Special Delivery
SPECIAL DELIVERY
RACHEL
The week off work restored me, and my time with friends helped me navigate the murky waters of my relationship with my mother once I returned. My mother was pleasant since she had to pull her weight in my absence. She loved that her family name was on the outside of the building, and she enjoyed floating through the showroom schmoozing with customers, but when it came down to the actual managerial work, she left that for me.
“RiRi, did you have a good week off?” she cooed once I set my stuff down at my desk.
“It was incredible.”
“As per the wishes in your text, I’m not going to ask about who that man was you were kissing and why you were horribly rude to Andrew.”
“That statement sounds like you’re asking about those things.”
My mother sank into the seat across from me. “Rachel, please.”
Carol breezed through the office at that moment, and I couldn’t have been more grateful. She rifled through the bookshelf behind my desk. “Do we have the new book of fabric samples yet for the summer selection of Ivy Home?”
“Oh, yes,” I said. “Right there.” I pointed to the top left of the shelf.
“And Rachel, there’s a package out front for you.”
My eyes locked on my mother’s and we both hurried to the front desk.
“It may be from Andrew,” she said, hope coloring her words and lightening her steps.
When I saw the glossy red flower box, I knew it wasn’t from him. Andrew only bought cheap gas station flowers. I untied the red satin bow, shimmied the top off, peeled back the red tissue, and froze.
“What? What is it?” Carol asked, peering over my shoulder.
“They’re …” I started, still not sure of what I was looking at.
“Weeds,” Carol finished. “Globe chamomile to be exact. They’re an invasive species.”
“Andrew’s flowers were always much prettier,” my mother said before slinking away to speak to a man in bed and bath.
“There’s a note,” Carol said.
It was a folded piece of paper with a handwritten message:
Kicklighter,
I saw these and thought of you. You have so much in common with this weed since you’re both a pain in the ass. Also, here’s your change for the eclair.
Enjoy!
Cam
That jackass actually sent me four dollar bills. I giggled into my hand. I couldn’t wait to put the weeds in a vase and send Cam a picture of me smelling them. As I boxed them back up, I heard someone asking for me at the front. When I approached the woman wearing a white pantsuit, I recognized her instantly. She was as beautiful in person as she was in her picture. Victoria Bixbee, Cam’s mom. I felt like I was meeting a movie star. I had to play it cool.
“Hello, are you Rachel Kicklighter?”
“Yes?”
“My, you are just as lovely as Cameron said you were.”
I hesitated for a second. He told his mother about me? “Oh, well, thank you …”
“Victoria Bixbee, I’m Cam’s mother and the recipient of the incredible gift you picked out. That sculpture was absolutely beautiful.”
Vindication!!!
“He, uh, Cam, honestly, helped so much.”
“You don’t have to cover for him. He told me you bet him that you could find the perfect gift for me, and you absolutely did. Although I was surprised that Cam said it was for my birthday.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Was it not right for that occasion?”
“It was right in every way, but my birthday isn’t until November.”
My gaze drifted, unfocused as I processed what she said. “I guess Cam really wanted to get ahead of schedule.”
“Whatever his motivations, that sculpture is my new favorite piece. You definitely have an eye, and that’s why I’m here. I’m hoping you could help me with an interior design project.”
“I would love to. Do you have some time to chat?”
“Yes, of course.”
I led her to our design consultation room and brought her a sparkling water. She flipped her long auburn hair over her shoulder and took a sip before speaking.
“How can I help you?” I asked.
“I have recently completed a build on a new home in Paradise Valley, and I would love to hire you exclusively to furnish and decorate it.”
I was both honored and intimidated by this proposal. Picking out a gift was one thing, furnishing her entire home was another. This would be one of the greatest sales of my life. “Wow, that … that would be fantastic!”
She tucked her red hair behind her ears. “I would love to show you the home if you have some time this week to stop by. We can then get to the nitty-gritty of budgets for each area, design, aesthetics, and timelines.”
“Yes, okay. I’m sure we can design a space that you will fall in love with.”
“I can’t wait.”
We spent a few more minutes exchanging information and scheduling a time for me to meet her at the new build. My mother’s eyes followed me as Victoria and I walked to the door.
“See you tomorrow evening,” she said, shaking my hand.
“Tomorrow,” I said, waving as she unlocked her Range Rover.
In the same way I anticipated a storm blowing in, my mother rushing up behind me caused me to stiffen. “Who was that?”
“A friend’s mom. She wants help with her new build in Paradise Valley.”
“Ooo, that’s exciting. Who’s the friend?”
My mind was already buzzing with design options for Victoria based on the preliminary information and photos of the house she showed me. Mother followed me as I hustled back to my desk to put some starter ideas together. “The man I went to coffee with, Cameron .”
“The man you kissed in the parking lot. And now you’ll be working with his mother? Maybe someone else should work with that woman.”
I took a deep breath. “Her name is Victoria, and she asked for me specifically. This will also be a huge sale for us. Now, can you please go help Carol out on the floor?”
She huffed and reluctantly did as I said, allowing me to work in peace pulling catalogs and fabric samples. Tomorrow evening couldn’t get here soon enough.
I’d helped design several interiors for homes in Paradise Valley, which is Arizona’s wealthiest area, but I was not prepared for what waited for me at the end of a long circular drive tucked back in the hills. You can easily find a ten thousand-square-foot mansion in this area, but Victoria’s home was not overly big or grand. From the driveway, you could see a panorama – the city lights mixed with a sea of saguaros. This was less of a house and more of a cinematic sanctuary in the desert.
Victoria called to me from the heavy wrought iron front door. She opened a small gate that led into a charming courtyard complete with a fire pit and built-in wall fountain.
“Welcome, welcome, welcome,” she said, opening her arms and guiding me inside.
Our footsteps echoed on the porcelain tile floor and once she turned the lights on, I immediately fell in love with the space. The open-concept floor plan was perfect for both relaxing and entertaining, with large windows that I was certain would flood the home with natural light during the day. The kitchen was a chef’s dream complete with top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, minimalist cabinetry, and a large island with a quartz countertop that served as both a workspace and a casual dining area. This place was incredible even without any furnishings.
“This is incredible,” I said, setting down my totes of design materials. “I have so many ideas.”
“I love how genuinely excited you are about this,” Victoria said with a smile. She opened the Sub-Zero and brought out a bottle. “Hope you like champagne. A gift from my builder once I closed and the only thing I have in here so far. I did bring some champagne glasses, though.”
“Thank you, that sounds wonderful.”
Once the bubbly was poured, we toasted. “To my new beginning.” Victoria winked at me, and her eyes hovered over me for a moment. When you watch people shop in your store long enough, you learn to read body language and micro expressions very well. Based on hers, I could tell Victoria wanted to tell me something when she emphasized my new beginning and how she stared at me with her head tilted slightly. I wanted to ask, but also didn’t want to give away that I knew part of the story already.
“Your new beginning?” I asked.
Her eyes darted away as she pulled out a bar stool. “I might as well share a little backstory since we’ll be working together. I’m newly divorced.”
Feign surprise .
“Oh, I’m so sorry.”
She forced a smile. “Don’t be. It was already headed downhill and then, well, after what happened to Cameron …”
“Again, I’m very sorry.”
“Have you heard the story already?”
I nodded. “Some of it.”
“I don’t normally overshare, but I don’t mind telling you if you don’t mind listening.”
I sipped my champagne. “I don’t mind at all.”
She recounted what happened with Cam and Britt in a more detailed and eloquent way than Foster had. I hung on every word and, at one point, felt myself reaching for her hand as she described the torturous emotional pain Cam experienced through it all. This woman was still hurting not only from the loss of her marriage and the knowledge that Cam lost that part of his future, but also from losing her other son Roman in the process. After she finished, my heart felt as if someone had attached vice grips to it and tightened them a little more with every word.
“Honestly, Victoria, there’s nothing I can say. I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through, but here’s the thing …” I cued up the design ideas on my laptop. “We are going to make this the home of your dreams. It can be your sanctuary for both you and Cam as you continue to heal.”
Victoria wiped the tears from under her eyes and smiled. “You’re wonderful, dear. Thank you. I’m sorry. I honestly don’t know what came over me. I’m not usually like this with someone I just met.”
“It’s okay. I like getting to know my clients on a personal level. Knowing your story helps me understand. This is personal for me now too.”
We began to discuss my ideas—colors, textures, furniture, and accents. After we had settled on what she wanted in the great room and formal dining room, we decided that we would finish the rest over the next few days so I could get everything ordered.
“I can’t wait for this to take shape,” she said, putting the glasses in the sink. “I don’t want to keep you away from your … husband?” Her voice ticked up in pitch, which made me giggle.
“I’m the last single girl on the planet, apparently. My last boyfriend would be perfect for Britt since they are both narcissistic manipulators.”
“I’m hoping to hear more about that during our next meeting.”
“Until next time, then.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
The glittering lights of Scottsdale gave me pause as I walked to my car. My mind spun as I continued mentally assembling the design of Victoria’s new beginning. In some strange way, I felt like it was going to be a new beginning for me as well.