“I can help with that. I’ll have her take me shopping for my great-grandkids and ask her to have lunch with me afterward. Just let me know when you are ready.”
“Norma, you’re a genius!”
“Not really, dear. I had already planned to invite both of you so you could help carry the gifts.”
I laughed. “Uh-huh, I see how it is.”
We Have Other Plans – Melinda Blackstone-Livingston, Margaret (Meg) Bumgartner and Francesca (Frankie) Bonner
“Hey, Meggles, mind if I come over?” I heard a grunt on the other end of the phone and knew she was not pleased to hear from me. I loved to annoy Meg because she was just so easily annoyed. We got off on the wrong foot when I was pursuing Chris and Meg was spying on her. Chris’s parents hired Meg, who is a private investigator, to watch over her after they kicked Chris out of the house. Though I would never admit it to Meg, I am grateful that Chris had someone to protect her. It was a weird coincidence that I hired Meg’s wife, Frankie, who is also a private dick, to help me find Chris after our first encounter, which went badly. Frankie is a classy Lauren Bacall type and Meg is more like Bogart in style and method.
“What do you want, Blackie?” Meg asked.
“I want to know if you and your lovely wife are in the office right now. I need to speak to you both about something.”
“Yeah, sure come on over. I’ll be here for another hour or so.”
I hung up and walked through their office door. Meg was in the outer office, near the receptionist desk.
“Why does that not surprise me?” Meg asked as she stuffed her cell phone in her jeans pocket and picked up the carafe of coffee and a cup. “Want some?”
“No, thanks. Where’s Frankie?” I asked, looking around, expecting her to be there.
“Busy. You didn’t give me a chance to tell her you were coming over, remember?”
“Oh, yeah. Sorry about that. I wasn’t sure if you’d wait on me, so I called as soon as I got here.”
“Your assumption would have been correct,” Meg said. “And don’t ever call me Meggles again, understood?”
“Understood,” I snickered. I knew she would hate it.
“Blackie, how good to see you again,” Frankie said as she floated into the room. Even though I’m happily married to the most beautiful woman on earth, I’m still crushing a little bit on Frankie.
“Yeah, you, too. You’re looking beautiful as always,” I complimented her.
“And you’re as handsome as ever,” Frankie replied.
“And I’m going to puke from all this bullshit,” Meg retorted.
“Don’t let me keep you,” I shot back.
“Blackie, what the hell do you want?” Meg asked gruffly.
Time to play nice. “I wanted to invite you both to dinner on Christmas Day.”
“That’s so nice of you, Blackie,” Frankie said graciously.
Meg shook her head. “No, hold on. She’s up to something.”
“Why do you always think the worst of me, Meg?” I asked innocently.
“You make it easy,” she replied snidely. “So, what’s the catch? Chrissie already invited us for dinner the Sunday after. Why would she have two dinners?”
“Because she doesn’t know about this one. And before you ask, I can’t tell you why I’m surprising her. You’ll just have to trust me on this one.”
“Are you kidding me?” Meg asked angrily. “Trust you? That is the most ludicrous, preposterous, absurd, farcical, asinine thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Well, someone must have gotten a new thesaurus for Christmas,” I countered jovially. That of course made her blow steam out of her ears. If not for the gracious, voluptuous, kind, soft, tactful Frankie, I might have been thrown out on my butt by now.
Meg unclenched her teeth and said, “Well, whatever. We already have plans for Christmas.”
My first inclination was to tell her to stop being a bitch, but when Frankie looked at me and nodded, I knew my promise to Chris meant that I couldn’t convince them to change their plans. Damn it!
I left their office feeling very disappointed. Maybe this was a stupid idea. Just as I reached the street, I suddenly realized that Norma would be with her grandson and his family. Chris and I are telling her today so she can make plans. The first Christmas we spent with Norma, she was in a hospital bed, barely alive. And now, the second time, she’ll be in Texas. That’s not the way it should be. Was I being selfish wanting Norma to be with us on our first official Christmas holiday? Probably. Do I care? Hell, no!
I kept walking to my car, a frown on my face. Then, just as I hit the wireless key on my Lamborghini, an idea of such brilliance hit me, that my mouth hung open. “Bring Norma’s family here!” We’d done it before; why not do it again? I’ve got to get home and tell Chris!
Our Gift to You – Chris Blackstone-Livingston, and Melinda Blackstone-Livingston, Norma Shelby
Norma and I were in the living room, enjoying an eggnog while listening to Bette Midler’s Cool Yule album. I was waiting on Melinda to come home so that we could tell Norma about her Christmas gift.
“You’re here,” I said as Melinda walked in to the living room and kissed me on the cheek.
“Hi, Norma,” she said, sitting down beside me on the couch.
I looked at her questioningly, and she nodded.
“Norma, Melinda and I want to give you your Christmas present early this year,” I stated. “We want to send—”
“Can I tell her, Chris?” Melinda asked.
I laughed and nodded.
“Norma, we want to fly your grandson and his family up here for the holidays. Now, I know that we did that last year for Thanksgiving, but there’s so much more for the kids to do here now that’s it’s Christmas. They’re at that perfect age of fifteen and thirteen, where even though they don’t believe in Santa anymore, they secretly want to. So I’ll… Chris and I will make sure it’s a very special Christmas for them. We’ll even fly in Santa Claus from the North Pole with lots of presents, just for the kids.” Norma had tears in her eyes. “And we’ll buy them—”
Norma threw up her hands. “No, no. Thank you both, but it isn’t necessary. I will mail their gifts to them and—”
“But why, Norma?” I asked.
“Because, there is such a thing as being too generous. You girls have given me my life back. Please know that that is enough. It is all I need or want for Christmas.”
Now I was tearing up. There was a long, quiet pause and I wasn’t sure what to say.
“Bullshit,” Melinda blurted out, and for a second, you could hear a pin drop. Then Norma laughed. “Now, you listen to me, young lady. We’re bringing them here whether you want them here or not, so no arguments.”
“Yeah, what Melinda said,” I chirped in.
“Besides, I want to drive Santa’s sleigh and get the reindeer to fly,” Melinda added.
I laughed at the vision of Melinda and the kids in a sleigh, trying to get the reindeer to fly. “Well, I want to sit in Santa’s lap and… ew, never mind. I’ll just be his elf and help hand out presents.” I was so excited that Norma would be there with us Christmas morning that I wasn’t sure what I was saying.
“And don’t forget the candy cane contest to see who can eat the most, and—”
“Um, Melinda, you’re cleaning up the mess when those kids get sick tummies, not me,” I said jovially.
“Uh, hello. That’s what we pay the staff for. Oh, and we’ll hang stockings by the fireplace, and the kids can decorate cookies for Santa, and we’ll watch It’s a Wonderful Life a million times, and—”
“Don’t forget the reason for the season. I’d like to put a nativity scene in the front yard and have the kids take a present to church for baby Jesus.”
“Absolutely, Chris. That’s a great idea,” Melinda agreed. “And then we can come back here and track Santa’s progress through NORAD.”
“And sing Christmas carols and drive around town looking at Chri
stmas lights.”
Melinda was about to reply when Norma’s laughter stopped her.
“I was wrong,” she stated, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Bringing my family here would make you two just as happy as it would me. It would be cruel of me to deny you the opportunity to make this the best Christmas my great-grandchildren will ever know. Thank you. I accept your offer.”
Melinda and I literally jumped for joy. Then we rushed into Norma’s arms. A few moments later, we separated, wiping the tears from our faces.
“There’s one more thing,” Melinda said. “Chris and I think you are old enough now to have your own key to the family airplane.”
I handed Norma a gold, oblong jewel case and laughed when she opened it and her jaw dropped. Inside was a shiny gold, symbolic key.
Melinda continued, “At any time that you want to see your grandson and his family, you can either fly down to them, or have them flown here. I’ve set it up with the pilot, who is on a full retainer, and at your disposal.”
“I… I don’t know what to say,” Norma replied, tears in her eyes.
“Say you’ll take a joy ride whenever the urge moves you,” Melinda replied. “But no wild parties on board, understand? Unless you invite us to join you, that is.”
Melinda goosed me in the ribs and I giggled. She made a good point though.
May I Speak With You, Madame? – Charlotte Riggins, and Konani Kalani, Baylee-Ann Reynolds, Kate Stana, Melinda & Chris Blackstone-Livingston
As a butler, I see and hear many things, and it’s my job to make sure it doesn’t get repeated. I was trained to turn a deaf ear and a blind eye. I overheard Baylee-Ann talking with Konani and realized she was talking about our employer. I pulled her into the butler’s pantry and closed the door behind us. She explained how she had walked in on Ms. Melinda recently and has been avoiding her ever since. That was completely inappropriate, and I had to reprimand her. I didn’t give her a written warning, just a stern suggestion to be more attentive next time. I could tell she was embarrassed by the whole thing and she promised me that she wouldn’t make that mistake twice. I also explained about the need for privacy and made her promise that she wouldn’t tell anyone else.
It was imperative that I remain detached with my staff, but I assured Baylee-Ann that if she ever needed to talk about something she saw in the performance of her duties, she could come to me. That also included anything she might see while not on duty because Baylee-Ann lives at the mansion and rarely goes anywhere.
I walked into the kitchen and saw Melinda getting a soda from the refrigerator. She was talking with Baylee-Ann. I didn’t want to interrupt, but I needed to make sure Melinda knew that I had already spoken to Baylee-Ann.
“I’m not sure what a pork rind is. Do they taste good?” Melinda asked.
They’re not talking about the incident. Good. Better to leave well enough alone.
“Yeah, and they’re filling, too,” Baylee-Ann answered. “All they are is fried pig skin. Wanna try one?”
Melinda pulled one from the bag and inspected it. “Pig skin, you say. Well, you only live once.” She popped the snack in her mouth and chewed.
“Well?” Baylee-Ann asked.
Melinda took a long sip from her soda. “Well, that was different.”
“Want some more?”
“No, thanks. I’ll pass. Charlotte, why don’t you try one?” Melinda asked and Baylee-Ann held out her bag.
I shook my head. “Thank you, Madame, but I’m allergic to pork rinds.”
“You’re allergic to swine?” Melinda asked.
“No, Madame. Just pork rinds,” I replied. “I don’t care for them.”
Melinda laughed. “I think that I just became allergic to them as well.”
“Madame, may I speak to you about Christmas?”
“Sure, what’s up?” Melinda asked, leaning back against the counter.
Just as I was about to speak, Konani and Kate walked in. What I had to say wasn’t private or I would have asked Baylee-Ann to leave. Still, I didn’t feel comfortable with all of them there.
“Blackie, can I confess something to you?” Kate asked as she helped herself to a cup of coffee.
Kate, the twenty-year-old mother of a fourteen-month-old baby boy, was their assistant, whom they hired before me. She is not part of my household staff or I would have insisted she address Melinda by her proper name. She is a sweet girl though, who idolizes Melinda.
“You’ll have to take a number, Kate. Charlotte was here before you,” Melinda replied.
Kate looked at me. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Charlotte. Please, go ahead.”
“No, please. I can wait,” I assured her.
Kate shook her head. “I insist. You were here first.”
Melinda’s head turned from Kate to me and back to Kate again, as if she were watching a tennis match.
Baylee-Ann raised her hand. “Well, while y’all work that out, I’d like to say how grateful I am, Ms. Melinda, for the week off at Christmas. But I reckon, since I live here, and have no family to speak of, and nowhere to go, I’d just as soon stay here. If it’s all the same to you?”
“That’s what I was going to say,” Kate said. “I’d much rather be here, even if it means working, than to spend another depressing Christmas with my step-mother.”
Melinda looked at me next.
I cleared my throat. “Madame, it appears that we all are grateful beyond measure, but we would like to humbly decline the offer. I find that I am available to work as my girlfriend is out of town visiting her family. I would prefer to be here, than to spend Christmas alone.”
Melinda laughed. She crossed her arms and looked at Konani. “Konani, surely you don’t want to stay?”
“A'ole. Not me,” Konani said quietly. “I mean, I will if you need me, but I’m sorry, I’d like to be with my family.”
“Totally understandable. But let me offer you an alternative, which goes for any of you,” Melinda said, looking at each one of us. “I would be happy to fly your family here for Christmas and pay for their hotel suite. Santa Claus and his reindeer will be here handing out toys to good boys and girls, regardless of their age,” she winked at me for some reason, “and there will be all kinds of great stuff to do and see. And, Konani, you won’t have to cook a thing. I’m still hiring a temporary household crew for that week.”
“Mahalo nui loa!” Konani exclaimed and jumped into Melinda’s arms. “Thank you very much!”
“You’re very welcome,” Melinda said, patting her on the back. “Kate, would you mind arranging transportation for Konani’s family and reserving rooms at my father’s hotel for them?”
“I’d be happy to. Konani, how many rooms will I need to book?” Kate asked.
Konani counted on her fingers as she silently went through a list in her mind. She was up to twenty and I noticed Melinda’s eyes opening wider. I was too well trained to laugh out loud, but by the time Konani counted to thirty, I had to turn around and cough to cover my laughter.
“I’m just playing with you, Ms. Melinda. I only require two rooms. One for my mother, Akela, and one for my daughter Kalea and her two sons, Ikaia and Iokua.”
“You had me worried there for a minute, Konani,” Melinda laughed. “How old are the boys?”
“They’re twins and just turned ten,” she replied with a prideful smile.
“That’s a great age, and since you only need two rooms, your family is welcome to stay with us. We have plenty of room.”
“Oh, thank you. I would like to contribute to the festivities,” Konani said.
Melinda shook her head. “No. Nothing doing.”
“Part of my family’s Christmas tradition is to have a luau and gather everyone around. I would like to do that for you and Ms. Chris. And for my co-workers as well.”
“A luau? That sounds like fun,” Chris said as she walked in the door.
“Hey, baby,” Melinda said, as Chris walked over and stood beside her.
; I hid my smile at the way Melinda’s eyes lit up when Chris walked in, and the way Chris held her hand as if to recharge herself.
“So, what did I miss?” Chris asked.
Melinda explained everything and Chris listened intently, her smile growing wider, her eyes glistening. I would have thought she’d be upset, but instead, she was glowing. I was relieved.
Bah Humbug! – Melinda Blackstone-Livingston and George Kirk
“Hey, Blackie.”
“Hey, George. Where are you? It sounds like a plane taking off. Are you at the airport?” I asked.
“Yeah, I’m headed your way,” he said.
“Good deal. I’ll ask the maid to make up the guest room the way you like it. Lots of chocolate and champagne.”
“You are too good to me, Blackie,” he exclaimed.
“And don’t I know it, too,” I joked.
“Listen, Blackie. The reason I’m calling now, instead of waiting until I get there, is because I’m too much of a coward.”
“My parents said no, didn’t they?” It hurt, but it wasn’t a surprise. “Don’t worry about it, George. I knew they would.”
“I’m sorry, Blackie. I really am. I don’t think I impressed upon them how important it was. They don’t understand yet that you’ve changed, and with that change comes an understanding of your feelings. If I might be blunt, your father has never understood you and I don’t think he ever will.”
For George to say that took guts and showed me just how much he trusted me. A year ago, I would have ripped him a new one. “Like I said, don’t worry about it. I’d probably shit a brick if they said they were coming.”
“Well, at least you’ll have Chris and me there.”
“Oh, there will be a lot more than just us three there. The household staff will be there as our guests. I’m flying in Norma’s and Konani’s families, including grandkids. I hope you’re okay with that.”
“Uh…”
There was a long pause. “George?”
“Yeah, sure, just call me Uncle George,” he quipped.
“Good, and don’t worry, there’s a lock on the guestroom door,” I jested. “And with any luck, the Livingstons will be joining us on Christmas Day. I’m going over there today to talk with them. I’m not sure what I will say, since I promised Chris that I wouldn’t coerce anyone to change their plans. Coercion is my thing, and I’m good at it.”
Christmas Riches (Riches to Rags book 4) Page 3