Comfort And Joy. Fern Michaels
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of daughter are you, anyway?”
“The kind that doesn’t know where her mother is. I bet your father…I bet he took unfair advantage of her with her new knee. My mother is naive and not the least bit worldly. Your father is a shark. Just like you.” Oh, God, did she just say that?
“Are you accusing my father of attacking your mother? My father, who can barely walk, who just had a hip replacement? That father?” Damn, his head was pounding so bad he could hardly stand it. A shark! Damn.
“Ha! Your father’s new hip and my mother’s new knee are those titanium joint things. That probably makes them almost bionic. They can walk. If they can walk, they can do other things.”
“My father would never…”
“Yeah, well, neither would my mother. Your father is a lot bigger than my little mother. She only weighs a hundred pounds. Your father must weigh two hundred. I rest my case. Oh, please give me some of that coffee before my head explodes. This kitchen hurts my eyes.”
Josh poured coffee. “Do you always complain like this so early in the morning? What’s wrong with this kitchen?” Josh asked, looking around the ancient kitchen.
“It’s outdated for one thing, just like the store. I never saw a stove with legs. What the heck is that funky-looking round thing on top of your refrigerator? I don’t see a dishwasher. Not that it’s any of your business, but the only time I complain this early in the morning is when I’m hungover, which is almost never, and when my mother goes missing. Have you noticed we’re fighting?”
“Everything works. We’re not fighting, I’m discussing things and you’re…Well, what you’re doing is complaining.”
Josh gulped from his coffee cup. Angie did the same. The word noodling came to Josh’s mind. Wouldn’t it be a hoot if his old man had more action going for him than he did? He started to laugh at the thought. He shared his thought with Angie, who, despite her pounding head, also started to laugh. Sometimes he was so damn witty he couldn’t stand himself.
Behind the kitchen door Eva and Angus listened to their offsprings’ mating call. At least that’s what Eva told Angus it was. Angus just shook his head. “She’s right about your kitchen, it’s a disgrace. You need to get with the program, Angus.”
Angus nudged the door open a sliver and let his gaze roam around the kitchen. “I like things I’m comfortable with, and I’m comfortable with this kitchen. Everything works just fine.” Then, tongue in cheek, he said, “Your daughter doesn’t really know anything about you, does she, Eva? You are not naive, and you’re as worldly as they come, if last night was any sort of indicator. Does your daughter know how good you are at improvisation?”
Eva giggled. “That will be enough of that, Angus. What are they doing now?”
“My son is whispering in your daughter’s ear. That could mean any number of things. I suggest we go back to our chairs and let them find us. Pretend to be asleep.”
Twenty minutes later, Eva reared up from her chair. “I don’t think it’s going to happen, Angus. They aren’t going to find us,” she said, limping over to the doorway. They’re gone. What time does your day lady come in? Do you think she can give me a ride home?”
“She’s due right now. Of course she can take you home. Will you come back, or should I have her bring me to your house later on? Better yet, why don’t I call a car service so we can have a driver at our disposal. Will that work for you, Eva?”
“Yes, I think it will. You have my cell phone number. Call me when your day gets under way.”
Thirty minutes later Eva entered her own house. She stopped at the refrigerator for a bag of frozen peas, then made her way into the family room, where she settled herself in her favorite chair. She sighed with relief when the cold from the frozen peas seeped into her swollen knee. With the three Advil she’d just taken, she knew she would feel better in a little while. She leaned back and closed her eyes. Overhead she could hear the water gurgling in the pipes; Angie washing away the night’s activities.
Soon after, Eva’s eyes snapped open when she felt a presence near her chair. “Did you have anything to eat, dear?”
“No, but that’s okay, I’m not hungry. I’ll get a bagel or something in the food court later on. What are you going to do today, Mom?”
“Well, Angus said he was going to hire a driver and come over later. We’re going to do our best to pitch in and help Josh with the store. I worry that Eagle’s will go under. If that happens, Angus will be destroyed. Did Josh…Is he still planning on going to England after New Year’s? Did he say?”
Angie perched herself on the arm of the sofa and stared at her mother. “He’s still going. Mom, the guy tried for ten years to get Eagle’s off the ground. I think I’d pack it in after ten years myself. His father is a selfish old man. You can tell him I said that, too. You stayed there all night, didn’t you?” Her tone was so accusatory, Eva flinched.
Eva brushed at the hair falling over her forehead and adjusted the bag of peas on her knee. “I think I’m a little past the stage where I have to account to you for my whereabouts, Angie. Where I was or wasn’t last night has nothing to do with our current situation. I’m sure you noticed I didn’t say anything to you about how you spent your night or the condition you were in. Because, my daughter, you are old enough to make your own decisions, and you are accountable for your actions. Now, run along so you aren’t late.”
Angie bit down on her lower lip. She debated presenting an argument but didn’t think she could possibly win any war of words with her mother. “Mom, where are all those cottage-industry magazines you subscribe to?”
“In the basement in the cabinet over the washing machine. Why?”
“I’m going to contact some of them. Everything for the most part is homemade. Small businesses like that have a hard time marketing their wares. I’m thinking…Now, this is just a thought…But maybe we can make this Christmas season a homemade, down-home Christmas. People love to buy things that are made by hand. If any of those little businesses have inventory, that will help us. What do you think?”
“I think it’s a wonderful idea. I really do. I worry that vendors won’t be able to get merchandise to you in time for the holidays. It might be too late, dear.”
Angie stamped her foot. “No negative thinking, remember? Anyway, we won’t know if we don’t try. Josh wants to go off knowing he did the best he could. Failure isn’t an option at this point.” Angie pointed a finger at her mother and said, “Since you seem to have the inside track with Angus Eagle, it’s your job to keep him out of our hair so we can make it happen. The minute he sticks his nose into this venture, I’m outta there, and I feel confident in saying Josh will flip him the bird and leave on the spot. Do you think you can convey all that to Mr. Eagle? While you’re at it you should get him to work on that kitchen of his. In case, you know, you ever want to move in there.”
A minute later, Eva could hear her daughter stomping her way to the basement. She made three trips carrying the boxes out to her car. One of the things she loved about her daughter was that she always followed through on things. If there was a way to make Eagle’s Department Store soar, Angie was the one to make it happen.
The second Eva heard Angie drive off, she picked up the phone to call Angus. “I’m ready, Angus. Have your driver pick me up; we’re going to take a trip. And, Angus, bring your check book. Where are we going? To the Amish country, where we’re going to buy everything they have that’s for sale. We’re going to eat homemade bread, homemade soup and homemade pie for lunch. I’m excited, Angus. Almost as excited as I was last night. Like I said, I’m ready. I’ll be waiting on the porch. I don’t like to be kept waiting, Angus.” A low, throaty, intimate laugh erupted when she heard Angus’s reply.
Josh Eagle happened to be on the loading dock when Angie arrived. He was dressed in jeans, a UCLA sweatshirt,