures of herself and Janet growing up. She had read and reread letters that Janet had written to her. She thought that the more she immersed herself with memories of her sister, the easier it would be to go through the things in their home and not continually dissolve into a flood of tears and heartache at every turn.
            She made arrangements for her friend, Katy, to look in on her home and occasionally check her messages on the answering machine. She would not wish to let an offer for a decorating job slip by. Not that she anticipated much business living where she did, but there was always the chance that someone might call after picking up one of her business cards. Elyssa left several in various stores around town and her good friend Charlene liberally handed them out.
            She looked out the window as the captain came on over the loudspeaker announcing they would be preparing for landing. The sun was low on the horizon and lights were beginning to sparkle throughout the sprawling city below. A tremor passed through her as she contemplated getting off the plane in a foreign country where they spoke a language she knew only slightly and had customs and a culture she most likely would not understand. She had been informed in a letter from the Pemberleo offices that Shelley Martin would be picking her up. She hoped that one of them would recognize the other.
            After a smooth landing, Elyssa gathered her carry-on items and once off the plane, she retrieved her luggage at baggage claim and easily made her way through customs. Stepping out of the airport, she looked over the crowd of people waiting to pick up friends or family who had just arrived. It was growing dark and the air was warm and moist. She glanced around her and suddenly heard a voice call out her name.
            She turned her head in the direction of the voice and saw a familiar face. It was definitely not Shelly Martin, but a man. He had been at the funeral, but she could not recall his name.
            “Elyssa! It is good to see you again! George Westham!”
            “Ah, yes. George. It is very nice of you to pick me up.”
            “I wouldn’t have had it any other way!”
            He took the suitcase from her and pointing with a nod of his head, said, “I am parked this way. It’s a lengthy walk. If you wish, I’ll go back for the car while you wait here and I’ll come back for you.”
            “Oh, no, thank you, George. I have been sitting idle far too long. I could use a good walk.”
            George laughed. “That’s what I like to see; a woman who is not afraid of a little exercise.”
            He put