LITMIR.BIZ

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      “What Destiny has is contagious.” Isabel cleared her throat, then sighed. “I have an announcement.”

      The table quieted. Isabel looked at them all. “I’m pregnant.”

      Consuelo frowned. “Did you hit your head? Do you have a concussion? We all know you’re pregnant. If you hadn’t told me, I’d still know. Ford tells me every single day. If I didn’t like you so much, I would kill him because he’s annoying.”

      A statement that from anyone else might be cause for alarm, but was exactly how Consuelo thought and talked.

      Isabel seemed to brace herself. “I didn’t hit my head. It’s just… I had my ultrasound and…” She held up her hand. “I’m fine. I’m doing well. Too well. Because… I’m having triplets.”

      There was a moment of silence followed by loud cheers and calls of congratulations.

      Madeline took in the news. She knew Isabel’s husband, Ford, had triplet sisters, so it wasn’t a complete surprise that she would be having multiples. It was just, well, Madeline had thought they were friends. That working together had brought them closer. Even though she’d asked, Isabel hadn’t told her the news privately.

      Madeline reminded herself that the information was Isabel’s to share and she shouldn’t take the slight personally. It was just—

      “Don’t be mad,” Isabel whispered. “I couldn’t tell you.”

      “Okay,” Madeline said slowly, still not sure why.

      “It’s just… I was scared. I’m going to need you so much and it’s not fair, but without you, I can’t keep the business going.”

      Madeline hugged her. “You’re an idiot.”

      “I know.”

      “Of course I’ll help.”

      “You swear?”

      “Try to get me to stop. I love you.”

      “I love you, too. You’re the best business partner ever.”

      Madeline laughed. “You say that like it’s news.”

      * * *

      WHILE THE REST of the country seemed to jump from Halloween to Christmas, in Fool’s Gold the tradition of giving thanks was embraced. Jonny saw gourds and straw baskets, every form of turkey from paper to ceramic. There were harvest garlands and fall-colored bunting and plenty of pilgrims. Hokey but nice.

      He wasn’t sure how the transition to Christmas was going to happen, but it would have to be nearly an overnight thing. There was a town Christmas tree lighting scheduled this coming Saturday, only two days after Thanksgiving.

      He crossed the street and headed into Paper Moon. He could see Madeline up on the dais, with a bride. The young woman was maybe twenty, with brown hair and glasses. She reminded him a little of Ginger, with her earnest expression.

      The dress had a big skirt, like something a Disney princess would wear. It suited her youth, he thought, then held in a grin. Next thing he knew he would be discussing makeup and shoes. Talk about a way to frighten off guy friends. His buddy Shep would sure have something to say about any discussion that girlie. For now, Jonny was safe. Shep was on loan to the search and rescue program in Yosemite and wouldn’t be back until after the holidays.

      A tall, blonde woman walked up to him. She studied him for a second, as if trying to place him. He saw the exact moment she realized who he was. To her credit, she barely blinked.

      “Good afternoon,” she said. “I’m Isabel Hendrix. May I help you?”

      Now it was his turn to be startled. If the woman knew who he was, why didn’t she know why he was here? He glanced from her to Madeline, who was hugging the young bride. The girl stepped off the dais and headed for the dressing room. Madeline followed her down the stairs, then walked over to join them.

      “Hi,” she said. “Did we have an appointment?”

      A polite way of pointing out he was interrupting her workday. She stood up for herself. He liked that.

      “I had a couple of ideas I wanted to talk to you about. When you have a free moment.”

      “Sure. I’ll be about ten minutes, if you want to wait.”

      “Your office?”

      Isabel glanced between them. “You two obviously know what you’re doing. I’ll head back to my side of the store.”

      She gave Madeline a look that clearly stated they would be talking later.

      The promised ten minutes later, Madeline joined him. “How can I help you?” she asked as she settled behind her desk.

      “You didn’t tell her.”

      “What?”

      “Your business partner. You didn’t say you were working with me.”

      She shifted in her seat, then waved a hand. “I didn’t know if I should, so I erred on the side of discretion. This is your private business. I don’t talk about my brides with anyone. Not in any detail. I might ask for opinions on a dress or get suggestions, but what happens here is personal. Planning a wedding falls under the same category.”

      He could appreciate someone who respected privacy. “You can tell your business partner and anyone you’d like that you’re helping me.”

      “Good, because I’ll have to say something what with you showing up here and all.”

      “Should I have worn a disguise?”

      “Maybe a fedora.”

      He chuckled. “Not sure I own one of those.”

      Madeline was dressed in her usual black, with her hair pulled back. She had on red lipstick. It was kind of sexy and, when combined with the prim cut of her blouse, gave her that naughty librarian look. He’d always been a sucker for librarians.

      “You wanted to talk about the wedding?” she asked.

      “Ice sculptures.”

      “Excuse me?”

      “I was thinking ice sculptures to line the main driveway to the house and the walkway to the barn. Flowers in vases, maybe a few snowflakes for the holiday season. Just to make it more festive.”

      Madeline considered his words. “I never would have thought of them, but sure. I can run the idea past Ginger. They’d add a nice touch. Also give some visual interest when people looked outside. Would you light them?”

      “Of course.”

      “That could be really pretty.” She pulled out a folder and made some notes. “I’m putting together information to email her tonight. I’ll include this. And while I have you here, if you have the time, I have a couple of things I’d like you to look at.”

      “Sure thing.”

      It was nearly noon. He thought about asking if she wanted to have lunch with him. Because he enjoyed Madeline’s company. Plus, the whole red-lip, buttoned-collar thing was working for him.

      But then what? Getting involved with him was a nightmare. Someone always leaked the information to a tabloid and then it went to hell. In a town like Fool’s Gold, there weren’t going to be any secrets. Someone was bound to know someone who knew a guy who made his living taking pictures.

      Jonny had been down that road before and it never ended well. He knew he was lucky. He made a lot of money at a job he really liked. It had allowed him to take care of his sister. But there was a price for fame, and sometimes it was one he didn’t want to have to pay.

      She handed over several sheets of paper. “Catering ideas. I’ve been talking to Ana Raquel and I’ve marked her suggestions for what is the most popular. One of the challenges is

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