The Wedding Guest (Colorado Billionaires Book 5) by Regina Duke Page B
Authors: Regina Duke
Ads: Link
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
M adlyn 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
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
M adlyn 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
Similar Books
