Portrait of Love

by Debby Mayne

  Mandy had been about to stick the flatware in the tray. She stopped and looked at Christina. “What are you talking about?”

  Christina frowned. “I always thought you were jealous of me.”

  three

  “You’re kidding, right?” Mandy glared at Christina then rolled her eyes. “I don’t think so.”

  Christina persisted. “Mom and Dad don’t expect as much from me as they do you.”

  “Why would that make me jealous?”

  “That’s what I want to know,” Christina said. “I always wished I could be as smart as you.”

  “So while you thought I was jealous of you, you were actually jealous of me?”

  Christina made a face. “Something like that. Weird, huh?”

  Mandy shrugged. “I dunno. Sibling relationships can be complicated, I suppose.”

  “I want you to know how much I appreciate you.”

  That simple comment caused a lump to form in Mandy’s throat. She swallowed hard. “Thank you.”

  “I mean it. When we were little, you always made sure people were nice to me. Then when I started high school, you and your friends were so helpful.”

  “We didn’t exactly travel in the same circles,” Mandy reminded her. “Your friends were a lot cooler than mine.”

  “But yours were smarter, and look at them now.”

  Mandy cast a comical glance at Christina. “Uh-huh, right. Ya know, there were times I would have traded smart for pretty.”

  “You’re just as pretty, but you never noticed.” Christina shrugged. “But that’s not the point. I had the best of both worlds—my circle of friends and yours.”

  Mandy bobbed her head. “True.”

  Christina gave Mandy a playful shove. “You don’t have to be so agreeable.”

  Mandy smiled and picked up a towel. “If we don’t agree, you know who’ll win.” She winked and pointed her thumb to her chest. “Moi.”

  Silence fell between them as they finished doing the dishes. Mandy was about to say good-bye when Christina’s eyes lit up.

  “Hey, I have an idea! Why don’t you spend the night?”

  “I have to work tomorrow,” Mandy said. “Maybe some other time, and I’ll bring my stuff.”

  “Small World doesn’t even open until ten. You can go home in the morning to get ready for work. Mom always keeps extra toothbrushes.”

  “I don’t know.”

  Christina tilted her head and gave Mandy one of her irresistible puppy-dog looks. “Please?”

  Mandy laughed. “You still have it, baby sister. Okay, I’ll stay.”

  Christina didn’t bother trying to hide her joy. She pumped her fist, grinning. “I knew you couldn’t say no. Let’s watch one of our old movies. I’ll get Mom to make popcorn, and we can have a party.”

  Mandy tilted her head forward. “I think we’re perfectly capable of making our own popcorn. Let’s show Mom how grown up you can be.”

  “Sorry. It’s so easy to fall back into old habits around Mom and Dad.”

  “Especially since they still want to baby you.” Mandy was proud of Christina for acknowledging the truth. “Are you planning to stick around and get a job here in Wheeling?”

  “Looks like I don’t have a choice,” Christina admitted. “I obviously don’t have what it takes to be an actor. I thought all I’d have to do was go into an audition, say a few lines, and walk around the stage. It’s a lot harder than it looks.” She crinkled her nose. “Plus they want actors to do all kinds of other stuff that’s totally not fun, like talk shows and interviews and stuff.”

  “I understand.”

  Christina leaned against the kitchen counter and looked down at the floor, shaking her head. “I have no idea what I want to do now, though. All I ever wanted was to be an actress.”

  Mandy gave her sister a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. “I know, sweetie, but things don’t always turn out like we expect. I’m going through my own disappointment now, and it’s not fun. I always thought I’d be in a high-level management position that commanded respect, but instead, I’m working for the boss’s nephew.” She got in her sister’s line of view. “We’ll get through this. Let’s go find a movie.”

  ❧

  Tony arrived at the studio an hour before they opened. He expected Mandy to be there, or at least follow soon after. She was such a dedicated employee, he started to worry when he looked at the clock fifteen minutes before opening time, and she still hadn’t arrived.

  As he worked on getting the front ready for customers, he thought about how good Mandy was with the children. He even caught himself thinking what a good mother she’d be someday, then he quickly forced those inappropriate thoughts from his mind.

  Every few minutes, he opened the front door to look down the street, but still no Mandy. He checked the phone messages, and there was nothing from her. Just as he was about to look up her number, he saw her approach the door.

  Her short blond hair glistened as she walked in and glided across the floor. He loved the flicker of acknowledgment in her hazel eyes when she glanced in his direction. Tony couldn’t ignore the fact that he was immensely attracted to Mandy Pruitt.

  “Sorry I’m late,” she said. “I stayed at my parents’ house, so I had to go home and get ready for work this morning.”

  “You’re not late.”

  “I like to get here early to prepare.”

  “Everything’s all done.” He glanced at his watch and nodded toward the back. “Why don’t you go put your stuff in the office, and I’ll open?”

  As soon as she walked to the back, Tony relaxed his shoulders. Lord, please don’t let me step over the line with Mandy.

  ❧

  An awkward silence fell between them. At ten thirty, the phone rang.

  “Mandy,” Christina said, “Mom says Dad wants me to get a job right away, but I have no idea where to start looking.”

  “Why don’t you call some of your old friends and see if they know of any job openings?” Mandy rested the phone on her shoulder while she slipped the envelope from the last client into the file slot.

  “They all work in boring office jobs. I want something fun.”

  “Then why don’t you try some of the shops in town? You like fashion.”

  “I don’t know,” Christina said.

  “You’ll even get a discount.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  A shadow at the doorway drew Mandy’s attention. She glanced up to see Tony leaning against the door frame, watch-ing her. “I gotta go. I’ll call you later.” She pressed the end button on the phone and looked him directly in the eye. “Did you need something?”

  “What time is your first appointment?”

  “Eleven. Why?”

  “Just checking. What do you normally do between appointments?”

  Why was he grilling her? She bristled at the very thought of having someone standing over her, expecting the worst, since every minute of time she’d spent at the studio was focused on work—at least it was until her sister came back to town.

  “I do follow-up and make calls,” she replied. “Did you have something else you wanted me to do?”

  He shook his head as he pulled away from where he’d been leaning. “You’re doing everything right. In fact, the folks in the home office are impressed by how well this location has done without a manager.”

  Then why did they send Tony? She kept her thoughts to herself. “I follow the guidelines from my training.”

  “That’s another thing,” he said. “We’re in the process of overhauling the training program. Apparently, some of the managers think it has some antiquated concepts.”

  Mandy thought for a moment. “I think it can use some updating, but the basic concepts are good.” She shrugged. “At least they work for me.”

  Tony glanced at his watch. “I need to let you go get ready for your appointment. We can discuss this later. If you have some suggestions, I’m sure Edward and Ricco would apprec
iate input from a successful employee.”

  As Mandy prepared the studio for her next appointment, she thought about Tony’s comments. If she’d been such a successful employee, as he’d put it, why had they brought him here? She slammed the basket of props on the tiny table next to the camera, sending a few skittering over the edge and across the floor, then instantly regretted it. Not getting to even apply for the promotion didn’t justify bad behavior—and she certainly didn’t need to let Tony see her acting out.

  “Drop something?” When she glanced up, she saw Tony standing six feet away, holding one of the stuffed animals from the basket.

  Lord, please work on my attitude and spirit. You know what I need and what I should have. I need to trust You more with my future.

  He gestured over his shoulder. “Your appointment’s here.”

  She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. She needed to maintain a positive attitude for her clients—especially since these were some of the most difficult toddlers she’d ever worked with.

  It took several attempts to get the children to calm down, but Mandy finally managed to capture some cute poses. Their mother was frantic as she crossed the studio floor and took the hands of her three- and four-year-old. “I’m so sorry they can’t sit still. I do everything the doctor says, including not let them have sugar, but they won’t stop wiggling.”

  Mandy sympathized with the young mother. “Maybe they’ll grow up to become athletes.”

  The woman looked at both of her children then offered a grateful look to Mandy. “That would be nice.”

  She heard Tony’s footsteps as he entered the studio. “You have a visitor,” he said. “It’s your sister.”

  “Thanks, I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  “I can take over,” he offered. Mandy looked him in the eye, and they both smiled. “Maybe not.” Still grinning, he headed for the door.

  After he left, the children’s mother ushered her kids toward the front. “I’ll take them for a little walk while you get the computer proofs ready.”

  “Thanks. Come back in half an hour, and I’ll have them done.”

  After they left, Mandy straightened up for the next session before going to see what Christina wanted. When she arrived in the lobby, she was surprised to see Christina and Tony engrossed in a conversation about her parents. “You wouldn’t believe how good our mother’s cooking is. Maybe you can come for dinner sometime.”

  Mandy cringed. She needed to get her sister out of there—and fast!

  Tony offered Mandy an amused look and winked. “I just might. That is, if Mandy doesn’t mind.”

  Christina looked at Mandy, clasped her hands, and put them beneath her chin. “Can you go have coffee with me?”

  “I don’t normally take a break,” Mandy said. “What’s up?”

  “It’s okay if you need to take a break,” Tony offered. “I can show the proofs.”

  “No,” Mandy said. “I’d like to do that.”

  Tony winked at Mandy then turned to Christina. “After a little fiasco with a basket of candy and a couple of starving kids, she doesn’t trust me here alone.”

  “That’s not—”

  She stopped when she noticed the smirk on Tony’s face.

  “Why don’t I go to that cute little boutique on the corner, and I’ll come back for you later?” Christina said.

  “Can you give me about an hour?”

  “Um. . .sure.”

  After Christina left, Mandy quickly organized the proofs on the computer screen. The children and their mother arrived shortly afterward.

  “I like all of them,” the young mother said. “You’re the only photographer who’s been able to make them look like normal kids rather than little monsters.”

  “Monster!” As soon as he hollered the word, the four-year-old lifted his hands with bent fingers to look like claws, and he started chasing his little sister around the waiting area.

  The mother rolled her eyes. “Why don’t we just go with the first three? I’d like the economy package.”

  Mandy smiled. “Sounds great.”

  Tony cleared his throat, but Mandy forced herself to ignore him. She knew he was trying to get her to upsell the customer—something the company put high on their list of priorities.

  Once the mom and her children left, Mandy finished the order then turned to Tony. “I never try to upsell her because they come in every three months and get the economy package. She can barely afford that.”

  “You don’t even try?” he asked.

  “I did once, and I thought she might break down and cry when she had to tell me they couldn’t afford what she really wanted.”

  Tony pursed his lips. By the time he finally nodded his agreement, she was ready to argue. “You did the right thing. There is a line we shouldn’t cross at the risk of losing good customers.” He gestured toward the door. “Your sister’s back. Why don’t you go for coffee?”

  Christina stood by the door twirling her bright yellow handbag. Mandy blinked. She’d had a tan one earlier.

  “C’mon, I can’t take too long.”

  “Don’t look now, but that guy from the electronics store across the street is staring at us,” Christina said.

  Mandy groaned. “That’s Brent. He gets these crushes on people, and it’s my turn.”

  Christina giggled. “He’s cute in a geeky sort of way.”

  “Yeah, he’s not bad-looking, and he’s pretty nice, but he can be annoying.”

  As they got farther away from the studio and the electronics store, Mandy pointed to the bag. “New purse?”

  “Yes, isn’t it cute?” Christina held it up for Mandy to get a better look. “I saw it in the store window, and I had to have it.” She held it up for Mandy to touch. “Feel it.”

  Mandy gently slid her hand over the soft, pebbled leather. “Very nice. Feels like real leather.”

  “Lambskin.”

  “I thought you were broke.”

  “Dad gave me some money.”

  “He did?” Mandy asked. An odd feeling swept over her—a blend of shock and sibling rivalry. “To go shopping? Does he know what you’re doing with the money?”

  Christina slowly shook her head. “Please don’t say anything.”

  “How about reimbursing me for the plane ticket? You said you were going to.”

  “Um. . .I’ll do that after I get all settled.” Christina gave Mandy a sheepish look. “Dad said it was to get me through until I found a job.”

  “I don’t think he intended for you to go on a shopping spree.” As they approached the coffee shop, Mandy dug her wallet out of her modest bag. “I’ll treat this time. Just please don’t keep spending his money on things you don’t absolutely have to have.”

  The instant they sat down, Christina’s eyes lit up. “Why didn’t you tell me your new boss was so cute?”

  “He’s my boss. I don’t think of him that way.”

  Christina rolled her eyes. “C’mon, we’re sisters. You’re not blind.”

  “I really don’t want to talk about my boss.”

  “That’s just silly,” Christina said. “If he were my boss—”

  “He’s not your boss, so don’t worry about it,” Mandy interrupted.

  For the next fifteen minutes, Christina talked about how she’d called all her old friends, and they didn’t have time to talk because they were so busy. “I can’t believe no one has time for me anymore.”

  “Work has a way of doing that to people,” Mandy said. “Did you ask anyone if they knew of a job?”

  “No. I don’t think any of their jobs sound like fun.”

  “While you were shopping, did you ask if they had openings?”

  Christina frowned. “Not yet. Why are you grilling me so hard?”

  “Because I think Mom and Dad are right. It’s time for you to get a job.”

  “Okay, okay.” Christina held up her hands. “I didn’t expect you to be so grouchy.”

  Mandy g
lanced at her watch. “I need to get back to the studio now. While you’re here, why don’t you walk around and see if you can fill out at least one application for work? There are so many businesses, one of them is bound to be hiring.”

  Still frowning, Christina nodded. “All right. I’ll try, but there aren’t that many jobs out there.”

  “Just ask. That’s all I’m saying. If you keep trying, you’ll eventually get a job.”

  When they got back to Small World, Tony glanced up. “Did you two have fun?”

  “A blast,” Mandy said sarcastically.

  Tony blinked in confusion before turning to Christina. “It was nice meeting you.”

  “Same here,” she said. “Um, Mandy, I don’t have anything to wear to church, and Mom said she wants me to go with you.”

  “How about all those clothes in your overstuffed suitcases?”

  Christina flicked her hand from the wrist. “Those are LA clothes. Mom says they’re not appropriate for church here.”

  Since Christina was a good four inches taller and at least two sizes smaller, Mandy couldn’t very well offer to lend her one of her dresses. “Why don’t you use some of Dad’s money to get a new outfit? I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

  Christina glanced down at her shoes—which probably cost more than Mandy’s entire outfit—before looking back. “I used it all on the purse—and these shoes.”

  Rather than cause a scene in front of her boss, she pulled some money from her own bag and thrust it at her sister. “You can pay me back when you get a job.”

  “Thanks.” Christina looked at the wad of money then frowned. “I’ll have to find something on sale.” She paused then broke into a grin. “It’ll be fun—sort of like an Easter egg hunt.”

  Mandy was embarrassed that this happened in front of Tony, but it was too late. After Christina left, she turned to Tony.

  “Sorry about that. My sister is very sweet, but being the baby, Mom, Dad, and I gave in to her a lot.”

  He chuckled. “I understand. I have a baby sister, too.”

  “We have three sessions scheduled for this afternoon, so I’ll get the studio ready.”

  “Before you do that, Mandy, I have a question.”