by Amber Crewes
Pamela grinned. “I can’t believe we’re going to work with people from Paris tonight. This is going to be the best.”
“It will be,” Meghan agreed. “Pamela, I have let Claude’s team know that you will be assisting with the tarts; they seem to be your specialty, and I’m thrilled to see what you’ll create tonight.”
Pamela gave Meghan a playful salute. “Aye aye, Captain Meghan. Happy to assist where the Captain orders.”
Meghan turned to Trudy. “The team knows that you are my top assistant,” she explained. “As I will be seated with the other guests during the event, all questions regarding the desserts from Truly Sweet will be deferred to you.”
Trudy frowned. “So while you dance the night away, I’m going to be working in the kitchen to make your treats while you get the credit?”
Meghan shook her head. “No, Trudy. This is a team effort. Truly Sweet would not be where it is today if I didn’t have a wonderful group working with me, and I hope you know how grateful I am for your help.”
Trudy mumbled under her breath, and Meghan stifled the urge to say something snarky. She didn’t understand why her assistant had been so disgruntled lately, but she hoped Trudy would soon return to her normal, chipper self.
“Credit or no credit, I’m just happy to be here,” Pamela declared as Trudy rolled her eyes.
Meghan ruffled Pamela’s short blonde hair. “I love your excitement, Pamela, and to further the excitement, I have a surprise for all of you.”
Meghan disappeared into the kitchen, returning with two large purple garment bags. She gave one to Pamela and one to Trudy. “As the ball is going to be a night to remember, I thought that the Truly Sweet team deserved to look their best. Open your bags, ladies.”
Pamela tore open her garment bag and began to shriek. “It’s gorgeous, Meghan. Look at this outfit! I’ll look like a proper chef in this. Meghan, thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Meghan smiled. She had specially ordered the yellow chef smocks from her favorite online boutique; each was trimmed with lace, and Trudy and Pamela’s initials were embroidered in large, elegant cursive on the left side. With bell sleeves and tiny white buttons that studded both sides of the coat, the smocks had been expensive, but with chefs and bakers flying in from France, Meghan wanted her crew to look like professionals.
“They’re nice,” Trudy admitted as she ran her hands over the long smock. “But we’ll ruin them will the flour and sugar. Seems like a waste of good money to me.”
Meghan pasted a grin on her face. “I was happy to buy them. I think you’ll both look beautiful. So, Pamela? You will be helping with the tarts, and Trudy, you are essentially in charge. I’ll be nearby if either of you need anything, though, so there should be no issues.”
Pamela stood up to hug Meghan. “Thanks, boss,” Pamela said as she embraced Meghan. “I’ll be there right on time.”
Trudy nodded at Meghan as she walked to the door. “See you later, Meghan.”
Twelve hours later, Meghan took one last look at herself in the mirror as she applied a layer of mauve lipstick that matched the floor-length ballgown that her dear friend, Karen, had advised her to pick up from her house earlier.
“It was mine as a young woman,” Karen informed Meghan as she nervously clutched the phone. “The color is fantastic, and the style is timeless. You’ll be a dream in it.”
“I hope you’re right,” Meghan sighed as she glanced over at the dress she had originally chosen. During her late morning shower, her little twin dogs, Fiesta and Siesta, had gotten sick on the dress, and by the time Meghan realized it, it was far too late to send it to the dry-cleaner. She had frantically called Karen who was away on holiday, and as per usual, she had saved the day.
The ballgown fit Meghan like a glove; the sweetheart neckline accentuated her shoulders and collarbone, and a simple diamond pendant rested just beneath her neck.
The empress waist hit Meghan’s curves in all the right places; she was sometimes self-conscious about her womanly figure, but tonight, she felt like a princess as she smiled at her reflection. The color of the dress made her olive skin glow, and her long dark hair was pinned back into a sophisticated chignon.
“Wow,” Meghan heard Jack say from behind her. She spun around to find him staring at her in the doorway of her bedroom.
“Jack, I didn’t even hear you come in,” Meghan said as she stared at her boyfriend. “You frightened me.”
He walked to Meghan and kissed her softly on the lips. “You look stunning, Meghan,” Jack whispered as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “That dress…that wasn’t the one you first picked, was it?”
Meghan pulled back from his embrace and spun around, the ballgown’s many layers ruffling loudly. “The dogs ruined my other dress,” she admitted. “This was a last minute save from Karen. It was Karen’s dress from when she was young. I was a little worried that it would be out of style; she is in her seventies, and fashion was different back then.”
Jack shook his head. “It’s perfect. I’ve never seen you look so lovely.”
Meghan looked at Jack and gave a silly whistle. “You don’t look too bad yourself, Detective Irvin,” Meghan murmured as she leaned in to kiss Jack’s cheek. “You’re quite dapper in that tuxedo, my dear.”
“Well, sweetheart, I had to look nice for my lady,” Jack announced as he gave his elbow to Meghan. She slipped her arm into his, and they walked downstairs, Meghan careful not to trip on the hem of her skirts.
“I’ll get the door for you,” Jack told Meghan as he helped her into his car. “Let’s go, Meghan.”
Meghan settled into the car, eager to see what the Governor’s Ball had in store her for and her bakery. “I’m so excited,” she said. “Between my desserts being served, you looking so handsome, and rubbing elbows with Paula Brown, the former Miss Texas, I believe that tonight will be a fairytale.”
“As do I,” he replied. “It was so awesome that Michelle got the ticket for me.
Meghan bit her lip. “Yeah,” she responded. “So awesome.”
“Michelle is great,” Jack gushed as he drove toward the Sandy Bay Event Hall. “Her job is so cool, too. Her transition from the police force to the Governor’s staff was seamless, it seemed; she’s risen through the ranks so easily. I hope I can do that someday. I’d love to work for the governor, and it would be so fun to work with Michelle again. She’s the best.”
Meghan furrowed her brow. “I bet it would,” she said, irritated that on her big night, her boyfriend was singing the praises of another woman.
“What?” Jack asked as he looked over at Meghan. “What’s the matter?”
Meghan shook her head. “Nothing. It’s just annoying that on the night I dress up like a movie star, the biggest night of my career, you’re telling me all about another woman.”
Jack laughed, but then seeing the serious look on Meghan’s face, he stopped. “Are you serious? Meghan, Michelle is my friend.”
Meghan shrugged. “I’ve never heard of her, and she got a five-thousand dollar ticket for you. That seems a little too friendly to me.”
Jack narrowed his eyes at Meghan. “I wouldn’t be coming to your big night if Michelle hadn’t generously given me one of her free tickets,” he said as Meghan turned to stare out the window. “You need to relax, Meghan. It’s going to be a great night. Don’t let this spoil it for you. Michelle is just a friend.”
Meghan grimaced. “Whatever you say.”
Jack reached over squeezed Meghan’s hand. “Hey,” he said. “Seriously, stop looking for reasons to be fussy. It’s your big night, Meghan. Nothing is going to stand in the way of you, me, and one heck of a good time, sweetheart.”
4
Meghan’s dark eyes sparkled as she stepped out of Jack’s car and onto the red carpet stretched outside of the Governor’s Ball. Jack rushed around to help Meghan, and she slipped her arm through his elbow, forgetting the tense moments they had shared before arriving.
“Look at all of the paparazzi,” Meghan whispered into Jack’s ear as he guided her along the red carpet. “There are reporters here from major news networks. They came all the way to Sandy Bay for the ball. I can’t believe this.”
“Meghan Truman!”
Meghan glanced over her left shoulder to see a reporter waving at her from behind the metal barrier that separated the press from the guests. “Meghan Truman? Aren’t you the owner of the bakery providing the desserts for the event?”
“Yes, she is.”
Meghan gasped as Claude snuck up from behind and wrapped an arm around Meghan’s waist. Claude nodded at Jack, and then grinned down at Meghan. “Beautiful Meghan Truman, it is so lovely to see you here.”
“It’s so nice to be here,” Meghan sputtered as Claude tugged at Meghan’s waist to lead her down the red carpet. Jack pulled back, letting Claude take Meghan away. “Smile and wave at the press, Meghan. Give them what they want.”
Meghan laughed as Claude struck a pose and blew a kiss at one of the reporters.
“I’ll catch up with you, Meghan,” Jack called out as Claude and Meghan drew further away. “I’ll see you inside,” she replied.
Claude dropped his arm from Meghan’s waist and took her hand, giving it a squeeze as they walked across the threshold and into the ballroom. “Get ready to be amazed,” Claude purred into Meghan’s ear. “This will be a night you will never forget.”
“He’s right,” Meghan thought as they stepped into the ballroom and she surveyed the massive, beautifully decorated candle-lit room. “I will never forget this night.”
Candles glittered on every surface of the room, and the tables were set with gold plates. Displays of red and white roses wound across the railing of the grand staircase in the middle of ballroom, and ten chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Meghan had never seen such finery before, and while she had seen images from previous balls on the news, the reality of the event was more than she could have ever imagined.
“Come, Meghan,” Claude murmured as he adjusted his black bow tie. “I have so many people to introduce you to. Your desserts have already been quite the hit, and there are some fabulous people who want to meet you.”
“That would be fantastic,” Meghan said as she fluttered her eyelashes.
“Steve! Carol!” Claude called out to a middle-aged couple. “Meghan, this is Steve and his wife, Carol. They are dear friends of mine. Carol owns a talent firm in Los Angeles, and Steve recently retired from a career in hospitality.”
“It’s a pleasure,” Meghan told the couple as she shook their hands.
“The pleasure is ours,” Carol cooed. “Your desserts are wonderful; I spoiled my diet to eat some of your tarts, and it was sure worth it.”
“Oh, Kenzie, dear,” Claude shouted at a young, statuesque blonde woman. “Kenzie, come meet Meghan. Meghan, this is Kenzie. She is a top model in Paris, and she flew in for the event. Kenzie, Meghan is responsible for all of the amazing desserts here tonight.”
Kenzie leaned forward to kiss Meghan on both cheeks. “Your desserts are divine,” she told Meghan in a thick French accent. “Tres magnifque.”
Meghan glowed as Claude showed her off to his many friends. “Is there anyone else you would care to meet?” Claude asked as he beamed at Meghan. “I think I have introduced you to nearly everyone I know.”
Meghan shook her head, but then she remembered the person she had been aching to meet since she was a little girl. “Actually, there is someone….”
“Oh, Meghan,” Claude fretted as he looked down at his rose gold cell phone. “It appears there is a little disaster in the kitchen. I must go check on things. Excuse me.”
Meghan watched as Claude scurried off. She looked around the room for her boyfriend, but when she did not see Jack, Meghan bit her bottom lip. “I could just stand here alone,” Meghan thought to herself. “Or….”
Meghan gathered her skirts in her hands and took off toward the head table. She could see Kirsty Fisher laughing as she sipped a glass of champagne, and just as Meghan hoped, seated right next to Kirsty was Paula Brown.
“Just the woman I want to meet,” Meghan said under her breath as she walked daintily toward the head table. “I can’t wait to meet my hero.”
She waited until Kirsty and Paula had finished their conversation before she gingerly tapped Paula on the shoulder. “Excuse me? Mrs. Brown?”
Paula Brown scowled as she turned to glare at Meghan. “Can I help you?”
Meghan smiled warmly, but before she could introduce herself, Kirsty spotted her. “Meghan, hello. The desserts are excellent. I am so thrilled that you were able to help with the event. Paula, dear, Meghan here helped with the desserts tonight.”
Paula looked up and down and Meghan and then turned back to face Kirsty. “That’s nice, but why is she here now? Are you here to take my dessert order or something, Melanie?”
“It’s Meghan,” Meghan said softly as her eyes widened. “My name is Meghan.”
“Whatever,” Paula responded. “Melanie, Meghan, it’s all the same. But seriously, I want dessert now. Can you take my order?”
Meghan was shocked by Paula’s rudeness, but she dutifully nodded. “Sure. Can I bring you some tarts? That’s the dessert special tonight.”
Paula rolled her eyes. “Ugh, what a boring dessert,” she announced. “Just bring me some ice cream.”
“No problem,” Meghan said as she nodded at Kirsty and Paula. Meghan’s heart pounded with frustration as she walked away from the head table. Paula had been nasty, and Meghan was disappointed that someone she had been so excited to meet had turned out to be so unfriendly.
“Melanie?”
Meghan turned around to find a bespectacled man waving her down. “It’s Meghan,” she said to the man.
“My apologies, and apologies on behalf of Mrs. Brown,” the man said. “I’m her personal assistant. She is a little fussy today, but I promise, she is usually a doll.”
Meghan shrugged. “I’m sure,” she answered. “Can I help you with something?”
The man nodded. “Yes, actually; Mrs. Brown wanted me to tell you that she wants dairy-free, vegan, sugar-free ice cream.”
Meghan gritted her teeth. “Of course she does,” she muttered under her breath. “I’ll be back with that in a moment.”
The personal assistant scurried away, and Meghan took three long deep breaths to calm herself down. “This is the Governor’s Ball,” she told herself as she walked along the perimeter of the dance floor in search of ice cream for Paula. “I need to enjoy the night and not let her get to me. After I fetch the ice cream, I’ll find Jack, and we’ll dance the night away.”
Just as Meghan thought of her boyfriend, she spotted him across the room. He looked more handsome than ever in his tuxedo, and Meghan admired the way it hugged his muscled shoulders. She smiled, feeling a warmth in her heart that spread to her cheeks, putting a bright red blush on her face. Meghan turned toward Jack, eager to surprise him, but before she could reach him, a stunningly beautiful auburn-haired woman leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. Jack laughed, and Meghan’s heart dropped as he embraced the woman.
“Who could that be?” Meghan asked herself as her hands clenched into fists.
Just as Meghan neared her boyfriend, a shrill scream filled the room. All heads turned, and in the middle of the dance floor, a woman was lying on the floor.
“Help! Help! Help!”
Meghan recognized Kirsty’s voice; Kirsty sounded panicked, and Meghan rushed to her side. Kirsty was hunched down and leaning over Paula Brown. Paula’s eyes were rolled back in her head, and her face was ashen. Kirsty tapped on Paula’s chest repeatedly, crying and shouting as Meghan took her by the shoulders.
“What is going on?” Meghan asked as she stared into Kirsty’s worried face. A crowd formed around the women, and Meghan heard whispers as she looked down at Paula’s still body.
“We were walking over to meet the Governor, and before I knew it, she had c
ollapsed.”
“What’s going on here?”
Meghan and Kirsty saw Jack run to them, taking off his tuxedo Jacket and leaning over Paula’s body. “Kirsty, Meghan, I need the two of you to back away.”
“Do you need help, Jack?” Chief Nunan asked as she walked through the crowd.
Jack shook his head. “Chief,” he said slowly. “She’s dead. Call for the coroner, Chief Nunan. Paula Brown has fallen down dead.”
5
The morning after the Governor’s Ball, Meghan felt a dull ache in her heart as she walked her dogs along the shoreline; she had been so excited to experience the grandeur of the ball, and everything had been ruined by Paula Brown’s unexpected death in the early hours of the event. As Meghan tugged her little dogs along the pebbly beach, she could not shake the melancholy threatening to send tears spilling down her cheeks.
