Kieran York - Appointment with a Smile by Kieran York

Author:Kieran York
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Blue Feather Books
Published: 2012-04-18T17:43:03+00:00

Chapter 27

Within the hour, Esther’s phone call interrupted my morning. I was certain Fiona and Esther were conspiring against me.

“According to Fiona, without Molly or Bethany, you’ll be muse-less.” Esther must have been shouting into her phone. “Carrie said you need to buck up your ideas or you’ll lose Bethany.”

“So now Carrie is in the mix.”

“Damned right. She’s been Bethany’s friend for years. And she thinks the world of her and doesn’t want Bethany hurt.”

“My ears are wearing out from your beleaguering the subject, Esther. Why don’t you come to my suite? I’ll order something for us to gulp down. Might improve your mood.”

“Because I’m about to hop in the shower.”

“How about this. I’ll order some room service delivered to your room. By the time it arrives, you’ll be out of the shower. We can chow down. And talk.”

“Then bring your checklist because I want to go over it with you.”

“Is that a yes? We’ll have breakfast together?”

“Why are you doing a late breakfast? You usually eat earlier.”

“I’m off schedule. I’m painting.”

“Don’t be late coming down. Twenty minutes tops.”

“You’ll only have half my arse to kick into submission. Fiona just left after having kicked her share, as I’m sure you know. You two are in cahoots.”

“You got that right. Fiona knows what I know.”

“I’ll be there in twenty minutes. And, Esther, thanks for being a great friend.”

I tucked my phone into my breast pocket and ordered room service. I picked up a soft graphite sketching pencil and stood in front of the white canvas for several moments. I sketched the contours of Bethany’s head. After proportioning her face, I stopped. Glancing at my wristwatch, I noticed it was nearly time for me to take the elevator down to Esther’s.

Room service was being delivered as I arrived. Esther waved her hand for me to sit down. That was a warning sign she was about to go on the offensive.

I sat, placed my napkin on my lap, and lifted the stainless-steel cover. “Yummy.”

She poured coffee and stirred it vigorously. “Are you planning to phone Molly again?”

“I’m not sure. She made it quite clear that she’d rather I not contact her.”

“Not sure? I know that you’re over the initial shock and now you’ll call her. Innocently, you’ll ask if she’s okay, or some other lame question.”

“Probably not. My best guess is that Molly is no longer in the equation.”

“Danielle, I’ve talked with Carrie about how Bethany is feeling about you.”

“How are you feeling about Carrie?” I asked, to deflect Esther’s attack.

“A little early in the conversation to rotate our talk, but nice try. Carrie and I are going to be friends for years. She plans to visit Denver on her next vacation. Neither of us has any illusions about a future together.”

“Carrie’s a nice person.”

“You and Bethany could have a future.” Esther was relentless.

“You don’t know that. Bethany is an independent woman. I’m not likely to break her heart. Carrie doesn’t need to worry. Bethany knows I’ll be returning to my home.”

“What makes you think she wants to be left behind?” When I didn’t answer, Esther posed another question.

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