Midnight in Brussels

by Rebecca Randolph Buckley

  Again the drive through the countryside was gorgeous and green, even though it was heavily populated along the way in certain areas. At times it felt as if Antwerp might be a suburb of Brussels.

  “We’ll have lunch at the Grote Market. I hear it’s not quite as large as the Grand Place, but the buildings are something to see … all the guild houses. Plenty of cafes and shops.”

  “I’m so glad we’re taking this break. I needed it. Thank you for convincing me,” Amanda said as she smiled at him.

  Richard patted her hand. “It was obvious you needed a break. If you don’t mind, I’d like to swing by the diamond district, too. We can do that first and get it out of the way. Seventy percent of the world’s diamonds come from Antwerp and there are over fifteen hundred diamond companies and four gigantic houses where the diamonds are sold to the public. I’ve heard it’s incredible. And since I’ve a bit of cash to invest, I’d like to invest in some uncut, rough diamonds. A friend of mine in Montana suggested it. He does it, says it’s profitable.”

  “You buy rings or just the rocks?”

  “Rocks.”

  “What will you do with them?” Amanda asked.

  “Keep them in a safe place for a rainy day, I guess.” He grinned, thinking of his ulterior motives. He was having more fun than he’d had in years.

  “So you’re in Brussels to buy cows and diamonds,” she laughed. “Quite a combination.”

  “And to be with you, of course,” Richard reminded her. “If it weren’t for you I would have no reason to be here, actually. So I may as well make a business trip out of it so I can deduct it on my taxes. Makes sense, doesn’t it?’

  “I guess it does,” Amanda said as she frowned and turned away, thinking how nothing was making much sense lately.

  Amanda’s attention was distracted by a field of flowers stretching up over the foothills. She pointed, “Oh my gosh! Look over there! The daisies, aren’t they pretty? I love daisies.”

  They took a tour through Diamond Land, the largest diamond house in Antwerp. They saw the diamond polishers, setters, and goldsmiths at work. The guided tour took twenty minutes. They learned about cleaving, sawing, bruting, polishing and the international rules for grading diamonds - carat, color, cut and clarity.

  “Oh my goodness, would you look at that ring!” Amanda’s eyes were fastened on a 4-carat emerald-cut white diamond set in a halo of pale yellow diamonds. “That ring takes the cake, doesn’t it?”

  “It sure does,” Richard agreed. “Want to see how it looks on your hand?”

  Amanda looked up at him. “Is it all right, will they let me try it on for fun?”

  Richard motioned to a sales person, “This one, please.”

  It fit Amanda’s finger perfectly. She put it on the right hand, though, not the left.

  “A perfect dinner ring.” Richard was excited. He stood behind her as she was admiring it on her finger and motioned to the salesman that he wanted to buy it, and indicated he didn’t want her to know.

  Amanda took it off her finger and handed it back. “Oh my, there’s another one. Look at that one over there. Not as pretty, but wow! These are something else, aren’t they? How could a person make up her mind?”

  Richard laughed. “I don’t know. I guess you have to be able to afford more than one if you can’t settle on one.”

  “But they’ve got to cost thousands. Who could afford it?”

  “Darling, would you mind if I go talk to the man over there in his office? I’ve got an appointment with him about the uncut diamonds. It shouldn’t take long. Will you be all right till I come back?”

  Amanda nodded. “Sure I will. In fact you go on ahead; I’ll just browse through the rooms.” She turned to the salesman. “Where is the nearest restroom, please?”

  Later, as they walked to a lovely café on the Grote Market, Richard could hardly contain himself. The ring was in his pocket. He ordered a bottle of champagne immediately, before they were seated outdoors. It was a clear day with a slight breeze to filter the heat of the sun’s rays. Assorted flowers were in pots surrounding the patio area where they were sitting. A violinist had been strolling through the square and stopped a few feet from Richard and Amanda, playing softly, romantically.

  After the champagne was poured, Richard lifted his glass to Amanda. She did the same.

  “Richard, I am so happy you’re here. I have to tell you that when I first saw you come through the door at the Metropole, I didn’t know what to do or think.”

  “I know, darling. I know. So let’s toast to us. To us being together for the rest of our lives.”

  Amanda frowned and set her glass on the table. “I can’t do that. I’m not going back.”

  “Lift your glass, darling.” Richard smiled and cocked his head. “And let me finish the toast, please.”

  She reluctantly lifted her glass, looking away from him.

  “I love you with all my heart, Amanda. I have since the first day I saw you in KC’s. Will you drink to that with me?”

  She clinked his glass with hers. “Yes, I can drink to that.” She looked across the table to him, “I know you love me. But—”

  “And will you marry me, Miss Mandy Malone?” He held out the brilliant white and yellow diamond ring from Diamond Land. “Will you wear this beautiful ring as a commitment and promise of our love for each other?”

  Amanda was stunned; her hand holding the glass froze in mid-air. Her eyes were popping out of her head and her mouth was hanging open. She couldn’t breathe.

  Richard lifted her left hand from the table and slipped the ring on her third finger. “It’s your very own ring, my love. You chose it. It belongs to nobody else.”

  Amanda was numb with disbelief. She looked up at Richard. “But— Oh— Richard! I do adore you, I do— but I can’t go back to live with you in California. I just can’t. I have my own business here now—”

  Richard placed his hand over hers. “Amanda, darling, I don’t have to live in California. We can live here, together. I want to be here with you wherever you are. Please say yes.”

  It was beyond Amanda’s comprehension of a dream come true. How could this be happening to her? This was fairy tale stuff, it wasn’t real.

  She gazed into his magnetic eyes and said “Yes, I will marry you.”

  Chapter 48

  Four days before the opening of Mandy Malone’s, the permits still hadn’t been issued. Amanda was frantic; all the advertisement had gone out, the shop was ready, two of the seamstresses were lined up to help with the opening as sales clerks, it was all set. It took all of Richard’s cleverness to calm Amanda. He promised her she would be able to open for business, not to worry.

  He’d already found out he had to file for a Certificate of Residency for the Marriage Purposes, which he did. He made a few phone calls to business acquaintances in Brussels and a few political contacts at the EU which is based in Brussels. He was told to go to the American Consulate, that possibly that would be his solution.

  So he made an appointment to meet with an old buddy of his; one he’d done business with in the States before the guy had been assigned to Belgium.

  John Crane’s assistant met Richard in reception and took him down a long corridor to Crane’s office.

  “Richard, what a surprise! How are you?” Crane asked as he held out his hand.

  “I’m doing great! It’s good to see you, again, John Boy.”

  “Well, I’ve packed on a few pounds since I saw you last,” he said as he laughed.

  Richard noticed that right off. And he also noticed the receding hairline where curly red hair used to reside. “Hey, we all get older and changes do take place.”

  “But you haven’t changed a bit. You’re still a handsome devil. So what brings you to Brussels? You buying some Blues?”

  Richard nodded. “Yes I am. And I’m also here for pleasure. Am getting married.”

  “I’m all ears. Have a seat.”

  Richard sat in a chair in front
of the desk, John Boy behind the desk.

  “Well, I’m marrying an angel whose dream is to live in Belgium. A few months ago, she came over to learn how to make lace and took classes at the Kantcentrum in Bruges. Now she’s designing clothing using the lace. She has hired seamstresses to sew her garments and uses the lace-makers in Bruges to make most of the lace, since she can’t do it all herself.”

  “She sounds pretty industrious. Is she originally from Belgium?”

  “No. She’s American, isn’t a permanent resident here yet, but she wants to be. In fact we’ll be living here just outside of Brussels as soon as we get married. I just bought the Sargent estate near Leuven.”

  “The castle?” John Boy raised his eyebrows in disbelief.

  “Yes. She doesn’t know about it. I’m going to surprise her.”

  “So how can I help you?”

  “Well, she applied for the business permits and there’s a hang-up,” Richard explained. “I just arrived a little over a month ago, by the way. So we need to speed up the permits so she can open on Saturday as planned. Everything else is ready. Can you help us get the permits?”

  John Boy leaned back in his chair, thinking.

  “And I just filed for a Certificate of Residency for Marriage Purposes. I’ll be going back and forth to the U.S to check on the ranches, but Amanda plans to apply for permanent residency here. So, John Boy, what can we do?”

  “I have a contact in the EU who might be able to help us.” John Boy reached for a directory. “And he can also get the ball rolling on the residency situation. Hell, she’s creating jobs for Belgian citizens and you’re contributing to our export economy. How could they possibly refuse?”

  The number he wanted wasn’t in the directory, so he picked up the phone and buzzed his assistant. “Hillary, would you get Larry Grodin’s private number for me? Yes, please.” He stood up and asked Richard, “Would you like a cup of coffee while we wait?”

  Chapter 49

  It was Saturday, June 15, the hottest summer day on record for Brussels. But the extreme weather didn’t prevent the shoppers from flooding the streets and lanes on this particular special day ─ Mandy Malone Designs was open for business.

  Banners were crisscrossing her shop windows announcing the event, carefully placed so as not to hide the creations on the mannequins in the windows. The paneling on the stone front of the shop had been painted navy blue; the double doors’ wooden trim around the etched glass panes was a deep crimson with brass fittings. Gold lettering on the glass spelled out:

  Mandy Malone Designs

  LADIES APPAREL

  Hand Made Belgian Lace

  Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  For private showing see proprietor

  The shop had been full of customers since the doors first opened at ten that morning. Rachel and Amanda were busy talking with potential buyers, helping them find the right fit, suggesting a garment that would be perfect in their coloring or shape. Two other salesgirls were busy—one monitoring the dressing rooms, one at the cash register. Although the shop was small and crowded, the traffic seemed to flow without feeling claustrophobic. The racks had been placed in a manner that allowed easy maneuvering around them. Horizontal clothing poles were also built into the walls at different heights with shelving above them.

  Richard stood on the steps outside greeting people and displaying his natural charm. He handed out business cards and answered questions about the designer. Whenever he caught Amanda’s attention, he winked or blew a kiss or waved.

  Finally at mid-afternoon, when the pace had slowed down considerably and the two salesgirls had had their break, Richard stepped inside and asked Amanda and Rachel to lunch.

  They gladly and wearily trudged to The Roy which was just down the lane on the square.

  “My goodness, I am worn out!” Amanda plopped down at a table in the window.

  “Me too.” Rachel sat across from her.

  Richard sat next to Amanda. “Well, you ladies have been at it for hours. It’s no wonder you’re exhausted. It’s time for resting and refueling.”

  “I feel like goin’ up to my room and crawlin’ into bed when we get back,” Amanda moaned.

  Rachel laughed. “Looks like it’s going to be an early night for me, too. I’m pretty tired myself.” She took a sip of the water the waiter had just set on the table. “That’s hard work, Mandy. I’m accustomed to sitting while I work.”

  “And I appreciate all that you’re doing for me, Rachel. I really do,” Amanda told her. “I don’t know what I would have done without you and Richard.” She reached over and gave both of them a squeeze of the hands.

  Richard squeezed back. “Darling, I believe you could do anything you set your mind to. I don’t have a single doubt about that.”

  Amanda shrugged. “Well, there have been some pretty rocky moments through it all. If it hadn’t been for y’all … you were the one who made them give me the permits and built all the shelves and racks, Richard. And Rachel, if it hadn’t been for you investing the money and encouraging me, helping me with the layout of the shop, well—” Tears filled her eyes.

  “My pleasure, sweetie.” Rachel whispered as she patted Amanda’s hand. She took another sip of water. “And, Richard, those racks are fabulous. The way you cut out the ends that hold the brass poles and painted them navy blue to match the decor. What gave you that idea?”

  “I saw it in a shop in the States.”

  Amanda gave a sly grin. “It wasn’t Elaine’s shop, by any chance, was it?”

  Clearing his throat, Richard blushed, “Uh, well, yes it was, darling. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “That was his old girlfriend. The one I told you about, Rachel.”

  “The one with the ring?” Rachel asked. “I would venture to say that you ended up with the most beautiful ring. Hers doesn’t compare to the one you’re wearing now.”

  “Speaking of rings, girls,” Richard spoke up. “When are we going to tie the knot, darling? Now that the shop is open, shouldn’t we set a date?”

  Amanda’s eyes widened. She looked at Rachel as if pleading for help. “I don’t know. Uh, what do you think, Rachel? I ain’t ever planned a wedding by myself before. Richard was doing the planning in Cupertino. Arlie and me just went to the justice of the peace in Mountain Home, Arkansas, to get hitched.”

  Richard gently touched her elbow. “The law here says we have to have a civil ceremony. We can’t have it in a church. That is, we can have a wedding in a church after the civil ceremony, if we want. But a church wedding alone isn’t legal. It has to be at City Hall before a judge or whatever they call the guy that does it. So we just need witnesses at City Hall. Not much planning. And then we can have a big blowout somewhere else for everybody that wants to come celebrate with us – family and friends.

  “You remember that castle I showed you, darling? The one out there past Lueven? I found out it can be rented for shindigs. Why don’t I see about that for our reception?”

  “Oh my goodness! I guess that would be all right. Sure!” Amanda looked at Rachel, becoming more excited about the subject. “Of course I want to make my own wedding gown.”

  Richard frowned, “But you already made one for the Cupertino wedding.”

  “I had Paula give that one to Goodwill in Bakersfield. So, I’ll need a new one, and that’s going to take some time. I have to plan that.”

  “Well, how long will it take?” Richard asked as he sipped coffee.

  “I have to find the fabric and make the lace for it.”

  “Why not use some of the lace that your girls have already made. It’ll take too long to make more, won’t it?”

  “All the lace and my wedding dress will be made by me, Richard,” Amanda declared firmly.

  He grinned and faced Rachel. “This certainly isn’t the shy, meek little Arkansas princess I met a year ago in Bakersfield. I think that castle will make a perfect reception party for Queen Amanda.”

  He and Rachel wi
nked at each other, exchanging a secret-sharing look that Amanda missed.

  Chapter 50

  Amanda was standing behind the cash register after a customer had paid and left. “I’ll miss Rachel,” she said to Richard.

  “She’ll be back for the wedding, darling. That’s less than two months away. C’mon, let’s go to lunch.”

  They decided to go to the restaurant next door to The Roy for a change. It was less crowded and Amanda wanted to hurry and get back to the shop; a shipment of fabric was due to arrive.

  Just as they got seated, Richard’s cell phone rang. He looked at the screen and said, “It’s Jered. I’ll take this outside.” He answered as he was walking out the door, “Jered. What’s up?”

  “Boss, I got some bad news. I don’t know how to tell you this.”

  “Just spit it out. That’s the best way.” Richard walked into the square away from the ears of diners on the patio.

  “It’s Darys, Boss. She’s had an accident.”

  “And?”

  “She’s in the hospital. You better come, Boss. It doesn’t look good.”

  Richard put his hand to his forehead, breathing in short spurts. “What happened?”

  “Spider threw her. She was up in the mountains and you know how wild she can get when she’s riding horses. Well, she pushed him too hard and he threw her down an incline into a pile of boulders. It took us a day to find her after Spider came home. Her back is broken, Boss, and she’s got some head injuries, along with a lot of other stuff. She’s in a coma.”

  “I’ll be out of here on the first plane. I’ll call you when I get to the airport.”

  He hurried back into the café to tell Amanda.

  Later that afternoon Amanda took a walk to the Gothic Beguinage Church of St. Jean Baptiste. It was just a short distance from the Metropole Hotel and its carved doors and façade was considered the most beautiful in Belgium. She’d been drawn to it several times before, mainly because she felt familiar with the name of John the Baptist, figured it might be similar to her grandmother’s Baptist church in Arkansas.