The Right Moment by Heatherly Bell

Author:Heatherly Bell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-12-02T20:09:03+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Three days later, Joanne waited at the boutique for a scheduled appointment with a prospective bride when the phone rang.

“Joanne’s, how can I help you?”

“It’s Patricia Taylor.”

Finally, they’d decided to return her calls. “We never settled on a dress from the designs you paid for and I’d hoped to get started on the dress soon.”

“That’s the thing. Would you please go ahead and send the designs over to Trudy’s Boutique in San Francisco? We’ve decided to have them make the dress.”

Trudy’s was by far Joanne’s biggest competition, an exclusive boutique only the most privileged of brides could afford.

She forced her voice into professional mode and out of the whine she heard in her head. “Did we do anything wrong? I thought you had agreed to keep your business in Fortune.”

The Taylors were from Fortune, originally from real estate entrepreneurs who were very public about supporting small businesses in Fortune. The deal had started out with such promise a few months ago, their enthusiasm for working with a local bridal boutique and an exclusively designed dress palpable.

Now everything was falling apart.

“I’m sorry, but we’ve decided to go with Trudy’s. Your designs were by far the best ones and we’ll go with one of those. You’ll get credit for the design, of course.”

But she wouldn’t be making the dress, and Joanne knew how it would go. Her name might appear in the fine print, but it would essentially be buried. Trudy’s would get all the publicity. Trudy’s would be there on the day of the wedding for any last-minute alterations.

“Does this have anything to do with what happened recently? Because I can assure you, it’s the best thing to have ever happened to me. I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”

“I was so sorry to hear about that. Did the groom leave you hanging with all the expenses?”

“Well, yes. I’m handling it.” Best not to go into the gory details with a client. “But the shop is in good standing and I wouldn’t have any problems delivering the dress.”

She cleared her throat. “I know you wouldn’t. But the decision has been made. And Joanne, I would so appreciate it if you wouldn’t spread the word that we’re going to San Francisco for the dress. You know that our image is so closely tied with supporting local business. And we try to, in every instance possible.”

Except this one.

“I’m a professional and not a gossip, but don’t expect me to lie for you. We had an agreement and I’m willing and able to hold up my end.”

“I just...you have to understand.”

“Maybe if you explained.” Joanne kept her words measured and even, leaving the emotion out of it.

“It might not be fair, but everything has to go perfect for my daughter’s wedding. My husband expects it. He’s not footing a six-figure wedding for something to go wrong with the dress.”

“Is there some reason you believe I can’t do the work?”

“Dear, you were just jilted!”

“It’s not contagious, Patricia.” Quoting Hud to a prospective client. New territory.

“That’s not what I mean.

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