The woman wore a sweeping hat, littered with silk daisies and daffodils on top of her head, the only thing missing, in Jolene’s opinion, was a bird nesting within the folds of the net. Definitely a trend setter. She did not have to wonder for long if she was the Sheki her father had talked to on the phone.
Selene’s voice shrieked inside the room of silent and mesmerized guests. The new arrival seemed to demand attention without uttering a word. “Mother! What are you doing here?” the daughter yelled as she rushed toward her.
Their embrace was rather comical. Jolene preferred the strong all-encompassing kind of hug to the mere touch of the shoulders and a peck on the cheek.
“Why, dear, I called your office to congratulate you on your promotion only to learn that wretched Cherise Queen gave it to someone else.” She cast sympathetic eyes on her daughter. “You really should get off your high-horse and come work for me.”
“Mother, we’ve been over this,” Selene whispered. “I will make a name for myself without your interference. It’s the only way to gain respect when I arrive at the top.”
“Respect is highly overrated in the work force.”
Sheki looked beyond Selene to where Craig stood waiting. She reached out her hand to him, and as if he were a lowly subject, he inched forward to accept it. Jolene felt immensely grateful that her father had never included her in any social events involving the upper-crust, and as she witnessed Craig touch the glove—ever so gingerly—she could see the humor hiding behind his eyes. Jolene knew him far too well.
“So nice to meet you, Ms. Gabel,” Craig said.
“My naughty daughter has kept us apart, and now I know the reason why. You are quite the catch.” Craig bit his lip to hide the dimples that always betrayed his inner thoughts.
Jolene would have loved to share a good old laugh with him later, but her enthusiasm died when she remembered her position in this love triangle. After all, the woman could be his future mother-in-law, so she supposed he’d better get accustomed to it.
Not that the woman portrayed ill-meant phoniness, for Jolene saw genuine expression seep through her make-up mask. The multi-millionaire was probably simply living her norm – or at least that’s what Jolene hoped, for she would not be thrilled to tippy-toe around both mother and daughter for the remainder of the vacation.
She sought her father amongst the people in the room that had mostly lost interest in the new arrival and had resumed their conversations. All except Trace Sumpter, who stared at Sheki with intense scrutiny. Barbie appeared to be in awe, standing in the same resort as the owner of the counties most famous women’s magazine – one, she no doubt, subscribed to.
Jolene felt cornered in her space by the door, unable to go forward or backward, and easily able to overhear their conversation as it unfolded.
“Have you booked a room, Mother? I doubt there is one available, it being Christmas in July.”
“What?” she asked as she slipped the gloves from hands.
“Christmas, Ms. Gable. The resort and nearby town are famous for celebrating the holiday twice a year,” Craig said.
“How absurd. I barely have time to squeeze one in, let alone two.”
“Then consider yourself blessed. You have arrived in time to attend the kick-off dance tonight. If you don’t have anything appropriate to wear, the resort supplies some loose items that will give you a pass inside.”
They regarded the others as they bent over to dig inside the box of accessories and came up trying on the tacky items that made them look like a walking Christmas tree.
“Hardly,” was all Sheki said and turned away from the scene.
“Being the designer that you are, you could probably just put a red bird and some cranberries in your hat and that would get you in the door,” Craig said.
“I came to console my daughter, but, of course, did not realize she’d brought company along.” Her tone was snappy implying Craig had lost his brownie points with that last comment.
Craig turned to Selene. “Why don’t I go and see if there are any vacancies?” He smiled graciously at the women, and left.
Jolene swore she could hear his sigh of relief as he sped past her.
When Craig was out of earshot, Sheki spoke, “Really, darling. Such a commoner? Not at all our class of people.”
“He’s nice Mother, and he treats me good.”
“If by that, you mean he gives you all the space you need and is a decorative hang-on at galas, then way to go, girl. Can’t imagine that you need anything else from a man.”
“He tries to understand my drive to succeed.”
“Watch out for that angle, my dear. It won’t last. Men tend to get possessive. Women like us do better without them.”
“Says the woman who has discarded three husbands and put one six feet under,” Selene said. “Come on, let’s go to the desk. From Craig’s expression I don’t think he is having much success.”
On the way by, Sheki glanced in Jolene’s direction who busied herself repositioning the back strap of her sandal in order to appear not to be eavesdropping. When she straightened, the woman’s focus remained glued to Jolene, and in spite of the awkward intimidation she felt, she smiled bravely and turned to escape up the stairs to dress for the evening outing.
Jolene jumped in the cab her father had hired to drive them to the town hall where the dance was being held. It was within walking distance but not in the heels that Barbie wore.
“I suppose you dressed to accommodate the royal ball theme that crowning the new temporary king and queen of Pineville represents,”
