by Regina Duke
“But before I left for New York, the bank said—”
Mina shook her head, dismissing the bank. “Harold and I went to school together. He never forgave me for refusing to wear his ring. I was young and silly, and he had very bad acne, and that’s all I could see back then. How was I to know he’d grow up, get his skin treated, and become the president of the local bank? Anyway, I’m not worried about his refusal to help.” She poured more coffee and pushed the cookie plate toward Madlyn. “I write that off as hurt feelings from years ago. There are other options.”
“There are?” Madlyn took an iced sugar cookie. If she was giving up on men, what did a few pounds matter?
“Good heavens, yes,” said Mina. “The universe is full of options. The Lord just hasn’t shown them to us yet. We’ll stay positive and keep working hard while we wait for them to be revealed.”
Madlyn’s smile was genuine this time. “You amaze me,” she said. “So, while we’re waiting for the big reveal, where do we display all our new inventory?”
Mina took a pen from her purse and unfolded a paper napkin. “I was just talking to Ashley Garrison about that very problem. She had a great idea. She thinks we should use part of our gallery space to promote the boutique clothing to the art crowd. Since she had little Odin, she’s become very interested in children’s clothes and accessories, and she thinks we should include a toddler’s corner. She wants to encourage her son’s artistic bent, and with all the new money moving into Eagle’s Toe, she thinks they’ll come to the gallery looking for something to hang on the walls, then come back for clothes for themselves and their kids.”
“But we don’t carry many kid’s things,” said Madlyn.
“Yet,” corrected Mina. She busied herself with drawing a rough sketch of the gallery floor space. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of this myself. See how much space we have in the gallery?” She jotted down the dimensions. “Ashley thinks we can do wonders with the window displays, too. She and Thor have invited us both to Thanksgiving dinner. We can make our plans over turkey and mashed potatoes.”
Madlyn nodded and nibbled at her cookie as she listened to Mina’s plans. It all sounded exciting and doable and as Mina’s right-hand manager, she knew she would be in the thick of things.
It might almost be enough to push the images of Kirby’s face to the back of her mind.
Mina wasn’t going to let her off that easily. “Come on, quick, tell me about your trip. Did you meet anyone new?”
Madlyn shrugged. “Everyone was new to me, except for Vicky and Jason.”
“You know what I mean. You said every man you meet is a liar. That sounds to me like you met a new one in New York. A man, not a liar.”
Madlyn smiled sadly. “Yes. His name is Kirby. But I’m not sure it’s going to turn into anything.”
A customer knocked on the door and tapped at her watch to indicate it was past time to open the shop.
“Tell me later,” whispered Mina, before she ran to unlock the door.
Eight days later…Wednesday, December 2nd
Madlyn forced herself to concentrate on Mina’s plans which helped her get through the next week without falling apart. Everyone in the shop was working overtime, getting ready for the Old Town Christmas festival. Madlyn usually loved Christmas, but this year it held no attraction for her at all. Her nights at home alone were not easy. And Vicky was still way too busy with the aftermath of Maria’s wedding to spare much time for talking things over. Maria and Ray were now visiting at the Darby home, and Vicky was busy helping with the sightseeing and all that goes with having a family visit.
After an especially difficult evening, watching old movies and pigging out on ice cream, Madlyn dragged through her work day, out of sorts and crabby.
When Mina finally closed for the day, she pulled Madlyn into the back room where she had tea and cookies waiting on a little table. “Sit down and talk to me while I put these garments away,” she commanded. “What is going on?”
“Mina, I’m so confused. I thought Kirby was the perfect guy for me. Working class. Funny. And so good looking.” She sighed dreamily. “Then he disappeared without a word before the wedding. Didn’t even say goodbye.”
“I remember. You told me that part. I thought you were getting over your disappointment.”
“Did I mention the part where I found out he’s the brother of the groom? The billionaire groom. Vicky told me Kirby doesn’t inherit. But that Vanessa woman wants to marry him because she says he’s worth billions.” She slumped in her chair and flung her head back to stare at the ceiling. “It’s a total disaster, and I don’t know what to do about it.”
Mina wrangled with a hangar and a recalcitrant blouse. “Yes, I can see what a disaster that must be. Devastatingly handsome, funny, charming, and then the coup-de-grace: all that money. A deal breaker for sure.” She shook her head. “Tragic.”
“You’re making fun of me.” Madlyn’s voice was garbled because she was still stretching her neck over the back of the chair at an improbable angle.
“Of course I am.” Mina gave up on the blouse and hangar. “You’re being silly.” She began folding sweaters.
Madlyn sat up, trying to hide her hurt feelings. “I thought you’d understand.”
Mina softened her tone. “Madz, I know you think he was being less than honest with you, but any sane woman would give a man like that a second chance. Maybe there was a reason for his charade. Maybe he was giving his friend the chance to be rich for a day or two. You mentioned that you thought Brewster even looked the part, right? Why rush to judgment? As for that Vanessa woman, from everything you’ve told me so far, she was so jealous of you, she couldn’t see straight. And who wouldn’t be? Look at you! Your hair is fabulously red, you’re cute as a button, and you have a wild flair for fashion. Trust me. Your friend Kirby had a very good reason for pretending to be the chauffeur, and I’m sure something terrible must have happened if he didn’t even say goodbye.”
Madlyn’s expression brightened hopefully. “Do you think? Oh, if only that were true. The reason part, not the terrible part. But in that case, why hasn’t he called to explain it to me? Vicky thought he must have a good reason to leave, too, but his own stepbrother had no idea where he went.” Her hope fled.
“You said he missed the wedding? Left without a word?”
Madlyn nodded glumly.
Mina wagged a finger at her. “Mark my words, something major happened in that man’s life. You don't miss your brother’s wedding over a trivial matter.”
“But what could it be?”
Mina set the pile of sweaters on an ironing board and propped her hands on her hips. “I declare, I thought you had more brains than this. Wait, I forgot. Your hormones are raging. That always cancels out clear thinking.”
“Mina!”
“Well, it’s true, dear. Not your fault. You should call him and straighten this all out. Don’t let him be that one man you spend the rest of your life wondering about.” She pinned Madlyn with a meaningful look. “Trust me. You’ll never forgive yourself if you don’t find out how he really feels and why he pretended to be a chauffeur and why he disappeared the day before the wedding.”
Madlyn looked away and said with a pout, “I don’t have his phone number.”
Mina took out her cell. “No, but I’ll bet Vicky does. And if she doesn’t, she can get it for you in a hot minute. Aren’t Maria and Ray staying at the Darby mansion for a few days?” She thrust her phone at Madlyn.
Madlyn took it but still looked miserable. “She’s probably too busy for my problems. Jason keeps her hopping, doing all those committee meetings and hosting his rich friends and business partners.”
Mina’s tone rose with the realization of what Madlyn’s real problem was. “I see. You think you have less time to spend with your friend because she’s married to a billionaire. Honey, I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but Jason’s money has nothing to do with it.” She settled on the chair opposite M
adlyn and broke one of the cookies in half. She jabbed one half in the air to emphasize what she was saying. “When a woman gets married, she naturally spends time with her husband. Vicky is busy because she wants to be involved in Jason’s affairs. And they’re a team now. It doesn’t mean she wants to shut you out. They’ve only been married a couple of years. The fire is still burning very bright.” She leaned across the table and lowered her voice. “On top of that, isn’t Vicky’s mother spending a lot of time with them now? She’s been helping out with Jason’s grandmother, Dolores. They’ve become such good friends. I’m certainly grateful for that.”
“Me too, come to think of it.” Madlyn fingered her coffee mug. “That first year Vicky was married, you were spending several hours a week taking care of Dolores while Jason got her medications straightened out. I’ll never forget. That was my Manager’s Baptism of Fire.”
Mina nodded. “If it hadn’t been for you, the boutique would have gone under that year. But you saved my shop, and Ashley Garrison told me you were helping out at the gallery as well.” She smiled in gratitude, then added, “So you see, Jason’s wealth isn’t the villain here. If this Kirby fellow turns out to be poor as a church mouse, he’ll find lots of work here in Eagle’s Toe. But if he’s rich, you shouldn’t turn your back on him just because he might actually have enough money keep you from having to work for other people your whole life. I love you, Madlyn, and I would like nothing better than to know you’d found a wonderful man who could take care of you in the best possible fashion, and fund your dreams besides.”
Madlyn was not accustomed to heartfelt displays from Mina. She felt tears building behind her eyelids. “So what do you suggest I do? About Vicky? And about Kirby?”
“Well, you could go back to the way things were before Vicky returned to Eagle’s Toe. Or you can fight fire with fire. Go after this wonderful man you’ve met. Married couples tend to hang out with other married couples. You’ll have all sorts of reasons to spend time with Vicky.” She popped half a cookie in her mouth.
Madlyn rubbed a finger across the screen of the phone. “That just might work. But I’ll use my own phone. It would be just like Kirby to call back on your number and I’ve got enough competition for him as it is.”
Mina chuckled around a mouthful of cookie, then blushed and swallowed. She glanced around the empty shop where her three Siamese cats had already begun their nightly sweep for rodents. “Good thing it’s after hours,” she said. “If our customers heard us plotting away, who knows what they might think.” She stood up and slipped her phone back in the pocket of her long skirt. “And as for these new blouses, I think we should display them on a table. They look great on a woman’s body, but they’re a mess on the hangar.”
Madlyn gathered up her things just in time to hear her cell ringing in her purse. She pulled it out and glanced at the screen. “It’s Vicky! It’s like she knows I’m thinking about her. Do you think she has the place bugged?”
Mina laughed. “Lock up when you leave.”
“I will.” Madlyn answered the phone. “Hi, Vicky. I was just thinking about you.”
“Ditto,” said Vicky. “I know how devastated you were when Kirby disappeared before the wedding. He called to talk to Ray this evening, and I wanted to let you know what’s going on.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Thursday morning, December 3rd
Kirby lay in the middle of the huge bed and wondered if it was handmade. His wandering lifestyle had taught him that hotels sported Kings and Queens, but this particular bed, with its massive carved headboard and glorious lion’s feet, must surely be an Emperor, at the very least.
He lifted the sheet and let the air billow beneath it. Enough satin to cover Manhattan. Or maybe even Colorado. His heart ached with regret at not hearing from Madlyn. He’d been sure that once she knew why he had to leave so suddenly, she would’ve called. But she didn’t. Shortly after his arrival in the city, his own life had been turned upside down. By the time he’d had a chance to call the bed and breakfast, she and Vicky were on their way home. If he hadn’t been so grief stricken, he’d have found a way to get hold of her.
He dropped the sheet and contemplated getting out of bed.
His Uncle Kirby’s funeral had been very difficult. Thanks to Brewster, Kirby had returned to Manhattan in time to say goodbye, although at the time, he hadn’t realized that was what he was doing. The memory of that last visit had him pulling the satin sheet up around his chin.
Uncle Kirby’s voice had sounded stronger than he’d heard it in months. “Brewster? Is that you? Did you get tired of following my namesake around the world?”
The attending nurse leaned close and said, “He’s rallied a bit since the doctor called you.”
Brewster smiled at her. “Thank you. It’s good to see.” He went to sit on the chair next to the hospital bed that seemed comically small in the penthouse’s huge master suite. He waved Kirby closer and spoke to his employer. “Mr. Banks, sir, I’ve brought young Kirby, as you requested.”
Kirby’d felt hopeful, seeing the color in his uncle’s cheeks and the sparkle in his watery blue eyes. “Uncle, you clever man. You had me thinking you were fading fast, when obviously this was just a ploy to get me out of Ray’s wedding.”
Kirby the Elder laughed and almost managed to keep from coughing at the end of it. “Why should your stepbrother get all the attention? I saw you first.” He patted the edge of the bed.
Kirby sat and took his uncle’s hand. “I’m so happy to be here instead of at the Manse.”
Uncle Kirby made a rude sound. “Why can’t they call it a house, like other people? It’s just a big fancy house.” He squeezed Kirby’s hand as he repeated the comfortable phrases they always exchanged when greeting each other. “And how is my Pearl? Sorry, Brew. She’s your Pearl now, isn’t she?”
Brewster’s eyes crinkled at the corners and shone brightly. His voice, however, was somber. “She’s quite well, sir. She’s in the kitchen, saying hello to old friends. Would you like to see her?”
Uncle Kirby shook his head. “Plenty of time for that in the morning,” he said. “Goodness knows I’ll need a night’s rest before chasing her around the room.”
Kirby grinned. “She’s a delight, Uncle. She keeps us laughing.”
“Good. That’s good.” Uncle Kirby looked from one to the other. “You both know why I sent Brewster to take care of you. This morning I thought my time had come, and so did the doctor, so we sent for you.”
Kirby patted his uncle’s hand. “I’m glad to see he was wrong.”
Brewster and Uncle Kirby shared a glance. Then Uncle Kirby said, “Next time, he may be right. So I wanted you both to hear this at the same time. Brewster knows where my safe is, and he knows the combination. I also know that he shared that information with you. A wise precaution. Some morning, I will not wake up. When that happens, the two of you will go to the safe and open it. Inside you’ll find everything you need with regard to all of this.” He lifted his free hand to wave feebly at the room around them. “Penthouse. Properties. Investments. All of it. Lawyers, bankers, CPAs, it’s all there. Brewster knows everything.” He fell silent, as if he’d run out of air and energy at the same moment.
Kirby said gently, “Can I get you anything, Uncle?”
The old man squeezed his hand again. “This is all I want.” His voice was weaker now. He’d used up his strength issuing directions about the safe. His eyes closed for a few seconds. When he opened them again, a tear escaped. “I’ll see your mother soon. Wish she was here now. But soon…soon…. Loved her like my own. Love you.” Every word took more of an effort.
“I love you, too, Uncle Kirby. You’re the best Kirby ever.” Another shared memory from their mutual cache of memories.
Uncle Kirby smiled. When he spoke, his lips moved but his voice was no more than a whisper. “No, you…you’re the best….”
Kirby pulled his uncle’s hand to his lips and kissed the burly knuckles.
They sat there, the three of them, for half an hour, until Uncle Kirby fell asleep.
Looking back on it now, Kirby realized that everyone else in the house knew that his uncle would not survive the night. Brewster had said nothing. He’d wanted Kirby to have those last few hours of hope before waking to the news that his uncle had passed.
Brewster had stayed by Uncle’s bedside, but Kirby hadn’t learned that until days later. He didn’t mind. He was glad for the two old friends. Employer and employee wasn’t an adequate description of their long years in each other’s company.
Ray and Maria sent flowers and condolences.
Together, he and Brewster had opened the safe, and the full import of his uncle’s passing was made clear.
All his life, Kirby had known that he and his mother were not really Forbes material. But thanks to his mother’s uncle, Kirby had never truly felt inferior. Daddy Forbes doted on Ray, but Kirby had still gone to the best schools, worn the nicest clothes, and owned the fastest horses. When he opened his uncle’s safe, he discovered the source of those benefits.
The days after the funeral were spent trying to get his mind around how wealthy he’d become. He and Brewster both, for his uncle had seen to the security of his faithful retainer as well.
Now here he was in what was once his uncle’s enormous bed, staring at the elaborately decorated ceiling in the New York City penthouse he now owned. And all he could think about as the cloud of grief began to dissipate was a pert and sassy Colorado redhead, and how much she disdained the rich.
A soft rapping at the door interrupted his daydreaming.
“Come in.”
Brewster appeared, followed by a glum middle-aged woman with a breakfast tray.
“Oh gee, you don’t have to bring my breakfast.”
She set the tray across his lap. “Are you firing me, then?”
Kirby was horrified. “No, of course not!
She nodded once. “Good. This is my job. Enjoy.” She turned and left.
Kirby stared wide-eyed at her departing back. Once the door closed, he burst out laughing, but quickly covered his mouth so the woman wouldn’t hear him.