Authors: Samantha Lovern
The last couple of nights it had been in the fifties and tonight it was supposed to dip down to forty-five so she decided to dress warmer. Celia liked the house to be kept close to seventy-four and for Randi’s body that was just a bit on the cold side.
She was just about to slip into bed when she thought about the tree. Would they want to keep it burning all night? She doubted it would be a fire hazard. Still, she thought she should unplug it. When she walked out of her room she immediately heard voices.
Slowly she walked toward the great room. There stood a man and woman, and they weren’t talking very loud. She guessed that maybe she would finally get a glimpse of the famous Mr. Taylor. Who else would be up at this time of night?
With the kitchen lights out she could stand in the doorway and not be seen easily. She could look across the entryway into the great room and see the shoulder of a woman standing in front of the tree. After a moment she moved and Randi bit her lip. It was Celia. She hoped she wouldn’t get chastised for leaving the tree plugged in.
Randi eased back against the wall, watching, hoping to see who she was talking to. After a few moments she gave up. As she started to turn and go two things happened: the refrigerator kicked off, and Celia raised her voice.
Now that she could understand the woman she decided to stay. She strained her hearing and made out what Celia was saying with ease.
“I don’t understand. You need to give me a better explanation. You're pulling back, but why?”
When the man spoke, Randi froze and she strained to hear what he was saying. But his voice wasn’t raised. He was speaking in a calm tone. Though she could barely hear the man she was sure it was Mike, and seconds later, as he stepped out and around Celia, she didn’t have to wonder anymore.
Her heart melted a bit at the sight of him. He was dressed in a white shirt, brown slacks and was carrying a brown jacket. He started to walk out, but Celia placed her hand on his arm. Mike turned, looking at her. Randi couldn’t understand what he said, but as Mike pulled away from Celia and shook his head no, Randi had seen all she needed to.
She slipped back a few steps and before anyone could see her she went to her room. As she slipped into her bed she wondered if Mike would be leaving Celia if she hadn’t come into his life.
There would be no answer to that question, but she did have to wonder if she was doing the right thing. Mike was leaving another woman, maybe for her.
A part of her was relieved that he was telling the truth and a little excited because, right or wrong, she was beginning to have feelings for him. Only time would tell if anything would ever come of it or not. She hoped that when all was said and done that she didn’t end up alone and broken-hearted come Christmas morning.
Chapter 20
Supplies
“Don’t tell me you’ve given up on your contacts already?” Ann asked as she set a large box down on the kitchen table in front of Emma. The box was filled with special needs items for Celia’s family. Time was closing in on getting things ready for the party, so Emma rose and began to go through the box.
“I don’t have time to adjust to anything new right now, so yes, the contacts are back in their cute little box and I’m wearing my old faithful glasses. Is this everything? I don’t see the—”
“No it’s not everything. There are two more boxes in the back of my car. I just couldn’t carry it all, but I got everything on the list.”
“Good. I want to have everything in its place first thing in the morning. The family will start coming in tomorrow night. I’m really dreading this and I’m getting too old for this kind of stress.”
“Oh, Emma, don’t let it get you down. You’ve covered all the bases, you’ve filled the list, now just sit back and let the rest of us take care of the details.”
Emma began placing the items in the cabinets, shaking her head. “I wish I could. But I’m a hands-on kind of girl, and I just can’t turn over the control. Just ask my husband.” Emma laughed. “On second thought, don’t ask him.”
“I know what he’d say. I’ve lived with you all my life.” Ann moved around the kitchen and pulled the box closer to the edge where she could reach it better. She started setting the items on the table, and Emma reached and put them in the correct cabinet.
“Ah yes, my poor husband puts up with a lot, but he’s not perfect either.”
“Speaking of husbands or close to it,” Ann began, “Miss Celia didn’t look very happy when she slammed out the front door this morning.”
“Did she really slam the door?” Emma asked.
“Yes, she did. I’d been here about an hour when it happened.”
“She’s not good at hiding her emotions. This could be a very interesting dinner.” Emma smiled as she placed the rest of the dietary foods into the cabinet by the sink.
A few seconds later Ann spoke. “I know you won’t gossip, but can you give me a clue of what to say or not to say? I know with the family coming in, things are going to get . . . strained, to say the least.”
Emma took out the regular sugar, filled up the bowl, and reached it to Ann. She did the same thing for the sugar substitute. “Here, place this one next to it, please.” Ann took the new yellow sugar bowl and waited.
Martin was gone and so was Celia, so it was safe to talk. “I will say something is going on. I don’t know what for certain. Martin and Celia are having issues but it seems the party is still on.”
“All couples have problems, but I couldn’t help but notice he’s sleeping downstairs, and you did ask me to move his things.”
“I know. I hated to do that, but I was just too busy.” Emma shrugged. “And as far as gossip goes, the help always knows when something is going on.”
“Right we just know better than to mention it.” Ann and Emma laughed.
“You got that one right, and only time will tell what will come of it. I must add, it could only be the fact his mother is coming.”
“That’s right. She’s really old-fashioned, isn’t she?”
“That she is, and Martin has great respect for his mother and would never sleep with a woman, any woman, while his mother is under the same roof. That could have something to do with the move.”
“Wow, he’s a real gentleman.”
“So it would appear.” Emma recalled what she’d heard and seen. If he were a gentleman would he be putting the moves on his live-in maid while still having a fling with Celia? It also looked like he was keeping his identity hidden from Randi. That wasn’t like her employer at all.
Emma let her mind wander over the facts as Ann went to get the other boxes. When she came back they picked up where they had left off. “I’ve not worked for anyone else in two years. I can say Martin may not be perfect, but he will respect his mother’s wishes and he’ll be a perfect gentleman while she’s here.”
“That makes me admire him. Where do I put the diet sodas?” Ann turned, pointing to the cans.
“Go ahead and put about four of each in the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, and the rest in the pantry.” Emma stepped back. “And when you’re done, will you put these in the upstairs bathrooms where the guests can easily find them? Place a card on each bed also.” Emma pushed the box of antibacterial soap and a stack of envelopes toward Ann.
“Will do.” They were both quiet as Ann finished putting away the sodas. Emma emptied the last two boxes, and then started to head out to the garage.
“These cards, do they go in all of the rooms, even Celia’s?” Ann placed the envelopes in the box and waited.
Emma shook her head no and turned, holding a bag of trash. “No just the guests' rooms. Those are cards I bought, with a small print out of what the guests can expect. The times for dinner and the exchange of gifts, directions for what to do with dirty clothes, and what the procedure is if they need anything while they’re here.”
“That was nice of you. Or did Celia come up with that too?”
“No, that was my idea, but she did approve. I find that it makes things go a bit easier if the guests feel at home. This way they don’t have to feel embarrassed if they run out of toilet paper, or if they need an extra blanket.”
Ann laughed as she picked up the boxes. “That would be embarrassing. You’re great at this job. You think of everything.”
With that, Ann left the room. Emma turned, watching her go. If only Ann was right. Emma knew how to handle the small issues. The comfort of her guests, the planning of a good meal -- These things are a breeze.
What she didn’t know was, Where do I draw the line between helping one of my maids see the truth, and keeping my nose out of the boss' business?
Chapter 21
Shopping
Monday, around seven p.m., Martin stepped out of Stanton’s Jewelry and knew he was finally finished with his Christmas shopping. Thankfully, he’d done most of his shopping online. The majority of the gifts were at the house, wrapped and ready to be put under the tree. But the gift he’d bought Celia earlier in the month had now been returned to the jewelry store.
He'd replaced the Emerald ring with a 14k-gold necklace. Celia had hinted over and over that she wanted the ring, even picked it out, but it was wrong to buy her any kind of ring when he wasn’t ready to be engaged. It wasn’t that he’d meant to mislead her. It was more of a mistake on his part about his own feelings.
He’d wanted to be in love, wanted to have it all, a family, a wife, but it wasn’t to be. At least it wasn’t going to happen with Celia. The gold was in the small bag by his side. He had other gifts for Celia at the house, but the ring would have been his big gift to her.
He knew the time with his family would be enjoyable, but the rest of it would be just something to endure. Once the holidays were over he’d ask Celia to move out, and try to make her see that he wasn’t just stringing her along all this time.
Martin laughed when he thought about all of the money he’d spent on Celia over the last few months. Her feelings might be hurt, but she couldn’t complain that he’d used her and give her nothing in return. He’d spent lots of dough on that one, but he didn’t regret it. They had enjoyed each other’s company at times, but what they shared just wasn’t enough.
Thankfully, money wasn’t an object now, and no matter who he was dating he would lavish them with gifts. Women loved being pampered and Martin loved the fact that he was able to afford nice gifts for the women in his life and his family.
As he sat at the light he looked at the second bag on the seat, and a smile came to his lips. He hadn’t been able to resist the Jack Russell set, earrings, pin, and necklace he’d found at the jewelry counter.
The dog’s head was tilted to the left and the body of the dog was solid sterling silver plated in 14k gold. It sparkled with Swarovski crystals and shone like new money.
It had set him back close to two hundred dollars and he only hoped that Randi would accept the gift. She loved dogs, and he was sure she would love the set. He couldn’t wait to see her face.
He knew he was taking chances, not telling the truth, but he hoped once she knew who he was, she might understand why he’d delayed telling the truth. No matter. If everything was going to hit the fan, why not at least try to show he cared with a nice gift?
When both of the families started arriving she would find out, so he was mulling it over in his mind when he should tell her. Maybe right after he gave her the gift would be a good time. He hadn’t felt so nervous about anything in years and he hoped that was a sign his feelings for her were more than puppy love.
Now that his shopping was complete Martin had one more errand to run. He needed to return the script to Bill. He turned south on Maple, made a right onto Eighth, and drove into the garage.
He climbed out, locked his items in the trunk, took the script, and went to apartment 501. After a couple of taps on the door Bill answered. “Ah, Martin, come in. I’ll be off the phone in a few minutes.”
The apartment was spotless, and Martin was not surprised when Bill locked the door behind him, two dead bolts and a chain. He was a safety-conscious person, Martin guessed, and this was L.A., after all.
The phone conversation didn’t last long, and though he tried not to listen, it wasn’t easy. Martin paced, looked out the window, and then sat down. A couple of presents were in the process of being wrapped and sitting on the kitchen table. Tape, scissors and paper were scattered around.
Bill’s wife was out of town, but they were making plans to spend Christmas together. Martin was going to invite Bill to the party today, but from what he overheard, the plans Bill had with his wife would take him out of town. There was no use in even bringing up the invite.
Bill wrapped up the conversation and sat down, looking at his mess. He laid the phone on the table and smiled. “The wife and I exchange gifts every year. She complains if I don’t wrap them myself.”
“You look like you do a good job.” Martin crossed his arms and leaned on the table.
“Lots of practice.” Bill pulled a box closer and started wrapping. “I’ve arranged to get you a reading, but it won’t take place until after the first of the year. Good thing because I’m about to leave town.”
“I heard.” Martin’s brow shot up. “It was hard not to hear.”