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“Is this Martin?”
“Who’s asking?
“My name is Marion Chambers,” she began the spiel she’d memorized. “I represent an online shopping marketing agency and you’re one of ten customers who have won one of our sweepstakes prizes. It’s a five-hundred-dollar Visa gift card. I just need to have you sign for it. Could we meet?”
“Is this for real? Seriously?”
“Yes. It’s our customer appreciation campaign.”
“How did you get my name? I never signed up for any sweepstakes.”
“We entered the names of all our online shoppers, and you are one of the lucky winners.”
“So where do I sign this paper? Do I need to come to your office or what?” He still didn’t sound fully convinced.
“No, no. I’m one of the sales reps, and I’m constantly on the road, but I’ll be in Eustis this Friday. Could you meet me at the Pool Hall? I can never get enough of their cheesy potatoes.”
“I don’t know. What company did you say you were with again?”
“Brand Marketing. We work with stores to increase traffic. I could mail the card to you if you prefer. I would just need your mailing address.”
“Um…I guess I could just meet you.”
“Great. Shall we say five thirty at the Pool Hall?”
“Fine.”
She leaned back in the car and closed her eyes. A few minutes later, she felt a small bump and opened her eyes as Derek pulled up the driveway. She was tired but knew that Mason would want to talk about how her trip had gone. She ran her fingers through her hair, pulled a lip gloss from her purse, sweeping it quickly across her lips.
He was waiting at the door as her car pulled up and she got out.
“Hi, babe,” he said, taking Daisy Ann in his arms. “I missed you. Our bed was colder than a banker’s heart on foreclosure day.”
She laughed and gave him a tight squeeze. “I missed you too, honey. But I’m afraid you’re going to have to miss me for a little longer.”
“Why, what’s going on?”
“I’m leaving for Eustis, Nebraska, in the morning.”
– 17 –
AMBER
Days after the trunk show Amber was still licking her wounds. The one thing she was grateful for was that word of her humiliation had not managed to reach Bishops Harbor. She’d written to Remi on one of her finest Benneton Graveur note cards, saying how sorry she was about what had happened and reiterating her innocence. No doubt a text would have been quicker and easier, but Amber had read enough to know that a handwritten note on fine stationery revealed a certain grace and refinement of the sender. She knew Remi had joined her husband, Norris, in Paris, so she wasn’t too alarmed that she hadn’t heard back from her yet.
She’d been putting off having a more in-depth conversation with Jackson about Daisy Ann until she’d done more research into White Orchid Designs. For Amber’s purposes, theAboutpage on the company website didn’t offer much. There was a dramatic photograph of Daisy Ann wearingthe necklacethat was the inspiration behind White Orchid’s founding; a necklace designed and handcrafted by Daisy Ann’s mother. One thing did stand out, however, and that was the fact that although the company was begun by Daisy Ann ten years ago, it hadn’t become a full-time venture until just three years ago, following her father’s death. Prior to that, it appeared to be more of a vanity project than a real business. Daisy Ann was quoted as saying:My father always said that you must fall in love with your work to be successful and happy. He was passionateabout what he did. After his death, I realized that what I loved was creating these beautiful pieces, and so I left the oil company and followed my passion, dedicating myself to White Orchid Designs full-time.Amber stopped reading and sat back for a moment, digesting what she’d just taken in. So, Daisy Ann had worked for Jake’s company all those years, when really what she’d wanted to do was run White Orchid. When Amber killed Jake, she had freed that entitled and spoiled prima donna and enabled her to quit her job and do what she loved. Daisy Ann should be grateful to Amber, and instead she’d treated her like rotting trash. It was time for Amber to get even with this condescending bitch once and for all. Devising a plan of action would now be her top priority. As Jake had always said,Keep your saddle oiled, and your gun greased.
She scrolled through more website hits until she came to an article inEntrepreneur Magazine.Amber’s nose wrinkled in annoyance when she saw the photo of Daisy Ann looking gorgeous in a red double-breasted suit, her blond hair swept up in an elegant bun and a sampling of her jewelry designs spread out on a table in front of her. She scanned the article, then reread the last section of the interview.
“Ms. Briscoe, you’ve had several offers to buy your company. The latest from Valene Mart. Would you consider selling and making your beautiful designs accessible to a larger audience?”
“One of the things that makes White Orchid so special is that each design is unique. While of course I’d love to grow our customer base, I would never do so by allowing my designs to be duplicated and mass-produced.”
Amber bookmarked the page, then went back to the search bar and entered Valene Mart. She’d never heard of it, but it was a large chain in the Southwest that sold everything from toasters to tires. She could see why Daisy Ann wouldn’t want them to distribute her designs. She clicked on the jewelry tab and saw that the mostexpensive item was less than a hundred dollars. A far cry from the thousands Daisy Ann made on a single piece. Very interesting.
“Mommy, Mommy.”
Amber looked up from her laptop to see her son running toward her with Jackson right behind him. They were both in T-shirts and bathing trunks. “Hi, sweetie. Are you and Daddy going swimming?”