Matty opened the patio door, letting Gail inside and immediately gave her a huge hug.
"I am so sorry for all you have gone through. I wish I had been here to help you through it."
Gail kissed Matty's cheek.
"You had more important things to do, Mrs. Williams."
Bill showed up in the living room and after hugging Gail, as well, he closed the patio door and helped Gail take her coat off.
"Would you like a drink?"
"I have a gift."
Gail reached into the bag she had brought with her and took out a wooden box. She passed it to Bill.
"I thought we might celebrate, rather than dwell on the bad that has happened."
Bill's eyes opened wide.
"Fifty year old Dalmore. Wow. Some would have to remortgage their house to afford this."
"Well, what is the sense of having all Daddy's money, unless I start to enjoy it."
Gail sat on the couch.
"Pour us up a glass, Bill."
Suddenly a thought hit her.
"Oh shit, Matty, I am sorry. I forgot you are pregnant."
"That's okay Gail. besides, my doctor says I can have a tiny drink, as long as I sip on it."
"One ounce," Bill reminded her, as he took out the crystal scotch glasses and poured he and Gail a drink and measured out one ounce for Matty.
He passed the drinks to the women and sat on the love seat, next to Matty.
"What shall we toast?"
"The future," Gail smiled, as she raised her glass.
"And lets hope it erases a lot of the past."
The three sipped their scotch.
"Oh, fuck," Bill sighed.
"So smooth."
Gail laughed.
"It better be for what I paid for it."
Matty put her drink on the end table and sat back.
"I have to ask, Gail. How are you?"
Gail took a deep breath.
"All things considered, I think I am okay. Haven't started taking antidepressants yet. I was shocked when I heard that Daddy was dead, but once I got here and all the facts started coming out, I was," Gail stopped and shook her head.
"Actually, Matty, I don't know what I was.
I know that Daddy had a past and there had always been rumors of the things he had done."
She laughed slightly.
"Tuckamore Bay has Anchor Point, well, Lamont Ranch had Dead Man's Gully. Much the same. A lot of rumors, but no real facts.
But when I heard the facts about the lengths he had gone through, trying to destroy the Bay and then what he did to Simon."
Gail leaned forward and took a couple Kleenex from the box on the coffee table. She wiped her eyes, as she continued.
"I just couldn't believe it."
Matty got up from the love seat and hurried to her friends side, hugging her.
"I am so sorry, Gail."
Gail wiped her eyes again and took a deep breath.
"Really, Matty. It is okay."
She took several more facial tissues and wiped her eyes, as she stood.
"I just want to wipe my face."
Matty walked with her to the bathroom. Several minutes later, the two women returned.
"Feeling better?"
"Much, Bill. Thank you," Gail said, as she sat again.
Matty took her drink and sat back by Gail again.
"If there is anything we can do, Gail, just ask."
Gail forced a smile.
"Well, actually there is something I need to ask you."
"Ask away," Bill nodded, as he sat forward.
"Well. I am going back to Alberta in a couple days. I have instructed my lawyers to sell all of Daddy's assets."
"Everything?"
Gail looked at Matty.
"Everything, hun. I just can't go back to that ranch after what has happened. I know there is a developer willing to pay over $40,000 dollars an acre for the ranch and we have almost a hundred thousand acres."
Bill let out a whistle.
"That's a lot of money."
Gail nodded.
"And the there's the house and all the other businesses that Daddy owned. When all is said and done, It will bring in close to a billion dollars."
"And that is probably not counting the money he already had accumulated?"
"That right Bill. So when it is all said and done, I am going to be a very wealthy woman."
"So where are you planning to live?" Matty wondered.
"Somewhere warm I bet."
Gail shook her head.
"This is where the favour comes in."
"Just ask Gail."
"Well, Bill. The one thing I will miss about the ranch, is the house. It still holds a lot of memories for me and it is filled with collectables and artifacts. I love that house, but I do not want to live there, all alone."
"Then where would you like to live?"
Gail turned to Matty.
"Well, there is one place that I have absolutely fallen in love with."
Matty started smiling, as Gail continued.
"And I would really like to live there, but at the same time, still live in my home."
Gail took Matty's hands in hers.
"I know it is a lot to ask, Matty and Bill, but I was wondering if I could move here to the Bay and build a home here?"
"Where would you build?" Bill wondered, trying to think of a place that could accommodate a mansion such as the one on Lamont's Ranch.
"I have found a spot at the base of Tuckamore Mountain, to the north of the Sandy Bay Motel. I have showed Tanya the plans and talked it over with a few of the men here and they feel that it would be a suitable place.
And I would like to help out the Bay, by making it a high end bed and breakfast. Offering some of the bedrooms to the public, to rent. I would make each room unique, with a different decor in each, celebrating the western ways of Alberta and of course the traditional ways of Newfoundland.
I would offer in house dining and I would hire locals to prepare and serve the food, as well as help me to maintain the rooms and such."
Bill sat back in the love seat.
"Well, there are obstacles to overcome. Water and sewer and such."
"I talked to John Dove and he feels that we could tap into the Bay's water system and I would have my own sewer treatment plant to rid the waste."
"But your privacy."
Gail nodded.
"I would have my own separate quarters, well actually a three bedroom wing, facing the ocean, while the main B&B would be facing Sandy Bay.
I want to do the B&B, to keep from being too lonely."
"You will always have the Bay and especially us," Matty assured her.
"I know sweetie. I just had this idea and the more I think of it, the more I love it."
The two women turned to Bill, who seemed to be deep in thought.
"Earth to Bill," Matty joked.
"Sorry hun. I was just thinking of something."
Bill got up and offered Gail another drink. After pouring two drinks, Bill sat in an armchair, across from the women.
"Do you have horses on the ranch?"
Gail nodded.
"Yea. We have about twelve or so, I believe."
Bill sipped his scotch again.
"Would you be willing to sell them to the Bay?"
"Why?"
"Well, one of the things we were thinking of was having guided horse rides through the Bay."
Gail smiled.
"The horses and all the riding gear is yours. I will even have them transported here to the Bay and I will build the barn and, if I can't convince our trainer to come here, I will have him come here, long enough, to properly train people to look after the horses."
"It will be expensive to set up the water and sewer to your house."
"Bill, I don't care. I want to come here to the Bay and I have the money to pay for whatever hookups I need. I will not ask the Bay to pay one cent. All I want is your permission to build in the spot I picked out.
I have already talked to the others on the council and they are all in favor, especially when I agree to help finance future business ventures for the Bay."
"We don't want you to do that, Gail."
Gail let go of Matty's hands and turned to Bill.
"You and Matty worked so hard to build the Bay to where it is now, but to continue on, you will need money. I have money. I will loan you the money or partner with you on future investments or if you would prefer, I would become your business partner.
And before you say anything," Gail hurried, putting up her hand, "I would be your partner, in name only. You will still run the company, but I would like to sit on the committee and be involved in any decisions made.
I have no desire to take over the Bay, but I do have a burning desire to become a part of the Bay and to live here.
I have nothing left in Alberta."
"But you could live anywhere."
Gail nodded.
"I could. And I have found the place I want to live.
Let me be a part of this beautiful little village and let me help make this place a real tourist destination. All it will cost you is a block of land and the friendship of the people I have come to love."
Bill sipped his scotch.
"Tempting me with $60,000 bottle of scotch is certainly helping."
"The scotch was just a gift. It wasn't a bribe. I love this village and I can't think of anywhere else in the world I would rather live.
Let me have this Bill. And let me be a part of the future of Tuckamore Bay. With my money, you can do what you want to do and do it now, instead of waiting for the future."
Bill stood up.
"I am going outside for a cigar. Let me think about this for a few minutes. You stay here with Matty."
"Bundle up my love. It is cold out there."
"I will baby and I am going to start a fire. You gals have a chat."
Bill took a cuban cigar from his humidor and poured another small drink of scotch. He then put on his heavy coat, boots and toque and went outside.
He laid the cigar and scotch on the small table between the two padded lounge chairs that sat in front of the fireplace. Within a couple minutes, he had a good fire going and he sat down in the lounge chair and lit his cigar.
"Youse looks troubled, Willam."
Bill turned to see Nanny Dove sitting in the longe chair next to him.
"Just thinking, Nanny."
"Youse got doubts about Gail?"
Bill laughed slightly.
"There really are no secrets in the Bay, are there?"
"Ise weren't eaves-dropping, Willam. Jest got a strange feelin', so Ise comes along to see what bes 'appenin'."
"I don't know what to do, Nanny. Ever since I found out that Matty was pregnant, I just want to be with her. I don't want to be wasting my time anymore and I don't want to be having to make all these decisions."
"Does youse remember what Clayton and 'enry and da others told youse once?"
Bill turned his chair slightly, so he could see Nanny Dove.
"About what?"
"'bout all da tings youse does, Willam. Dey tolds youse dat youse 'ave done enuf."
Nanny Dove turned in her chair.
"Youse 'as given youse 'eart and soul to da Bay, Willam. Youse and Matty saved da Bay. Youse worked youse fingers to da bone and youse turned everyting 'round. Da Bay wud bes gone now, ifin not for youse and Matty. And everyone in da Bay is so t'ankful to both of youse, but now, Willam, it bes time to step back.
Youse are gonna bes a Daddy and Matty a Mommy and Ise gonna 'ave a great-grandbaby.
Matty and dat baby bes all dat bes important now. Don't take time from dem, to looks after others."
Bill drew heavy on his cigar and listened intently to Nanny Dove. The two of them had always had a unique relationship, but Bill knew that she loved her granddaughter more than anything in the world.
And now, Bill was part of that love. he knew Nanny Dove would not steer him wrong.
"So what do you suggest, Nanny?"
"Lets Gail bes part of dis. She is a good woman and she 'as tons of money."
"But how can I know that she is genuine?"
Nanny Dove took a deep breath.
"Ise listened to she, Willam. At night, when she bes alone in 'er motel room. She cries and she talks to 'er 'usband and 'er father. She bes lost, Willam, but da one ting dat bes savin' 'er rite now, be the Bay.
She 'as no one, Willam. Dat poor woman bes all alone. She knows dat 'er Daddy did wrong, but 'e still bes 'er Daddy. And Ise 'eard 'er say dat she wishes she could talk to 'e and just ask 'e why 'e did da tings 'e did."
"Well she could talk to him."
Nanny Dove shook her head.
"Not as long as dat pirate, Paddy Webster 'as 'e. Paddy bes a powerful spirit and unlessen 'e wants to lets dat Lamont fella go, 'e will stay with Paddy."
Bill sipped his scotch.
"So, you think I should take Gail's offer?"
"ise can't bes tellin' youse what to do, Willam, but youse are a good man and Ise knows dat youse will does da right ting for youse and Matty and fer da Bay."
Bill let out a long breath.
"Maybe I should let her in."
He stared at Nanny Dove.
"Do you believe she is genuine?"
"I does. Cross me 'eart and hopes to die."
Bill laughed.
"That is not really very convincing."
"Dat women bes as genuine as da love dat Ise 'as fer youse, Willam."
Bill smiled and choked up a little.
"Thank you."
"Youse not gonna cry, is youse?"
"Ise jest mite," Bill laughed, wiping his eyes.
"I love you, Nanny Dove."
"Ise loves you too, mainlander. Now, goes in and makes dat woman 'appy."
Nanny Dove blew Bill a kiss and disappeared.
Bill finished his cigar and tossed the butt in the fireplace. He pulled across the screen and went back inside.
Matty and Gail were sitting at the kitchen table, having a tea.
"You want one?" Matty asked.
Bill shook his head.
"No. I'm good, my love."
After taking off his winter gear, Bill walked to Gail and hugged her.
"Welcome to the family, Gail."
Gail jumped up from her chair, facing Bill.
"Seriously?"
Bill nodded.
"Yea."
Gail threw her arms around Bill, hugging him tight.
"Thank you so much."
She stepped back from Bill, wiping her eyes.
"So how do we do this?"
"We will work out the details."
"Okay. I'll get in touch with my lawyers."
Bill shook his head.
"No. Matty is the Bay's lawyer and now she is yours. The three of us will sit down and work this thing out, so that everyone is satisfied."
Bill, Matty and Gail sat down and worked out the agreement.
Gail would get 40% of TB Limited. As Bill had done, Gail would give every resident of the Bay a cheque for $10,000 and she would invest another $150 million into the Bay. The money would be put in the building fund to continue the plans for Tuckamore Bay.
Gail also agreed to build her home and pay for all expenses to bring utilities to that home.
She also agree to, basically, be the Bank of Tuckamore Bay, lending money to the Bay at a 5% rate of return and she agreed to allocate $100 million for loans to the residents of the Bay. The loans would be given at a flat 10% rate of return to her, the lender.
Bill agreed to set up an office for Gail, in the Village Hall, so that she could conduct her business.
Gail would have a seat on the TB Committee and a seat at the TB Limited meetings.
Gail agree to have all her horses and riding equipment shipped down to the Bay. She would pay to build the barn to house them and to have people properly trained to look after them.
Gail signed the documents and then left to go back to Alberta, to take care of business there, promising to be back for Christmas and New Years.