Page 1 of Dax
1
Kate
A soft buzz. A metallic click. The huge wrought iron gates swing open. Ominously silent, they make me feel like an intruder. An unwelcome guest in a world where I don't belong.
Jane lets out a whistle. “So this is how the other half lives!”
“Remember,” I tell her, carefully driving my car full of wedding menus and seat place cards along the huge, winding gravel path, “these are the scumbags who are buying up our building. Just because they live in a house with a hundred acres of perfectly manicured grass surrounding it, doesn’t stop them from being the biggest bunch of dickweeds this side of Kansas.”
“I don’t get it,” Jane leans her head out the window and gawks as a brilliant white swan waddles alongside us. A clumsy line of cygnets following behind and tripping over their feet in an adorable attempt to keep up. “If they’re the enemy, why are you going to all this trouble? I mean, you could have had a courier deliver the menus, but you come out all the way here, for what? So you can look at their big, fancy-ass house?”
“I came here hoping I might be able to speak to someone. Change their minds.” I let out a sigh, suddenly realizing how stupid my plan sounds. “It’s worth a shot,” I say, more to myself than to Jane.
Finally, we pull up at the front of the Carlton Mansion.
The land around us is covered in neatly trimmed hedges. The sweet, dull scent of freshly cut grass hits my nose as soon as I step out of the car.
It’s totally frigging beautiful, but I don’t have the time to whip my phone out and take a selfie. I’m a woman on a mission. I’ve come here for one last Hail Mary attempt to stop the development that plans on knocking down my business.
I almost had a fit when I saw the order for wedding invitations come through last week.
I mean, how could a person who is simultaneously throwing my entire world upside down, turn around and place a three thousand dollar order?
It didn’t make any sense. Of all the bespoke, artisan printers in all the world, why did Preston Carlton the third have to choose me?
But then, after a glass or two of wine, a healthy amount of Celine Dion, and more than one lonely, crazy dance around my house, I figured it must be fate.
I’ve been trying to contact their offices ever since I heard the bad news, but all I ever get is call-you-backs, and sorry-he’s-not-here’s.
Now, finally, I have a chance to confront my nemesis. And then, even if I’m not successful in changing his mind, I’ll know I’ve done everything I possibly can.
“Okay,” I say to Jane as we pull the heavy boxes from the trunk of my car, “remember, let me do all the talking.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She grins at me impishly and gives me a mock salute.
I roll my eyes, check my reflection in the window of my car one last time, take a deep breath, and head for the door.
This is it.
This is the moment I’ve been dreading all week.
My heart is beating so loud I feel like I’m at a music festival. My palms are sweaty. My legs wobble. I haven’t been this nervous since Megan's wedding. And even then, I was just the maid of honor.
This time, it’s me in the spotlight. And there’s nobody here to help me… except Jane. And, truth be told, she might not be the most reliable person to have around.
A great friend, yes. Able to read the room, and act with grace, and professional aplomb… not so much.
“What the heck?”
I look at the sign nailed to the door. My heart sinks to my stomach, along with all my hopes and dreams.
Please leave all deliveries in the foyer.
“They’re not even here,” I say, nudging open the door with my shoulder and trying to hold back the flood of tears I can feel building up inside me.
“What do you mean they’re not here?” Jane slams down the box on the floor and puts her hands on her hips. She looks like she’s ready to punch someone, and I can’t help but smile at her loyalty and indignation. “You mean we came all this way for nothing?”
“Not for nothing.” I try and crack a smile, but my face doesn’t seem to want to play along. “We got see this house… and the drive over wasn’t so bad.”
