Snagged Page 10
I’ve got to get moving, he thought. Regan’s going to be here in a few minutes. He gathered up his wallet and ran a comb through the hair on the sides of his head. This’ll be fun tonight. Little Maura getting married and I’ve hardly given it a thought. Well, if everything turns out, I’ll get them an extra-special present.
The box of panty hose was by the front door. He glanced at it as he got out his keys and locked the door behind him. He’d wait outside on a bench chair for Regan. He just wished that she’d stop being such a worrywart.
LUKE AND NORA had the news on in their room as they dressed for dinner. But every two minutes Nora pressed the mute button on the remote control and answered the phone. It was obviously the hour when people had gone back to their rooms to get ready for the evening and they had found their invitations to the cocktail party and fashion show waiting for them.
The acceptances were rolling in.
Nora kept a list by the phone and checked off the names as they called.
“Honey,” Luke said, “why don’t you finish getting dressed? I’m all ready. I’ll answer the phone.”
“Thanks, dear,” Nora said, “but you’ve been busy all day. Just sit and watch the news.”
“I haven’t heard one story all the way through anyway,’’ he said wryly as the phone rang and Nora pressed the mute button again.
“Well, okay,” Nora said as she handed him her pen and the remote control and disappeared into the bathroom.
“Hello,” Luke’s deep voice boomed. “Yes, this is Nora Regan Reilly’s room. No, we won’t be selling books at the party tomorrow. I believe there are some on sale in the lobby store . . . they’re all sold out? I’m sorry. Maybe in town you could pick one up . . . no, I don’t know the name of the nearest bookstore . . . your name? Thank you. See you tomorrow.” He hung up the phone as Nora came out of the bathroom.
“This party is doing wonders for your royalty statements.”
“It’s supposed to sell panty hose, not books,” Nora said as she slipped into her heels.
The phone rang again.
“You can get it if you want,” Luke sighed. “There’s a commercial on that looks very interesting.”
Nora laughed. “Hello . . . yes, this is the place to call about the party . . . Ruth Craddock . . .I’m happy you can make it, Ruth . . . yes, lots of people are coming . . . hello? . . . hello?” Nora hung up the phone. “She was in an awful hurry to get off the phone.”
“She’s got the right idea,” Luke mumbled. “Before it rings again, let’s get out of here.”
“I just have to check my face,” Nora said.
“It’s still there,” Luke assured her.
“Oh, I almost forgot! I’ve got to wear Richie’s panty hose!” Nora quickly pulled them out of the drawer. “Do you want to start downstairs?”
“No, I’ll wait for you,” Luke said as he settled back on the bed. “Gone With the Wind is just starting on The Movie Channel, and I’ve never seen it all the way through.”
RUTH SAT TWITCHING at the desk in the Calla-Lily suite. She was right, as usual. She had just hung up after being told that lots of people were going to the cocktail party tomorrow. Great. Just great.
“Ethel!” she screamed.
Ethel peered around the corner of the kitchenette where she was making a cup of tea for herself. Today had been such a bad day that she’d only had time for a couple of cups. She hadn’t dared ask for her afternoon break. That was always when she liked to sip her tea, have a brownie, and read the paper. And now they were into the dinner hour and Ethel knew better than to ask if she could go home. “Yes, Ruth,” she said.
“Ethel, I’m out of cigarettes!”
“Right here, Ruth.” Ethel pulled open the refrigerator, which she had stocked with cartons of Ruth’s brand. If there was anything worse than Ruth in a bad mood, it was Ruth in a bad mood and going through nicotine withdrawal. If I don’t have a heart attack working for her, Ethel thought as she opened the carton and retrieved a pack, her secondhand smoke will definitely kill me.
Ethel threw the cellophane in the garbage. It’s not hard to figure out why they pay me so well, she thought. But if I won the lottery this minute, I’d be out of here so fast her head would spin, and Ruthless would be on her hands and knees picking up these cigarettes off the floor. And then, Ethel thought, I’d have lots of free time to spend with my grandchildren.
With a longing look at her cup of tea, she went into the living room. “Here you go, Ruth,” Ethel said, trying to sound gracious.
“Thank you, Ethel,” Ruth rasped. As she lit her cigarette, Ruth’s mouth movements reminded Ethel of a baby getting a good hold on its pacifier after it had been lost.
“From now on, Ethel,” Ruth pronounced as she exhaled, “whenever anyone from Calla-Lily goes on vacation, they have to wear a beeper.”
“Umm-hmmmm. Good idea, Ruth,” Ethel said.
“That way we’ll never run into this trouble again. If, of course, we’re still in business!” Ruth started to shake. “I would just be so happy if Irving found something wrong with those panty hose. It’d be such a relief, I’d feel like a new person.”
I doubt I’d mistake you for Mother Teresa, Ethel thought.
“Now,” Ruth said, “all the board members know that they’re to meet here early tomorrow morning, do they not?”
Ethel nodded vehemently. “Everyone knows, except, of course,” she hesitated, “the one we haven’t been able to locate.”
A low growl emanated from Ruth’s throat. “Jungle Jim. They’re still working on finding him, aren’t they?”
“Yes. They’re going to call as soon as there’s any news.”
“We have the cashier’s check ready just in case?”
“It’s all taken care of. Five million dollars.”
Ruth grimaced. “And the papers have been drawn up so we can make a deal with this Blossom guy?”
“They’re all ready to be signed. If the board agrees to it, you’re all set to hand over the five million dollars and—”
“ALL RIGHT, Ethel.” Ruth paused to collect herself. “Irving is in the lab, where I trust he will remain for the rest of the night, testing and retesting these indestructible panty hose, these pieces of fabric that could ruin my life. If he finds a way to snag them, my prayers will be answered.”
Who do you pray to? Ethel wondered.
“And if he doesn’t, we have to be the ones to take control of them. I’ve got to get downstairs to the rubber-chicken dinner. Just what I really feel like having. A lot of small talk when I have other things to think about. I trust you will remain here awaiting word as to the whereabouts of our overgrown Boy Scout.”
Ethel managed a smile. “I’ll be here.”
“Good. I know it’s late. You can turn on the television if you’d like.”
“Thank you, Ruth.”
“No problem, Ethel.” Ruth started to leave when Ethel suddenly remembered.
“Oh, Ruth. One more thing. While you were on the other line, Barney Freize called. He’s looking for his money.”
Ruth swung around, her eyes bulging. “You call Barney and tell him we’ll have his commission check of forty-five thousand dollars as soon as we know if the panty hose is good. He’s already gotten five thousand dollars for letting us have first crack at it.”
“But—” Ethel protested.
“No buts! Just do it!” Ruth slammed the door behind her.
In my own sweet time, Ethel thought indignantly as she picked up the hotel television guide.
AT FIVE MINUTES past seven, Regan and Richie’s taxi pulled up in front of the Watergreen Hotel. A doorman rushed over to let them out.
“Welcome to the Watergreen.”
“Thank you,” Regan said as she got out behind Richie. Two well-dressed couples were waiting to hop in.
“Where are you going to?” the doorman asked them.
“Joe’s Stone Crab,” one of the women said excitedly.
&nbs
p; “I hope you’ve got a reservation,” he replied and leaned over to tell the cabbie.
“Last I heard, they don’t take reservations,” Regan heard one of the men mumble.
Regan pushed through the revolving doors of the hotel, with Richie following. They stepped into a dazzling lobby with bright green-and-white-checked carpeting, numerous plants, and a miniature waterfall on a side wall. The registration desk was to the left. Across the way was a sunken area with a large circular bar, and tables and chairs that had a great view of the pools outside and the beach that lay beyond. The whole effect was festive.
Regan spotted Maura and John seated by themselves. She and Richie hurried over.
“How’s the blushing bride?” Regan asked as they all kissed hello.
“On my third nervous breakdown,” Maura replied.
“Fourth,” John corrected. “Here, have a seat. No one else has shown up yet.”
Regan and Richie sat down and the waiter hurried over. Richie ordered an old-fashioned and Regan decided to have a mai-tai.
“Yours looks so good,” she said to Maura.
“It’s so good I’m already on my second.”
“Your hair looks nice,” Regan said.
“You think so? It’s a wig.”
“It is not,” Regan said flatly with a half-smile.
“I know. But I’m beginning to think that’s the way to go.”
“Don’t laugh,” Richie said. “Poor Birdie tried one of those home permanents a few days before we got married. It looked like someone came up behind her and scared her real bad. She couldn’t stop crying. God love her. I told her not to worry, it’d all be okay. But I must say I was relieved when it grew out about a year later.”
“Uncle Richie, did she wear a wig at your wedding?” Maura asked.
“She wanted to, but her mother thought it was sacrilegious. I know. Go figure.” Richie helped himself to peanuts.
“So, John,” Regan said, “do you have any cute single friends who are going to be at the wedding?”
John’s face, handsome with its sparkling Irish eyes and strong features framed by curly blond hair, settled into a frown. “Now, let me think . . .”
“That means no,” Maura pronounced.
“What about Kyle?” John protested.
“Kyle?” Maura gasped. “I’m not setting up one of my oldest and best friends with Kyle. He’s a pathological liar.”
John nodded his head. “That’s true. But other than that, he’s a really nice guy.”
Maura turned to Regan. “We used to double-date with him until I couldn’t take it anymore. One night we’d be with one girl who’d be telling me all about her and Kyle’s plans for the future. The next night there’d be someone else he was leading on. I couldn’t stand it because I wanted to tell them, but John would have killed me.”
“Gee, I can’t wait to meet him,” Regan retorted. “Oh, look, here come my parents.”
Nora and Luke hurried over from the elevator bank and greeted everyone.
“Good news, Richie,” Nora said as they sat down. “We’re getting lots of responses for the party.”
“Oh, that’s great, Nora. A lot of people, huh?”
“Believe me, a lot of people,” Luke testified.
Nora patted Maura’s hand. “And the big day is almost here.”
“That it is. You’re coming to the luncheon tomorrow, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely. The fashion show isn’t until three o’clock. What time does the rehearsal dinner start?”
“Drinks at seven.”
Regan laughed. “I’ve got some good stories for the toasts.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Maura groaned.
“Spring break in college. I came down to visit you. What was that guy’s name again? The one who gave you his college ring five minutes after you met him at that bar in Fort Lauderdale?”
“REGAN!”
“Their whole relationship lasted about an hour and a half. Irreconcilable differences.”
“I didn’t hear about this one,” John observed.
“That’s because no one counted until I met you,” Maura said, her voice dripping with sweetness.
“Thank God you broke off the engagement to that other guy a few years ago,” Richie pronounced as he munched on more peanuts. “He was all wrong for you.”
“I knew we should have eloped. Let’s change the subject,” Maura pleaded.
John put his arm around her. “We have no secrets, honey.” He turned to Regan. “What else can you tell me?”
“Did she ever mention the guy who gave her a set of jumper cables for Christmas? The worst part was that they weren’t even wrapped.”
“He also gave her a set of windshield wipers,” Richie offered.
“Oh yes,” Regan chuckled, “he was a hopeless romantic.”
Maura hit John’s knee. “I can’t wait to get a couple of your friends contributing to the storytelling.”
“Now, now,” Nora said. “Let’s not pick on Maura.”
“We’ll have plenty of time for that tomorrow night,” Regan agreed.
The waiter came by and Luke and Nora ordered their drinks.
“Maura, what kind of music are you going to have at the reception?” Nora asked.
“Elevator music, if my mother has her way.”
“At least nobody will start to sweat when they dance,” Regan offered.
“Actually,” Maura began, “we’ve hired a band that plays all kinds of music. Or so they say. My mother’s afraid that when they start playing rock and roll they’ll blast the place out, so she’s begging them to leave their amplifiers at home.”
“Speaking of amplifiers,” Regan said, “we need to figure out what we’re going to use for a sound system for the fashion show.”
“We just got a set of pots and pans you can borrow,” Maura offered.
“We’ll have to save those for New Year’s Eve,” Regan said.
The waiter appeared and deposited Luke’s and Nora’s drinks on the table. “Excuse me,” Nora said, “do you know if the manager, Mr. Fargus, is still here?”
“I’ll check for you, ma’am.”
“Nick Fargus?” Maura said. “He helped us plan the reception. He’s definitely a little weird.”
Luke chuckled.
Nora looked at him.
“I know, Dad,” Regan said. “Mom was looking to fix me up with him, right?”
“I didn’t say a word,” Luke said as he put up his hands.
“He is a lovely young man,” Nora insisted.
Within minutes, Nick was scurrying over to the table, checking for dust buildup on the brass railings along his way.
“Hello, hello, hello, everyone. Hello, Maura. Hello, John. Hello, Mrs. Reilly. Hello, Mr. Reilly.”
“Hello, Nick,” Nora said. “I’d like you to meet my daughter, Regan—”
“Oh, nice to meet you, Regan. I thought you were one of the models for the fashion show tomorrow.”
“No, no. I’m just helping Richie get the show organized. This is Richie Blossom.”
“Regan is one of my bridesmaids,” Maura said gleefully as Nick and Richie shook hands. “And we were just saying that there aren’t enough eligible guys to dance with at the wedding. I do hope you’ll stop by and take Regan for a spin on the floor.”
“Hey, that’s my job! Make everybody happy.”
“Thank you,” Regan said. “Yes, thank you very much.” I’ll get you for this, Maura, she thought. “Do you have a stereo system?”
“A what?”
“A stereo system. We need music for the fashion show.”
Nick snapped his fingers. “You know something? I don’t. I’ve been meaning to buy a CD player, but I’ve been so darn busy. I knew I should have just gone out and gotten one. I wanted to read Consumers Digest to find out which was the best one to get, and now it’s tomorrow—” His voice trailed off mournfully.
“Don’t worry,” Regan said as she unc
onsciously patted his shoulder.
“You still want to have the fashion show, don’t you?” Nick asked.
“Of course,” Regan said. “If I can get ahold of a friend of mine who is a stereo salesman and knows all about which one to buy, would you be interested in making a quick purchase tomorrow morning?”
Nick nodded. “You bet.”
“Good.” Now, I hope I have Nadine’s number with me, Regan thought.
NADINE AND JOEY were enjoying a cold beer on the patio in his backyard when the phone rang.
“Why don’t you let the machine pick it up?” Nadine asked as she curled her toes around the braiding of the chaise longue.
“It might be the office.” Joey hurried into the kitchen.
A minute later he was yelling out the kitchen window, “Nay, it’s for you.”
“For me?”
“It’s Regan.”
“Regan?”
“Do I hear an echo?” Joey asked.
“Wiseass,” Nadine said as she pulled herself out of the chair. “I don’t know why they don’t get a cordless phone for this house,” she mumbled, “a little static in your ear never hurt anybody.”
The screen door slammed behind her as she took the phone from Joey. “Hey, Regan, what’s up?”
Nadine listened as Regan explained to her about the fashion show and the urgent need for a compact disc player.
“You’re not going to believe this, Regan, but today I met a woman who claims she was wearing this run-proof panty hose. It was really nice.”
“Where did she get it?” Regan asked.
“Her son is an engineer and he’s testing it for his company to possibly buy. Oh, hi.”
“What?” Regan said.
“Sorry, one of Joey’s roommates just walked in. Anyway, we were both getting a manicure and I knocked into this woman’s leg with my wet nails. The polish wiped right off. Your friend Richie could make a lot of money on those stockings if they’re as good as they seem. I’d buy ten pairs.”