“Sure, Mom. No prob. Have the delinquent packed and ready when you take her to work Friday.”
Julia hung up with a feeling of relief. She was truly blessed to have a daughter like Beth. She tried not to compare her with Courtney, but sometimes it was hard not to. She wished more than ever that Luke was there to give her words of wisdom.
Chapter 14
Although it was only make-work, the job at Bright Ideas did seem to give Courtney something to focus on besides her usual rebellion. Claire cautiously praised what she did and told Julia she thought this might work out after all.
“If we get the Connell Wilson account, we’ll need every pair of hands we can get.”
“By the way”—Julia paused in the doorway to her office—“did they send the stuff over for us to look at? And have they given us a date to meet with them?”
“Yes to both things. I asked Linda to make copies of everything for you so you can study up on the background and get an idea of what they might be looking for. And the appointment is for next Thursday.”
Nine days away. Could they get ready in time? “Okay. I’ll get on it right away. Are you up for a brainstorm session this weekend?”
“What about Courtney? Are you planning to chain her to her bed?” Claire grinned to take the sting out of her words.
“Actually, Beth has magnanimously invited Court to spend the weekend with her. She’s picking her up here Friday.”
“God, what a jewel she is. If I ever have kids, I’d want them to be just like her. Sure. The weekend sounds like a great idea. Let’s do it at my place, though. Sometimes I can’t think in the office.”
“And by the way.” Julia frowned. “How come the free weekend? You actually going to leave your hot husband alone? By himself?”
“Football weekend,” Claire told her. “He and Charlie and Wes are going to College Station for the A&M game and are spending the night so they can pretend they’re nineteen and party hearty.”
Julia laughed. “Maybe next year they’ll grow up.”
Claire gave her a rueful grin. “Don’t hold your breath. Anyway, it frees up Saturday and Sunday.”
“All right. Let’s do it at my place, though, so Miranda can feed us yummy stuff. I’ll bring home whatever we’ll need when we leave here Friday night. You can show up bright and early Saturday so we can get started. I’m going to get one good night’s sleep before we dive in.”
* * * *
Courtney was actually pleased to go off with Beth for the weekend, even with a shopping trip on the agenda. Julia waved goodbye and said she’d see her Sunday afternoon. Claire arrived Saturday morning and by the time she left Sunday afternoon the structure of the plan was solid.
Courtney arrived home shortly after Claire left, sporting a new haircut, the smallest amount of makeup Julia ever remembered seeing her wear, and dressed in Gap jeans and a soft pink T-shirt. Julia swallowed a giggle and smiled her approval.
“Very nice. You look lovely, honey.”
Courtney actually blushed. “Beth said if I’m going to work in your office, I might meet some cool people and I’d turn them off if I looked like the Queen of the Trailer Park.”
Julia mouthed a thank you to Beth.
“Can I go upstairs now? I need to make some calls.”
“Of course. And I love your new clothes.”
Courtney picked up the stack of shopping bags she’d dropped on the floor, her duffel, and clumped up the stairs.
Julia turned to Beth. “I don’t know how you did it, but thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“Well, it was a struggle, but she finally gave in. I think she actually enjoyed herself. And I liked having her with me. I should do this more often. It’s good for both of us.”
“Honey, you have a very busy life.”
“Yeah, but I only have one sister. I need to keep remembering that.” She gave her mother a quick hug and kiss. “Gotta go. Meeting some people for Chinese food. Call me and let me know how it goes. And about the new account, too,” she added as she flew out the door.
Monday, the race to complete the Connell Wilson plan kicked into high gear. By the time Julia and Claire collapsed over sandwiches Wednesday evening, they were convinced the plan was a winner.
She arrived at the office early the next morning, determined not to forget any of her materials. Claire was already there, coffee in one hand, a folder in the other.
“If this doesn’t do it, we don’t deserve to get the job.” Julia busied herself gathering what she needed.
“Don’t jinx us,” Claire told her. “We do deserve the job, and I think we’ll knock their socks off.”
Julia frowned. “You still don’t know how our name got in the hopper?”
“Not a clue. I assume we’ll find out today. Every one of the big shots will be sitting in on the meeting.”
“Oh, great.” Julia groaned. “Still with their grumpy morning faces on, I’ll bet.”
“Cheer up, sweetie. We’ll wow them.”
“Okay.” She slipped the final folders inside her new, oversized Coach briefcase, a Christmas present to herself. Then she snuck a quick look at herself in the mirror in the tiny powder room in their office suite. A successful entrepreneur looked back at her.
Take that, Charles. Jackass.
“Julia, you look terrific. You’ll knock ’em dead.” Claire’s voice was impatient. “Let’s get it on.”
“Coming, Mother,” Julia grinned.
The Connell Wilson headquarters took up three floors of the Alamo Bank Building in downtown San Antonio. Both women were slightly on edge as they stepped off the elevator into a large reception area.
