The Associated Press article discussed personal wrong doing on the part of the CEO. Concerned shareholders questioned ethics in the boardroom. The underlying insinuation was if an individual in a place of power made poor personal choices, investors rightfully or wrongly transferred that to business choices. Megatone and its board of directors maintained the company’s position of strong integrity and principal. Currently no evidence of corporate wrong doing was evident. Yet, with up to the second news, the stock continued to dive.
Claire searched her stock market app; Rawlings Industries stock currently sat at $168.78 per share. That was up $2.04 since the same time yesterday. The company had been experiencing an upward spiral, despite the economy, for the last five years.
*****
Sophia searched her mind as she stood in line. Each time she snuck a glance at the brown haired woman, she analyzed her features. Finding a small table, Sophia sat sipping her tea and waiting for her salad. Suddenly, she realized it was the hair that was wrong. The woman that this woman resembled had lighter hair. Nonetheless, as an artist she dissected the woman’s features. Sophia knew without a doubt, in every other way, the woman at the window was the same woman Sophia had stared at for days and weeks. Not only had Sophia stared at her, she’d painted her, wearing a beautiful Vera Wang wedding gown.
Suddenly, Sophia wondered if she should approach her. After all, Sophia signed a confidentiality statement regarding that painting. While Sophia debated, the woman seemed lost in her tablet.
With her salad now secured, Sophia resolved to approach the woman at the window. Without warning an attractive blonde haired man sat down opposite the woman. Sophia watched as the concern and concentration the woman had been devoting to the tablet dissolved. The blonde haired man appeared to take all of her attention. Sophia wondered, could that be the man who hired me to paint the picture? If it was, she should remain silent. Breach of contract would require payment. Since she didn’t have the 1.95 million yet, talking to the woman she’d once painted was no longer an option.
Without a doubt, the possibility of an encounter with this mystery woman seemed odd!
Sophia sat back, enjoyed her lunch, and watched the man and woman converse with a heartwarming sense of familiarity. She hoped they liked her work.
The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, is in its loyalty to each other.
Chapter 30
His sparkling blue eyes were right in front of Claire before she noticed Harry’s presence. His rich voice rose above the clatter, “Your color looks much better. How are you feeling?”
Claire beamed toward the handsome face and turned her cheek making it available for his friendly kiss. “I’m feeling much better, thank you. I’m not sure what my problem was this morning.”
Harry took the seat opposite Claire.
She continued, “I love having Emily and John here. I don’t know why I’m so on edge.”
Harry leaned over and covered Claire’s hand. “Your sister is thrilled to be here with you. Just enjoy the time. They’re leaving Thursday.”
Claire looked down toward her half eaten salad. “I know,” she looked up and her emerald eyes twinkled, “and on Friday I get to see you in a tuxedo!”
Harry shook his head from side to side, “It’s not too late. We can get someone else to go to that gala. It’s nothing more than stuffed shirts acting all self-righteous about their donation.”
Claire smiled smugly, “I know what to expect, been there done that. But, I haven’t seen you in a tux, and I want to do that. Besides, I promised Amber.”
Harry picked a strawberry from Claire’s uneaten salad and plopped it in his mouth. Immediately, she thought about his lips as they closed around the small red fruit. She tried to compartmentalize the thought smoldering deep within her. To aid in her diversion, Claire chose to speak, “I thought Amber said you hadn’t been to any of these things with her. How do you know what to expect?”
“I haven’t been, as a guest. I’ve worked security at events like this, as a cop and for SiJo.” He reached for a sleek slice of orange.
Claire giggled, “Do you want the rest of my salad? I’m really not hungry.”
Bashfully he replied, “No, you should eat it. I don’t think you had much breakfast. Besides,” his voice slowed, “I was wondering...”
Looking up, Claire saw his expression change subtly, with a gleam to his eyes and a crease on his forehead. She couldn’t pin point the exact difference, but whatever it was, it caused that fire she’d felt moments ago to reignite. Trying to sound more seductive than shy, Claire leaned toward Harry, “Yes?” She allowed the word to be drawn out, asking a question, not answering one. “What were you wondering?”
“Well, you see I was at work – minding my own business – when I received this text.”
Claire raised her eyebrows, yes, she’d sent a text. It wasn’t intended as a request.
He went on, “It said something like: hope your day’s going well. Heading to Clancy’s on Hamilton for some lunch. Emily and John took my car for a road trip to San Francisco for the day.”
“Yes, I believe I know about that text. I sent it. And I received one in return. It said something like: have a good lunch. Oh, there may have been a smiley face.”
Harry shrugged, “Well, yes. But then I started to think about you... all alone.”
“I’m a big girl.”
His eyes now held the same smoldering fire she’d been trying to conceal. “Yes, you are.” His fingers rubbed the top of her knuckles. “You see, I wasn’t sure how you would handle being all alone back at the condo. It seems like with your company, you haven’t been alone in a while.”
Claire’s grin caused her eyes to twinkle; the fire now glowed behind the green. “You’re very kind to leave work just to assist me. Maybe, I do need some help.”
He seized her hand as she started to push her chair away from the table. “I’m here to assist, anyway I can.”
She leaned closer to his ear, “What would your boss say about you playing hooky?”
“My job definition is open to outside security.”
“Oh, so you’re providing me with security?” She smiled, looking back at Phil sitting with a sandwich and tea. “Should we tell Phil to take the afternoon off?”
Harry shrugged, “I don’t think it’d do any good. Now Ms. Nichols, what assistance do you need?”
Claire felt her cheeks flush, “Well, maybe from here to the condo, we can think of something?”
The Brazilian restaurant offered amazing cuisine with impeccable service. Keaton, Amber’s friend, held his own in their small crowd. He jumped right in, as the conversation moved from person to person. Claire enjoyed hearing her brother-in-law banter jokingly with the others. Her shoulders relaxed realizing the stress she used to feel whenever John and Tony were together was now gone. Maybe that old feeling was what had been bothering her.
Harry laughed as Emily questioned Claire’s diet. “Why are you so hungry?”
Claire smiled... perhaps her afternoon activity had helped return her appetite. “I guess I really like this restaurant.”
Emily couldn’t see Harry’s hand squeezing Claire’s dress covered knee.
After the waiter cleared the dishes from their main course, Claire noticed glances, bemused smiles, and nods between Amber, John, and Emily. Her curiosity got the better of her, “What’s going on?”