Maggie rolled her eyes. “Yup, those books. Two hundred years ago, Ari! You are living in a dream world from over two centuries ago! They’ve made you delusional.”
“Have you ever considered that maybe—just maybe—I haven’t met the right man for me?” What was she saying? Only moments ago, she’d wondered if Zach might be the man she’d share her future with. How could she have been so blind? She wouldn’t tell Maggie she’d been right, Zach had pressured her weeks ago to “put out,” as he called it. Love should be more than that. When she’d explained her feelings to Zach, he’d seemed to understand—even acted as if he admired her for her values. Evidently, he’d found a way to get what he wanted—without her. Ari was determined to find a man with the same ideals—if such a man existed.
“Miller.” Arianna looked up, expecting another set-down from her angry boss. She respected Mr. Johnson, but he wasn’t the reason she loved her job. Decorating, and Maggie, made her job the best. “Come into my office.” His voice sounded firm, but unemotional.
Arianna crossed the room, carefully avoiding those customers to whom she’d divulged too much personal information and slipped into Mr. Johnson’s office. Nerves made her heartbeat accelerate.
“Sit down, Arianna.” Mr. Johnson pushed his hand back and forth across his balding head. Graying tufts of hair fringed the sides around his ears. No wonder he’s losing his hair. She stifled a grin, then remembered she hadn’t been called into his office for good behavior.
She sat down and began her appeal. “I’m really sorry, Mr. Johnson. It won’t happen again. I didn’t realize I was talking so loudly. I really need this—”
“That’s not why I called you in here, Ari.” His face softened. “It seems I have an assignment for you. A job that will require you to be away on location.” He pushed some papers toward her. “You are talented, but I’m not sure you’re ready for something of this magnitude, as this will be your first solo job. However, Zoe and Evan both have projects underway, and our friend Maggie will be on maternity leave soon, as you well know. I have no other options. This project is a big one and will take a lot of time.” His hand wandered back up to his thinning hairline.
Fingers trembling, she fumbled with the papers. Arianna, the new designer on the block, having only worked for Johnson and Tate for a year and a half, was good—anyway, she thought so. She just needed a chance to prove herself. Up to this point, she’d only been assigned to partner with the other three well-seasoned designers. But this could be her chance to demonstrate what she could do.
She pointed at one of the papers. “Mr. Johnson, it says here the home is near Pueblo. Isn’t that a bit of a drive?”
He leaned forward on his desk. “That’s what I mean when I say it’s away on location. It’s a few miles south of the city of Pueblo—just a couple of hours from here. You can commute and we’ll cover your gas, or you can find an apartment there for the duration of the project, which the company will pay for. It’s your call.”
“I think I’d like to live there.” Arianna said, after only a few moments of pondering.
A thousand questions flooded into her mind, and evidently Mr. Johnson could read it because before she could ask the first of many, he stood, motioning her to do the same. “Everything is in there.” He pointed to the scattered papers in front of her. “Read through them and let me know tomorrow if you feel you’re up to it. And Ari, I don’t need to remind you how important this job is to our firm. We need all the business we can get right now. You will find, while reading the paperwork, that this client comes across as somewhat eccentric, but he also appears to have deep pockets. We could use a few deep pockets right now.”
“Yes, sir.” Ari backed out of the room. She felt like hugging Mr. Johnson, or at least saluting him. She settled on giving him a nod and a smile as she mumbled, “Thanks.”
She plunked the papers on her desk and scooted close to Maggie. “Mags, Mags, Mags, I got my first solo job. And it’s on location in Pueblo.” And seriously couldn’t have come at a better time.
Maggie didn’t look sufficiently impressed as she cocked her head to gaze at Ari. Rather, she seemed puzzled. “What in the world is in Pueblo, and why would you want to leave me to go there?” She scrunched her nose.
“Oh, come on, Maggie. You know how long I’ve been waiting to be the lead designer on a job. This is my chance to prove myself. I know I can do it. Say you’re excited for me.” She widened her eyes expectantly.
“I’m excited for you.” Maggie glanced down at some paperwork while twirling a few strands of hair through her fingers.
Arianna frowned. “Seriously, Maggie, I can move to Pueblo for a few months and get a fresh start. You know how hard it is for me. Everywhere I go in this city there are memories that haunt me.”
“Memories of Zach?” Maggie raised her head to meet Arianna’s gaze. “I’m dying to know how you’re going to respond to him, now that you know what he’s been up to.”
Ari couldn’t think about Zach right now. She’d formulate a reply later, when the mere mention of him didn’t make her sick. “Yes, Zach.” Just saying his name hurt. “…And memories of my family.” She’d eventually get over Zach, but her family was gone forever.
A shiver ran down her spine when she thought about the cold, winter day her world had turned upside-down. She’d noticed a series of missed calls on her silenced cell phone during class. She’d quickly excused herself only to find someone from the college administration headed straight for her with the message that her mother, father and younger brother had been killed in a car accident. She still felt numb inside and out, even though two and a half years had passed. She had picked up the pieces as well as she could, but she would never fully recover from the shock of that dreadful day. Born and raised in Denver, it had been natural for her to return after her four years away at Colorado State, but she didn’t feel the need to stay there forever. It was a home without family, and that was hardly a home.
“Oh,” Maggie said in a more reverent tone. She placed a gentle arm around Arianna. “I’m so sorry. Sometimes I forget how painful it must be for you to even get through a day with those reminders.”
“They’re mostly good memories, but it still hurts knowing I’ll never see the people I love most again.”
“Not to mention, the driver who hit them is still roaming around on Denver asphalt.” Maggie fisted a hand and hit her knee. “I’m still upset so little was done to find the creep.”
“I’m sure they did all they could.” Ari swallowed a lump growing in her throat. Maybe they had, maybe they hadn’t. Dwelling on it never helped. She generally avoided the subject. “This could be a fresh start for me. Even if it’s in Pueblo.” She smiled as a tear trickled down her cheek.
“Arianna’s at her desk. Go on back,” the receptionist said from across the office. Ari perked up immediately. Who would be here for her?
Zach.
Chapter Three
Think, think, think. Ari wasn’t ready to confront Zach yet. But ready or not, here he came. He waved and made a path toward her desk. Why was he here?
As if to answer her question, he raised a doggy bag of food she must have left in his car.
Maggie whispered in her ear, “Well, if it isn’t your two-timing boyfriend now.”
Ari winced. “Go with me on this, Maggie.”
He approached her desk. “I got all the way back to my office before I noticed you’d left this.” His perfect smile—gleaming straight, white teeth, and all—did nothing to soothe Ari’s angst.
“Oh, hi babe.” She watched as Zach’s smile faltered for a split-second. “You didn’t need to bring the food back to me. Next time, just throw it away.”
“It was the least I could do after bailing on you tonight.”
“Yeah, your work meeting.” She glanced at Maggie, then back at Zach. “What time will your meeting be over? I’m thinking of cutting out early from the benefit. I’ll stop by your place.”
Magg
ie jumped in. “Make sure to take that slinky number you just bought, Ari. He’ll love it.”
Zach’s face paled. “What?” He took a step back, as if he’d been slapped.
Ari stood and walked up close to him so no one else could hear. “Next time you arrange to meet up with someone other than me, you’d better check the number you’re texting.”
“I—I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Maggie held up a folder. “Ari, Mr. Johnson wants you to check on this.”
“Goodbye, Zach.” Ari turned, took the file from Maggie, and walked away. She had no destination in mind—perhaps the ladies’ room—she just couldn’t stick around and listen to Zach lie his way out of his blunder.
****
Three days later she had her little red Subaru packed and ready to begin her adventure in Pueblo. She’d ignored text after text from Zach, still unwilling to consider any explanation he might come up with. He was a cheater. She’d wasted enough time on him already. Her heart ached, but not for Zach. It ached for a future with a man who loved and respected her.
Sitting in Mr. Johnson’s office, she waited to meet the owners of the house she’d been commissioned to decorate. The file her boss had given her left much to the imagination. While it brimmed with opinions on colors and style, there were gaping holes where personal information should have been about the owners. Curious.
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Somers were scheduled to arrive at eleven o’clock. The meeting would entail Arianna receiving specific instructions and a key to the new home. Tension had her stomach tied up in knots as she waited to meet them. It was her first solo job. She hoped she wouldn’t lose her breakfast or faint right in front of them. That would not inspire confidence.
“Mr. Johnson and your designer, Ms. Miller, are this way.” Ari’s head snapped up as she heard the receptionist’s voice. The knots tightened. She turned to watch through the open door as the couple followed the receptionist into the room. Arianna sucked in a breath. Something about the way the man carried himself, or maybe his eyes, put her on edge. She sat a little straighter, needing all the confidence she could muster.
Mr. Johnson stood to greet the Somers. “Welcome to Johnson and Tate.” He extended his arm to shake first Mr. then Mrs. Somers’ hands. Mrs. Somers didn’t respond for a moment. Her husband gave her a not-so-gentle shove, and she lifted a limp hand to Mr. Johnson’s. That was odd. “May I introduce you to our designer, Arianna Miller?” Ari also stood and held out her hand but was met with a questioning stare before a hesitant handshake. She couldn’t help but notice the ring Mr. Somers wore. It glowed black and shiny, just like his eyes.
“She looks young,” mumbled Mr. Somers.
This wasn’t helping her nerves. Ari shifted her weight. She recognized his cologne as sandalwood. She should know since her mom used to dabble in essential oils. Mom had used it as an antiseptic. Interesting. She’d never known a man to wear it as cologne.
“Oh, I assure you that Arianna is a top-notch designer and will do a great job for you.” He tugged a page from Ari’s file and handed it to Mr. Somers. “In fact, she is quite familiar with the Victorian Era and, as your new home is Victorian, she is the right person for the job.” Mr. Johnson sounded nervous. She didn’t blame him, every inch of Mr. Somers screamed intimidation.
The couple appeared more distressed than reassured by Mr. Johnson’s pitch. Arianna, however, found it refreshing to hear her prickly boss sing her praises—even if it was his job. All the more reason for her to do her most impressive work. Mr. Johnson hurried on to say, “If you find her performance lacking in any way, please, just let me know and we will arrange for a new designer. Mr. Somers seemed to relax a little, knowing he could dismiss her at any time. Ari tamped down her rising anxiety—and her breakfast.
A large man, Mr. Somers had graying black hair and eyes that seemed to pierce a hole right through his target. He sported a black three-piece suit—definitely overdressed for the occasion. He looked stodgy, almost as if he could be wearing a bowler hat and a cape. Ari suppressed a smile at the image. Mrs. Somers, however, with her crystal-blue eyes, had her brown hair swept gracefully back and wore a flowing muslin skirt. Arianna imagined her to be quite pretty in earlier times. Now, though, she looked sad. Intriguing. At first glance, the woman didn’t seem the type to agree to lavish décor in their new home, but now she wondered if Mrs. Somers ever voiced her opinion at all.
Mr. Somers analyzed the file paper, which, from what Ari could see, listed her credentials. “The girl looks to be qualified,” he said, shoving the page back at Mr. Johnson.
“You’re British,” Ari said with more exuberance than intended. She had always loved an English accent, and theirs was thicker than any she’d heard. Her pronouncement didn’t appear to impress or please either of the Somers, as they exchanged worried glances.
“Yes, Arianna,” Mr. Johnson cut in. “The Somers relocated to Denver from London just four years ago.”
She gulped down her fears and took a breath. Even though the Somers seemed less than enthusiastic about her, she was thrilled to be decorating their home—that is, if they didn’t fire her before she had a chance to work her magic.
“Miss Miller, is it?” Mr. Somers turned his frosty gaze to Ari.
“Yes. Arianna Miller—you can call me Arianna, or just Ari, if you’d like.”
“Miss Miller—”
Or not. Miss Miller works, too. Geez.
Mr. Somers cleared his throat.
She straightened her posture under his scrutiny, certain his glare might set her on a fire.
“Please take your time with this job, as we prefer to have our new home decorated as authentically as possible. We intend to move our belongings in slowly, as time permits. For the most part, we will be coming to the home on weekends to check your progress, as well as deliver our personal items.”
Arianna was intrigued with his thick English accent to the point of distraction. Mr. Johnson gave her a nudge, which brought her back to the conversation at hand.
“Oh, of course. I completely agree about the authenticity. I minored in history and have a fascination with England and the Victorian Era, the Regency Era, and—” She felt another little nudge. “I—I assure you, I will do my best to please you, Mr. Somers.”
That seemed to satisfy the Somers—or at least Mr. Somers. Mrs. Somers never said a word and rarely looked up.
After a few more instructions, Mr. Somers gave Arianna the key to the house along with the alarm code.
“The builders assured me that now is the optimal time for a designer to commence decorating. They have a few minor touches which should only take a week or two more. After that, they will notify the alarm company and the house will be armed, so it is imperative you use the code when entering and reset it when you leave.” Mr. Somers’ stiff smile didn’t reach his eyes. The cool undercurrent in his demeanor caused a shiver to snake down Ari’s spine.
“No problem.” Arianna’s smile was genuine. She couldn’t let this man get under her skin—not if she planned to work for him.
Organizing the Somers’ items and placing them into her bag, Ari watched as her new, eccentric employers departed the building. She met Maggie in the hall and gave her a long hug as she secured a promise for generous updates. Ari didn’t want to be in the dark about office gossip, after all. Not to mention, the impending birth of Maggie’s son.
“And you’d better send me pictures of everything you do at that house in Pueblo, Ari. The owners seem a little creepy. I bet the home is fascinating.”
“I know, right? I hope it isn’t haunted. I’d better get on the road so I can get there before dark.”
Arianna left the office and pointed her packed-to-the-roof Subaru south, heading toward her future.
Time flew by as she drove. The radio set on the oldies station cranked out one of her favorite songs. She anticipated pulling up to a quaint little Victorian neighborhood on the outskirts of town. Victorian houses were
not generally being built any more, having fallen out of vogue several years before, but Arianna loved them and couldn’t be more excited to decorate one.
She changed lanes. The car behind her followed suit. Was it her imagination, or had the same vehicle been tailing her since she’d left Denver? Speeding up, she changed lanes again. The car behind her stayed in its own lane but kept pace with her. Neither the car nor the driver looked familiar. Why would anyone follow me? She tried to shake off the eerie sensation prickling her skin.
Chapter Four
A loud noise startled Ari, and her car began to fishtail. Her imagination ran wild. Had someone shot a gun at her? Then she heard it: the thump, thump, thump of a flat tire. Not now! Not here! She pulled over, but stayed in her car and watched the vehicle behind her. It continued past her. Relief!
Thankful her dad had taught her some basic mechanics, she located the spare, then set to work changing the tire. Images of every horror show she’d ever seen ran through her mind. Girl alone on the side of the road, while crazed axe murderer stalks her. The notion made her fingers shake as she loosened the lug nuts.
“Need some help?” a raspy voice asked.
She jumped and spun around. It was the man who’d followed her. He must have exited the freeway and circled back. She lifted the lug wrench to wield as a weapon. He raised both hands. “Why are you following me?”
The man hesitated before speaking, tilting his head in question.
“Well?” Ari shook the wrench.
“I’m not following you. I live in Pueblo but had meetings in Denver today. When your tire popped, I was going too fast to stop, so I came back to help.”
Trembling, she lowered the wrench, but kept a tight grip on it. “I’m sorry. I—I thought you were…never mind.” Mr. Somers must have done a number on her to make her so paranoid.
The man’s phone rang. “Hi, Bonnie. Yes, I’m almost home. Just stopped to help a lady with a flat tire. Sure thing. Love ya.” He hung up. “My wife’s expecting me. Do you want my help?”
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