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“Which is when you are going to do exactly what to them?” Fergus had been waiting for Annie to share her plans, but she wasn’t ready just yet.
“Patience, my dear.” Annie smiled.
* * *
The Aston Martin dealership was on Bird Road in Coral Gables, so Annie and Myra opted to stay at the Mr. C Miami Hotel, less than a ten-minute drive away. Also close by was the Vizcaya Museums and Gardens. The women arrived at the hotel by one thirty and decided to visit the former estate of John Deering of the Deering-McCormick International Harvester fortune. Both had been before, but it never got boring.
Built between 1914 and 1922, the main house with its Mediterranean architecture boasted over forty-five thousand square feet, with thirty-four decorated rooms open to the public. It was surrounded by ten acres of meticulous formal gardens and a mangrove shoreline on Biscayne Bay.
The two women marveled at the commitment to art, culture, and history that the magnificent historical landmark displayed. Myra turned to Annie as they passed one of the fountains. “One can easily forget we live in a different century and in a completely different world. It was only a hundred years ago. Mankind has done a lot of damage in a very short time.”
“Makes one wonder how we got to this messy place in the world today.”
“Because rarely has a woman been in charge.” Myra chortled and linked her arm through Annie’s.
Around four o’clock the guides discreetly advised the visitors that the gardens would be closing in a half hour. Annie sighed, reminding herself of the tasks ahead. “Back to reality,” she muttered under her breath.
No stranger to the social trappings of wealth and society, Annie knew the best places to eat weren’t necessarily the most expensive. She recalled a wonderful bistro in Little Havana where she and Myra decided to have dinner. Even though the mission wasn’t complete, Myra had a very relaxed manner about her.
“Thinking about your getaway with Charles?” Annie inquired.
Myra gave her a whimsical smile. “Maybe you and Fergus should consider taking a holiday as well. But somewhere other than the Cayman Islands.” She hooted.
“We wouldn’t think of ruining all your fun and games.” Annie knocked her knee into Myra’s, giving her a raised eyebrow. “But first, we have a mission to complete.”
When they returned to the hotel, Myra texted Pearl to confirm the arrangements. Pearl responded with: All systems go.
The women giggled at what was to come.
New York City
Zoe rode with Izzie to Penn Station. They stopped at a coffee kiosk before Izzie had to board her train. Zoe’s eyes got misty. “I don’t know how to thank you for everything you’ve done.”
“It’s not over yet,” Izzie said. “We still have a lot of loose ends to tie up.”
“For sure. But your boyfriendvention—my new name for boyfriend intervention—probably changed my life. I say probably because I don’t know where it will lead, but at least I am going to take this one seriously.”
“Zoe, you deserve to be with someone who treats you as if they’ve won the lottery. Because having you in their life means they have been given a gift. Don’t let your mind go astray. Think good thoughts.”
Now the tears were falling. Zoe wiped her eyes.
“I don’t recall ever seeing you cry this much in all the years I’ve known you,” said Izzie.
“Ha. I don’t think I have cried this much, ever!” Zoe smiled as her nose dripped.
Izzie handed Zoe a napkin from the coffee shop. “I am so happy you’ll be going to visit Mason. It will do you a world of good.”
“The big challenge will be coming back. I won’t have a job.”
“But you’ll have Betty and Buster.”
Zoe sniffled. “But they are so lazy. They refuse to go to work!”
Izzie chuckled. “I know. I have the same issue with Rufus. Lazy bum, that one.”
An announcement for the Acela to Washington, D.C., came over the loudspeaker. They gave each other big bear hugs. “Ping me when you get home,” Zoe called out as Izzie descended the escalator.
When Zoe got back to her apartment she sent Mason a text: Making my travel plans. What’s good for you?
