At Last

by JM Dragon

  Dee coughed and fortunately didn’t choke. She hadn’t seen that coming. “Sounds good, Mom. Want me to pick you up?”

  “Don’t be silly, it’s only ten minutes away. Thank you, love.”

  “What for?” Dee frowned.

  There was a silence and she heard her mom clear her throat.

  “Because I’ve always wanted to have a lunch with my daughter that wasn’t expected. See you later.”

  “Bye, Mom.” Dee ended the call, her thoughts muddled. What did she mean, we’ve had lunch loads of times before. The internal phone rang, and she picked it up. “Hi, it’s Dee.”

  “Dee, can you tell me if we are environmentally friendly enough to impress Samantha Driscol?”

  Her heart fluttered and the concern over her mom’s words disappeared. “The Samantha Driscol?”

  “I’m sure there are others but the one who engages with something called Twitter.”

  Dee chuckled softly at Gene’s unimpressed tone. “I might not be the most up to date on the net, although I know Samantha Driscol. She’s the equivalent of Xena on steroids regarding women in business. Sorry, you probably don’t—.”

  “I do. She’s one of my favorite TV characters.”

  “I’m impressed. We can talk about that later. What do you need?”

  “Anything you can find out, and then how we would look, environmentally, to her.”

  Dee loved Gene but second best in her vicariously fabricated dream world came Samantha Driscol.

  “She’s a heroine of mine. Do you mind if I ask why?” There was a pause at the other end of the line.

  “Yes,” Gene curtly answered.

  Dee felt wounded. “Sorry, I…leave it with me.” She ended the call and placed her hands over her burning cheeks. Damn I’ve stepped over the line.

  The phone rang again, and she steeled herself to answer it. “Hi.”

  “You do know I’m your boss, right?”

  Dee’s heart double flipped, one because she loved the woman, the second because she didn’t want anything to spoil what had ignited. “Yes.”

  “Good. That heroine of yours is asking to see us in person. She might be the catalyst that saves the company and Grady. I’m having lunch with Quinn Merchant and Charles in my office at one. Will you attend?”

  “I can’t.”

  “Okay. I’ll hopefully see you later in the day. When you have any information please let me know.” This time Gene ended the call.

  Dee’s mind traversed the last words. “Does that mean she might not see me tonight…oh crap. Should I cancel lunch with mom? I can’t do that, she sounded so excited at the prospect. Why do even the simple things in life end up complicated? It just isn’t fair.”

  †

  Simone Baker recalled when she dropped Quinn Merchant off at her motel. It was a bit more than a kiss. A real petting session, buttocks, and a deep massage of breasts. She squeezed her legs together at the thought of what might occur when they next met. How the hell did this happen? Who falls for a stranger?

  Damn you, Quinn Merchant, no way will you treat me like a throwaway one-night stand.

  Simone closed the door firmly on her wayward thoughts. Picking up her Blackberry, she checked her meetings, one at eleven with the Franks about remortgaging and a staff meeting at one. In her inbox was a reminder from Fiona to call the head office.

  “Guess I’d better do that now.” Then her phone rang.

  “A Quinn Merchant is on the line and wants to know if she can see you in the next hour?”

  Yes, yes. Her body replied. “I’m busy, Fiona, as you know from my calendar. Politely ask if she can make that appointment tomorrow. I need to call the head office, can’t keep them waiting too long.” She ended the call and immediately dialed a familiar number. Quinn would have to wait.

  “Hi John, sorry I couldn't get back to you yesterday. What can I do for you?”

  †

  Quinn stared at Charlie who in turn gave her a similar look. “I know you hugged me earlier, but right now you look shocked, Charlie?”

  Charlie shook his head and then nodded, reminding her of the plastic Dalmatian on the back window of her neighbor’s car.

  “Good shock or bad would you say?”

  “Most definitely good, it’s just sinking in. I do believe, Quinn, that you may have singlehandedly saved Desrosiers. This company has so many opportunities, and people who want it to remain and grow. We just need that someone with deep pockets to see it through.”

  Quinn pondered that statement. The Driscol fortunes were immense. They were also hard business people and would want their pound of flesh by probably taking a massive shareholding that would leave Gene Desrosiers with a meager holding. She certainly wouldn’t be running the show.

  “Charlie, if the Driscol’s become involved, the company won’t be the same.”

  Charlie’s lips puckered, and his bushy eyebrows raised. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, they are an international company and like to run things their way. Something like this they’d probably want majority shareholding, and they would most definitely send in their own people to run Desrosiers.”

  “Oh.” The single hollow word seemed to envelope them.

  “Hey, if it saves the company and Grady that’s the most important thing, right?” Quinn said, hoping her upbeat tone would clear that lost puppy-dog expression from his face. It didn’t. “It’s what you want?”

  Charlie nodded and sighed. “Yes. Well, Quinn, as much as I hate to do this, I need to get some paperwork done so Sutter’s can get their shipments asap.”

  Quinn smiled. “Sure, I’ll contact my office and get that update for lunchtime. See you later, Charlie.” She stood and left the office.

  Outside as she walked along the corridor toward reception, she puzzled over his reaction to the Driscol statement. I guess I’ll find out later when we have dinner. Smiling she wondered if a visit to the local bank might be a good idea. She could see Simone again and maybe snatch a kiss or two that would ignite both their worlds. Yep, it’s worth a try.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Max whistled tonelessly as she withdrew the two steaming steak pies from the oven and transferred them to a warm plate, adding green beans and potato mash. Phil and Lory Franks had arrived on schedule for their Thursday lunch treat. They were both in their mid-fifties and Phil had a part-time courier job three days a week. Lory hadn’t worked since Henderson logging had up and left the area. Today they looked down as she wandered over to their table and presented the meal.

  “Piping hot just as you like it. What’s new?”

  There wasn’t an immediate reaction to her question but they both looked at each other.

  “How about I go fix you that pot of tea you love, and we can chew the fat when you are finished with your meal.”

  “Thanks, Max,” Phil said, and gave her a nod. Lory just looked down at her meal.

  Walking away she scowled. She was going to have to find out what was going on with them. They were lovely people who wouldn’t hurt a fly. If someone had hurt them, they would have to deal with her.

  The door opened, and three people who were total strangers entered. She greeted them with a grin and a buoyant “hi.”

  †

  Megan looked at the entrance to Maxali’s and then at the window showcasing the internal workings. Glancing at her watch, she saw it was fifteen after twelve. She was going to be early. Her gaze returned to the café. It wasn’t full inside from what she could spy, but it certainly was busy. With a determined step she entered and was surprised to see Alice at the desk.

  “Hello, Alice, do you have a table for two for lunch? I’m a bit early.” The beaming smile Alice gave her surprised her. Why should she be? Alice was, after all, just doing her hospitality polite thing. That was her thought until seconds later she was engulfed in a bear hug.

  “Great to see you again, Megan. Dare I ask, is Felix joining you?”

  Megan heard the anticipation i
n Alice’s voice and she was sorry to break that. “It’s Dee. She asked me out to lunch and to be honest, Alice, it hasn’t happened before.”

  “Get away with you. Dee would surely have taken you out to lunch before.” Alice frowned heavily.

  “Sorry that sounded odd. We do, and have, but never during a working week. It’s usually the Mother’s Day or a birthday treat, that kind of thing. It’s never been a spur-of-the-moment invitation. I figure it’s a special occasion.”

  “Special occasion, huh. Well let’s get you seated in the best seats in the house and lunch is on us.”

  “Oh, you can’t do that. Dee and I both like to pay our way.”

  “I know that, Megan. Family look after family and if we can’t treat you, who can we treat?” Alice chuckled.

  “Thank you, Alice.” Megan smiled.

  “My pleasure. Come this way, I have the perfect table.”

  †

  Dee grabbed her purse and jacket and was about to head for the door when the phone rang. Should I, or shouldn't I?

  “Hi.”

  “Dee, it’s Gene. I wondered if maybe you had changed your mind about lunch. I would love to have you there.”

  Closing her eyes, she desperately wanted to say yes, but her lunch with her mom was as important if not more so for her future with Gene.

  “Sorry, Gene, it’s with my mom—”

  “Oh, sorry, I don’t want to interrupt.”

  “If you were free, I’d invite you too. I want you to meet her. Heck, you know all the other members of my family.” Dee chuckled. A part of her was screaming that her dad seriously would not like the way things were going.

  Dee thought she heard a sigh.

  “Well, if I could get away I certainly would. Except I called the lunch. Have a great time with your mom, Dee. For the record, I wish I could do the same and have my mother meet you too. I’ll try to get back to our office before you leave this evening…it’s been hectic.”

  “Gene, I understand. You don’t have to explain yourself to me. Are we still on for tonight?” Dee held her breath.

  “Of course. It’s the only thing keeping me sane right now. What time if things—”

  “My home is yours.” Dee’s body relaxed to such a degree her knees became jelly. There was a definite silence after she spoke. Crap have I gone over the top.

  “Thank you. I will call you before I leave the office. Enjoy your lunch with your mom. For the record, I would prefer to be with you, bye.” Gene ended the call.

  “I love you too.” Dee’s flesh hummed. The only thing was the annoying but wonderful tapping at her temporal lobe. I Love Genevieve Desrosiers.

  †

  Dee opened the door to Maxali’s and was greeted with a huge grin and an even bigger hug as Alice came forward to greet her.

  “Hey, kiddo, this must be some special occasion. Your mom has only ever set foot in here twice and the first was yesterday.”

  Dee shrugged as she extracted herself from Alice’s warm embrace. “Well, not exactly special, but different.”

  “Different is good enough for me. Your mom is at table fifteen, which offers the most privacy.” Alice pointed to a table in the far corner of the room.

  “Thanks, Alice.” Dee headed for the table and just for a few short moments watched the smile on her mom’s face. Damn, I hope she is still smiling when she leaves here. I can live in hope. “Hi Mom, am I late?”

  “No, darling, I was early. How was your morning?”

  “Good. This is a nice table. I usually sit at one of the window tables when I come here. It’s a treat every end of the month on a Saturday for breakfast.” Dee laughed.

  “Everyone should do that, treat themselves every now and again, helps to resolve stressful situations.” Megan smiled.

  Alice arrived at that moment and placed two eight-by-five laminated lunch menus on the table.

  “What can I get you two ladies to drink?” She winked at Dee.

  “Water for me please, Aunt Alice,” Dee said, and picked up one of the menus.

  “I’ll have a latte please…large. Thank you, Alice.” Dee noticed the timid smile her mother gave her aunt. Things were looking up and she saw a thaw happening.

  “Coming right up.” Alice left and went across the room to a table occupied by two men in pin-stripped suits. They didn’t look familiar so they must just have stopped for a break, which was the vast majority of what strangers did in Grady. They simply passed through.

  “Are you hungry, because you know the portions here are generous. I swear that’s why so many people stop here on the way to the airport.” Dee laughed and glanced at the menu while watching as her mom picked up the menu and gazed at it.

  “I don’t usually have lunch out during the week. This is a special treat for me. Thank you, Dee, for inviting me.”

  “Mom, I didn’t realize, or I’d have asked more often. I’m sorry.” Shamefaced she looked at the menu rather than her mom’s face. Am I such a bad daughter not to have thought about doing that?

  “Nothing to be sorry about. You have your own life to live. What do you recommend?”

  “Recommend…oh well everything. You know Alice makes most of the food. I think Max is designated the burger-and-fries partner, because Alice believes that isn’t food.” She chuckled.

  There was silence and Dee looked at her mom. “What’s wrong, Mom?”

  “Nothing, darling.” Megan’s expression was sad and then she sighed. “You know more about Alice and Max than I thought you would.”

  “Why? Because you and dad don’t have contact with them, you expected me to follow?” Dee frowned, and her mother waved her hands in front of her.

  “No, not exactly. I just didn’t know. I guess mothers are expected to know what their daughter is doing…well basic stuff anyway.” Megan switched her gaze back to the menu.

  Thank god for menus at awkward moments. Now Dee understood in part what her mom meant earlier about having a lunch that wasn’t expected. On reflection they only did have lunch at birthdays, or Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

  “Mom, I didn’t think. Call me selfish. I’m sorry.”

  “Stop saying sorry, Deirdre Trudy Lawrence, there is nothing to be sorry for. Now tell me what you are having for lunch.”

  That authoritative, but weirdly gentle, tone made her smile. “Thursday is meat pie day according to the specials board. I’m going to try that.”

  Megan nodded. “Then I shall too. I’m a pretty mean pie baker myself, so we shall see.”

  Dee chuckled, and Alice appeared out of nowhere with their drinks.

  “Having a good time, I see. It’s exactly what we want here at Maxali’s.” Alice placed drinks with their recipients. “Are you ready to order? The special is—”

  “Meat pies,” they replied in unison and giggled. This was good. It brought back memories of when Dee’s mom used to take her to every basketball game near or far in her early teens. Her mom made it happen even if it clashed with her hobbies.

  Alice laughed and shook her head. “You do know that I’m supposed to tell you what it is first. Still, you are family and can read minds, right? Okay don’t answer that I probably don’t want to know. What do you want with the pies…salad, veggies, or fries?” Alice raised her eyebrows and waited for a reply. Dee had seen this expression on many an occasion in the café. Placing a hand over her mouth to disguise the smile, she waited for her mom to speak.

  “I’ll have veggies please.” Megan offered her menu to Alice who took it and nodded.

  “Good choice, Megan. Now, kiddo, don’t disappoint me?”

  Dee flashed her eyelashes and grinned. “Same for me too.”

  “Excellent choices, ladies. Be about ten minutes.”

  Dee shook her head and looked at her mom who had a puzzled expression. “If you had said fries that would have been a definite no-no. Salad would have been okay though, just not for this kind of meal.”

  “You didn’t just call me for lunch
on a whim, did you, darling?”

  Gulping down the lump that threatened to choke her, Dee shook her head.

  “Can you tell me in ten minutes or do I have to wait until after the meal?” Megan reached across the short distance between them and touched her hand. “You are my daughter, I love you and probably contrary to what you might think, I will listen and no matter what, I will still love you.”

  Dee desperately wanted that to be the case but after Alice how could it be? The only question was if Gene was worth alienating her parents, even though there was no certainty things would work out. The answer was yes on every level imaginable.

  “Mom, I’m in love and have been for a while. I want you to understand…” she trailed off not sure what else to say.

  “You want your mother’s approval; can I say I’d like to meet the person before I approve? I want the best for you and the most important thing is your happiness.”

  “I am happy, Mom, so very happy. It hurts inside. I feel like my life is exploding but in a great way.” Dee clenched her fingers together.

  “Well a name might help? We can arrange a family dinner. I know for sure your dad would be in his element. I think secretly he wants to be a grandfather, but I never said that.” Megan chuckled.

  Dee sucked in a silent breath. Her dad was going to be so disappointed on all fronts then. “Maybe we will have this conversation when we have more time.”

  Her mom gave her that stare: tell me, or your baby photos are going to be in the forefront kind of look.

  “Mom, I don’t want to upset you and, worse, lose you from my life. That’s why I’ve held this in so long. Except I can’t keep it a secret anymore. She became a part of my heart from the first moment I met her.”

  “She?”

  “Yes. She.”

  Megan blinked rapidly and looked around. “Give me a minute.” She stood and walked toward Alice.