A World To Give - 6

A World To Give

Nelson steps in to help out his company when his twin sister, Rowan,
unexpectedly leaves to take another job. While assuming her identity, he
realizes that there is a lot more to the world than he’d previously known and
he decides to take some chances he never took before.

Nelson discovered a whole new world!

---

Author's Note: It's Sunday. Bill and Nell grow closer and Rowan gets closer to catching up with her wayward brother. Once again, thank you for all the comments. ~Clara.

Image Credit: https://perchance.org/beautiful-people
 
 
Chapter 6
 
Sunday was a quiet day. A few walks on the beach, a trip to town for homemade ice cream and a little shopping – which is something that Nelson had never been fond of, but Nell found exciting and fun. They ended the afternoon with delicious pulled pork sandwiches from a food truck near a public park.

“You are a puzzling person, you know that?” Nell said as they ate at a picnic table and watched the passersby.

“Coming from you, that is an unexpected compliment,” Bill laughed. “In what way am I puzzling?”

“Well… for instance… all the money in the world and we’re eating from a food truck. One night you have a chef come to your home to cook for us, then this. I find that puzzling.”

Bill smiled. “Well, first off, I do not have ‘all the money in the world.’ I have been lucky and successful, and I admit, I am very well off… wealthy, I suppose… but that can be isolating, too. I love to travel and see things, but I’m usually either alone or with Andy. Andy is great, but he is an employee – that is different than being a friend. Sitting here, watching people and saying ‘hi’ to them… I really enjoy that. I like to watch the kids running in the sand, the teens and college kids throwing Frisbees and footballs… it makes me feel like I’m part of the community. I feel less lonely, I guess.”

Nell nodded. “I get that. I don’t think I even knew I was lonely before. It was just how I lived my life. When I found out that Rowan was leaving, I was furious. Mostly I was mad that she was leaving Global, and since I’d gone to bat for her to get that job, I felt like it would reflect badly on me, but now that I think about it… Rowan was my only real friend. I guess I was afraid of being left alone, too.”

When they were finished, they took a walk, hand-in-hand, along the nearby beach. There was enough of a breeze to make the loose, long, white summer dress that Nell wore flow romantically behind him as he walked.

“I’m going to miss this place,” Nell said. “Everything about it is so… magical. Like one of Rowan’s cheesy movies that I was forced to watch growing up.”

“We can come back anytime you’d like,” Bill said, stepping behind Nell and putting his arms around his waist. “We can live here full time, if you’d like… but you might not love it during hurricane season. It can get pretty dicey.”

They looked at the sea and felt each other’s bodies against each other.

“Bill…?”

“Yes, sweetheart.”

“I’ve thought it over. When we get married, I don’t want to be your husband. I want to be your wife. I don’t know where all of this is headed, but from here on out I’m going to be the real me, a man who presents as a woman, with you, and be a woman to the rest of the world.”

“Fine with me, Nell.”

Nell would never tire of hearing Bill say her name. She just adored the sound of his voice.
 
 

 
 
When they returned to Bill’s home, Sophie and Andy were waiting to report on their arrangements for the next day.

“There’s a helicopter coming at noon to take you both to Naples. The forecast is good, so you should be there in forty-five to sixty minutes without any fuss,” Andy reported. “I’ll take your luggage in the town car and meet you there in the evening.”

“Perfect,” Bill nodded, expecting nothing less. He looked at Nell. “I have some small bags here if you want to bring anything with you on the copter.”

“Ok,” she nodded. Bouncing from place to place was a little disorienting and took some getting used to.

Sophie then said, “I’ve had your luggage and Miss Egan’s luggage packed. If you need anything moved to an overnight bag, please let me know.”

“Excellent,” Bill smiled. “Thank you both.”

They both acknowledged his thanks.

Sophie continued. “I called the condo management company in Naples. Your apartment will be dusted and cleaned before you arrive. I’ve given them a list of groceries to bring in – not a lot, just the basics. I’ve also asked that they add a few feminine touches to Miss Egan’s room.”

“Very good, Sophie, although I don’t think that it’s necessary to set up a separate room for Miss Egan.”

Sophie smiled. She knew that the happy couple had spent the previous night in Bill’s room. She’d turned down Nell’s bed the night before and found it undisturbed that morning. She was happy that the two of them had found each other. “Should I cancel that request, then?”

Bill thought for a moment. “No. That place was decorated by the condo company. It needs some redecorating. This can be the first step in that direction.”
 
 

 
 
“Have you heard from either of the twins?” Nadine asked Jessie as the Monday morning meeting ended.

“I heard from Rowan. She still hasn’t made it to Key West.”

“What!? It’s been three days! How is that possible?”

“Really bad luck, I guess. When I spoke to her last night around nine, she told me that she had a flight booked for early this afternoon. Hopefully, she catches up with Nelson today. She’s had a rough weekend.”

“What about the job in London? She was here on Friday and now it’s Monday… Aren’t they going to get upset?”

Jessie shrugged. “She says she needs to make sure Nelson is ok before she leaves.”

“God, I hope he’s ok.”

“Me too. Rowan should catch up with him today and we’ll find out.”
 
 

 
 
“Ms Egan?”

“Yes,” Rowan answered.

“This is Olivia at Gulf Airlines.”

“Oh, please don’t tell me there’s a problem.” That Monday morning had begun with a rather sternly worded email from Simon stating that he understood that Rowan had some family issues that needed her attention, but if she planned to continue her training at Bannon & Wick, she was expected back in London no later than Wednesday. If she was unable to be there by the start of the Wednesday workday, perhaps she should consider looking elsewhere for employment. What a wonderful way to start a new career!

“No, there’s no problem, Miss Egan. I know you’ve had a difficult time with your arrangements so far. I was just calling to tell you that we have a seat available on our eleven o’clock flight if you’d like to travel a bit earlier.”

Rowan glanced at the clock. It was nine-thirty. “I’ll take the seat. I’m at The Airport Hilton, but I’m still going to need to get an Uber to get there. If I get there by ten-thirty will that be ok?”

“Yes, ma’am. That will be fine.”

“Then I’m on my way.”

This would work. She’d find Nelson, get him out of whatever mess he’d gotten himself into, make a beeline for the airport, get him home no later than the next morning and then she’d be sleeping on a jet headed back to London by Tuesday afternoon. Yes. This would work.
 
 

 
 
“The helicopter is ready whenever you are, boss,” Andy reported, although there was no way that the noise of the vehicle could not have been heard in the house.

“We’re ready,” Bill said, grabbing a small, oxblood colored, leather overnight bag containing his clothes for the trip, in one hand and a cream-colored leather bag containing Nell’s clothes, in the other. “All set?” He asked Nell.

Nell nodded. “I’m a little nervous. I’ve never been in a helicopter before.”

“You were never in a plane before Friday,” Andy smiled. “You enjoyed that, though, didn’t you?”

“I did.” She took a deep breath. “I guess I’m ready to try another new thing, then.”

Andy winked at her. “You’re gonna love it.”

The sensation of flying was entirely different than she’d felt in a plane. The force of the air hitting the ground, the roar of the propellers… it was all so intense!

Once the vehicle reached traveling height, Bill spoke to her through the headphones. “Here we go, babe. You’re gonna love this!”

Nell looked at the clock on the control panel. It was 11:56am.
 
 

 
 
Rowan pushed the exit door to the airport open and stepped out into the warmth of Key West. It felt glorious, especially with the extreme fatigue she was carrying, but there was no time to enjoy it.

She looked at her watch. It was 11:56am. Plenty of time to get Nelson out of whatever he was doing, get him home and get back to London. There might even be time to shower at her London flat before going to work on Wednesday.

There were several vehicles with Uber lights glowing in their windshields waiting outside the airport terminal. She inquired. Some were waiting for scheduled fares, but she was able to hire the fifth one she came to.

One of the things that all of the time she’d spent waiting around had allowed was some research time. She had obtained Bill O’Connell’s address, which would have been easier if she’d gone looking for properties owned by William O’Connell when she’d started, but she assumed that, like every other business owner in America, including Jessie, he had purchased the property under the name of O’Connell Enterprises in order to write off the taxes, etc. O’Connell had purchased this property in his own name, though, and she was even able to view work permits for tradespeople who had worked on the property.

Very middle-class of him, actually.

She gave the driver the address.

“Ooh” the driver said as he pulled out. “That is a very fancy place. I’ve always wanted to drive up and see the house.”

“Why haven’t you?”

“The gates and the guard shack primarily,” he said. “I guess the guy who owns it wants his privacy.”

A chill fan down Rowan’s spine. Why did he need that kind of privacy. What that hell was that asshole doing to her innocent brother?

They got there quickly and the driver pulled slowly up to the guard shack. He rolled down the window when the guard came out.

“Good morning,” the guard said. “Can I help you?”

“Yeah, I have a passenger that is expected.”

“Hmm…” he checked his tablet. “No one is expected today. I’m sorry, but without an appointment I can’t let you in.”

The driver, who had no skin in the game, accepted this verdict and was about to put the car in reverse, but Rowan rolled down the window behind the driver. “Excuse me. I’m sorry, but I need…”

She was cut off. “Miss Egan?” The guard said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was you.” He reached into the shack and pushed a button. The gate rose and the guard said, “Go on up.”

As they drove up the long drive, the driver said, “I didn’t realize you knew him.”

“I don’t.”

“Oh. Then you’re not ‘Miss Egan?”

“I am ‘Miss Egan,’ but I’m not the Miss Egan he thinks I am.”

So, Nelson was still playing this game, was he? Well, maybe he was being forced to by O’Connell. She’d find out soon enough.

As they approached the large, tan house with yellow shutters, the driver let out an impressed whistle. “Now, that’s a nice place! Not all glass and aluminum like most of the rich estates around here.”

Rowan had to agree. “Pull up by that black car,” she instructed. “I need you to wait. I won’t be long.”

As they approached the black Lincoln town car, a man appeared carrying a small, overnight bag. He saw the approaching Uber and waved it to a stop. “Can I help you? How did you get in here?” He asked as the driver’s window lowered and the door behind it opened.

Just then, a woman came jogging out of the house. “What happened? Is she ok?”

“Who?” Andy, who had just waved the car to a stop asked.

“Miss Eagan,” Sophie explained hurrying up to him. “Jim at the gate said…” she spotted the passenger who had just gotten out of the car. “Miss Egan? Are you alright?”

Andy turned and stared. “Miss Egan? Where is Mr O’Connell?”

“We’ll get to that in a moment,” Rowan said. “Where’s Nelson?”

The two stared blankly. They looked to each other before returning their gazes to Rowan.

“Nelson?” Andy asked.

“Nelson!” Rowan insisted. “My brother, Nelson. Where is he?”

“Maybe you should come in and sit,” Andy suggested, genuinely concerned for the mental health of the woman he assumed to be Nell Egan.

“Wait…” Sophie said. “When did you change your clothes?” The clothes this woman was wearing were more appropriate for the cold weather up north, and frankly, not as well made or cute as the clothes Miss Nell Egan wore. “Are you looking for Miss NELL Egan?”

“Nell?” Rowan was a little confused.

“Wait… who are you?” Andy asked.

“I’m Rowan Egan,” Rowan said, getting angry. “Where is Nelson!? I swear to God, if I don’t see him in the next thirty seconds, I’m calling 911.”

Andy knew that she could dial 911 all day, but there was no connectivity there. “Ok, look, Miss Egan, I put Mr O’Connell and Miss Nell Egan onto…”

“Ummm…” Sophie interrupted. “Maybe we should go inside.” She looked at the driver. “She’s all set.”
 
 

 
 
The view from the helicopter was incredible. They were moving fast, but they were so much lower than airplanes flew that you could see so much more. Bill pointed out pods of dolphins and a few whales as they flew over them. The Seven Mile Bridge was clearly visible and looked so fragile from the angle they passed. The sky was as blue as the ocean, and everything stretched as far as the eye could see.

Nell was shocked by the beauty of it all, and she was so grateful that she’d learned to appreciate these things.
 
 

 
 
“So, this is real!?” Rowan was still trying to process it all. “My little brother is presenting as a woman and is engaged to one of the richest men in the country?”

“I don’t think Mr O’Connell could be considered one of the richest men in the country,” Andy pointed out, just for clarity. “I don’t think he’s in the top three hundred. He is wealthy though.”

“And neither of you knew Nelson wasn’t a woman?”

Sophie cleared her throat. “No, Miss Egan. I think you are missing something we mentioned earlier. Miss Nell looks pretty much just like you, and we have no reason to assume you are not a woman. So…”

“What concerns me right now is, ‘Does Mr O’Connell know that Nell is a guy.” Andy said.

“I think he might,” Rowan said. “His colleagues at Global seemed to think that Bill knew.”

‘Oh, he definitely knows,” Sophie said.

“How can you be sure,” Andy asked.

“They spent the last two nights together in Mr O’Connell’s room.”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t necessarily mean…” Andy began.

“Oh, yes it does,” Sophie held up her hand. “I checked the room both mornings and I had the staff change the sheets both times. Trust me, Mr O’Connell and Miss Egan are very well acquainted with each other. He knows.”

“So, what now?” Rowan asked of no one in particular. She sat and put her head in her hands. “For three days I’ve been trying to save Nelson from… from what? From being happy?” She shook her head. “I just wish I could have seen him. You know, just to be sure he’s ok, before I go back to London.”

Andy stood and grabbed Rowan’s carry on by the tow handle. “Miss Egan, if you’ll come with me, I believe I can help you. If we leave now, we’ll be at the condo in Naples by 6:30 or 7:00 tonight.”

“And just so you know,” Sophie said, “nothing you told us will ever leave this room. Andy and I love Mr O’Connell and we are thrilled that he found Miss Egan.”

“Thank you both.” Rowan followed Andy to the Lincoln. He opened the back door for her, but she crossed to the far side of the town car and got in the front passenger seat, beside him.
 
 

 
 
“William!” his mother said as the elevator door opened in her condo. “Come in.” She looked at her guests, “Mae and Karen, this is my son,” she said with great flourish.

Both women said their hellos and Bill made the appropriate chit chat for a few minutes before he had a moment to take his mother aside.

“Mom, I’m here with Nell and I’d like you to meet her. Will you be alone later or is tomorrow better?”

“To be honest, William, I’m not sure when the girls are leaving, but I imagine we could get together at some point this evening.”

There was something odd about his mother’s behavior. He expected her to be more excited to meet her future daughter-in-law. “Is everything ok, mom?”

“Just fine, William, but before I meet your young lady, I would like to have a word with you.”

Even odder. “About what?”

“I am entitled to have a private conversation with my own son, aren’t I?”

“You’re acting strangely, mom. What’s going on?”

“Nothing at all, William. I would just like to go over a few things before we meet with… what’s her name, again?”

“Nell, mom. Her name is Nell.” She knew that. What kind of game was she playing?

“Ah, yes… Nell.”

Bill looked at this woman whom he’d known, literally, his entire life, and he was concerned. “You know her name, mom. Tell you what, I’m going to take Nell for a walk to show her the city. We’ll be back later. Come on up when you’re available, ok?”
 
 

 
 
“Oh, you have to go to ‘The Harp’ in Covent Gardens,” Andy was saying. Since they had left the estate, Rowan and Andy been talking nonstop about London. “It is my favorite pub in the whole city. You’ll love it.”

Rowan chuckled. “You know I have only been there a few days so far. Then, I had to come running back here to deal with Nelson. If he’d answer his phone now and again, I might have been able to go back and get to know my new city a bit better.”

“Yeah, well, that wasn’t possible. There is no cell reception at the estate in Key West. So, it wasn’t really Miss Nell’s fault.”

“I see.”

“Anyway, getting back to The Harp. If you like good British larger, they have the best, but their selection of hard ciders is the best I’ve ever seen. The food’s not bad, either. Pub-grub, but good pub-grub.”

“Sounds good,” Rowan said. “I’ll check it out. Maybe, if I make a friend or two, I might be able to make a night of it some time.”

“Maybe… I could take you some time.” Andy suggested, not looking at his passenger.

Rowan smiled. “Are you planning on being in London any time soon?”

He shrugged. “I could be. I mean… if you’d like to get together, I could plan to be in London. I have lots of vacation time saved up. If I were to come up for a few days, would you like me to show you some of my favorite places.”

He was young and handsome, well spoken and charming… why not take a chance. “I’d love that.”

Andy smiled. “How about next weekend?”

Rowan laughed. “Next weekend works for me.”
 
 

 
 
Nell was happy to get out of the condo and take a walk along the coast with Bill. Except for the beauty of the blue water, everything that she’d loved about Key West was missing. The estate in Key West was private and had beautiful tropical plants surrounding the white sand beach.

Naples was urban and crowded.

The house at the estate was gorgeous and welcoming. It reflected Bill’s aesthetic in such a warm way that it was like the house hugged her when she was there.

The condo was open concept with massive windows all around the living room. Huge, long serving bars along two walls with ugly, modern bar stools in front of them.

The sofa was steel and leather and uncomfortable. There was nothing ‘nice’ about the place. It just looked expensive and gaudy.

“I agree,” Bill said when Nell expressed her opinion. “I bought it because mom is downstairs, but I don’t much care for it. My condos in New York City and L.A. are like this, too. I just use them for business to avoid being in hotels all the time. You’d like my place in Seattle though, I think. For a while I thought I might make that my permanent home. It’s a great city, but the weather can get to you after a while.”

“So where would we live, then?”

“I guess it’s open for discussion.”

They had a mid afternoon snack at a bakery that Bill knew of. A flakey pastry of some kind with a sweet cream in it, and it really hit the spot.

More walking and window shopping followed.

“Hey, I know this great Cuban place for dinner. How does that sound?” Bill asked.

“I’ve never had Cuban food. I’m open to trying it.”

“Great! It’s just down here.”
 
 

 
 
“They must be out,” Andy said, stating the obvious. The condo was empty and silent.

“This is… ostentatious,” Rowan said, looking around.

“Yeah. Mr O’Connell doesn’t much like it either, but his mother’s place is downstairs, so he has this place so he can visit.”

Rowan nodded.

“Would you like some dinner? There are some nice places nearby.”

Rowan smiled. “I am hungry, but I would kill for a nice hot shower. The airport hotels don’t have very hot water, and they have lousy water pressure.”

“Sure,” Andy smiled as he led her through the kitchen to the back of the condo. “This is my room. You can use my shower. I’m sure that the boss will invite you to stay the night, but for now, make yourself at home in here.”

It was more of an apartment than a room. A combination living area and kitchenette with a good-sized bedroom and bathroom off it.

“This is nice,” Rowan said, honestly.

“Thanks,” Andy smiled. “Tell you what, I’ll go get some takeout while you shower. How does that sound?”

“That sounds perfect.”

“Ok. Ummm… what do you feel like eating?”

“Anything is fine. I love pizza, but I’m open to pheasant under glass as well.”

Andy laughed. “Ok. I’ll be back in about forty-five minutes. Enjoy your shower.”
 
 

 
 
It was called ‘ropa vieja’ and it was delicious. Kind of a shredded beef brisket with several sauces to enhance its flavor.

“It’s good, isn’t it?” Bill asked, seeing Nell digging in.

“Good doesn’t come close to describing it.” She tried another sauce. “Mmm… Bill, I have lived on salads and ramen my whole life. Since I met you, my taste buds have come to life. Every meal I eat with you is another adventure.”

“Glad you like it.” He glanced at his phone. “Our luggage is here. Andy sent me a text.”

Nell nodded as she chewed then swallowed. “I need to put my phone back in my bag. I got used to not having it with me in Key West.”

“It’s nice to put it aside, isn’t it?”

Nell nodded then said, “Andy’s here.”

“Yeah,” Bill agreed, taking a bite of food. “He sent the text about twenty minutes ago, so…”

“No,” Nell laughed. “He’s HERE. Right over there.” She pointed.

Bill looked. “Oh. So, he is.” He got up and walked over to the surprised driver. They spoke for a moment, then the two came back to the table.

“Miss Egan,” Andy said and nodded his head. “How was the copter ride?”

“Incredible, Andy. Just incredible. How was your drive.”

“Better than I expected,” he said, coyly.

“Oh?” Bill said. “Why’s that?”

Andy shrugged. “Oh… you know… not much traffic… nice music to listen to… just a nice ride.”

Bill accepted the answer. “Dig in if you want some,” he offered.

“Actually, I ordered takeout already.”

The couple finished their dinner just as Andy’s order was called.

“Did you drive or walk?” Bill asked.

“I walked.”

“Then walk back with us.”

It was a beautiful evening. The air was warm and salty, and the sun was just starting to set. They chatted and joked all the way back.

When they reached the condo building, Nell asked if she could just stop in at the pharmacy across the street. She encouraged the other two to go up to the condo where she’d meet them in a few minutes.

Bill told her the entry code number, and they parted ways at the pharmacy.

“Hey, boss,” Andy said. “I’m glad I have a minute because I need to tell you about something…”
 
 

 
 
Well, this day had taken some interesting turns. Nelson was actually engaged and living as a woman. That was certainly odd, but the fact that the woman he looked like was her was even odder for Rowan.

And then there was Andy. She really liked him and he seemed to like her, too.

She’d had a couple of kind of serious boyfriends before, but that was back in high school and college. Since then, she’d dated several guys off and on, but it was pretty plutonic. She went to the theater with one guy because they both enjoyed shows and each other’s company, but that was all. She went to ball games with another guy for the same reasons.

She was pretty sure the third guy was gay and using her as a beard at company events since that was the only time she ever heard from him.

Andy was good looking, seemed hard working, funny, knew a lot about movies and theater. He knew a lot about baseball, too, but he was a Yankees fan which was an issue for someone born and raised in Red Sox Nation.

Oh, this shower was amazing. Lots of hot water, but the shower head could be adjusted into a fiercely hard stream that hit her skin like lasers and after three days in airports, she needed that a kind of pressure to remove all the grime she’d gathered.

Better get out before Andy gets back.

Even the towels were elegant and fluffy.

She walked out of the bathroom into the bedroom with a towel wrapped around her in the classic dress-like manner and that’s when she realized that she’d left her carry on in the great room of the main apartment.

“Damnit,” she muttered.

She opened the connecting door to the kitchen, stuck her head out and listened.

Silence. Good.

She hurried to the large living area.
 
 

 
 
Mae and Karen called a car service, and it picked them up late that afternoon to take them back to the airport and on to Ohio from there. Bill’s mother exhaled, happy to have hosted them, but happy they had left, too.

She glanced at the clock. Not even eight yet. She sighed. She hated that she had to do what she was about to do. It would crush William, but it was for his own good.

She picked up the Manila folder with the printouts and grabbed the index card she kept in her desk drawer with the key code to his condo and pushed the elevator button.
 
 

 
 
“She just showed up?” Bill asked as Andy and he waited for the elevator in the lobby.

“She’d been trying to reach Miss Egan… Miss Nell… since Friday and was worried that you may have been violent after finding out Miss Nell was a male.”

“And only you and Sophie heard her say that?”

“I’m sure of it, boss. The boys were out by the fire pit cleaning things up. No one else was in the house.”

Bill nodded. “I know I can trust you, Andy.”

“Of course, boss.”

“Do I need to talk to Sophie, or do you think she’s ok?”

I think Sophie is trustworthy, boss. She likes working for you and loves living on the estate. You don’t need to worry about her. She’s solid. Besides, she likes Miss Nell.”

“Ok.”

The elevator doors opened.
 
To Be Continued...