“You have yet to meet my father.” Worth grinned sardonically.
“What would your father have against me?” I asked, puzzled.
“Primarily, that you weren’t his idea. Add to that the facts that I moved out without his permission, bought out the clinic and got rid of one of his cronies, but most of all, that he’s getting older and losing his touch. He wants respect and he’s being overlooked. He’s blaming it on you and me, I’m quite sure.”
I looked at Worth with a question on my face.
“No, he doesn’t know.” Worth read the look and I nodded in relief. We could only deal with one battle at a time.
“Okay, peace?” I asked.
“Peace,” he echoed. “Now, what the hell do we do about getting our house built?” he asked. “After all, I understand you have started a rumor that I’m ruined and unable to pay my debts. That’s pretty serious in our set, Auggie.”
“I’ll spread it around that I was jealous and just said that to get back at you,” I suggested.
“Well, that’s pretty much true, don’t you think?” He looked at me as if I was a naughty child. He caught himself at my frown and neutralized the look immediately. That was good. He was learning.
I reached for his hand. “Let me see what I can do to fix this, okay? It may not happen in three months, but it will be soon, I promise.” He nodded.
He was going to let me handle it, after all. He really didn’t have any choice in the matter.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Auggie
I suddenly had more on my plate than I could ever remember in my entire life. In fact, if anything, I could feel something building inside my stomach I’d never experienced — panic.
I had a building project going on at Sunset Village that affected dozens of people in several different ways. I had given my word that the residents would not be affected during construction. I decided to go and visit Mrs. Jessup.
Before I went there, however, I had some business to clear up. I called her number. “Hello?” answered Beverly Dexter.
“Beverly, it’s Auggie.”
“How are you? I have some quotes for you to look over. I thought we might meet at Brandon’s office when you’re both free.”
I had so much on my mind, including the phrasing of what I was about to say, that I readily agreed. “That’s fine. But listen, Beverly, I have a confession to make.”
“What’s that?”
“Well…” Geez, this was hard. “At some point in the past, I know you’ve had a spat with a guy and wanted to do anything you could to get back at him, right?”
“Yes, haven’t we all?” Beverly laughed, thinking she was being invited to play a part in a plan I might have.
“Well, the thing is, that’s exactly what I did. The first day you and I met, and you told me what Worth said about letting me deal with ‘fripperies’— well, I don’t need to tell you that the remark got to me. You see, Worth and I had a previous agreement about me managing the building of his new house and I was insulted by the way he demeaned me. So, I told you he was broke, ruined… well, you remember all the things I said.”
There was a long pause and I wondered if she was about to hang up on me. “Yes, I do. Quite well, in fact. I remember being disappointed because I found him quite intriguing and couldn’t believe he’d gotten himself into such a mess.”
I picked that comment up and followed through. “That’s just it, he isn’t ruined, has more money than ever and he really needs your help to get that house done. What I did was childish and I realize that now. I apologized to him and now I’m apologizing to you. I got your help with the Sunset Village Project under false pretenses. I’m thoroughly and completely sorry and will see to it personally that you are paid for every hour you put into the project, if only you’ll forgive me.” I waited to hear her response. It was a few moments in coming as she digested the impact of what I was saying.
“Hmmm… yes, I see you’ve made a mess of things.” Her voice wasn’t amused, but not angry, either. Maybe I read her wrong from the very start. “Tell you what, Auggie. I’ll still donate my services at Sunset because I’ve publicly said I would and it would only cause you further embarrassment if this story got around. But in return, I need to get back to Worth and not lose that possible commission as well. He’s well connected and it could be a very favorable thing for my career.”
“Oh, that’s perfect, Beverly! I promised Worth I would ask you to come back because clearly, this is my fault. I will let his office know to expect you and call you with an appointment time when he’s not seeing patients.”
“Auggie, if you don’t mind… what is your role in all this? Are you and Worth an item?”
“It’s not what you think,” I said enigmatically. “Go and talk to Worth — he’ll be excited to see you.”
Little did I know then the impact those parting words would have on my life to come.
***
I got into the car, glad for its warmth and headed for Sunset Village to visit Mrs. Jessup. I found her in the dining room, sitting alone in the corner of the room. There was a half empty cup of tea in front of her and I was suddenly ashamed that I’d been so caught up in my own life that I had ignored hers.
I carried a tray with a fresh cup of tea, two sugar-free pastries I’d purchased at the local bakery and a small vase with some flowers. Just beyond her, the windows framed the flakes of the first snow. I knew this was a tough time of year for the elderly. They were often victims of seasonal affective disorder, simply not getting enough sunlight. It was too cold to take her outdoors in her chair, but I made a mental note to ask Beverly whether we might include broad windows and even some skylights in our addition. I then thought that an indoor arboretum would be a wonderful feature as well.
“Hello, Mrs. Jessup,” I greeted her, setting down the tray and putting the pastry in front of her. Her eyes lit up and she reached upward to hug me.
“I’ve missed you, Auggie,” she began with childish delight. “Although I can say I’ve heard your name bandied about a great deal.”
“You have? Then you know about the plans for the building and grounds?” I asked.
“Oh, yes… the word on the street,” she lifted her hand sideways as if telling a confidence, “is that you are quite the force to be reckoned with. I’ve even heard whispers about Worth LaViere.” She smiled in her personally charming manner. I thought for a moment how horrible it will be to get old, to be discounted for everything you say or do. I vowed to somehow overcome that. I just had no idea how at the moment.
“Really? What is the street saying?” I asked, amused as I stirred a packet of sugar into my tea.