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“Bingo. As U.S. Marshal Gaines pointed out, there is nothing like a large man with a badge to keep the little rug rats from wreaking havoc. I don’t want to keep anyone from enjoying the center, including the lushes, but they are very dismissive of their children.”
“Don’t they all have nannies?”
“Even a nanny needs a day off, so the mommies come here with their children and expect the center to be their nannies.”
“Gotcha. So what do you want from me besides my brawn and good looks?” He snickered.
“Would you be interested in working here a few days a week? I’ll pay you well, you’ll get free lunches from the Blonde Shallot, and all the pastry you can eat from the Flakey Tart. Of course, the same goes for the Cheese Cave.”
“Hmmm. I think you had me at Flakey Tart.” Nate laughed.
“Can you come over and we can work out a plan?”
“You free today?” Nathan asked.
“For you? Absolutely.” Ellie was elated. “We’re closed to the public today so you’ll be able to get a good walk-through.”
“Sounds good. I can be there in an hour. Does that work for you?”
“Perfect. Just ring the front buzzer. I’ll be in my office or my cell will notify me that someone is at the door.”
“You got it. See you shortly.”
Ellie was delighted for a couple of reasons, not the least of which was seeing her loyal friend and farm supervisor again. The second was that she might have solved an annoying problem. And third, it would be nice to have Nathan around again. She missed seeing him every day.
It was coming up on the one-year anniversary of Stillwell Art Center. Even now, as she stood looking over the balcony down at the atrium and its dozens of artisan shops, she could easily well up in tears. She thought about her husband, Richard, who had passed away a few years earlier. How she wished he could be here to see it. Then Luna’s words echoed in her ear. “He’s always with you.” Ellie truly believed it. When Luna did a cold reading for Ellie, she used a phrase often used by her deceased husband, “Have no fear, my dear.” It didn’t matter if it was making a dinner reservation or white-water rafting. Richard instilled a sense of confidence in her. He would often tell her that if she was fearful of something, she needed to ask herself, “What’s the worst that can happen?” Then, after mulling it over, she should ask another question: “What’s worse than that?” It made a lot of sense if you boiled it down. Unless “death” or “illness” was the answer, then “just do it,” as the commercial suggests.
When Ellie took on the multimillion-dollar project, the worst thing would be to lose most of her money. If that happened, she would still have a couple of million left over.Everyone should be that lucky.Ellie was truly grateful for her financial stability and having the resources to help fund other artists’ goals. She felt that was one way of giving back. Paying it forward.
Like clockwork, Nathan arrived. Ellie appreciated Nathan’s work ethic. She moved back behind her desk and buzzed him in. Her office was rigged with every electronic device for maximum security. She could do a major lockdown if it ever came to that. Heaven forbid.
Nathan opened the big glass doors and took long strides into the atrium. He still looked robust. Ellie squinted and blinked.He looks better than I remember,she thought to herself. A little grayer around the temples, but she could see the definition in his muscles pressing against his long-sleeved polo shirt. She leaned over the railing and called down, “Nathan! So good to see you! Wait there. I’ll be right down.”
Ellie checked herself in the reflection of the glass door.Why?She couldn’t answer that. Not yet anyway. Was she ready to start dating? But who? Ellie was no shrinking violet by any stretch, and it wasn’t that she fancied any kind of romance, but it would be nice to have a dependable man around even if they weren’t each other’s type.
Ellie bounded down the center staircase, Ziggy and Marley leading the way. Nathan immediately squatted to greet them. “How are my guys doing? Miss me?” Nathan nuzzled both of them as they nuzzled back. He stood and picked Ellie up off the ground and spun her around. “Woo-hoo! I’ve been waiting a looonnng time to do that!”
Ellie was nonplussed. Nathan had never manhandled her like that before. Sure a hug, but this?
Ellie faked anger and lightly pounded him on his chest. “Unhand me, you brute!”
Even the dogs knew he was simply having fun. Had it been anyone else, the dogs would have him pinned to the ground. As soon as he set her down, she gave him a long hug. “You are looking fit as a fiddle.” She couldn’t help noticing he must be doing something to keep himself in such good shape.
“I work out at the gym a few days a week. Been doing a little volunteering with some of the yoots.” He mimicked Joe Pesci fromMy Cousin Vinny.
“Then I have the perfect opportunity for you.”
Ellie’s eyes gleamed.
“Do tell, sweet lady. It’s OK if I call you a lady?” Nathan asked cautiously.
“Of course. Why not?” Ellie seemed surprised by the question.
“Because everyone is so darn sensitive these days. You never know what is going to offend someone.” Nathan gave a big sigh.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Nathan. We’ve known each other far too long to even think about being offended.”
“Glad to hear you say it. Makes me think everyone should wear a sign saying, ‘Don’t call me this,’ or ‘Don’t call me that.’ Or be sure to call me a list of things, but not this list.” Nathan chuckled. “I understand it’s important for people to be sensitive, but some take it to an extreme. I ought to know.”
