Pride swelled in Athena’s chest as she watched Venus show off her expertise in jewelry and Diana displayed her first collectable piece, a 1930 white microbeaded purse with a gold frame encrusted with diamantes, and had Makayla model a jaunty little black velvet evening hat. Athena felt their mother beside her and gave silent thanks to her for intuitively knowing each of their passions and guiding them into the fabulous world of vintage fashion, the way Athena now wanted to help Makayla.
The vision of the black velvet gown Athena had seen in a vintage store as a teenager and rushed in to purchase floated into her memory. She loved the low-cut bodice encrusted with jet, the puffy leg-of-mutton sleeves, and, best of all, the graceful train. She remembered finding the finger loop for the train and using it, dancing around the dressing room, feeling like a goddess. Even though it was black, she’d vowed to be married in the dress. Long ago, young and foolish, she’d thought she would wear it for Drew.
Now it hung in her closet at the museum. Never worn, and perhaps it never would be.
The black dress morphed into a vision of her and Drew finding the four exquisite Bertha Palmer gowns crumpled in a huge heap on some thief’s grimy floor.
No doubt the vision symbolized their past relationship.
Rebecca touched her shoulder, and Athena came back to the real world. “Tell me, Athena, what is the most amazing dress in Pandora’s Box at the moment?”
Athena flashed the camera her best curator smile and moved to one of the closets without doors. “Without a doubt it is this 1960 Valentino.” She held up the dress so the cameraman could get a good shot. “It’s ivory duchesse satin with long sleeves encrusted with rhinestones. It’s worn with a sleeveless matching evening coat and this belt with a beautiful rhinestone-encrusted buckle.”
“Love it,” Rebecca sighed, her eyes wide with admiration. “Absolutely perfect for any bride.”
Rebecca gestured to the cameraman, who panned the entire store and came back to her face. “Pandora’s Box is so full of delights, all you fashionistas out there won’t know what to buy first!”
“Cut, Phil.” Rebecca sighed. “Wonderful stuff. I’ll interview the first few customers, and then we’ll be out of your way.”
Rebecca broke off, drawing in a short, sharp breath. Athena looked up and did the same.
Their hair still wet from showers, Drew and Connor strolled through the door.
She couldn’t take her eyes off Drew, and he’d been staring at her from the moment he sauntered into the store.
Why are they here? This isn’t part of our deal.
Speechless with surprise, she tore her gaze away from Drew and looked at Rebecca for help.
With a dazzling smile, Rebecca leaped into the breach. On her cue, the cameraman began to film.
“Checking out the competition, gentlemen?” Rebecca laughed up at them.
With legendary Clayworth charm, Drew’s cornflower gaze swept over Rebecca, from her Christian Louboutins to her halo of light hair, as he slowly smiled. “Pandora’s Box is the place to be today. Especially with you here, Rebecca.”
Rebecca gave him a knowing glance. “Ah, Drew, always the charmer.”
He grinned. “We’re also here because John Clayworth and Company has always valued other fine retailers.”
“Spoken like the founder himself,” Rebecca said with a laugh and moved on to Connor.
He blushed to the roots of his thick, coal-black hair, his green eyes from his father’s family darkening to a deep emerald. As always, his powerful muscles seemed to be fighting his preppy clothes. “I’m picking out a gift for my aunt.”
Rebecca turned away to interview the first customer coming through the door, and in three strides Drew stood at Athena’s side.
“You look flushed. How are you? Still feeling any effects?”
She’d felt perfectly fine before they arrived, but now her skin tingled with warmth. Maybe she should turn on the air conditioner in the store. It must be getting hotter outside. Bright sunlight bathed the crowd gathered on the sidewalk, drawn by the red Ferrari F430 convertible and the silver Porsche.
“Athena, are you feeling all right?” he asked again, more sharply this time.
“I’m perfectly fine.” She thrust up her chin, prepared for whatever the Fates planned to deal her this time. She felt the tension vibrating off Venus, saw the curiosity in Diana’s eyes and the intent way Makayla watched them all.
“Why are you really here, Drew?” She held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t mention her father, the elephant in the room by his absence. Dad was represented only by the spectacular arrangement of three dozen sterling silver roses he had sent to congratulate them on the opening. If Drew said one word about their dad, all hell would break loose with Venus and Diana.
“We’re here out of respect for your mother.”
She almost believed him, but she knew there must be more to this visit. But thank goodness his words were enough to cause Diana to nod and Venus to relax.
All at once she felt furry warmth around her ankles and looked down at Drusilla Junior brushing against her.
Drew laughed, a shadow of mockery on his face. “No. This can’t be. It can’t be your cat from when we were kids.” His eyes crinkling at the corners, he looked at Athena and then down at the cat, who promptly deserted her to rub against Drew’s calf.
Smiling, he swept Junior up in his arms, and the disloyal hussy licked his hand.
His long fingers slowly stroking Drusilla’s stomach mesmerized Athena. She shook her head to clear it of such foolishness and then nodded. “Of course this isn’t Drusilla Senior. It’s Junior, from Drusilla’s first litter.”
She’d forgotten how Drew’s eyes seemed warmed from inside when he really smiled.
“Junior? Athena, I believe it’s my duty to tell you this is a female.”
Drew rubbed Junior under the chin, and Athena heard the cat purr loud and clear.
“Of course I know Junior is a girl. I happen to be a big fan of the designer Carolina Herrera, who has a daughter, Carolina Junior, so I did the same.”
“I guess it makes sense,” Drew laughed, nestling Junior in the crook of his arm.
Her beloved cat stared at her for a second, as if debating whether or not staying nestled in Drew’s arm could be worth risking her treats for the day. Smart like her mother, Junior jumped daintily down to walk back to her bed in the store office, an opulent bower with the computer hidden in an antique cherry cabinet.
She looked back at Drew and caught him watching her in such an odd, intent way, she couldn’t stop the heat curling through her. No doubt she blushed like the teenager she’d been the last time he’d looked at her like this.
She mustered up some cool thoughts that had nothing to do with him. “What?”
“Drusilla Junior brings back a lot of memories.” His voice sounded so intimate and deep she could drown in it.
Poking her in the ribs, Venus threw her a life preserver.
“Athena, the cameraman is still filming. We should do something,” she whispered.
The room came into focus, filled with curious spectators from outside wandering into the store, followed by a dozen more. Venus happily rushed off to help them.
“I’ll get out of your way,” Drew said in that same deep, intimate voice. “Lewis sent out an alert to all the hospitals and physicians in the area. I have Ed investigating. Anything from your contacts?”
Nothing was more important to her than finding those dresses, but for the next few hours she had to put the search on hold for Pandora’s Box. “Nothing yet. I’ll be in touch.” Maintaining her outward calm, she nodded and walked away to help a woman looking at evening gowns.
She refused to acknowledge the memories Drew stirred, with or without Drusilla in his arms. To stop them, she threw herself into answering every question asked about vintage dresses in such detail most customers got a glazed look of information overload.