Chapter Seventy Two
This chapter and arc run parallel to chapters 68-71.
Brian dropped by the office that evening before he left, hoping to see Jim’s new secretary again. Bernie, he thought with a smile. The pretty secretary had told him what happened with Hallie’s drunken appearance and Brian was not happy with his cousin showing up at the school. He suspected she was spinning out of control, but he knew she had been unstable for years.
His intent to ask Jim if she was single went out the window as soon as he walked into Jim’s office. She was sitting across from him, raking a letter in short hand as he dictated, but Brian saw the admiring look from Jim to her, and even he could see the underlying crackle. He didn’t have a chance, he thought, with a quiet sigh. Yet again. Maybe he should ask the L&D nurse out that was always flirting with him. She seemed nice enough. Nat would be moving out soon with her cousins and he dreaded the silence of the house again.
Brian studied his friend for a moment from the door. Bernie seemed like a nice girl and she had definite sex appeal under those suits. Brian had dated enough women over the years to have the ability to see through the ‘plain Jane’ appearance. And she was related to Miss Trask, which automatically gave her some points for being someone of quality, but Brian was a bit worried. Brian knew there hadn’t been much love in the Frayne marriage, but his old friend was very vulnerable now, and the last thing Brian wanted was to see either party get hurt.
Not to mention it was completely unprofessional to hook up with one’s secretary, but Brian knew it wouldn’t be Jim’s first time doing so. Jill had completely disappeared. Bernie wasn’t Jim’s usual type. She wasn’t petite and blonde. She hid was Brian knew to be a pretty face behind those horrible glasses, and bound her hair back. Honey had met her once, and remarked the girl was hiding for some reason.
They knew nothing of her background, save for her resume. What if she had stalker tendencies? What if she was a manipulative bitch who wanted her claws into Jim’s fortune? No, he dismissed that thought. Marge never would have recommended her if she had thought her niece was like that.
Then there was Hallie. His cousin. The source of his best friend’s misery for the last twenty years. If Hallie got even a whiff of Jim messing around, she would make trouble. Jim said he had spoken with Riker after Hallie showed up at the school, and Riker agreed to try and keep Hallie away, if Jim wouldn’t go for a restraining order.
No, Brian thought, Jim really needed to not get involved with anyone right now.
***
Jim hated to do it but he had Bernie hire more security. He liked the candidates he interviewed for house keeping, finally settling on an older British gentleman who came highly recommended from a friend of Matthew Wheeler. Langley would clean, help with cooking and anything else Jim might need for the kids. He would reside in the guest room with its own bathroom, so that he was always on call if Jim was called away to the school, and to help the children understand that this man was now an authoritative presence in their lives.
Jim knew it would take the kids some time to adjust. Jim was up early to make them breakfast every morning and drop them off at school. Langley would pick Regan up and bring him to the school, where he would hang out in Jim or Bernie’s office. Then they’d walk down the path to the bus stop to meet Valerra and Byron at the bus stop. More than once, Bernie had shooed him out of the office to meet the kids. He was considering transferring both boys into his school. He had always wanted them to attend, which had been a huge battle with Hallie.
After her drunken appearance at the school, Hallie had been picked up at jail by Ben, and was staying with him. The security officers at the school hadn’t let her drive and called the police for driving while drunk on the way over. Her breathalyzer test was almost twice the legal limit so they took her in and booked her for DUI.
The conversation with Riker had been tense and direct.
“I’ll take care of her, Frayne,” Ben said coldly.
“You’re doing a bang up job of it,” Jim snarled. “She cannot show up here and threaten my staff!”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take better care of her than you ever did,” Ben smirked.
Jim could hear the smugness in his voice.
“You’re welcome to her,” he snapped. “But you keep her away from my house and school.”
Jim’s PI team still monitored her activities. She was still married to Jim, therefore her behavior and actions could be used in court.
The day he threw her out, Hallie went straight to Ben’s and he took her in without hesitation.
The rest of the family wasn’t stunned by the split, but Jim was surprised by how supportive everyone was. Hallie was furious and not speaking to her cousins or aunt and uncle. Jim had been shocked to find Helen Belden turn up on his doorstep with freshly fried chicken and chocolate chip cookies the night after Hallie had left. While there had been many gathering with the Beldens over the years, and they were a second set of grandparents to his kids, Jim had never been so happy to see her. He hadn’t spoken to Hallie’s brothers, but he had been assured they understood.
“Nothing’s changed,” she whispered as she hugged him. “We love you as one of our own and these kids. Hallie can’t destroy that.”
Jim had hugged her tightly. She had always been another mother to him, and he imagined his natural mother Katje would have liked Helen. Helen reminded him of Katje. He loved Madeleine Wheeler dearly, but the socialite did lack a little the homey feel of Helen Belden. Knowing she was in his corner meant the world to him.
***
Jim paid for his coffee and thanked the girl. Turning around to study the large bookstore, he headed for the science and nature section. The kids were all in the children’s section, and he checked on them again, glad the science section was near by. Langley was in the children’s section as well, keeping an eye on all three kids just on the off chance Hallie showed up. Jim was worried Hallie might try following them around. He hadn’t resorted to hiring personal bodyguards, but he had been pleased that Langley was a brown belt in karate.
The housekeeper/au pair was in his 60s, but very fit. Once the children were in school for the day and his housework done, he could often be seen running the trails through the preserve, or swimming laps in the school’s Olympic sized pool. He was unfailing polite, and adept at handling young children firmly without brutality.
As Jim walked towards the science section, he noted a curvaceous young woman studying titles. Chestnut colored hair flowed down her back in waves and he couldn’t help but notice her curves in snug fitting, low riding jeans and a snug fitting peach sweater that rose from the waistband of her jeans, exposing the small of her back. Nice tan, he thought, and he could see part of a tattoo on the base of her spine. And the casual heels drew attention to shapely and firm set of calves. She found the title she was looking for and stood up, whirling around. Jim blinked twice as he stared at the pretty faced with warm chocolate brown eyes rimmed in kohl eyeliner and dark red lipstick that he wasn’t used to seeing on her.
“Mr. Frayne!” Her eyes widened.
“Bernie?”
Her cheeks turned pink as she tucked one strand of hair behind her ear.
Jim noticed the multiple piercings running up her ears. Her hair looked softer and shinier than when she was at the school, he thought to himself. She looked completely different and she was beautiful, he realized. This was the real Bernie, and suddenly she seemed her age, not the stiff, professional woman he had come to rely on to run his office.
“It’s nice to see you,” she said, quickly recovering from her shock, thinking how nice he looked in a polo shirt and jeans, instead of the business attire he wore to the office. His wife was an idiot, but she had surmised that early on. She had heard plenty of stories about the old Bob-Whites growing up. Jim deserved better than that monster.
“You look different,” he blurted out.
“Uh, yeah, weekend attire,” she smiled. She also had a lunch date.
“What are you reading?” he asked, noting the stack of books in her hand. She held them out. A book on bugs, a paperback about vampires, and advanced yoga.
“That’s an interesting combination,” he commented. “You’re into bugs?”
She laughed. “Yeah,” she admitted. “I’ve been working on an entomology degree for a while.”
“You never mentioned that.” Hallie would scream at the sight of an ant, he thought. “They don’t freak you out?”
“Not at all,” she tilted her head to one side and smiled. “They’re just misunderstood. But it tends to creep people out so I rarely bring it up.”
Jim wondered where the stiff, efficient woman he employed was. Who was this relaxed, vibrant, woman? As usual, his sister was right. There was more to her than he had noticed.
“The things you learn,” he was still smiling.
Bernie saw the small redheaded boy peeking around the corner and she waved to him. He smiled back and came forward.
“Hi, Regan,” she greeted.
“Hi, Bernie,” he smiled as Jim picked him up. “You look different.”
“Yeah, I’m not in work clothes,” she smiled at the boy, who looked so much like Jim. She had met all of the kids, and made sure to keep a professional but friendly attitude at all times. The last thing she wanted was one of them thinking she was taking over any sort of role in their lives.
“You look pretty,” Regan told her.
She smiled again and Jim wondered why he hadn’t noticed her smile before.
“Well, thanks, handsome. You’ve got your daddy’s eyes, you know.”
Regan grinned, proudly displaying the tooth he was missing.
Bernie glanced at her watch. “I have to get going. Promised a friend I’d meet him for lunch.”
Jim wondered why he was disappointed. Was it because she was leaving or because she was meeting a male friend?
“Well, have fun. I’ll see you Monday,” Jim smiled.
“Of course. Bye, Regan,” she reached out and ruffled his red hair and then she was gone. Jim tried not to stare after her, but his eyes were glued to her swinging, full hips.
Valerra and Byron stood several feet behind, watching their father and his secretary. They exchanged a worried glance.
Years of administrating and teaching had given Jim the skill of holding a conversation while his mind was elsewhere, and this was one of those times when it came in handy.
While driving home, he listened to his kids going on about their news books and debate the merits of the Percy Jackson series versus Harry Potter. But part of his mind was on Bernie. Why on earth did she wear such frumpy clothes to the office? She was still young, he thought, and she had a nice figure, there was no denying that.
Why the hell was he thinking about her figure? He mentally slapped himself. She was his secretary. He had already had one night stand with the last girl, this one was hands off. Plus she was Marge’s niece. No, he thought as he turned onto Glen Road, he needed to stop thinking about her. The last thing he needed right now was to get involved with a woman, especially one that worked for him. He may have checked out emotionally on Hallie years ago, but he was determined to focus on his kids first.
***
Jim was amused when his sister Honey stopped by, and it became clear she was fishing for information on the new secretary. She had met Bernie last week, but she had a casual comment from Di, who mentioned that Mart had noted they made a nice looking couple. Honey was very curious about the new woman running the school, especially since she was related to Miss Trask.
It had been Brian’s observance to Mart that also made its way to Honey. During an administrative meeting, Bernie had brought everyone coffee, easily memorizing what they had without writing it down, and it wasn’t the first time Brian had seen her bring Jim coffee. There was definitely something there, the doctor thought. Whether they knew it or not. He suspected they didn’t. The last thing Jim needed right now was a girlfriend, and Jim knew it. He had too many years of Hallie that he needed to purge out of his system. And the children didn’t need any more sudden changes.
The kids were in the yard, watched by Langley, as Jim attempted to start dinner. Honey hesitantly agreed to stay for dinner. Jim wasn’t known much for his cooking skills inside. He had a cookbook propped open and the kitchen was filled with the scent of onions, garlic and other spices. Usually Langley had dinner ready for them when Jim got home but Jim was feeling adventurous tonight.
“Why all this sudden interest in Bernie?” he asked, adding a dash more chopped garlic to the simmering sauce.
“Bernie?” she repeated. “I thought her name was Bernadean.”
Jim groaned. “She told me to call her Bernie.”
Honey laughed. “It’s very cute. That seems to fit her more than Bernadean.”
“You’ve seen her once,” Jim answered, stirring the sauce in the pan on the stove. “How would you know? And don’t dodge my question.”
“What question? I was once trained to be very observant about people you know,” she said dryly.
“You don’t go snooping for information unless you’re onto something. So please don’t investigate my assistant and tell me she’s a homicidal maniac.”
“Assistant now? Moved up from secretary?” Honey’s hazel eyes twinkled at her brother.
“Yes, she’s my personal assistant. Here taste this.” Jim held up the spoon for Honey to taste the sauce.
“More oregano,” his sister said. “Go on.”
“The woman is a dream. Smart, quick on her feet, organized, connected, good with the computers—she had all my files sorted within her first two days. Reorganized my entire filing system. I actually know where things are now. She does real shorthand, Honey. I can dictate a letter and not have to worry about her not getting it all. She’s amazing. Jill was good, but Bernie is even better.”
Honey raised one eyebrow. Jim scowled at her. “I know what you all think of Jill and it wasn’t like that.” Not until the end anyway, he thought.
Honey just made a polite noise of agreement as she sipped her water.
“She also doubles as my body guard, apparently. Hallie showed up a few days ago and caused a scene. She tried to attack Bernie and Bernie had her on the ground in seconds. It was kind of cool to watch, really.”
Honey’s eyes widened. “Really? Hallie went that far?”
Jim nodded. “She’s over the edge, Hon. I think my throwing her out really pushed her too far. I didn’t mean for that to happen but you didn’t see the video that I did.”
Honey shuddered. “Dad mentioned it without going into detail.”
“I’m just worried about the clan,” Jim sighed. “Everyone is going to get caught up in this. Helen came by and made me feel better about it from hers and Peter’s end.”
“Jim,” Honey set her water bottle down, “I don’t think you have to worry about that. Not one of us is going to side with Hallie; we’ve been watching her treat you like crap and drink herself to an early grave for years. I think we’re all in agreement the concern is the kids.”
Jim nodded. “That’s why I got the restraining order. And Ben emailed me this morning to tell me Hallie is going to rehab.”
“Really? Hallie agreed to it?” Honey was amazed.
Jim tasted his sauce. “I don’t think so. I think Ben forced her. He told her she had to quit drinking. I generally think the guy is scum, but maybe he has a streak of decency in him after all.”
“He genuinely cares about Hallie.” Honey picked up her water bottle again, recalling the night many years ago when Ben was ready to end it all, because Hallie had married Jim. Ben confessed he loved Hallie, and no other woman would ever measure up. That led to three bitter ex-wives. She had never told Jim, though she suspected Hallie actually cared more for Ben than Jim. She had wanted her brother to be happy. Many, many times over the years she had wished she had spoken up sooner, convinced Jim to let Hallie go and encouraged Ben to go after her.
Jim nodded. “I guess so. She sure doesn’t make it easy.”
“How have the kids been?” Honey asked. “They look pretty happy.”
Jim sighed as he stirred the pasta. “Ok, so far. Regan keeps asking when Mommy is coming home. He doesn’t seem to understand she isn’t, even though I’ve told them. Byron and Val, they understand better, of course, they’re older. It takes a lot of reassurance from me that I’m going to be here from now on. I’ve caught Val crying a few times. Apparently Hallie told her more than once that she might manage as a catalog model if she laid off the sweets, but never a face model for Daisy because she wasn’t pretty enough and too chubby.”
“What!” Honey gasped.
Jim nodded. “She must have been drunk at the time—who says that to their daughter? But I caught Val putting on some crazy makeup one day and she started crying when I asked her about it. She said she wanted to be pretty ‘like the older cousins’.”
“Oh, Jim. That poor girl. Should I go talk to her?” Honey’s tender heart ached for her niece.
Jim shook his head. “I called Daisy. She came over the next day to ask Val about fashion for her age group, and recruited her into helping out a bit with her new children’s line. She promised Val she would be a runway model and get to work with Rayma on walking. Between Daisy and Natala, they’ll lavish plenty of praise on her. And I do my best too, to reassure her she’s my beautiful little girl.”
Honey sniffled. “You should have called me.”
“I told you I didn’t want to involve everyone. Since this one involved Daisy, I went right to her. Val has her first ‘meeting’ with Rayma this weekend for some runway lessons. Mother’s head might rotate if I told her Val wanted to model, so I just told her Val was having some self esteem issues and could use some extra compliments.”
Honey brushed her eyes with her hand. “I’d like to strangle your wife, Jim.”
“Take a number,” Jim sighed. “I haven’t even talked to her; the lawyers are handling it all. And Ben’s email this morning was the first.” He fished out a spaghetti strand to test it. “You staying for dinner?”
“Let me taste that sauce again,” Honey teased, “then you can tell me more about Bernie.”
Jim rolled his eyes.
“She sounds like she’s something.”
“She really is,” he admitted. “I ran into her at the bookstore yesterday, and I wouldn’t have recognized her. Hair down, normal clothes, not those frumpy suits she always wears,” he answered, measuring spices. “She looked, real.” And really, really hot.
“She does need some fashion advice,” Honey commented. “At least for her work clothes.”
“I don’t know why women think professional has to be frumpy,” he answered, stirring the sauce some more.
“Maybe Daisy and I should give her a make over,” Honey suggested casually.
Jim turned and looked at her suspiciously. “What are you planning, little sister?”
Honey smiled innocently as she stepped over to the oven to remove the garlic bread.
“Why would you think I’m planning something?” she asked sweetly.
“Because I know that look. You’ve got something cooking in that pretty head of yours.”
“Well, if Bernie is going to represent James Winthrop Frayne II, then she should look the part.”
Jim groaned and silently apologized to Bernie.
***
His work days were considerably smoother he thought over the next few weeks. Bernie was exceptionally efficient at running the office, handling the phones and investors who called wanting updates. Jim received several emails commenting on her lovely phone voice and manners.
He was almost sorry when the weekend came, because he wouldn’t see her for two days.
“Jim, I’ve got the payroll here but there seems to be a mistake.” She appeared in his doorway.
“Such as?” he hid his smile.
“You increased my salary quite substantially, and while I am most appreciative, I don’t believe that’s fair. I’ve only been here three weeks.”
“And in the last three weeks you’ve done more to straighten this school out than I could have in months, plus handled the insanity that goes with my divorce proceedings. You’ve earned every penny.”
She just blinked a few times and he knew she was torn.
“Look, Bernie, trust me, you’re going to earn it working here. We have a huge fundraiser coming up and I’ll need you to handle a large portion of it. So don’t thank me just yet,” he smiled. “You might be asking for more.”
Bernie noted the twinkle in his very green eyes and smiled at her handsome employer. “Thank you, sir.”
“You’re welcome. And no ‘sir’,” he reminded her.
She walked back to her desk to approve the payroll. Jim smiled.
Bernie said goodbye for the weekend when he and Regan left to meet his older children, and she watched them leave wistfully. Byron hadn’t transferred to Jim’s school, he was happy with his current one. Regan however, wasn’t, and eagerly accepted his dad’s offer to attend his Academy. He had quickly made two friends and the older boys seemed fond of the friendly but shy little redhead.
They were such good kids, Bernie thought. The older two were very quiet but little Regan was coming out of his shell. He loved to sit at her desk and play on the computer, and she didn’t mind if she wasn’t busy.
Hallie Frayne was a fool, she thought. Sure, she didn’t know the whole story there, but she knew enough about the Wheelers and Beldens to know that Jim was a good man. Not to mention handsome, in-shape, and attractive. But she had no intention of dating her boss. Of course, his good-looking best friend—Dr. Brian as the kids called him—had given her a few looks made his interest clear. Everyone on staff had a very high opinion of him, especially Jim and Brian’s own brother, Mart. She was entertaining the notion of pursuing that. He seemed like a really good guy, and she had always been a sucker for tall, dark and handsome.
When the last of the paychecks were approved and electronically sent, she picked up her simple black purse and locked the offices, before walking to her car.
***
She was woken the next morning by persistent knocking at her door. She had been up late watching movies, eating cold pizza and drinking beer, with the intent of sleeping in.
Her small, neat apartment was still filled with boxes she hadn’t gotten around to unpacking yet. And who on earth knew where she lived?
Thinking it was her aunt, she threw on her sweat pants and a t-shirt, and opened the door a crack, leaving the chain on.
She recognized Honey Duke but not the woman with her. Opening the door wide, she couldn’t help but think the woman was gorgeous, with big green eyes and shiny dark hair, lush figure. It took her a minute to recognize Daisy Duke Mangan, the fashion designer, from pictures in Jim’s office.
“Hi, Bernie!” Honey chirped. “I’m not sure if you remember me, but I’m Jim’s sister.”
“Hi,” Bernie managed, her brain trying to wake up through the beer sloshing in it. “Honey, right? Um, what are you doing here?”
“Well, we figured you’ve had a couple of weeks to settle in so we brought some coffee over and thought we’d take you out for a girls day.”
Bernie removed the chain and opened the door, feeling very barbaric in her sweats, bedhead, and overnight, stale beer breath. The two women in her doorway were beautiful, polished, and entirely too chipper.
“Um, that’s really nice,” she said sleepily, accepting the coffee cup Honey pressed into her hand.
“Hi, sugar,” Daisy gave her a smile and shook her hand. “We ain’t met yet but I’m Daisy Duke Mangan.”
“Right. Daisy Duke Designs,” Bernie said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Val talks about you a lot.”
Three kids and the woman still had a knockout figure. Bernie had heard rumors of an eating disorder years ago but the woman in front of her was no victim. She made Bernie think of a movie star from Hollywood’s Golden Age.
“Go get dressed, sugar. And I was wondering if you’d let me see the suits you wear to work?”
Puzzled but not wanting to be rude to her employer’s family, and still half asleep, she showed the women her closet. Daisy eyed each piece critically, holding it up against Bernie.
“Completely shapeless. These go with.” Daisy tossed them into a pile.
“Hey, go with—what? Those were expensive!” Bernie was awake now and still confused as to what was happening.
“They’re lovely,” Daisy assured her, “but they need some tailoring. These make you look square and boxy, too mature.”
“I’m thirty four,” she protested. “I’m not a spring chicken.”
The two women laughed.
“Just get dressed, sugar,” Daisy smiled. “You leave this to us.”
Twenty minutes later, after she had showered, combed and braided her hair, and brushed her teeth, she was in a silver Mercedes with Honey driving. Her suits were next to her in the back seat, and Daisy turned in her seat to talk to her.
“We were thinking we’d start with the suits. My girls will fit them and alter them while we do some other girl things.”
“Like?” Bernie asked faintly. She had never had many girlfriends and the phrase “girl things” scared her.
She made it through the fittings, and two girls flitting around her, measuring and pinning and commenting on darts and stitches. After that, she was whisked off to a salon, slathered with something cold on her face, and received a pedicure and manicure alongside Honey and Daisy. Her hair was trimmed, layered and deep conditioned, eyebrows threaded and tweezed, and champagne was brought to her to sip, and cheese and strawberries to nibble on.
She learned more about the family through the morning, and quickly warmed to the cheerful women. Daisy had an infectious smile and laugh, and told some funny tales of growing up in the South with her cousins. They sounded like a bunch of hell-raisers before they ‘got respectable’, and Bernie looked forward to meeting them. Honey told her of some of the Bob-White adventures, and the trouble they used to get into. Most of them featured Jim in a somewhat heroic light. Bernie was fairly certain that was intentional.
When she realized her hair was about to be cut, she winced, and closed her eyes as the stylist and Daisy consulted. She kept them closed as she heard the scissors snipping.
“I really think some blonde highlights would be great,” the stylist repeated.
“Not a chance,” Daisy said. “Look at the depth of her color, and the shine. Women kill for that. Don’t touch the color.”
Bernie breathed a sigh of relief. She could feel the weight dropping from her head with every snip, and finally, the dryer ran on low. Her hair was tugged gently as the brush went through it.
“Look at that,” Daisy said with admiration. Bernie peeked one eye open, then both flew open.
The waist length, straight hair was gone, in its place were layers and layers of slight wave and body and a little bit of bangs.
Bernie was quickly overwhelmed but had to admit the new waviness to her somewhat shorter hair was flattering, and she liked her newly shaped eyebrows.
“Gorgeous,” Honey beamed.
Bernie just stared at her reflection.
“Much better,” Daisy declared. “Look at the body your hair has now. You look like a whole new person!”
“Wow,” Bernie murmured.
Lunch was next, and three feasted at one of Daisy’s favorite restaurants. Decadent salads and pasta, Bernie was mentally calculating how much extra workout time she was going to need after the meal.
“Where are your glasses?” Honey asked Bernie. “Did you put contacts in?”
“Oh, uh,” Bernie felt the blush creeping in. “I only wear them to look professional. I have twenty-fifteen vision.”
“This whole image, the bun, the glasses, frumpy suits—it’s all part of the image, isn’t it?” Daisy asked, amused.
Bernie nodded. “I’m fully aware of the politics in corporate business and whatnot, and men have a hard time taking me serious because of my size. They tend to think I‘m an easy score, that I must be insecure and willing to take whoever comes along. Most men don’t want an Amazon, and finding a guy taller than me is a challenge. So I figured if I modeled myself after Aunt Marge, I’d be taken more seriously, not to mention cut down on the sexual harassment.”
“Well, that is true in the corporate world,” Honey acknowledged, “but not here. Now the Academy is associated with my family, but Jim has built it primarily on his own, and he would never tolerate any form of harassment.” Gently she said, “You’re going to be dealing with very important men who put a lot of stock in initial appearance. You are amazing at what you do, but you can be both stylish and efficient.”
Daisy grinned and leaned forward. “Not to mention catch the eye of a few of these very powerful and wealthy men.”
Bernie almost choked on her iced tea. “Oh, I’m not in the market for a man,” she said quickly.
Daisy waved her hand in airy dismissal. “There are plenty of powerful business women too, if you’d rather.”
Honey giggled as Bernie laughed and shook her head.
“No, I’m not looking for a woman either. I haven’t had much luck in relationships, so I just kind of avoid them all together.”
Honey and Daisy exchanged a glance. “Well, sugar, the right one will come along and knock you off your feet, don’t worry.”
“Or drive you off the side of the road,” Honey added cheerfully, with a fond smile of remembrance meeting her husband and his cousin.
Bernie chuckled.
“Are you two trying to set me up with someone?”
“Of course not,” they said quickly at the same time.
“I don’t believe you,” Bernie grinned.
They returned to the design headquarters after lunch, to find Bernie’s suits altered to her figure, and several colorful blouses and suits with pinstripes and faint plaid added in.
“Consider this all a welcome present,” Honey patted her hand. “That black and navy motif just wasn’t going to cut it.”
“But it’s so much!” Bernie protested.
“Trust us, Jim will put you to work,” Daisy smiled. “You haven’t heard about the Fundraiser yet.”
Bernie swallowed hard. That sounded slightly ominous, she thought.
Meet the cast in full & see the family tree!
***
Author’s Notes
- A huge yeee-haa to Ronda, my lovely editor who helps keep me on track, and did a very fast edit for me!
- I can't believe I've been a Jix Author for 9 years! It's been such a fun ride. A special thank you to Dana, who encouraged me to keep writing and become an Author after my first story was done, all editors past and present, my WWW girls who are always there to help work through the writer's block, and of course, my readers! Without you, my words would languish on the internet, with no one to appreciate them.
- Word Count, 5,351
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