Million-Dollar Makeover

by Cheryl St. John

  Lisa went about her new life the best way she knew how. And she spent a lot of time thinking about where she wanted to direct her energy and her emotions. Dogs had always been her first love, and caring for them would always be important. Calls for walks and care had dwindled with her rise to local fame, though. Her clients assumed she didn’t have the time or the inclination, and truth be told, it was becoming more and more difficult to juggle Puppy Love with her other business obligations.

  She still loved her grandmother’s house and couldn’t imagine not having the security and memories it provided. One evening, out of the blue, the idea came to her that she could move this house to a more suitable location with surrounding land and a security enclosure.

  Amazing how money could open doors and move otherwise unoiled gears. Her first phone calls were met by receptive people with the knowledge and skill to help her move the house. Calls to Realtors resulted in appointments to look at property.

  Remembering something Emily had said to her the very first day they’d met, Lisa thought about the things she’d always thought she would do if she could afford to. Emily had said she’d pay for her sister’s college. Lisa didn’t have any siblings, but she’d given a lot of thought to things she would do with her money when she actually had an abundance.

  Riley left a message for her to call the bank and verify balances. She did and her ears went numb. She was rich.

  He was her financial manager. She needed to clear things with him, so she called Marge and asked her to leave him a message. Previously his secretary had caught on that Lisa didn’t want to speak directly to him. Lisa told her she wanted to start a search for property and asked how much she could safely spend this month.

  She wanted to implement a plan for an animal shelter, as well. Before she’d understood the magnitude of her inheritance, she’d had it in her heart that building a no-kill facility would be the height of her benevolent dreams. Now there was no reason it couldn’t become a reality.

  After explaining to Marge, she hung up feeling guilty and called her right back. “Marge, never mind. I’m sorry to have placed you in this position. I’ll talk to Riley myself.”

  “No problem. He’s right here.”

  She had expected him to return her call, not be standing by.

  “Hello, Lisa.”

  “Hi. I want to move on a couple of projects, so I need to run them past you.”

  “Great. Want me to come over there?”

  “We can talk over the phone.”

  “Whatever makes you happy.”

  She explained about looking for property and about the animal shelter.

  “You’d better hold off on the shelter,” he told her.

  “Why?”

  “You’d be doubling your efforts.”

  “How so?” she asked. “There’s nothing like that in Thunder Canyon.”

  “But there will be. There’s been land purchased.”

  “By whom?”

  He paused only briefly. “By me.”

  Riley had already bought land for an animal shelter?

  “One of the things I need to talk to you about is how to set it up and what features to employ. I thought we could visit a couple in nearby regions and get some ideas.”

  Lisa had to compose her thoughts to find her tongue. “You are planning to build an animal shelter?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “I heard you mention it once.”

  “Is this some sort of manipulation technique?”

  “No, it’s going to be a gift. To the city.”

  “Why this particular project?”

  “Because I know it’s close to your heart. And that’s where I want to be, as well. I was hoping it would show you I’m not the greedy, scum-sucking control freak you think I am. I admit I got close to fitting that description once, but I’m working at change. I’d like you to take over the project and have the final say on everything.”

  What did an animal shelter cost? she thought with skepticism. Only a fraction of a gold mine. If he sucked her in with this ploy, he’d still be a cool mil ahead.

  “Will you do it?” he asked.

  “If you’re serious. But not if you think it changes anything.”

  The line was silent a moment too long. “Will you accept my apology so I can sleep nights?”

  Why should he have a sleep advantage over her? “What, a conscience?”

  “A conscience, a heart, whatever you want to call it. I’m sorry. I can’t go back and fix it. But I can show you I’m not that same person.”

  “By building an animal shelter?”

  “By doing something I thought you’d respect me for.”

  “People earn respect, Riley.”

  “That they do. You earned mine.”

  She couldn’t listen to this. She couldn’t weaken. “We’re business associates. I don’t want to avoid your phone calls. I want to know that when your number shows up, you’re calling about business. I want to know that when we see each other face-to-face, it’s not going to be a test of wills. The manipulating and bribing have to stop.”

  “You’re right.”

  “Why did you send the stained-glass window, then?”

  “Because it’s beautiful and I knew you’d love it. Why did you send it back?”

  “Because it’s beautiful, and I loved it.”

  “It doesn’t go with my place.”

  She wanted badly to comment that nothing went with his place, but she held her tongue. “No more bribes.”

  “You say to-may-to, I say to-mah-to.”

  “Business. Period.”

  “All right, Lisa.” The way he said her name with such sincerity and feeling hammered at her protective armor.

  “I’m not kidding,” she said and meant it.

  “I know you’re not. I agree to your terms. Thank you for calling, Lisa.”

  “We’ll talk soon, then.” She paused a moment too long. “Bye.”

  She hung up, satisfied with his promise but sorry she’d had to wrest it out of him. No room for chances where Riley was concerned. Things needed to be as safe as she could make them. She was existing in a tissue-paper world—and it was raining.

  The last thing Lisa wanted to do was attend the event at Town Hall on Saturday night of the next week. The Gold Fever Gala was being held in the huge reception room in the restored building. This evening had been planned in order to celebrate several things, including the boost to the economy and the production of gold from the Queen of Hearts, and to announce the plethora of projects which had been put in place.

  As a popular Thunder Canyon daughter and the newly discovered heiress, Lisa had been invited as the guest of honor.

  She had taken great care with her appearance, culling yet another divine red dress from the selection Gwen had pulled together for her. This one was calf length and slit up the side and left one shoulder bare. Tiny matching beads sewn on the fabric in leafy designs reflected the light.

  A valet took Lisa’s keys and the Blazer and parked it for her. Bernadine had offered to pick her up, but knowing her lawyer had a date, Lisa had refused.

  Several people Lisa didn’t know arrived just as she did. They introduced themselves and walked in through the double glass doors behind her.

  Inside, the first person Lisa recognized was Emily Vaughn. She looked elegant in a deep-emerald gown that emphasized her sleek hair and dark eyes. Emily was quick to greet Lisa with a smile and a brief hug. “You look as though you’re here for a roast.”

  “I’ll try to compose myself. I’m still a novice at this social stuff. I expect to trip or sneeze on somebody’s tie at any given minute.”

  “You’re the woman of the hour, so try to relax and enjoy every minute while it lasts.”

  “I’ll try. I feel like a big fake. I didn’t do anything to be here. I’m only the mine owner because of my genes.”

  “Don’t knock family money. Nobody ever says the Kennedys don’t deser
ve what they have.”

  Lisa laughed. “I’ll remember that.”

  A couple just inside the door to the reception hall greeted the two women. “Hi, Lisa. I’m Faith Stevenson, and this is my husband, Cam.”

  Lisa shook their hands. “Stevenson. You must be the parents of the boy who started this whole gold rush by falling into the mine.”

  Cam’s brown eyes were as warm as his smile. “That’s our claim to fame. It was scary, but it turned out well for everyone. Faith was the rescue worker who found Erik, and that’s how we met.”

  “Well, congratulations. I’d love to meet Erik one of these days.”

  Bernadine was standing with Olivia Chester and a few other guests when Lisa spotted her. She gestured for Lisa to join them, and Emily excused herself and moved off into the crowd.

  “You’ve met Olivia,” Bernadine said.

  “Hello again, Doctor.”

  “These are some of my colleagues.” Olivia gestured to those beside her. “Christopher Taylor works in the E.R. and his wife, Zoe, is a resident.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “You, too,” Zoe said. “I can see why red is your signature color. You look fabulous.”

  Lisa hadn’t really thought of it like that. She’d chosen red dresses as a statement of pride about Lily, but she didn’t mind the association. “Thank you.”

  The gathering broke up, and Lisa asked her lawyer, “Where’s your date?”

  “I thought he went to get drinks. I’d better go make sure he didn’t meet someone else and forget about me.”

  More guests arrived and drinks flowed from bars set up in two corners of the room. Lisa was tickled to see Tildy Matheson had come to the reception. The woman was seated in an overstuffed chair, which had been situated for her comfort. Lisa pulled a folding chair close so they could visit.

  “I already heard about the book project,” Tildy told her. “Ben told me. I’m real proud of you for thinking of it. Catherine and Lily would be real proud, too.”

  “Thank you, Tildy. I’m grateful to you for helping me learn more about my ancestor.”

  Tildy glanced at the glass of wine a nearby guest held. “I could sure use a cup of tea. I don’t suppose there’s any to be had.”

  “I’ll ask. You sit tight.”

  Lisa approached one of the corner bars. Two people waiting in line moved aside so she could go first. “I’ll wait my turn,” she told them.

  “Oh, no, you’re the guest of honor. The guest of honor goes first.”

  “I just wanted to ask if there was any tea. Miss Matheson would like a cup.”

  “My wife carries a little tin with tea bags in her purse,” the taller gentleman said. “I’ll go ask her for one.”

  “They have a microwave in the back room,” the other man said. “I’ll go get a cup of hot water.”

  A few minutes later Lisa thanked them profusely and carried a mug of tea to Tildy.

  “You’re a dear girl,” the old woman said. She blew on her tea and sipped it. “There’s that nice Mark Anderson, the reporter who bought the Nugget.”

  Lisa glanced over at the dark-eyed man with graying hair at his temples. Bless Tildy for using the words nice and reporter in the same breath.

  “He married that pretty Hispanic waitress from the Hitching Post, you know. He adopted her baby.”

  Lisa learned more local gossip at every event she attended. She could only imagine the speculation about her—and the talk regarding the times she’d been seen and photographed in Riley’s company.

  Justin and Katie Caldwell paused to greet the two women, and Lisa couldn’t help glancing around for the rest of the Douglases. The room had grown full, and it was becoming more difficult to find people.

  A ringing sound, like that of a glass being struck repeatedly with a utensil, resounded in the room and the crowd hushed.

  Mayor Brookhurst stood on a podium, which had been set along one wall to elevate the speakers. “Attention, ladies and gentlemen! May I have your attention, please?”

  Feedback from the microphone screeched and bystanders covered their ears.

  Once the technical difficulties had been solved, the mayor proceeded. “Welcome one and all to our first Gold Fever Gala! Isn’t this exciting? There hasn’t been this much enthusiasm in Thunder Canyon for a good many years. I’m fortunate that the events of this year have taken place during my term. With everyone so happy and the town doing so well, maybe I’ll get elected again just so I can bring good luck.”

  Soft laughter swept the crowd and a good-natured heckler told him democracy had nothing to do with luck.

  “We’re here tonight to celebrate our good fortune. The Queen of Hearts gold mine is in full production.”

  Applause rose in a resounding thunder.

  “Our motels and restaurants, the gift shops, all the businesses have had more trade these past few months than in our history.”

  Residents clapped again.

  “This evening there are several people we want to recognize for the parts they played in making this happen. We wanted to recognize Erik Stevenson’s contribution, but his parents thought positive reinforcement for running away and hiding in the mine was a bad idea.”

  The crowd Awwwed collectively.

  “But a donation to Erik’s college fund is being made on behalf of the Businessmen’s Guild, and you’re all sworn to secrecy until he’s eighteen.”

  Lisa observed the smiles on Cam and Faith’s faces. They hugged each other and went forward to accept the gift.

  “This next award will be shared among several people who were each important in the events leading to our current boom. As you all know, Emily and Brad Vaughn were the ones who discovered the original deed to the mine. So, Emily and Brad, come up here beside me, please.”

  The couple made their way forward.

  “Now, Brad and Emily wouldn’t have come to Thunder Canyon at all if the Douglases hadn’t paid for their investigation, so, Caleb and Riley, we want you in this group, too. Come on.”

  Murmurs went through the throng of guests. Caleb’s silver hair came into view above the crowd, and then the rest of him as he stepped up onto the podium wearing his usual western-cut jacket. “Come on, Riley,” he said.

  Riley hung back and waved a dismissive hand. “I only wrote the checks. You found the team.”

  At his refusal to join them, Mayor Brookhurst went on. “Our next person of honor is the woman who kept the deed among her possessions for all these years until it could be claimed. Where’s Matilda Matheson?”

  A hubbub of chatter spread after her name was spoken, and after several minutes Tildy came forward, aided by Mark Anderson and Ben Saunders. They assisted her up to the platform. She was beaming with pleasure at the attention.

  Riley lifted her chair into place, and she took a seat while the others stood beside her.

  “Each of these fine people are hereby rewarded with a key to the city,” the mayor said, and his assistant hung a large gold-foil key by a wide red ribbon around each of their necks.

  Caleb looked at the mock key hanging on his shirt front and then aside as though he was sorry he’d come up for such pathetic praise.

  “Now, that key doesn’t really unlock anything,” the mayor told them. “But whenever any of you want to be mayor for a day, you just bring your key to the Hall and the job is yours.”

  Laughter rippled through the crowd, and everyone clapped for those being honored. After pictures were taken, they dispersed back into the cluster of guests.

  “Let me be mayor for a day and he’d never get hired again,” Caleb said as an aside, and he received a few sidelong glances.

  Oblivious to the comment, the mayor resumed his task. “Last but certainly not least, we have a special guest of honor we want to recognize right now. The people of Thunder Canyon want this young lady to know we’re proud of her. Come on up here, please, Lisa Jane Martin!”

  Lisa felt the warmth of nervousness climb her neck and fac
e. This public recognition was so out of her element that if it had happened a month ago, she would have fainted dead away. She’d gained self-confidence in that month, however, and she was no longer ashamed of her connection to her great-great-grandmother. She held her head high and walked through the crowd.

  Phil Wagner happened to be standing nearest, so he reached for her hand to help her. She held her skirt and stepped up on the riser.

  Cameras snapped and whirred.

  “Lisa, as owner of the Queen of Hearts, you’ve already shown that you’re going to give back to our community. As docent of the museum, Ben Saunders is going to talk about the book project for the historical society.”

  Ben did indeed get up and share the details of the book he was authoring and that Lisa was publishing. “What we hope to do with this project is dispel the myths that have surrounded Lily all these years and present the facts. I’m honored that Lisa has asked me to do this.”

  After he stepped down and the applause quieted, the mayor looked at Lisa with a big smile. “We have another surprise to share. One of Lisa’s first business ventures will be the Claim Jumper restaurant. Fine dining right here in Thunder Canyon.”

  The excitement over the announcements abated momentarily.

  “In recognition, Lisa, we present you with this.” He turned to where his assistant held out a box with the lid removed. From inside, Mayor Brookhurst took a gold tiara set with heart-shaped stones.

  A few bystanders chuckled, but everyone clapped enthusiastically.

  “You are now—officially—the queen of our hearts.”

  Smiling, Lisa stood still so he could place the tiara on her head, securing the combs in her hair.

  Among the sea of faces, she spotted Bernadine smiling and clapping. Her date was a handsome fellow with a mustache and slightly graying hair.

  Lisa’s gaze locked with Riley’s then, and the noise of the room faded away. Queen of their hearts was lovely. But she’d like to have a place in one special person’s heart.