by Jan Moran
Verena folded her arms, at once both shocked and satisfied with Jimmy Don’s arrest. He’d always made her uncomfortable, and he had a blatant disregard for human kindness, morality, and the law.
Karma had caught up with Jimmy Don, too.
“In a related story,” the reporter went on, “the deaths of Herringbone Capital partners Thomas Roper and Derrick Logan have paved the way for a portfolio acquisition by White-Weber, another local venture capital firm. Last month an earlier offer was turned down, but a White-Weber representative says he believes Herringbone investors will likely vote for a sale now.”
Verena turned off the television, not caring to hear the rest of the story—it was too painful. Besides, it made no difference. She was on her own.
They ate by the pool and after bathing, Verena put on her other new outfit, a gauzy peach, one-shouldered sundress, and wound her hair into a bun. She packed her few things, including the new negligee she hadn’t needed after all. When she put on her sunglasses, Lance told her she looked like a celebrity. “Watch out for the paparazzi lurking around the perimeter of the hotel.”
As she and Lance prepared to leave, Verena cast an appreciative glance around the bungalow. It had been a perfect intermezzo. And now, Lance was going with her to see Mia again. Verena hoped her grandmother would continue to improve.
Lance cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs stroking her face. “You’re so special to me,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “You have been from the moment I first saw you. It was all I could do to contain myself in Paris. I want to spend every free moment with you then, and I still do today.”
Verena felt exactly the same way. This is real. She traced the length of his back, feeling the warmth of his skin through the thin shirt fabric. This feels so right; this is love. Her lips parting, she closed her eyes and found his mouth, silencing their words.
As they strolled to Lance’s car and she slid in, another thought surged in her mind. Their timing was still all wrong. Now more than ever, she needed to commit herself to creating another career. How else would she and the girls survive? Although Mia had offered her retirement money to Verena, taking any part of the funds Mia had set aside for her retirement violated Verena’s deepest principles.
Verena was worried. She couldn’t share with Mia or the twins just how desperate their circumstances were. And the four of them were just too much responsibility for any man.
Even though Scarlett had assured her that the loss of the business was not her fault, that Herringbone had wronged her, Verena still blamed herself.
The fact remained that it was Verena’s responsibility to provide the household income, and right now, she had no idea how she was going to do that.
Until she did, she could not permit herself the luxury of dating this man, no matter how much she cared for him.
Her family needed her.
As Lance pulled into her driveway, he put the car in park and turned to her. “You’ve been awfully quiet on the drive back.”
“I have a lot to do once I open that front door. My life is pretty full, Lance.”
He squeezed her hand. “I know it is. That’s part of why I admire you so much. You handle great responsibilities with grace.”
Verena kissed him softly and pulled away. Her heart shattered as she took the first step to do what she knew she must. “Lance, we have to talk,” she began.
“Of course. What’s on your mind?”
“This has been a wonderful, magical interlude, and you have no idea how thankful I am for all you’ve done.” Biting her lip, she went on. “I have so much to do, I don’t how we can keep seeing each other.”
“Haven’t I heard this before?” Lance asked, rubbing his chin.
“It’s not that I don’t care deeply for you, I do. But I have to focus on providing for my family first. I love them all, but they’re a handful. You don’t know what boisterous twins are really like. And when Mia returns, she’ll need a lot of help.” She pressed a hand to her heart and looked away. “We can’t keep this up, and you deserve more.”
“I understand a lot more than you realize.” Lance took her hand and stroked it. “But you should know that I’m also a man who keeps his promises.”
Unable to contain her emotions, Verena tore herself from him. Fleeing from the car, she didn’t look back, even when she reached her front door.
32
VERENA SUFFERED THROUGH the next week in a blur of action. Between taking the girls to school, preparing dinner and washing clothes, helping them with homework, visiting Mia, talking with physicians, managing finances, and looking for work, she was exhausted.
She was sure she’d made the right decision again about Lance, but that didn’t lessen the pervasive pain in her heart.
That day, she’d hurried from the car to the house so that he wouldn’t see her break down. It wasn’t until after he’d left and she’d dried her tears that she wondered what he’d meant about keeping promises.
After Mia’s physician approved her release from the hospital, Verena gathered her grandmother’s personal items from the room. “Ready to go home?”
“Indeed I am,” Mia said. “I just wish I didn’t have to leave in a wheelchair. I’m fine now.” She picked up her handbag, a new one that Pierre had given her as a surprise. “Pierre is bringing dinner to me this evening at the house. You should go out with your friends. Speaking of which, how is that handsome young man, Lance? I look forward to seeing more of him.”
“Not anytime soon, I’m afraid.” Verena cast her eyes down, busying herself with Mia’s books. Lance hadn’t even called her this time. She dragged her thoughts back.
Mia threw her a curious look, but before she could say anything, the door opened, and Dr. Omondi stepped inside.
“We’re going to miss you around here, Mrs. Valent.” Dr. Omondi sat next to Mia and rolled up the sleeve of her white jacket, exposing the faded scar that Mia had been treating with her special serum. “My skin is markedly improved. What did you say is in your serum?”
Verena stood to one side, listening. She was interested in hearing a doctor’s perspective.
“That’s my secret, doctor,” Mia said. “It’s something I’ve blended by hand for years. Only recently my chemist told me that it’s now technically possible to suspend the ingredients in a formula stable enough to be made in larger quantities.”
The doctor ran her fingers across her skin. “In my professional opinion, this is the most effective topical product I’ve seen.” She scrutinized Mia’s face, touching her cheeks and forehead. “Your skin texture and elasticity is amazing, too. You say you’ve been using this for years?”
Mia smiled with pride. “I have.”
“You’ve spoken to your chemist again?” Verena fastened Mia’s skincare bag and looped it over her shoulder. “I don’t recall that.”
“That’s because we didn’t discuss it. You were so busy, Verena.”
They said good-bye to the doctor and promised to keep in touch about the serum. Verena wheeled Mia from the hospital. To Verena’s relief, she didn’t ask about Lance again.
During the short drive home, Verena’s mind began to whir. Mia told her all about the recent tests and new formulations, as well as the payment terms the manufacturer would extend to them.
As she listened to Mia talk, Verena began to grow excited. This could be a real opportunity, as long as the serum wasn’t considered an asset of VSS. That was almost too much to hope for.
After Verena helped Mia into her room and made her comfortable, she sat by Mia and phoned Scarlett to tell her about the serum.
“Scarlett, I have you on speakerphone with Mia. Is there anything in those documents I signed that would stop us from developing a new line around Mia’s formula?”
Scarlett was quiet for a moment before she spoke. “You signed the intellectual property agreements, Verena, but they only pertained to you. No mention was made of Mia. Does anyone else know of this serum?”
“Only my chemist,” Mia said. “This is my personal formula.”
Verena took Mia’s smooth hand in hers. “Think carefully. Did you develop it before or after you worked at the salon?”
“Many years afterward.” Mia nodded her assurance.
“Did you use the same chemist?” Scarlett asked.
Mia raised her brows. “No, I found a charming woman who’s a top notch chemist to work on it for me.”
Scarlett said, “Would she have thought she was making it for Valent?”
“Certainly not,” Mia said, her eyes brightening and nodding with more enthusiasm than Verena had seen in her in a long time. “I paid her myself. And I was very careful about retaining all of my rights.”
Verena leaned closer to the speakerphone. “Scarlett, I’m going to find a way to manufacture this line. Herringbone can’t keep Mia’s products off the market. Or any that I develop after I’m gone, right?”
“No, but they can sue you if you sell into any of your old accounts. Including all the ones you spoke to or pitched in any way. Even though Roper and Derrick are gone, the agreements remain in place for the new owners.”
That covered all the best retailers, large and small. “I have something else in mind,” Verena said.
“Wouldn’t be surprised if the new owners of VSS ask you to come back on board after Roper’s estate is probated,” Scarlett said. “They’re a good company.”
Verena was so excited about this new prospect, she wasn’t sure she’d want to return to VSS even if asked. The new owners were another large company, and she preferred her independence. Unless this idea couldn’t be produced.
“Looks like you have the green light on the serum,” Scarlett said. “So go get busy.”
“You bet I will.” Verena gave Mia a hug. She had plenty of reasons to yield to depression, but seeing Mia happy and at home again spurred her on. I can do this, she told herself.
After they finished talking to Scarlett, Mia wanted to nap. The neighbor had given the twins a ride home from school, and Anika and Bella were busy in their room with homework.
With the house quiet, Verena took a pad of paper, sat at the kitchen table, and began to sketch ideas and tally numbers for a new line. She had good relationships with suppliers, and thought she could obtain payment terms, maybe thirty to ninety days.
She made a phone call to one of her former suppliers for containers and packaging. They had heard about what had happened at VSS and were shocked that she was no longer part of the company.
After she told them about the new products she wanted to develop, they promised to extend generous terms. They also agreed to help her create packaging mockups that she could use to demonstrate and sell.
It wasn’t much, but it was a start. She wouldn’t need to pay for packaging or the serum and accompanying products for three months. They could start small with a minimum order. She let out a little sigh of relief. That wasn’t much time, and there was still a lot to do.
Feeling somewhat buoyed, she turned her thoughts to sales and distribution. Although she couldn’t sell to the stores that carried VSS products, some of the buyers she knew had moved on to other companies.
However, inventory was expensive to produce, and then she’d need working capital for co-op advertising, sales commissions, and training—which she knew she couldn’t obtain. Selling in department stores, or even boutiques, required far too much money, even if she had ninety-day terms from her supplier and manufacturer. No, there had to be another way.
She tapped her pencil on the pad, thinking and staring into space.
What if she could multiply her efforts without hiring people in the field for sales and support? She thought about online sales. With targeted advertising, that was a real possibility. Sales could ramp up over time. Then her eyes rested on the small television in the kitchen.
An idea began to form, and one word floated to the forefront of her mind. Infomercial.
She’d met one of the top infomercial producers, Wilhelmina Jones, a few years ago at a cosmetic industry event and had been impressed with her professionalism. This woman’s company could manage television production, as well as order fulfillment.
The last time she’d seen Wilhelmina was the night of the Cosmetic Executives Worldwide event for the Women in Pink Foundation, where she’d been honored. They’d spoken briefly.
That was the same night she’d met Lance.
Reeling her thoughts back, Verena ran her fingers across her forehead. While an infomercial might not seem as upscale as the VSS high-end retail accounts, she’d heard successful ones made quite a lot of money. She could also raise the bar for excellence. The more she thought of it, the more the personal connection with customers inherent in an infomercial and direct distribution model intrigued her. She’d also have more flexible time to spend with her family, an idea she found most appealing.
If Wilhelmina had interest in her idea and could provide capital. And if she wasn’t on the non-compete list.
Sucking in a breath, Verena quickly pulled up the document on her laptop. Searching it, she was thrilled to see that Wilhelmina’s name or company were not on it.
Dahlia’s grandmother knew Wilhelmina, too. Surely Camille would have her direct phone number. Verena called Dahlia and told her about her idea. “What do you think?”
“That sounds like a real opportunity, and you’d be great on camera,” Dahlia said. “Wilhelmina might be interested, and she has a good reputation in the business world. I have her direct number right here.”
Verena jotted the number down. “We might even add perfume to the line, something subtle and Zen-like. Would you be interested in supplying it?”
“Count me in. We could create an organic spa collection for you.”
Verena grinned. Her idea was taking shape. “We should have coffee soon and talk about this.”
“How about lunch tomorrow? I’m meeting Scarlett and Fianna at the Polo Lounge. Johnny has a table for us.”
As much as Verena enjoyed it there, that was the last place she wanted to go now. After she’d broken off her relationship with Lance, seeing him would be far too painful.
“I’d love to, Dahlia, but I’m on a budget now.” That much was certainly true. “Come over this weekend. I’ll brew a huge pot of coffee and make brunch. The twins have also been baking Swiss pastries.”
“Sounds great,” Dahlia. “And let me know how it goes with Wilhelmina.”
Verena hung up and gathered her thoughts. She blew out a breath to calm her nerves before she made the call.
An assistant answered and transferred her to Wilhelmina. Verena quickly pitched her idea in a couple of succinct sentences. Wilhelmina seemed interested and asked for more details, so she pushed on.
“Everyone knows Valent Swiss Skincare, and our new serum is more advanced than anything we’ve ever done. We’re planning an entire line around it.”
“I’d like to hear more,” Wilhelmina said. “Mia is well known, and I’d like to showcase you on the air. Frankly, we could use an upscale skincare line at a higher price point. We can spin a story about how you left the company to create something even more special with your grandmother, who is an industry legend. Do you have any celebrity endorsements?”
“I sure do.” Verena thought of her friend, the model Penelope Plessen, and other actresses and models she knew. And Dr. Omondi, who she thought would be good on camera, if she were amenable to it.
“Excellent. Are you free to meet tomorrow morning?”
Verena agreed, and then hung up the phone and did a little victory dance around the kitchen. She’d call Dahlia and let her know she’d gotten an appointment.
Mia had always said that a good name was worth more than gold, and in this case, their reputation was definitely opening doors for them. She’d brainstorm with Mia about a new name for the company and the product line.
Before she could call Dahlia back, she heard Mia’s phone ring in her room. Mia answered
it, and her animated voice floated through the house to Verena. Overhearing the conversation, she gathered that it was Lance.
“I’ll have to think about that,” Mia said. “I always loved my friend Julia Child’s beef bourguignon and coq au vin. She was a VSS client in the early days.” Mia paused, listening. “Why, yes, I love surprises. I’ll see you in a few days then.”
Raking her teeth over her bottom lip, Verena wondered how she’d manage to avoid him, yet she told herself again that this was for the best. Lance had cooked for Mia in the hospital, so what was the harm in her grandmother talking to him? He’d clearly promised her that he would make or deliver dinner one night.
Promised. Maybe that was the promise he’d mentioned that he would keep. Mia had a right to her friends, so Verena decided she’d simply make herself scarce that evening.
Yet as Verena stared from the window, she couldn’t help remembering their magical night in the beautiful pink bungalow. She still ached with longing for him, for the touch of his hand, the sound of his laughter, the feel of his skin under her fingertips. She wished she could share this good news with him, but Mia probably would. He would understand how much this opportunity meant to her, in a way that Derrick never could have.
She recalled their visit to Paris. Lance had been so at ease with Mia, and Anika and Bella adored him. That day it had almost seemed as if they were a family. Verena sighed.
Yet if she believed that, she was deluding herself. Too much baggage. That was her lot in life as far as men were concerned. She loved her family, and there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do to protect them and their way of life.
Though she’d denied her feelings, she couldn’t deny that Lance had lodged himself in her heart. Verena rested her chin in the palm of her hand, her decision weighing heavily on her mind.
The next day, Verena chose her clothes with care. She dressed as if she would be on camera—that was the look Wilhelmina would want to see. She put on a vibrant red, Diane von Fürstenberg wrap dress and stepped into her red-soled, black Louboutin heels. In the beauty industry, a woman had to know her business and look chic and glamorous.
