The Glass Slipper Project (9 page)

Isabella shrugged.

Gabby’s smile slowly fell. “But you don’t seem happy.”

“Oh, I am. I…don’t…” She paused then said, “There’s just so much to think about. So many changes.”

“Don’t worry about anything. All our problems are solved.” She hugged her.

Isabella hugged her back, wanting to believe her.

I
sabella hated herself for not being happier. The burden of taking care of everyone was now gone. She could focus on her upcoming class in antiquing and prepare for her trip to Europe. What was there to worry about? Velma and Sophia’s excitement about the wedding soon allayed her fears. It was a perfect match. Alex and Gabby were of similar mindsets and interests, and everyone liked to point out what a handsome pair they made. She knew that they would learn to truly love each other.

As the start of her class grew closer, Isabella realized she had a big problem. She hadn’t thought through her schedule for work and class. She would have to get a replacement for her Thursdays with Mrs. Lyons. She paced the upstairs as she heard the excited voices of Velma, Sophia, Mariella and Gabby discussing the wedding in the living room. Later, when she saw Daniella sitting alone in her bedroom, flipping through magazines, Isabella came up with a solution.

She knocked on the doorframe. “Dani?”

Daniella held up a magazine and pointed to an entertainment system. “I’ve always wanted this. Do you think Gabby will let me buy it?”

“I don’t know.”

Daniella dog-eared the page. “I don’t see why not. She’ll have the money.”

“That doesn’t mean you can expect her to give you everything you want. She’s marrying Alex, not you.”

“I know that. But we’ve always taken care of each other.”

Isabella nodded and entered the room. “Yes, that’s a good point. Guess what? I could use your help.”

Her eyes lit up. “Really? Sure, I’ll help you. What do you want?”

“I want you to be my replacement with Mrs. Lyons for a few weeks.”

Her gaze dimmed. “How many weeks?”

“Eight.”

“Could I help you with something else?”

Isabella sat on the bed and gripped her hands together. “I know it’s asking a lot, but I will be taking classes that are important to me. I can’t work at Mrs. Lyons’s on those days
and
get to class in time.”

Daniella shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“It would only be one day a week. All you would be doing is reading or playing the piano or running errands. It won’t interfere with your job because it’s late afternoon to evening. I’ll do my other regular days. Please, help me out.”

Daniella sighed. “Okay.”

“Thank you. I promise to make it up to you.”

“There’s one way you can make it up to me.”

“How?”

She held up the magazine again. “Convince Gabby to get me this.”

Isabella shook her head. “I’ll see what I can do.”

She went to her room relieved that she had been able to convince Daniella. However, convincing Mrs. Lyons proved more difficult. “I don’t think I like you foisting your sister on me,” Mrs. Lyons said in a condescending tone as she sat in front of the large opened windows, a light breeze toying with the maroon scarf around her neck.

“I’m not foisting anyone on you. You will like Daniella and she will be a good help to you.”

She pursed her lips. “While you do what in the meantime?”

Isabella turned her back to her and plumped up a pillow. “I am taking another job.”

She nodded, coming to a conclusion. “I see. You want a raise.”

“No.” She turned to her. “Daniella will be a great help.”

Mrs. Lyons’s eyes flashed with disapproval. “I suppose I have no choice. The opinions of an old woman rarely bear much weight.”

Isabella stopped a grin. “Thank you for being so understanding.”

Less than a week later, Isabella eagerly drove to the local college where she’d registered for her antiquing course. It was a mini-mester course designed to help students learn about antiques — how to buy them, where to look and how much to pay. Although the course would put a hefty balance on her credit card, she thought it would be a good investment.

Once inside the building, Isabella darted up the concrete steps in awe of the stately pictures and awards on the walls. She didn’t want to linger. She’d never had a chance to go to college and didn’t want to feel intimidated. She came to the first door, A-112, and entered. She took a seat in the middle next to the aisle, watching the room quickly fill up. Isabella gingerly took out her yellow notepad and pen, while noticing other students around her booting up their laptops and other electronic devices.

She found it ironic that people interested in the past would be so addicted to present technology. Isabella kept her head down. She didn’t want to invite conversation and show how little she knew about the subject.

“Is this seat taken?” a deep voice asked from above.

She glanced up startled then nearly fell out of her seat. “What are you doing here?”

Alex settled into the chair next to her. “I want to learn more about antiquing and improve my mind.” He narrowed his eyes and pointed a warning finger at her. “Say one word and you’ll regret it.”

She grinned. “Maybe.”

He lowered his voice. “I’d make sure.”

“Then my lips are sealed.” She made a zipping motion across her mouth.

“You’re supposed to be nice to me.” He leaned towards her and smiled. “We’re going to be family soon.”

“Yes, I know.” She inched away, but he didn’t seem to notice. The problem with him was his size. He was big and everything about him seemed to invade her space rather than share it. He didn’t touch her. He didn’t need to. His masculine vitality penetrated the distance between them upsetting her senses in a purely feminine way.

“Are you going to offer me congratulations?”

“I think I’m going to wait.”

“Until when?”

“Until after you’re married.”

He studied her. “Do you think there won’t be a wedding?”

She shifted feeling awkward under his gaze. “I’m sure there will be. I just don’t feel like congratulating you twice.”

He shrugged. “Fair enough.” He leaned his chair back until it balanced on two legs. “So what are you doing here?”

“I want to know more about antiques.”

He set the chair down, rested his chin in his hand and studied her again. “Why?”

“Why do you?”

“Because I want to. You?” He held up a hand. “And you can’t use my reason, it’s already taken.”

She sighed, resigned that he wouldn’t leave her alone. “If you must know, I want to impress somebody.”

He blinked surprised, his eyebrows rising. “What’s his name?”

“Actually, it’s a she.”

He blinked again and cleared his throat. “Oh.”

“She’s an older woman.”

He waved his hands. “Hey, no need to explain. I used to go for older women myself.”

“It’s not like that,” she snapped. “She’s my employer and I want to impress her with my knowledge of antiques so she’ll take me to Europe with her this year.”

Alex grinned. “Why you sly little fox.”

“What?”

“You pretend to be against playing games, yet here you are involved in one of your own.”

“I’m not playing games.”

“Oh really? Then why not just ask your employer to take you with her? Why go through the pretense?”

Isabella opened her mouth then closed it not having a ready reply. When she did finally come up with a response, Alex put his finger to his lips indicating that the class was about to start.

The instructor — Mr. Benjamin Yanders — had no chin, a long, reedy body, thin brown hair and a deep voice that belonged on radio. He readily captured their interest the moment he spoke.

“I’m pleased that you’re all here,” he said. “I hope you all have the two volumes of
An Introduction to the World of Antiquing.
These two books will be your bible in this course, and for those of you who are serious, it will be an excellent lifetime resource. If you don’t have these books, they’re still available for the bargain price of seventy-five dollars.” He lifted several out of a box and set them on the table.

Isabella nearly snapped her pen.
Seventy-five dollars?
She didn’t even have two dollars in her purse. When signing up for the class, she’d hoped that the books weren’t compulsory. She glanced around. Everyone had their pristine volumes on their desks. She wondered if there was a way she could get it on loan. She was so busy worrying that she didn’t notice Alex leaving his seat.

Isabella kept her gaze on the desk until a book slowly moved into her line of vision. She turned to Alex, but Mr. Yanders began the lecture before she could say anything, “If you want to get the most out of this class, you will need to make a 100 percent commitment.” Isabella glanced over the syllabus feeling a little insecure. The lecture topics were listed: Understanding the World of Antiquing; Pricing and Labeling of Antiques; and American Antiques. Weekend assignments included visits to antique shops, assessing period pieces and writing reports about them. The final lesson would involve purchasing an item and presenting it to the entire class. Luckily for those individuals with financial hardship, Mr. Yanders had a personal collection of eclectic antiques he would “loan” out for the final assignment.

By the time the class finished, Isabella was afraid her hand would cramp from all the notes she had taken. She gathered her things then waited for Alex in the hall, but after ten minutes she grew impatient. She glanced inside the classroom and saw him talking to other students — mostly female. He didn’t look as though he would leave soon. She ripped a sheet of paper and scribbled:
Thank you. I’ll pay you back. Izzy.
Then she went out to the parking lot and searched for his truck. Once she found it she slipped the note under his windshield wiper.

“A love letter?” he said coming up behind her.

She paused then turned.

“No, don’t tell me.” He took the note and read it then smiled. “It’s even better than I thought.” He cleared his throat and began to read it aloud. “My dear Alex, words cannot express how thankful I am for your generosity.”

She tried to snatch the note. “I didn’t write that.”

He moved it out of reach and continued. “I was wrong about you and sincerely apologize for my gross misjudgment.” He glanced at her. “I noticed you underlined
gross
twice. Nice touch.”

She folded her arms and shook her head.

“If there is any way I can repay you, just ask. Your humble servant, Isabella.” He tucked the note in his jacket pocket. “Apology accepted.”

“You have an amazing imagination. Do you usually hallucinate?”

He tapped her nose with his finger. “No, that’s not how this game works. I’m nice to you then you’re nice to me. Try it.”

She took a deep breath then said, “Thank you for the books.”

“Consider it a peace offering.”

“I didn’t realize we were at war.”

He unlocked his truck and got in. “Not any more.” He closed the door then started the engine. When Isabella knocked on his window, he lowered it. “Yes?”

“Why do you drive a truck? Shouldn’t you drive one of those luxury cars?”

“I like trucks. I buy what I want to, not what I’m supposed to.”

“No, you never liked doing what you were supposed to.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Any more questions?”

“Yes, how did you make your money?”

He grinned then put his truck in gear. “Good night, Isabella.”

Gabby glanced at her clock as she drove her car into a space in the parking lot of Alex’s apartment complex. She was a few minutes early. She sat and stared at the building, then the ring on her hand. She was engaged. She still couldn’t believe she had managed it. She had succeeded in saving her family and her home. She’d made a good decision. Alex was not only rich, but he was sensible. Others might have thought he would rent an expensive condominium or grand home while he renovated his dream house, but he preferred to stay in an apartment.

She got out of her car and headed inside. Alex wanted her to come by and visit him so that they could go over some plans for the wedding. Even though he said his mother and others would take care of everything and she was fine with them doing so, he told her that he also wanted her input. Once at the door Gabby raised her hand to knock, but it swung open and Tony appeared. They both jumped in surprise. Gabby recovered first. “I’m here to see Alex.”

“He’s not here yet. But he’ll be back soon.” He glanced inside then at her. “I guess you could wait. Or…” He hesitated.

“Yes?” she urged.

“I’m going for a walk into town. Care to join me?”

“Sure, but can you…” Her words trailed off and her gaze slipped to his bad leg.

“A walk always does me good.” Once outside he said, “Congratulations on your engagement.”

“Thank you. So where do you need to go?”

“I’m not going anywhere in particular. I just wanted to go for a walk. I hate staying inside when the weather is this nice.” He glanced up at the pristine blue sky and inhaled the fresh scent of grass. The hand of winter still gripped March, but spring was slowly prying its fingers away with the arrival of new leaves and blossoms.

“I know a nice path close by.”

He gestured with his hand. “Lead the way.”

She did, taking him to a popular walking path that was close to the river. Gabby slowed her pace when his limp became more pronounced. He didn’t say anything, but she knew he was grateful for the consideration. There was a lot he didn’t have to say. He had a calm air about him that made her feel comfortable. She understood why Alex had him as his friend.

“So what do you do for Alex?” she asked eager to know more about him.

“Many different things.” He rubbed his forehead. “I came home after the war a little lost.”

“You were in Iraq?” she asked, thinking about the recent conflict. “When did you come back?”

He grinned at her naiveté. “Many years ago. I was in The Gulf War,” he clarified.

“Oh.”

“You were probably in elementary school then.”

She stared at the ground.

“I did my time willingly and came back a little the worse for wear.” He ran a hand over his graying hair. “I should be flattered that you think I’m young and fit enough to fight now.”

She stared at him for a long moment, trying to imagine him younger, without the limp and gray hair, but failed. What she saw before her, the man who walked beside her was perfect as he was. “I’m glad you came back.”