Lewis leaned back in his seat, an amused expression on his face. “Your mall, huh? Are you particularly attached to this one?”
“Just answer the question, Mr. Hughes.”
Lewis’s mouth quirked up but he stared up at the ceiling for a minute before he answered. “It’s really Alice’s fault,” he said eventually. “Before college, when she told me she was going to take over The Glass Slipper when her mom retired, the idea of my own store just kind of popped into my brain. I knew that we’d be a force to be reckoned with if we ever joined forces, Alice and I, and I had this thing about fashion…”
“Had a thing for fashion?”
“Shut up, Wentworth.”
Adam picked up a spoon he’d forgotten to put in the dishwasher and polished it absently on the hem of his shirt. “So why ball gowns?”
Lewis grinned. “I get to see women come in my shop dressed in the drudgery of everyday life and walk out feeling beautiful. And most of them are. What’s not to like?”
He had a point there, Adam thought. “Have you ever thought about doing something else?”
“No.” Lewis’s answer was quick and confident. “Well… let me rephrase that. I’ve thought for a long time that Alice and I should take down the wall between our stores so they’d be connected. I was going to ask her, but then her mom died, and…” He made a dismissive gesture with his hand. “Mimi would never agree. She has the business sense of a marshmallow.”
“A Jet-Puffed one,” Adam muttered, and he shook his head to clear the image from his brain. “Do you have any regrets?”
Lewis opened his mouth but didn’t say anything. When he finally did his voice was wistful. “My dad’s never been thrilled by the idea of me selling gowns,” he said slowly, “and even though he was completely supportive when I opened the store, and still is, I could tell he was wishing I’d done something different. You know, something I could put our family name on, like my own law practice or bakery. He’s never said anything,” he added when Adam’s eyebrows rose again, this time in surprise. “He just always envisioned me doing something else, that’s all.”
“Why didn’t you name the store Hughes’s, then?”
Lewis snorted and then laughed. “Can you imagine buying a gown from a place called Hughes’s? It sounds like a place where you’d be buying clothes you’d be buried in.”
Adam smiled slightly and then leaned his elbows onto the table. The spoon clattered unnoticed to the floor. “I have a proposition for you,” he said, looking Lewis straight in the eye. “My purpose in coming to Michigan four months ago…”
***
The next morning, Adam stood next to his car and waved to Alice who was nowhere in sight. He knew she was up there, though. After all, he’d just finished giving her a proper farewell kiss, and he’d made it one she wouldn’t forget in the seven days he’d be gone. He grinned as he drove down the road. He could already tell it was going to be a splendid day. He was in love, getting rid of his rental car for good, and he had a ‘Plan Of Attack’ for the board meeting Monday morning.
What more could a man want?
“What do you think of this one?”
Whitney twirled around in the center of the family room and faced Alice. “I kind of like the other one better,” she said, glancing down at her poufy skirt. “I feel like I should be in a Disney movie with this one.”
“It is rather poufy,” Alice agreed, munching on a chocolate chip cookie.
“Can I come out now?” Lewis hollered from inside Alice’s room.
“No,” they both yelled back.
Indistinct muttering came from the closed door, and Alice grinned. “This is fun,” she said loud enough for Lewis to hear. “You look so hot in that. Lewis is going to eat his cummerbund when he sees you.”
There was a loud thud, and Whitney winced. “Should I go see if he’s all right?” she asked worriedly.
“Nah, he’s fine. He just has this thing against cummerbunds. He probably crashed against the door and is curled up in a little ball on the floor, clutching his tuxedo vest to his chest like a security blanket.”
“I heard that!”
Whitney looked like she couldn’t decide whether to laugh or not, so she just covered her mouth and fled to her own room to change. When she re-emerged, Alice let out a low whistle. “That’s the one,” she said, standing up and circling around her friend. “You’re breathtaking. It makes you look like… well, just beautiful.”
Whitney’s cheeks reddened a few shades and she smoothed down her skirts. “You really think so?”
“I know so. Now go change before Lewis gnaws down my door.
As soon as Whitney was safely out of sight, Alice let Lewis out. His eyes were a little wild as he followed her down the hall. “You weren’t serious about the cummerbund thing, were you?”
“Since when have I had any control over your wardrobe?”
That seemed to sober him up a little. “Never.”
“There you go.”
They sat on the couch for a minute, listening to the rain beat against the window. “Why’d you even suggest that puffball dress?” Alice asked. “You had to know it was horrid.”
“I don’t sell horrid.” Adam looked like he was going to argue, but sank back instead, deflated. “I was just giving her options, that’s all.”
“You mean you wanted to make sure she wore the gown you chose so you gave her a terrible alternative.”
“You can’t prove that in a court of law.”
Alice shoved him lightly. “Jerk. You know she wouldn’t question your judgment.”
“I know that, and you know that, but I want her to know she always has a choice.”
Alice leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’re a good man, Lewis. Whitney’s a lucky girl.”
He pretended to inspect his fingernails. “That she is.” He cleared his throat but didn’t look up, and when he spoke his voice was deceptively casual. “Have you figured out which shoes you’re going to wear with your gown?”
Alice sighed and curled her feet underneath her. “No, Mr. Cryptic. I haven’t.”
“Would you like to hear my opinion?”
“I don’t know,” she replied tartly. “It hardly seems fair, since I can’t tell you what to wear.”
“I’m not telling, Alice, I’m suggesting. I was thinking this would be a great time to wear The Slippers.”
Alice didn’t have to ask him which ones he meant. In her shop, there was only one pair that deserved capitals–even in speech.
“No. I’m saving those for my wedding day.”
Lewis ran a finger over his chin thoughtfully. “This could be almost as important, don’t you think?”
“As my wedding? You can’t be serious.”
“I’m very serious.”
Lewis looked at her steadily, and she could feel her resolve slip a little–but only a little. “No,” she said with finality. “And I don’t care that they’re the perfect shade for my dre–gown.”
“They couldn’t be more perfect. The way the material of that gown changes color in the light, from gray to silver to light purple…” His eyes got a familiar, far-away look. “The shoes do the same thing, you know. I’ve studied them.”
Lewis shrugged when she didn’t say anything and stood up as Whitney entered the room. “I’m just saying, Alice. Your gown and those slippers are meant to be together. Kind of like Whitney and me. Or like you and Adam. Just think about it, okay?”
Alice’s eyes wandered to the picture of her mother resting on the bookshelf. “I’ll think about it.”
“Oh, and Alice?”
“Yeah?”
“Your new table display puts your mother’s to shame. You should be proud of yourself.”
The table display had been getting a lot of attention, and a fair number of dancing slippers had been sold after women had seen the small figure resembling a fairy godmother, complete with magic wand, producing a pair of exquisite shoes on the table in front o
f her. “Thanks.”
“All it needs is a stunning ball gown thrown over her shoulder to pair it up with…” Lewis ducked, just barely missing the pillow Alice threw at him. She laughed as she shook her finger in his direction.
A few hours later, Alice was starting to feel like an unwanted chaperone, so when her cell phone rang, she pounced on it like it was going to save her. “Hello?”
She felt slightly deflated when a cheerful woman’s voice spoke. “Hi, is this Alice Riverton?”
“Yeah, this is Alice.”
“This is Lucy. I hope I’m not calling at a bad time.”
Lucy! She’d been wondering–at least, she had before Adam had told her he was leaving for a week–if she’d found any information on the mysterious Harold who’d called the shop while she was shopping with Lewis. “Not at all,” she said, wandering into the kitchen. “What’s up?”
“I think I’ve found your Harold. His last name’s Tooey, and his nurse said he’s been yammering on about his girlfriend, Anna Nichole Smith, so I figured it’s probably the same guy.”
“You’re a genius.” Alice grinned and grabbed a pencil. “Do you have the address?”
Lucy hesitated before her words came rushing out. “Yeah, but I was kind of hoping I could come with you. It’s my day off, and it’s raining, and I have experience with older people, and I really love a good mystery, and–”
Alice laughed. “You can come,” she said, feeling slightly more optimistic than she had since Adam’s car had pulled out of the driveway that morning. “Give me directions and I’ll come pick you up.”
Half an hour later, Alice and Lucy were zipping down the road. Lucy was talking almost as fast as the windshield wipers were flashing across the glass. “…and then he threw his teeth at poor Mrs. Margory and told her he didn’t want to be married to her anymore!”
“Let me guess,” Alice said as she swerved around a car double-parked in front of the police station. “They’re not married anyway.”
Lucy giggled and shook her head. “Take a right at the light and it should be just up the road.”
The assisted living center they walked into was nicer than Alice had expected. “When I’m old and senile,” she whispered to Lucy, “I think I want to live here.”
Grinning, Lucy steered her down a hall. “You and me both. This is one of the nicest facilities in mid-Michigan. I’ve been trying to get hired on here for months.” She knocked on a door and a voice called out, “Come on in.”
A young woman with a long black ponytail stood as they entered the small office, and she hugged Lucy with obvious affection. “Hey, Sonya,” Lucy said. “Thanks for your help this morning. This is Alice, the girl I was telling you about.”
Sonya was about to extend her hand to Alice when a short man with merry, bright eyes popped his head into the room. “Sonya,” he murmured apologetically. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but Mrs. Rees is trying to move out.”
“Again?” Sonya sighed and shook her head before scribbling a number on a piece of paper. “Here’s Harold’s room number. I’ll be by when I can.” Then she strode out of the room, muttering something that sounded like, “the third time this month…” under her breath.
Alice blinked at Lucy a few times, trying to figure out what was going on.
A throat cleared behind them and Alice’s eyes flew to the door. “And I,” the man said, “am Johnny Evers. It’s a pleasure to meet such lovely young ladies.”
Alice watched in amusement as Johnny grasped Lucy’s hand and brought it to his lips. Lucy giggled and blushed. “You must be the resident charmer,” she said. “Sonya tells me half the women here are in love with you.”
“It doesn’t hurt that I have a very healthy bank account.” Johnny’s eyes twinkled and the lines around them deepened as he laughed.
“I’m sure they love you for your charming personality. I’m Lucy, by the way, and this is Alice.”
Johnny shook Alice’s hand and smiled at her. “I’m so glad to make your acquaintance. Who are you here to see? Perhaps I can be of assistance.”
A few minutes later, Lucy and Alice were walking beside him through the halls. Most of the people they passed waved, and a few even blew kisses in Johnny’s direction. “You’re very popular,” Alice noted.
He shrugged in a self-deprecating way. “Most of the people here are just lonely, and I’m able to get around and make friends.”
“How’d you end up here, anyway?” Lucy asked.
“My children took away my keys after I had an incident with the curb and the bottom of my car. I could have just gone out and purchased another one, but I don’t see very well at night anymore and didn’t want to do anything rash “
“Were you hurt?”
Johnny laughed. “Just my pride. There were times where I’d roll up on the curb on purpose when I was younger, just to be a nuisance, but never by accident. I love to drive, though. If I could get my hands on a good set of wheels just one more time…” Johnny shook his head and smiled ruefully. “Anyway. I learned not too long after my wife passed away that I can’t cook, so I checked myself in and haven’t looked back.”
“I’m glad it didn’t take you burning down the house to make that decision,” Alice told him.
“You and me both. The only thing I haven’t been able to do since I’ve been here is convince the shuttle driver that I can take her bus for a spin, but I’m wearing her down.” He stopped in front of a door and winked. “Good luck with Harold. He’s been a little grumpy lately.” He knocked once and pushed it open with a flourish.
The first thing Alice saw when she stared into the dim room was the useful end of a cane, and she stumbled back into Lucy to get out of its range. “Hello, Mr. Tooey,” Lucy said, a bright smile plastered on her face. “My name’s Lucy. We spoke this morning.”
The end of the cane slowly lowered to the ground, and the man behind it glowered at Johnny. “Figures that you’d be here. You won’t be able to steal my women,” he said before turning around and moving toward the window. “Get out of here, Johnny Evers. You don’t even deserve the name.”
After Johnny made his escape, Lucy started talking about random things, and Harold slowly began to lose a little of his bristle. Alice, meanwhile, wandered around the room. “You don’t have any pictures in here,” she said when Lucy had stopped to take a much needed breath. “Do you have any kids?”
Harold scowled at her. “Do you always ask rude questions?”
“You don’t have to answer.”
“Then why’d you ask in the first place?”
“Because I wanted to know. I’m going to ask another one, so prepare yourself.” She stared at Harold, daring him to…well, she didn’t know what exactly she was daring him to do. Hopefully not hit her in the shins with his cane.
A strange sort of respect glimmered in Harold’s beady eyes. “I might not tell you anything.”
“That’s your prerogative. Why’d you call The Glass Slipper?”
That made Harold narrow his eyes at her. “Do you work there?”
“Yes.”
He grunted and made his way toward the television, poking his cane at the buttons to turn it on. The sound blared out of it, making Alice wince, but Harold just squirmed into an over-stuffed chair.
“Then you know Anna.” His voice grew distant. “A wonderful woman, that Anna. I wish she didn’t always have to leave when she comes to see me.”
“What does she look like?” Lucy’s voice was over-eager, but Harold didn’t seem to notice.
“She’s a looker, that’s for sure. And tall, too. Just the right height for me to see what she has to offer.”
Alice winced. “How did you find out that she works at The Glass Slipper?”
“She told me. Showed me the sandals she’d just bought there. Red with high heels. Kind of made my blood pressure raise a little.”
Red and white high-heeled shoes… Alice knew those were a dime a dozen, but she could have sworn she’d s
een a pair not too long ago. Alice came out of her shoe-induced trance when Harold banged his cane on the floor.
“Hey! You! Are you spacing out on me? And they say I’m the one with the senility problem,” he muttered to Lucy, who tried not to laugh.
“Do you remember anything in particular about those shoes, Mr. Tooey?”
He glared at her suspiciously. “They were red. Bright red, with heels that were about this long.” He spread his hands out about two feet and cackled when he saw the look on Alice’s face. “Well, it seemed like it. And they had a shiny thing on the side.”
“What color hair does Anna have, Harold?” Lucy leaned over to turn the volume down on the television, but scurried away when Harold raised his cane threateningly.
“Since when are we on a first-name basis? Her hair’s red, just the way I like it. Although I think it might be colored; sometimes I see some blonde underneath. Now, my show’s about to come on, so skedaddle.” He looked at the door pointedly, and then turned his back on them with a huff.
Lucy looked at Alice and raised her eyebrows, but all Alice could do in response was shrug. “Thanks for your help.”
He didn’t even glance up at them. “Tell Anna that I said…” He paused before smirking to himself. “Tell her that I appreciated her visit a few days ago and I’ll be more prepared next time.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Cackling, he started switching channels with his cane. “You’re too young to hear that, missy. And for your information,” he added, turning to Alice suddenly, “I don’t have any kids. Never wanted one. They’re all cheeky, disrespectful little whippersnappers who don’t know their place.”
That sounded like what he’d told Lexie when he’d called the shop. “I’ll try to keep that in mind before I decide to sustain the population,” Alice said drily. “Can we get you the remote before we go?”
He didn’t even glance at them. “Remote controls are for sissies.”
Johnny was waiting for them in the hall. He looked faintly apologetic. “How was he?”
Lucy lifted a shoulder and took a notebook out of her purse. “I’ve seen worse. He really seems to think he has a girlfriend named Anna Nichole Smith who works at your shop, Alice. Are you sure you don’t have any new hires?”
Alice in Glass Slippers Page 29