Chapter Twenty-four
Mia worked Mark hard, and they got a huge amount done.
First, they’d cleaned out the recreation room on the lower level, shifting a lot of the furniture around, and in many cases, clearing it out altogether.
They had no where else to leave the load for the interim, so they ended up piling it on the veranda.
Mia had no doubt that Jack would look after transporting it to one of the back sheds to keep it safe; she just didn’t know which one he’d planned on using.
By the time they’d packed all her boxes up to the house, she felt exhausted.
When they’d begun, she’d expected to carry each one individually.
In short order, Mark had the car down by the garage and totally stuffed so he could drive the thirty feet to the front door where they unloaded them easily.
After a few trips, they were moved over.
“Now why didn’t I think of this solution?”
“Because you’re not a lazy sot like me?” His answer in the form of a question made her laugh.
“Guess so. I might not be lazy, but I’d be the idiot who put on a lot of unnecessary miles for no reason.”
“But a cute idiot.” He pushed the wispy golden curls that escaped from her braid behind her ears. “I checked on Maisie and she’s coloring in her book. She looks disgruntled, gotta say. Poor kid knows that pool is out there and can’t wait to swim.”
“I know, Mark. But she needs to know the world doesn’t just revolve around what Maisie wants all the time. Real life has to take precedence sometimes. I explained it to her again this morning.”
“Come on, meanie. She’s just a kid.”
“And the kid will be swimming as soon as Jack arrives. I’m expecting him anytime.
” She didn’t mention how the thought of seeing him again had her so flustered she couldn’t think straight.
Nor did she admit to wearing her favorite jean outfit and feeling dumb because now her shorts were wrinkled as all get out and the matching embroidered blouse looked like she’d slept in it.
Trying to keep her mind off her rioting pulse, she set to work arranging the shelving they’d put up at the end of the room and began unpacking the multitude of materials that resided on them.
She loved the feel of the silky cottons or the heavier cool types with the vibrant images that never failed to delight. She’d found a supplier straight from heaven with choices that had her overbuying every time. Knowing it was good to have a selection, she always went a little crazy.
Except, the orders were arriving faster then they could keep up and those fabulous fabrics would be gone in no time.
As soon as she sent the various designs with the fabric choices to her webmistress, showing the number of outfits available using those particular patterns, they’d fill up with orders and she’d be on the phone looking for more.
“Mama Mia, when is Jack coming?” Maisie dragged herself into the room and flounced onto the nearest chair.
“Hi, honey. He said after lunch and it’s just twelve-thirty now. Mark has gone to the kitchen to make some sandwiches. Why don’t you help him, and we’ll take a short break and eat, okay?”
Happy again, Maisie skipped to the door and stopped. “I like this woom. It’s bigger than the old house.”
“Yes, you’re right, muffin. We can easily fit four sewing machines in here. I’ll be interviewing some new ladies later today, and we’ll be able to start production again.”
“Gweat!” Off she ran, getting bored easily. Like most four-year-old’s listening to grown-up talk, she preferred having the world revolve around her and her needs.
Mia stood and looked around to see what Maisie had seen and was delighted.
The lovely big windows toward the back of the house were covered in white sheers to keep out the direct sun.
They projected a filmy glow over the room that gave it an out-of-this-world serenity appearance.
If one stepped onto the veranda, it overlooked the gardens with the pool in the distance.
They’d left the huge, hanging, lime-colored ferns inside that added color against the white background. To her artistic eye, the pleasurable lighting and sense of largeness delighted.
Mark had gathered a few of the larger easy chairs, some with footrests and others that opened when pushed, along with end tables as a convenience for when hand sewing was needed so they would have a cozy area to work.
With all the fancy white shelves housing the different materials against the far wall and the more squared shelves with a collection of necessary implements they’d need, like threads, needles, etc.
, as room dividers, it gave the appearance of luxurious efficiency – a wonderful place to work for many hours a day.
She heard Mark’s voice calling her and shrugged off her sudden sadness thinking if only Angie were there to see what they’d accomplished.
Deciding not to let worry over her aunt’s operation nor the unease over her episode with Jack cloud this special day for her, she rubbed the moisture from her eyes.
This was the beginning her and Maisie needed, and she would grasp the opportunity in both hands gladly.
First, she stopped to call her folks and give them an update on Angie’s condition. When she’d called them that morning, they insisted that if she checked in with the hospital – they knew her well enough to expect she would do so more than once – she was to update them also.
When she arrived in the kitchen to see Mark but no Maisie, she questioned him. “Did Maisie come in here?”
“For a few minutes. She was kind of pouting that Jack had forgotten his ahh… pwomise.” Mark grinned as he repeated her words.
“Little devil, she has no faith that he’ll follow through. Unfortunately, Jasmine often had to break promises and it left Maisie skeptical. That’s why I always do as I say I will. She knows she can trust me.”
She veered off in the direction of the little one’s bedroom to call her for lunch.