Magic of the Heart by CJ Harte

Author:CJ Harte
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: ! Yes
ISBN: 9781602821316
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2010-01-15T06:00:00+00:00

chapter fourteeN

Maggie prepared for the interviews, her mood dark.

Karl and Maya had arrived before noon to brief her.

Her hair stylist and make-up people arrived in time to ready her

for The Tonight Show. Still her nervousness wore on the rest of

her staff. She knew this was part of the fame, but she still didn’t

like it.

“M.J., will you sit down?” Maya put the notes in front of

Maggie for one last review. “Sometimes I can’t believe you were

an English major.”

“Majoring in English doesn’t automatically assure you of

being a competent public speaker. I majored in English because I

liked to read and write, neither of which require communicating

orally with another person.” Maggie picked up the notes, read

them, and put them back down. “Where’s Susan? Did you know

I hate public speaking?”

“She and her mom are shopping. I suggested it.”

“What for? Why didn’t you consult me?”

“You need to concentrate,” Karl added, “and she interferes.

Besides, you need to cool it with her. You’re going to be under

close scrutiny and you can’t afford a scandal.”

“No, you cool it, Karl. Susan is part of my life.”

“M.J., we’re doing our job and protecting you,” Karl said.

“You don’t need this affair getting—”

• 127 •

c.J. harte

“Stop! Susan is off-limits. To you, Maya, and anyone else. I

will not give her up. Do you understand?”

Karl nodded and quickly changed the subject. “After these

interviews are over, why don’t you take some time off? We can

get that place up near Yosemite that you like so much.”

Maggie glared. “Don’t handle me, Karl. I’ll decide where

and when I want to go if I decide to take time off.” Maggie was

tired. She mentally promised to take time off in New York to

shop with Susan.

v

In New York, Maggie had five interviews with print media,

three with electronic media, two phone interviews, and a photo

shoot. Susan was frustrated and wondered why she’d even

bothered with this trip. She shopped alone. By the time they

arrived in Orlando it was almost Saturday.

Susan felt guilty. She had promised to be home early enough

to spend some time with her family. She tried to get into the house

quietly. In the past, Susan had relaxed after a trip by spending a

few moments with her mother before going to sleep, but Maggie

wanted to play.

“Why don’t you go ahead and go to bed? I’ll be in shortly.”

“I can wait on you.” Maggie ran her hands across Susan’s

breasts. “But I may not be able to wait long.”

Susan stopped Maggie’s roaming hands. “Please. I just need

a few minutes. I don’t know how you keep going. I just need

some time for me.”

“Fine!” Maggie stormed off without another word.

Susan wanted Maggie to go away so she could wake up her

mom and just talk. She didn’t mean to make Maggie angry. She

just wanted some quiet. Her life was again filled with conflict.

The next morning Susan and Maggie rode in silence out to

the airport to meet Maggie’s kids and Maya. Maggie was still

pouting because Susan refused to go to bed when she did.

• 128 •

Magic of the heart

At the airport, Maggie was recognized and stopped for

autographs. A crowd formed, jostling and shoving to get closer.

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