AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Tucked away behind rows of silver maple, the grand old house sat at the end of a long driveway, and the sprawling backyard hugged the edges of the serene Cinnamon Woods, which were currently displaying the breathtaking reds, yellows and rust of autumn.
Until now, Willow didn’t know she’d had a dream house, but if she did, this would be it. It was painted a soft gray with white trim, and with pumpkins practically spilling from the front steps, the cozy factor increased tenfold.
“Whoever lives here,” she thought, while rolling her bike past no less than two parked Mercedes, “must be totally loaded.”
Then, stepping onto the porch, she noticed the bespoke wooden sign hanging from two hooks that read ‘The Law Offices of Bickford, Gluntz, and Pate.’
Well, that explained a lot.
She didn’t have to knock. Astrid herself flung open the door before Willow had a chance to raise her knuckles.
“Darling!” said Astrid, “You’re right on time.”
“Oh good,” Willow replied, slipping out of her coat as she passed the threshold. “I don’t know what came over me this morning, but I woke up at dawn feeling so refreshed, I was able to get all sorts of stuff done before coming here. Wow, your house is gorgeous.”
“Oh, it’s not my house, dear,” said Astrid, leading her down a hallway. “This is Nadine Bickford’s house. This is where she runs her law practice, and it’s so quaint, the Women’s Business Council decided to hold our meetings here whether she likes it or not.”
Astrid snickers at her own words, like it was some kind of inside joke with the other ladies Willow had yet to meet.
“Well, I don’t blame you,” she replied.
Astrid paused at the end of the hallway, just outside a pair of double doors and turned to smile at Willow. Her teeth were perfect. Her red lipstick, flawless.
“I think you’ll fit in just fine,” she said, and opened the double doors to a sitting room so opulent, Willow wasn’t sure if she should curtsey or bow.
There sat three other women, each one with poise and class up the wazoo. They were all in stylish business wear, but somehow the clothes draped over their slender figures as though they were Paris fashion influencers. Even lounging they looked super ritzy, crossing their legs at the ankles and all that.
Willow held back in the doorway for just a moment as she took in the sight, feeling monstrously underdressed.
“You must be Willow,” said a woman with fierce cheekbones. “Welcome to my simple little haven.”
“Hi.” Willow waved dorkily. Lovely. If her mom jeans didn’t scream, “Look at me, I’m a hillbilly ragamuffin,” her manners certainly did.
“Nadine Bickford at your service. This is Rowena Crump, Daria Morgenstern, Jewels Duffy, and you already know Astrid.”
“Nice to meet you all,” said Willow.
“Rowena owns the bakery I told you about,” Astrid said, ushering Willow to a high-backed chair.
This brightened Willow’s mood considerably.
“Yes I do,” Rowena said. “You must try the caramel turnovers.”
“I’ll get her one,” said Astrid, already fluttering over to the sideboard. “Sugar in your tea, Willow?”
“Um, no thank you.”
Willow wiggled in her seat, somewhat uncomfortable as the subject of every one of the women’s curious stares. Her eyes darted from one to another, an awkward smile on her face, as they looked at her without a word.
The silence was finally broken by Astrid, bearing a plate with the caramel turnover and a cup of tea.
“Here you are,” she sing-songed. “I admire a woman who takes her tea with no sugar. It’s a sign of… maturity, I think.”
“Oh yes,” Nadine agreed. “So lady-like.”
The woman who was introduced as Daria nodded primly, her black, bobbed curls bouncing with her head. “Indeed.”
Jewels also nodded and muttered “Yes, yes, I’m with you on that one,” and on and on.
