by Amber Crewes
4
Later that day, Meghan curled up in her bed, pulling her two twin dogs, Fiesta and Siesta, close to her chest. She was exhausted from visiting the hotel, and she decided to take her lunch break upstairs in her apartment. Dressed in Jack’s worn out college sweatshirt, a forest green hoodie that set off her dark eyes, Meghan felt cozy as she climbed beneath the covers of her goose down comforter.
“It’s almost time for Jack to call,” she told her dogs as they licked her face with their little pink tongues. “I’m so excited to talk to him! I miss him so much.”
At exactly noon, Meghan’s phone began to buzz. She grinned as Jack’s name flashed across the screen.
“Hey, Beautiful,” Jack said, his deep voice sending a shiver down Meghan’s spine. “How is my girl today?”
Meghan settled back onto her three thick pillows and breathed a sigh of relief. “Better now that I’m talking to you. I miss you, Babe.”
“I miss you too,” he told her. “This training has been so intense, Meghan. I would like nothing more than to snuggle up with you on the couch, watch a movie, and eat some of your treats. Gosh, the thought of one of your red velvet cakes is going to drive me crazy!”
Meghan laughed. “That sounds amazing,” she said. “But I have to tell you, it’s another one of my cakes that has brought in some interesting business today. I was touring the Presidential Suite with Jackie for her event when I received a call from the bakery. Ron Thomas’ sister, Cathy, stopped in and was insistent that we talk.”
“What did she want?”
“I had made some of my King Cake and served it to Ron, and I guess he took some home to his sister,” she told him. “She stopped by and begged me to make some for an event she is hosting in a few days. It was kind of a weird chat with her...I’ve never had someone seem so desperate for a dessert.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” he dismissed. “Don’t overthink it, Babe! Just be grateful it’s another good business opportunity.”
“You’re right,” she agreed. “Now, tell me about your day.”
“It’s just another day of training,” he said. “But I’m enjoying it. The only thing I’m worried about is you.”
“Me?” she asked in surprise.
“Yes, you,” Jack said. “I called the station today to check in. One of my buddies told me that there has been a string of muggings in the last few days or so. You haven’t seen anything suspicious, have you?”
Meghan thought about her week. It had been uneventful, and she had not seen anything strange or out of place. “No,” she said. “It’s been business as usual, Babe.”
“Good,” he told her. “I’m glad. I have been worried about you. This seems to happen every year after the holidays. People practically become freelance thieves. The station always sees an increase in pickpocketing and mugging in January, and since my buddy mentioned it to me, I thought I should pass the word along to you.”
“Thanks, Honey,” she said. “You always look out for me.”
“That’s because I love you,” he told Meghan. “All I want to do right now is hold you in my arms and kiss you on that adorable little nose of yours. You know the freckles on the end of your nose drive me crazy.”
“I can’t wait until you get home,” she said. “Only a few more days.”
“Only a few more days,” he confirmed.
After Meghan and Jack said goodbye, Meghan stretched her arms overhead, thankful for the short break in her day. She removed Jack’s oversized sweatshirt, shivering as the cold air brushed her belly. Meghan slipped a gray turtleneck over her head, knowing it was time to return to work.
As Meghan walked downstairs and into the dining area of the bakery, she was pleased to find Karen Denton, her dear friend, sitting at one of the tables. Karen had been Meghan’s neighbor in Los Angeles several years ago, and despite being in her seventies, she was the most spirited, active person Meghan knew. It was Karen who had convinced Meghan to move across the country to Sandy Bay, and Meghan loved that their friendship had continued to flourish in Karen’s hometown.
“Karen, I didn’t know you were coming by. Was I expecting you? This week has just gotten away from me,” Meghan apologized as she registered a concerned look on Karen’s face. “Karen? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Karen shook her head, her blonde hair messy and her eyes red. “No, I was just mugged on my jog home from my Pilates class,” she told Meghan. “I already called the police and made a report, but I am still so upset. It happened so quickly.”
Meghan’s jaw dropped. “Karen, my goodness! Are you okay? What happened?”
Karen shrugged. “I was exhausted from my Pilates class, but I decided to jog home, as I always do. As I rounded a corner downtown, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around, but no one was there. As I turned back around, there was a person in a hat standing in front of me. I couldn’t see their face. I was so scared. They took my fanny pack, which had my wallet and keys in it.”
Meghan took Karen’s hands in hers. “I’m so sorry that happened to you,” she murmured. “What can I do? How about a cup of tea?”
Karen nodded. “That is just what I need.”
Meghan left the table and returned a few minutes later with a steaming cup of Karen’s favorite mint tea. “Thank you,” Karen said as she blew on the top of the hot tea. “Why were you upstairs? Pamela said you were taking lunch up there.”
“Jack and I had a phone date planned,” she admitted. “I took my lunch break upstairs instead of taking his call down here.”
“Things sure are busy here today,” Karen said as she looked around the bakery. “Pamela was practically out of breath when I spoke with her a few minutes ago. She said you have a huge private order that you are working on?”
“Yes,” Meghan confirmed. “You know, now that I’m thinking about it, I’m not sure if the order is being picked up or delivered…”
“Go check on it,” Karen told Meghan. “I’m fine here. Go check on your order and we can chat when you get back.”
That evening, Meghan navigated around the grocery store with a frown on her face. She had been ready to put on her pajamas and relax after work when she realized she had no food in her pantry. Meghan begrudgingly threw on a pair of leggings and boots and trundled off to the local grocery store.
“Meghan!” she heard a deep voice exclaim as she examined the apples in the produce section. “What a pleasure to run into you.”
Meghan turned to find Cathy Thomas grinning at her. “Cathy, this is a pleasure,” she greeted her customer. “I’m so happy to see you. I called you earlier about your order for your event? I have the treats and desserts prepared, but you didn’t specify if you would like me to have them sent to you, or if you are picking them up?”
Cathy smiled. “You can have them sent over to the Sandy Bay Hotel,” she told Meghan. “I ordered the treats as a special surprise for some friends.”
“That’s good to know,” Meghan said. “I will make that note on your order and make sure they are ready to be sent.”
“Thank you so much, Meghan,” she cooed. “My friends will just die for your treats; I haven’t been able to stop thinking about your King Cake.”
“I’m so glad to hear that,” she told Cathy. “I always aim to please my customers, and your satisfaction is a top priority.”
“I’m sure you will surpass my expectations,” she complimented Meghan. “I already just know that I will be more than satisfied with my order.”
5
Three days later, Meghan awoke to the sound of her cell phone ringing. She fumbled through the darkness for her phone, seeing the time on her alarm clock and grumbling as she registered that it was not quite yet six in the morning.
“Hello?” Meghan muttered as she held the phone to her face, her thoughts jumbled as she sleepily rubbed her eyes.
“Meghan, it’s Jackie. I need your help.”
Meghan sat up in her bed and turned on the lamp on her bedsi
de table. “Jackie? What do you need? What’s up?”
“I’m worried about my assistants,” she cried. “I ran a practice session at the salon last night to prepare for the event today, and the assistants were not performing up to par. They could hardly trim a cuticle, let alone do a full manicure. It’s like they’ve forgotten everything they know.”
Meghan groaned quietly and rolled over, careful not to stir her dogs from their deep slumber. “Jackie,” she began, trying her best to be patient with her friend. “I’m sure your assistants are just nervous; it is not every day that they get to pamper the rich and famous. You’ve trained them well, and I know that they will do their best for your event tonight.”
“Do you think so?” she asked. “I just don’t know. I was so excited about tonight until the practice session, and now, I just worry it will all be a disaster.”
“It will be better than you expect,” she assured her friend. “You have a beautiful suite to work in, your assistants will be more relaxed, and you will ride off into the sunset with a huge check from Rosie. You just have to believe in yourself, and you have to believe in your team. That’s the most important thing you can do as a business owner: believe in yourself, and believe in your people.”
“You’re right,” she agreed in a small voice. “Meghan, you are the sweetest. I know you think I’m caught up and swept away in the glitz and glamour of this event, and I know you’ve been worrying about the way I’ve been spending my paychecks from Rosie, but I promise you: I am still me, and I am still down-to-Earth. I called you for your advice, and I can honestly tell you that you’ve helped me so much.”
“That’s great,” she told Jackie. “I’m happy you feel better. And, if you get nervous later, just text me; I have an order to drop off at the hotel. Perhaps we’ll be there at the same time and I can give you a quick hug.”
“That sounds great,” Jackie said. “I hope I’ll see you later, Meghan.”
************
Later that morning, Meghan prepared to deliver Cathy Thomas’ order of treats to the hotel. Knowing the hotel would be full of glamorous guests, Meghan decided to take extra time to get ready for the day. She took a long, hot shower, and took special care to wash and dry her long dark hair. While Meghan typically gravitated toward a natural look, she decided to apply a full face of makeup. She searched for the small pink leather makeup bag that her mother had given her for Christmas and removed the chalky olive powder that she applied to her face with a long black brush.
Meghan studied her reflection in the mirror. She smiled, pleased with her appearance; she looked professional in the long navy skirt and pale pink turtleneck she had put on after her shower, and after applying a layer of matching lipstick, Meghan felt very put together. She secretly hoped she would run into Jackie, or perhaps Rosie, or maybe Mariah Cooper herself.
“Alright, puppers,” Meghan said to Fiesta and Siesta as she slipped on her knee-length brown leather boots. “It’s time to go to the hotel. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’s a nice, quiet visit that is drama-free.”
Meghan arrived minutes later at the hotel. She carried the boxes of treats into the lobby, each box containing an assortment of King Cake, eclairs, gingerbread, and donuts. Meghan was proud of her desserts; she, Pamela, and Trudy had spent hours baking and decorating each treat to look perfect, and she hoped that Cathy’s friends would be pleased.
“Miss Truman,” Lewis Templeton greeted Meghan as she strode into the lobby.
“Lewis,” Meghan said politely. “Nice to see you.”
“I have been instructed to direct you to the event,” Lewis explained. “Come with me, please.”
Lewis led Meghan through the lobby and to the private elevator leading to the Presidential Suite. “Where are we going?” Meghan asked. “These are for Cathy Thomas’ friends.”
“I’m just following instructions,” Lewis told Meghan as they stepped into the elevator.
When the doors opened to the Presidential Suite, Meghan heard loud pop music playing, as well as giggling and happy squealing. Lewis stepped onto the marble floors, and Meghan followed him. “I don’t think this is where my delivery is going,” she protested. “It’s for Cathy Thomas’ friends, and this is the event for Mariah Cooper.”
“Meghan?”
Meghan smiled as Jackie walked toward her, a frown on her face. Jackie looked elegant in her black leather skinny jeans and matching black halter top, but given the sour look on her face, Meghan suspected her friend wasn’t happy to see her.
“What are you doing here?” Jackie asked as she leaned forward to coldly kiss Meghan on the cheek. “Are those your treats?”
Meghan nodded and looked at Lewis. “I am supposed to be dropping off treats for friends of Cathy Thomas,” she explained to Jackie. “But Mr. Templeton led me up here. I know your event is going on, so I’ll just go get out of your hair. This must be a mistake.”
“It isn’t a mistake,” declared Cathy Thomas as she strutted into the room in a silk bathrobe. “I placed the order for my friends here; Mariah and I go way back, and I wanted to make sure that her special pampering day was filled with sweet friends and sweet treats. Girls! Come in here! The desserts have arrived.”
Meghan stood awestruck as ten young women ran into the foyer. “You know Mariah Cooper?” she asked Cathy.
“Of course,” she replied. “My brother is in the art and design industry, and it is a small, small world.”
The young women began to paw at the boxes Meghan was holding. “I want something sweet,” whined a leggy caramel blonde girl.
“I’ve been on the strictest diet lately, so it will be nice to let loose and have some cake,” another girl announced as she reached into a box.”
“Girls, no!” Jackie yelled frantically. “The pampering session isn’t over! I have so much work to do still. Let me finish your makeup and hair before you eat; I don’t want you to ruin your looks.”
“Why don’t you put the boxes down on that table?” Lewis directed Meghan as she defended her treats from the small crowd of hungry young women.
Meghan obeyed. “Well, Cathy, I put in plenty of King Cake, just like you asked.”
“Splendid,” Cathy told Meghan, a twinkle in her eyes. “Now, let me introduce you to Mariah; I hear you’ve had a little encounter before, but let me take you to meet her personally.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Jackie sputtered from the corner.
Cathy turned to glare at her. “Excuse me?”
Jackie clapped a hand over her mouth, clearly embarrassed at her outburst. “I….nothing. I didn’t mean to say anything.”
Cathy shot a dark look at Jackie, but took Meghan by the hand and led her to the loft. “Come. Mariah is like a junior sister to me, and I know she will just love you.”
Meghan’s heart beat quickly as she climbed the stairs. She was thankful that she had taken extra time to primp before venturing over to the hotel.
“Mariah,” Cathy cooed as she reached the top of the stairs. “I have someone for you to say hello to.”
Meghan smiled as Mariah stared at her. Mariah was sitting on a white leather couch with Rosie Jakes beside her. Both women wore silk robes and slippers, and their faces were the color of pickles.
“They have face masks on,” Cathy whispered as she watched Meghan’s eyes. “Mariah, Rosie, Meghan Truman provided the goodies for the event today. I wanted you both to say hello.”
Rosie wrinkled her nose at Meghan, but Mariah smiled kindly. “Thank you for your contributions,” Mariah said in a soft voice. “My entourage does so much for me, and I’m so happy to treat them. Thank you for being part of it.”
“It’s no problem,” Meghan told Mariah. “Cathy’s brother, Ron, is doing some work for my bakery to help rebrand and establish our social media presence, and I was more than happy to make desserts for Cathy. They’re nice people.”
“They are,” Mariah agreed. “I’ve known Cathy for years, and she is
such a doll.”
“Oh, you are too kind,” Cathy said. “Anyway, Meghan is going to get on her way now. I’m sure she’s very busy.”
“How old are you?” Mariah asked Meghan.
“Me?” she asked.
“Yes, you,” Mariah laughed.
“I’m twenty-seven, almost twenty-eight,” she told her.
“You’re really pretty,” Mariah told Meghan. “Would you have any interest in hanging out with us for the rest of the afternoon? My crowd here is mostly from the art scene, and I think it would be fun to have someone different around.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Rosie argued. “Maggie needs to leave, Mariah. I’m sure she’s very busy.”
