Totlandia: Spring by Josie Brown Read Free Book Online Page A

knew her so well.
    It was great to be home.
    Even Bettina couldn’t ruin that for her.

     
    12:20 p.m.
    This is my fiefdom, Bettina thought as she gazed proudly at all the other mothers who were gliding toward their assigned seats at the annual Pacific Heights Moms & Tots Club New Year’s Kick-Off Luncheon held as always at the St. Francis Yacht Club.
    Bettina’s great-grandfather had been one of its founding members. Without hesitation, the club’s directors did what they could to accommodate her whims for making the event perfect. The dining room, which had an incomparable panoramic view of the Golden Gate Bridge, was laid out with five circular tables that sat ten, the number of mothers in each of the age-specific groups within the club. Beside place cards, one of two floral themes graced each place setting: pink (with pink rose buds) or blue (with hydrangeas of that hue), depending on the sex of the child whose mother was to sit there.
    This particular gathering would also introduce the four probationary Onesies applicants who, after several months of highly competitive challenges, had won full membership in the Pacific Heights Moms & Tots Club. Having read Bettina’s veiled threat in the carefully worded invitation, which stated “Your presence to this event is appreciated on or before eleven forty-five a.m.,” many PHM&T members and their fidgety offspring had lined up outside the yacht club’s double doors as early as eleven.
    “They must think Apple is here to unveil another damn iPhone,” the doorman muttered under his breath as he peered out at the growing crowd.
    The early birds included the six legacy Onesies moms: Hillary Trumbull and her daughter, Ava; Marcia Broderick and her daughter, Ella; Bella Adams with her son, Liam; Doreen Landau and her son, Ethan; Janine Ledbetter and her son, Jackson; and Gwen Markham and her son, Nathan. Everyone already had a child in one of the other age groups.
    By eleven thirty, all the members were seated, and their children were already ensconced in the adjacent “children’s party room” where healthy snacks had been set up and twelve of the city’s most highly regarded sitters were standing by to feed, diaper, and play age-appropriate games.
    Excitement was already crackling through the air.
    Perfect, Bettina thought. Now as each of the winners arrive, I’ll walk her in and personally reintroduce her to the club.
    The first probationer to come in was Lorna with Dante in tow. Bettina grimaced. Too bad it wasn’t one of the other winners. Her ears pricked up, alert to any faint murmurs of nepotism. She need not worry. The emotional choke collar around her members’ necks was always held tight within her slim fingers. No one wanted to be yanked onto the carpet, let alone exiled from the club for grousing about their fearless founder.
    “You’re prompt. How refreshing,” Bettina murmured in Lorna’s ear as she air-kissed her sister-in-law and patted her solemn little nephew on his check. Then she shuttled Lorna into the dining room and announced in a loud voice, “Ladies, your attention! The first of our newest members has arrived. Please welcome Lorna Connaught, who brought the revenue from our recipe book fundraiser to Olympian heights!”
    The applause was enthusiastic. Too much so for Bettina’s liking. She nodded at Mallory Wickett, who took the hint and practically shoved Lorna in the direction of her assigned table.
    Just at that moment, Jade walked in, holding Oliver. Bettina’s eyes swept over her appraisingly. “Ah, and here is another of our newest members, Jade Pierce.” She held out her hand to Jade, who took it hesitantly. “Such a fashion plate! Is that Valentino?...I thought so. Black lace over white poplin and buttoned to the collar! So innocently school-girlish! You carry it off soooo well. And such a wonderful addition to our club! We’ll never forget your pumpkin patch event.” She turned toward the other mothers. “Am I right,