Love California Box Set: Books 1-3 (Love California Series Collection)

by Jan Moran

  “How was the competition?” She couldn’t help but smile as she listened to him. “Congratulations.” He’d won an award with his entry of ginger-lemongrass crab stir fry.

  Scarlett stared at her, a hand on her hip and her toe tapping, refusing to budge.

  “At our house?” Verena paused, turning away from Scarlett. Mia and the twins had just returned from Switzerland. “I know they would love that, but we already have an engagement that evening…no, I’m sorry, the whole weekend looks bad.” What was she doing?

  Verena swallowed, wishing she could accept his invitation to cook for them. “I loved seeing you in Paris, too. I’ll never forget that you saved my life.”

  She hesitated, mesmerized by the sound of his gravelly voice rich with emotion and imagining the warmth in his eyes.

  Scarlett ducked into her line of sight again. She was bursting with questions.

  “Breakfast and a bike ride? Lance, I can’t.” She lowered her voice. “It’s a complicated time for me.” Once the words were out of her mouth, she could hear Lance’s enthusiasm dim. Her heart ached right along with him.

  “Maybe in a couple of weeks. I’ll mention it to Mia and call you later.” Verena clicked off, staring at the phone and wishing she could have spoken longer with him. And yet, their timing was all wrong. She couldn’t let him distract her from what she needed to do with her business.

  “Who was that?” Scarlett demanded. “Who’s sending you flowers? And who saved your life? What happened?”

  “The chef from the Beverly Hills Hotel, Lance Martel. We ran into him in Paris.”

  When Scarlett looked suspicious, Verena quickly added, “We were staying at the same hotel, and he pulled me from the pool when I hit my head swimming. It was all quite by chance.” Or was it?

  Scarlett let out a low whistle. “Some coincidence.”

  “That’s all it was.” Verena slipped her phone into her purse, her head swimming with conflicting desires.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Come on, I have to buy ingredients here for an old Swiss fondue recipe Mia is teaching us how to make tonight. Seems Anika and Bella fell in love with it in Switzerland.” She pulled a list from her pocket. “I need a couple of cheeses. Gruyère, Vacherin Fribourgeois, and a bottle of white wine, kirsch—that’s cherry brandy—and garlic.”

  “You’re avoiding the question,” Scarlett said. “You can’t outmaneuver me, I’m trained to probe. And I don’t believe one iota in coincidences.”

  If Verena was honest with herself, neither did she. “Who knows, maybe it was kismet,” Verena said, eager to change the subject. “That’s what Mia calls meant-to-be coincidences.”

  As soon as the words left her lips, a surge of discomfort flashed through her. What if kismet were real? What if Lance and I were meant to meet again in Paris?

  When Verena swept through the back door with her groceries, she was surprised to see Mia bustling around the kitchen, happily singing a tune. She was dressed in an apricot linen blouse and white linen slacks, with a Chanel twill scarf at her neck pinned with a vintage diamond-studded brooch. Her hair and makeup were perfect. She’d clearly taken extra care for something special today.

  “You look lovely, Mia.” She placed her shopping bags on the counter. “Are you going out?”

  “No, darling, I’m expecting company. An old friend, Pierre Chevalier, is stopping by for tea to welcome me home.”

  “That’s thoughtful.” Verena drew a glass of filtered water from the faucet. And unusual.

  “Camille said that he asked after me several times while we were gone. He asked me to tea at the Peninsula Hotel, but I suggested we have tea here. Much more intimate, don’t you think?” She colored slightly. “I mean, why should we put ourselves on display and start tongues wagging?”

  “Sounds like you might fancy him,” Verena said, using one of Mia’s favorite terms. She’d bet that was his handkerchief Mia had been carrying in Paris. She was guardedly happy for Mia, but who was this Pierre?

  Verena tried to remember a time when she’d seen her grandmother with a man. Mia had dated a few times after Emile’s death, but there wasn’t anyone she really cared for. Then the cancer struck, and her son and his wife died in the accident. Her world had nearly imploded. Since then, Mia had dedicated herself to looking after her, Anika, and Bella. Verena glanced at her grandmother. Mia deserved a shot at happiness and companionship.

  “Maybe there’s someone you might fancy, too,” Mia said lightly. “Remember Paris?”

  Verena shot her a pointed look. “Let’s not start this again. I’m far too busy.”

  “You’ve been seeing a lot of Derrick since we returned.”

  “It’s not what you think. You know Derrick’s company is financing our business.”

  Mia shrugged. “It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind.”

  “What century did you get that old saying from?” Verena said, chiding her with a smile and eager to change the subject. “What time will Pierre be here?” Verena glanced at the new wooden clock on the wall that Anika and Bella had insisted they bring home as a souvenir from Switzerland. The clock was in the shape of a Swiss chalet, with carved figurines dancing along a ledge and acorns hanging from the pendulum chains. As she looked up, a little cuckoo bird jutted out to mark the hour with a whistle.

  A knock sounded at the door at precisely the same time. “There he is now.” Mia brushed her hands on her snowy white apron and hurried to the door.

  Verena trailed behind her. She was curious.

  Mia opened the door. “You’re perfectly punctual. Come in, Pierre.”

  Removing his hat, Pierre Chevalier stepped inside. He whisked a bouquet of flowers from behind his back. “I searched for authentic Alpine flowers, but they’re rarer than snow at the beach. The florist told me that daisies also grow in the Alps, so I thought these might do.”

  “What a cheerful mix of colors. And I’d like to introduce my granddaughter, Verena.”

  “Hello.” Verena had to admit that he was impressive. Fine manners, impeccable sport jacket, well groomed. And he had eyes only for Mia.

  Verena and Pierre exchanged pleasantries as Mia took Pierre’s hat. They followed Mia to the kitchen, chatting as Mia arranged the blaze of purple, white, and yellow flowers in a vase and put them on the kitchen table. “Such a lovely sunny day, I thought we’d have tea outside on the patio.”

  Pierre said, “Verena, will you join us?”

  “I’d like that.” She was interested in learning more about him. And he took her mind off Lance and the business.

  They seated themselves on cushioned chairs under the awning, and Mia poured freshly brewed Earl Grey tea into cups. She sliced a fluffy angel food roll filled with strawberries and cream. “This is a traditional Swiss treat, and it was always Emile’s favorite.”

  Verena saw a shadow cross Mia’s face. She probably didn’t mean to say that. Mia seemed nervous now.

  Pierre fixed her in his sight with an intractable gaze, watching her every movement. “Emile was a lucky man.”

  Verena caught a whiff of Pierre’s sandalwood cologne and noted his immaculate monogrammed shirt. It seemed he’d taken extra care today, too.

  “And Ondine was a lucky woman,” Mia said.

  Pierre slid a wrinkled hand over hers. “They’ve both been gone a long time, Mia. Long enough, you know.”

  Mia reached into her pocket and withdrew the handkerchief she’d been carrying. “I forgot that I had this. I washed and pressed it for you.”

  A smile creased his face. “Keep it, my dear. It makes me happy thinking that you’re carrying it close to you.”

  “Oh, I have been. Your handkerchief travelled to France and Switzerland with me.”

  Verena suppressed a smile. She was enjoying this. Why shouldn’t Mia have someone in her life?

  Pierre sipped his tea. “Next time, would you like me to accompany you? I could carry all the handkerchiefs you might need.”


  Feeling like she was a third wheel, Verena rose from her chair. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Pierre, but I have some business to attend to.”

  “On a Saturday?” he asked, automatically rising from his chair as she did and helping to slide her chair out.

  Mia said, “Verena is a hard worker, just like we were at her age.”

  “Yes, I am,” she said to Pierre, noting his perfect manners. Mia must like that. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you, and I hope our paths cross again soon.” She added, “I’ll be back for dinner later. Mia makes the most wonderful Swiss cheese fondue, and she’s going to teach us how to make it this evening.”

  She left the table, bursting with happiness for Mia. It was so cute to watch the two of them courting. That was another one of Mia’s terms. And he was handsome. Verena was dying to hear more, but she wanted to give them their privacy.

  Verena grabbed her purse, got into her car, and started for the salon. Midway there, she stopped her car at a red traffic light and thought about taking a detour to the Beverly Hills Hotel. Maybe I’ll see Lance. But then she thought about the business and the promises Derrick had made to fund the company. She sighed, feeling trapped.

  When the light turned green, she turned toward the salon.

  21

  A FEW WEEKS later, Verena sat at her office desk, thinking. Scarlett was right. She had signed off on the term sheet with Scarlett’s approval, and Jack had coordinated with Herringbone’s attorneys to draft the documents. The deal should have been done.

  However, Roper had delayed the rapid closing, though the effective date of the agreement hadn’t changed. Only with Scarlett on her side had Verena been able to maintain her sanity.

  Verena straightened the documents on her desk and put on her black jacket. When she had dressed that morning, she’d felt like she was going to a funeral, so she had dressed accordingly. “I’m going to lunch,” she said to Lacey. “Please call me if the documents come back.”

  Lacey wagged her head. “I thought Herringbone wanted a fast closing.”

  “That’s what Derrick said,” Verena replied. “Could still be today, but I have to pick up a prescription the doctor called in for Mia.”

  Worry flashed across Lacey’s face. “Everything all right with her?”

  “The trip to Europe took a lot out of her, and she picked up a cold that has turned into bronchitis. She’s had a hacking cough for weeks.” This was exactly what Verena had been worried about. But Mia and the twins had such a wonderful time that it almost made up for it.

  Verena couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen Mia so happy. After burying a husband, a son, and a daughter-in-law, Mia deserved every bit of happiness that came her way. She’d been seeing Pierre until she’d become ill.

  As soon as Verena walked into the house, she could hear Mia coughing. She made her way through the house to her grandmother’s bedroom. After pushing the drapes open to light the room, Verena put her hand on her grandmother’s warm forehead.

  “We’ll get this temperature under control soon,” Verena said.

  “So glad you’ve come, dear.” Mia adjusted herself in her bed. “This cough is almost getting the better of me.”

  Verena shook her head. “Not for long.”

  Verena brought her a glass of water and Mia swallowed the tablets she gave her. Mia patted a spot on the bed. “Come sit by me.”

  Verena sank onto the fine cotton duvet. “Did you speak to Pierre this morning?”

  “Of course. He calls every day,” Mia said. “And have you heard from your Lance lately?”

  Covering her feelings, Verena chuckled at her grandmother’s choice of words. “He’s hardly my Lance. He called and we spoke, but he understands how busy I am. So is he.” She shrugged as if it didn’t matter to her. Paris was quickly receding in her mind, blotted out by business. Had their connection even been real?

  “I see,” Mia said. “Well, tell me how your day is going. Any sign of the documents yet?”

  “Not yet. With each draft Roper goes farther outside of the boundaries they established in the term sheet. Even when I agree, they come back with more requests.”

  “Sounds like this deal has gotten out of hand.” Mia squinted at her. “Surely Derrick is helping you?”

  “That’s just it. Everything he says makes sense the way he explains it. But it’s not what we agreed to in the beginning. And they know we need the funds more with every passing day.”

  Mia stared at her, her blue eyes still piercing in their intensity. “That’s why they’re stretching it out, my dear.”

  “It’s not good business.”

  “No, it’s not. You could tough it out. We have before, you know.”

  “At this point, that would mean not paying vendors or employees and that would put us out of business. It was easier with just the one salon.”

  Now they had a network of salons, with huge investments in product inventory in retailers across the United States and Europe, and more sitting at customs in several Asian countries. Verena wished she had seen this coming, but then, other companies far larger than VSS was hadn’t either.

  Mia reached for Verena’s hand. “I realize it’s a lot more complicated now. For the record, I think you’re doing a wonderful job. It’s not easy—no one else really understands how difficult it is to run this business.”

  “Your support means so much to me.”

  “I wish I could help you more, Verena.” A sad look washed across Mia’s face. “I wish Emile and your father were still here with us.” A hacking cough seized her, interrupting her thought.

  Verena lifted the water glass to Mia’s lips. When Mia recovered, she motioned to her slender frame. “This old body is wearing out on me,” she said, her voice hoarse. It’s so frustrating, because I’m as sharp as I’ve ever been.” She patted Verena’s hand. “That’s why you must always take good care of yourself.”

  “And I do, Mia.”

  “Not lately. You’ve been coming home later and later, and I know you’re not sleeping well.”

  “I’ve been home every night by ten o’clock,” Verena said. Well, almost. There had been one or two nights she’d stayed at the office until after midnight reviewing the documents that Herringbone and its attorneys kept changing.

  “And working until two or three in the morning. You can’t keep this pace up for long.”

  “When the deal is in place, I can ease up a little. I promise, Mia.” Even as she was reassuring Mia, she feared that this oppressive workload was just the beginning. Derrick and Jimmy Don were barking orders faster than she or anyone on her team could respond to.

  “I’d think Derrick would be more understanding.”

  “It’s not his company, Mia. It’s my responsibility.”

  “So what’s the latest wrinkle in the deal?”

  “They want to create a subsidiary for Rainbow Nails. I’ve been fighting it. It’s important that Rainbow remain separate from Valent. And it’s what we originally agreed upon.”

  “But they’re pushing back.”

  “Seems their word isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. We agree to a point, and then Roper changes his mind. He knows we’re at his mercy.”

  Mia coughed into her hand. “Are you making payroll?”

  “Barely. We managed to pay the employees, and Mary and Sasha each took a week of unpaid leave.”

  “You aren’t taking a check, are you?”

  Verena shook her head. “It’s been eight weeks since I’ve drawn my salary.” There wasn’t any open credit left on her personal credit cards, either, but she hated to share that with Mia, who had always insisted they pay off all personal charges every month.

  “That explains why you’ve been taking your lunch or coming home to eat at noon. Why didn’t you share this with me earlier?”

  “I wanted you and the girls to have a good time in Europe. It had been planned for so long.”

  “Well, we did use our travel mileage points f
or the airfare. And we stayed with my sister.”

  Verena smiled. “That was an enormous help, thanks.”

  “And if you need money, remember, I have a little tucked away.”

  “We’re not going to touch the girls’ college fund or your retirement. You earned it, and no matter what happens, you are not to touch those funds. It’s all you and the girls have. What if something were to happen to me?” After her parents’ accident, the possibility of unforeseen occurrences was very real to her, and something she always considered.

  Mia sniffed with disdain. “What Roper is doing is an old ploy, you know, designed to starve the company into agreement.”

  “I realize that. Jack said he’s never seen a legitimate venture capital company negotiate like this, and he’s done hundreds of these kinds of transactions. They’re not all bad, I’m sure, but Roper isn’t a good representative of the industry.”

  “Can you speak to another fund?”

  “The term sheet bars me from doing that, too. When I mentioned it, Derrick went ballistic. He said Roper would sue me and probably end up with ownership of the company.”

  Mia clasped her hand. “Keep fighting, my dear.”

  “I will. I’m not giving in. I just can’t believe they’ve gone back on their word so much.”

  “Is Scarlett reviewing the documents for you, too?”

  “She is, and she’s helping me fight to retain our personal interests and stock shares, but it’s tough.”

  Mia cleared her throat, taking it all in. “Did the company numbers fall short of their expectation?”

  “Quite the contrary, our presales in Asia have far exceeded our projections. And even though some mid-price skincare lines are hurting for business, our sales at the high end have increased. The economy might be slowing, but luxury goods are still on fire, especially for our duty free clients.”

  “Hmm,” Mia said, making a face. “Then that old buzzard Thomas Roper is just a greedy bastard.”

  Later that day at the office, Verena picked up a call that Lacey had routed to her.

  “Jack, what’s the word?”

  “Still no deal,” he said. “And Roper said he won’t reimburse you for the personal credit card draws you took.”