Page 81 of Pride, Prejudice, & Pretense

"Mom, I've got to go. Be nice to your customers. A sale is a sale, and this is supposed to be a happy time for the customer. Make her feel beautiful."

"I'msupposed to be happy too. Why should their happiness matter more than mine? They stomp on my poor nerves. And I can’t work miracles."

"Got to go, Mom," Lizzy said, and she ended the call.

She was more anxious and frustrated than ever. She called her aunt. Given her mother’s attitude, it was hard to believe that Uncle Hubert was her brother.

***

They boarded the plane and found their seats?Fanny by the window and Wickham by the aisle. He now seemed wholly focused on her as he smiled and leaned in, putting his mouth close to her ear. "Soon, Fanny! Everything you've been fantasizing about…and more…will happen."

Lizzy wanted to push him away, claw at his face; her stomach roiled. His bragging was repulsive. But Fanny turned her head and gave him another of her coy, eyelash-veiled looks. Then she mimicked his gesture and whispered into his ear, "It's all I've been thinking about, imagining." She made sure her voice conveyed the right combination of reluctance, resignation, and enchantment. It took all her concentration, all her talent. Thewords tasted foul on her lips, but she made herself smile as he pulled back.

His answering smile became a frank leer, and he slid his hand from her knee up…up…to a spot high on her thigh. He stopped very close to her crotch and put his mouth again to her ear. This time, his tongue snaked out and licked her lobe.

She shivered in revulsion, but he took it to be arousal. Satisfied, he removed his hand and sat back in the seat.

Lizzy turned her head and stared at the wet, dark gray tarmac beneath the wet, light gray sky. The drizzle continued.

***

"He's okay, Lizzy," Aunt Christine said softly, thankfully."There was more blockage. One of his stents closed, or something. Restenosis, the doctor calls it. His artery grew over the stent, like a scab on a wound. Drugs were supposed to keep that from happening, but they failed. Anyway, they were able to open it up again using a tiny drill. Can you imagine that? It's crazy! But he's okay. Awake and alert. He should go home soon. Your mom's running the shop. Lord help us!"

"I know. I talked to her there."

"Just two days and our Yelp rating has sunk like a stone."

"I'm sorry. She can't help herself—or anyone else. I wish there was something I could do for you or Uncle Hubert."

"That’s all right, dear. Thanks so much for calling. I know you're…traveling for work, so I appreciate it. I didn't want to worry you, especially since the angina attack and the surgery happened so close together and I learned quickly he would be fine…"

"I’m so glad he’s doing better. What about you?"

"I’m sure I’ll be busy for a while. He'll be at home but will need attention. The doctor wants him to stay away from workwhile they adjust his medication to keep this from recurring. Once he’s okay, I’ll worry about putting out the fires in the bridal shop."

"Good luck. My love to you and him."

"We love you too, Lizzy. Best of luck with your work."

Lizzy put her phone down. She was worried about her uncle, but she couldn't allow that to steal her focus. At least everything seemed like it would be okay.

At least in Rochester.

***

Although Lizzy had never been to Casper, coincidentally shehadbeen in Cheyenne on a trip west to Yellowstone National Park with her uncle and aunt. She had just turned fifteen, and the trip was a birthday present. She hadn't traveled much; her mother's nerves and her father's reclusion had kept Lizzy mostly homebound. She vaguely recalled having passed a sign for Casper as the three of them had driven from Cheyenne to Yellowstone. The memory stayed with her because of her then-amused thought of Casper the Friendly Ghost.

As the plane taxied to the runway, she could not manage to find anything about Casper friendly. Nothing amusing. Nowshewas the spook, the spy, and she was likely headed up the mountain.

Wickham put his hand on her knee and the plane accelerated. It left the ground, departing Chicago.

Lizzy wished she could dematerialize.

Chapter Twenty: Little Red Cabin

The flight attendant opened the plane door, and the passengers began to deplane. Lizzy looked out the window. It was sunny and clear, cloudless, in Casper's afternoon.

The two of them were near the front of the plane, so their turn was coming soon. Wickham stood to retrieve their luggage from the overhead bin.

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