As she made her way downstairs, she thought about the hours she had spent in Jed's arms this morning and a fluttering sensation tingled through her body. She was in love. Crazy in love. Unexpectedly in love. After Dean's death she had thought herself incapable of ever loving again, of finding someone who made her heart sing.
"Morning, Miss Grace," Laverna met her as she came down the back stairs into the kitchen.
"Good morning," Grace replied. "I don't want breakfast this morning. Just coffee and juice. I'd like to go to the office as soon as possible."
"Yes, ma'am."
Kate Malone stood by the bay window, a cup of coffee in her hand. "Jed should be back by noon, if you'd like to wait for him."
"He can meet us at the office." Grace placed her purse on the counter, accepted the small glass of orange juice Laverna held out to her, downed it in one long gulp, then handed the glass back to the housekeeper. "We're in the process of acquiring TV and radio stations in Newport, Arkansas, and in Corinth, Mississippi. I'm expecting updates on both negotiations today and I'm sure we'll have something to celebrate. Plus, we have a company picnic coming up in a few weeks and I always help Elsa plan the event."
"When do you want to leave?" Kate asked.
"In five minutes." Grace accepted the coffee cup Laverna handed her and said, "Please, ask Nolan to bring the car around." She looked directly at Kate. "You can ride with me, and Mr. Shea can follow. Will that be satisfactory?"
"It should be. Just as long as one of us is with you at all times."
Grace took several sips of hot coffee, then placed the cup on the saucer sitting on the counter. "Ask Mr. Shea to contact Jed and tell him to meet us at Sheffield Media headquarters."
"While you finish your coffee, I'll tell Dom. He's in the den."
The minute Kate left the kitchen, Grace lifted the telephone from the wall, dialed her office number and picked up her cup.
"Sheffield Media, Inc.," Elsa said. "Ms. Beaumont's office."
"Hi, Elsa. I'll be coming in late this morning. We're leaving here in five minutes."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Have we heard anything from Newport or Corinth?"
"I received a call from Mr. Sullivan. He's still negotiating terms with the lawyers representing both affiliates, but he said to tell you to pop the champagne. He's sure it'll be a done deal by this afternoon."
"Wonderful." Grace sipped on her coffee. "Since a celebratory lunch is in order, please, make reservations for two… no make that for six, at Rudy's. I want you and Hudson to join us-Jed and I and the other two Dundee agents. Mr. Shea and Kate have become my second and third shadows. By the way, when you call Rudy's make sure you speak personally to Rudy. I want our lunch prepared by Rudy himself. And be sure to ask him to chill a couple of bottles of Krug Grande Cuvee."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll see to it immediately."
Grace knew Elsa was probably dying to know all about the corpse that had been dumped at her gate, but was too circumspect to boldly inquire. "I suppose you've heard about the gangster that was dropped off in front of the house last night."
"Yes, everyone's heard. It's front page news this morning. And Hudson approved having our radio and TV stations cover the story. He felt that you wouldn't want Sheffield Media to shy away from the story just because… well, because you're involved. And he chose not to bother you at home with making the decision."
" Hudson did the correct thing."
"The man who was murdered, the police identified him as Jaron Vaden, one of Booth Fortier's top henchmen," Elsa said. "They say Fortier is married to Vaden's sister."
I knew Jaron Vaden, the man who was dumped outside your gate. We were friends as teenagers. Grace heard Jed's voice inside her head.
"Grace?"
"Mmm-hmm?"
"Are you all right?" Elsa asked, concern in her voice. "You sound a bit strange."
"Yes. Yes, I'm fine."
"It must have been terrible for you last night. I mean having a dead body… you didn't see it, did you? The police didn't make you-"
"Jed took care of everything," Grace said. "I did have to speak to Sheriff Adams, but he asked me only a few questions."
"If you'd rather not come into work today-"
"I'll be there shortly. I'm not letting Booth Fortier scare me so badly that I can't function normally. I have a team of bodyguards to keep me safe." As safe as it was possible to be when a man like Fortier decided he wanted you dead, Grace thought.
"We'll expect you soon." Elsa paused. "And Grace… Troy called me a few minutes ago. He asked if he could come by the house this evening."
"That's good news, isn't it?"
"Yes, I think it is. He actually apologized for acting so badly the day he moved out. I'm hoping I can persuade him to give up the job at the warehouse."
"I certainly hope you can." Grace wondered if she should mention her idea of a major job promotion to Elsa. It would mean Elsa moving from St. Camille and uprooting Milly, but if she could persuade Troy to go with them, it might give the kid one more second chance. Better wait, Grace decided. Selfishly she wanted Elsa here at Sheffield Media, Inc. headquarters until this nightmare with Booth Fortier was over. Then she'd offer Elsa the type of job she knew her assistant longed for-managing affiliated radio and television stations. Grace intended to give Elsa her choice of Newport or Corinth, then when she'd done her apprenticeship in a small town, Elsa could move to a larger city when a managerial position came open.
"Inform Hudson that he's invited to lunch to celebrate. And phone Uncle Willis and see if he can join us. If he can, make the reservations for seven."
"I'll handle everything. Have a safe trip into town," Elsa said, then hung up.
Grace finished her coffee, set the cup down and picked up her purse. "Laverna, let's have dinner in the sunroom tonight. Make it really nice. Linen tablecloth and napkins. And Grandmother's china and silver."
"Candles and fresh flowers, too?" Laverna asked.
"Mmm-hmm. Yes. The works." Grace waltzed over and hugged Laverna, whose dark eyes widened in surprise. "I want music, too. Something romantic."
"Yes, ma'am." Laverna smiled timidly.
Jed waited in a long line of cars backed up on the highway between Beaulac and St. Camille. He'd decided to take the shortest route to Sheffield Media, Inc. headquarters, not realizing a road crew would have a section of highway blocked and was making the eastbound traffic take turns with the westbound traffic on the narrow strip of old road.
Jed thumped his fingers on the steering wheel as one foot patted nervously on the floor mat. Dom had phoned to let him know Grace had insisted on heading to the office immediately and wanted him to meet them there. Mentally he knew Grace was as safe with Dom and Kate as she would be with him: but on a possessive male, gut level, he didn't want Grace going anywhere without him.
Just as he started to call the office to let them know he'd be late, his lane of traffic got the go-ahead, so he shifted gears and moved forward, but only at a snail's pace.
An hour later, he parked at Sheffield Media, Inc. headquarters and strode into the main building. When he arrived at Grace's office, he was told by one of the secretaries that Ms. Beaumont had already left for lunch.
"Where did she go?"
"Rudy's. It's on Main Street. You can't miss it. Ms. Beaumont asked that you join them as soon as possible."
"Them? Do you mean the Dundee agents?"
"Yes, sir, they were with her, along with Ms. Leone and Mr. Prentice."