A Very Good Life by Lynn Steward Read Free Book Online Page B

clashing sharply with the kindness of Wills’ rescuer.
    “Nothing. You’re acting very strange this evening. Can I pour you a sherry?”
    “You said ’somebody must have had a bad day,’ and as a matter of fact, I did. I got shot down after pitching a new cosmetic section to Bea, and then Bob Campbell told me that I have to throw the teen contest. The winner, to be announced at the Sugar Plum Ball, has already been determined. It’s outright fraud.”
    Brett sank back onto the chair and burst into laughter. “Is
that
what’s bothering you?”
    “Of course it’s bothering me! There are five girls putting their heart and soul into—”
    “Calm down, honey. B. Altman is practically run by the Archdiocese.” He winked mischievously. “You know the rumors—the Catholic Church secretly owns the store, which is why nuns and priests are constantly roaming every single floor. Just look at all the clergy discounts they offer. God will surely look past a little fraud since he’s the real CEO. Your place inside the pearly gates is assured.”
    “That’s absurd, Brett, and it’s not just a
little
fraud, as you put it. We’re talking about people’s lives. This contest means everything to the five finalists. What if someone had pulled your article from the law review in your last year and given the space to someone else?”
    Brett’s laughter was louder this time as he rolled his eyes in disbelief. “You’re not seriously comparing the law review to teen models, are you?” He wrinkled his face into a good-natured frown.
    Dana paused, put her hands on her hips, and squeezed her eyes shut, not believing what she was hearing. “Yes, I most certainly
am
comparing this to your law review article. These young girls have hopes and dreams, too. You’re not the only one, Brett.”
    “I know that, Dana. It’s just that—”
    The phone rang, and Brett picked up the receiver before it could ring twice. He listened for a minute and then spoke briefly before hanging up. “Okay. Fine. See you then.”
    He looked up at Dana. “That was Janice Conlon telling me that my meeting tomorrow was pushed back by thirty minutes.”
    Dana’s jaw dropped. “We’re cutting down our Christmas tree tomorrow! The party is Thursday. We’ve had these plans for weeks.”
    “Duty calls,” Brett said matter-of-factly. “Mr. Heller wants to meet tomorrow, and he’s a big client.”
    “When were you planning to tell me!”
    “I’ve got a lot on my plate, Dana.” He balled his two fists and extended his thumbs, proudly motioning to himself. “Don’t forget—the next partner at Davis, Konen and Wright is sitting before you.”
    “I’m not going to dinner,” said a furious Dana. “I’m not in the mood anymore.”
    “We’re going,” Brett said resolutely. “We can’t cancel the reservation at the last minute. I’m going to change now. Are you ready?”
    Brett got up and went into the bedroom while Dana took his place on the chair and dialed Andrew’s number.
    “Andrew? It’s Dana. Listen, Brett has to work tomorrow and—”
    “Let me guess—you need someone to help you cut down a Christmas tree at the Winterberry Christmas Tree Farm like you’ve been planning. I’m sure I can convince Nina to come along as well. She’s got a VW Bug.
    Nina Bramen was the antiques buyer for B. Altman.
    “You’re the best, Andrew. I can always count on you.”
    There was a pause at the other end of the line, and Dana could sense that Andrew was withholding the phrase “Unlike your husband.”
    “Thanks, Andrew. See you in the morning.”
    Dana hung up and tilted her head back. The day had gone from bad to worse. And she was tired of hearing about Janice Conlon. The new litigator got more of her husband’s time than she did, Dana thought, as she got up and headed to the bedroom.
    “Andrew and Nina will help me cut down the tree tomorrow,” Dana informed her husband when she reached the bedroom.
    “Nina? B. Altman’s token