Chapter 3
Amber
It looks like most of the house is decorated. I don’t really understand. I thought I was going to be doing most of the decorating, but everything looks to be very tastefully done. I don’t see a whole lot where I can add much of anything.
Of course, I’ve gone in circles a couple of times, because I’ve seen this...sitting room? Drawing room? Living room? I don’t even know what it’s called, but I’ve been here twice. That tree is gorgeous, and I almost wish it had been me who had decorated it.
I love the silver and blue together. They’re not the normal green and red Christmas colors, but there is the undertone of green from the actual tree itself, which I think is real, and of course there are small and tight and cute little red bows throughout the tree. It’s very stunning. I could sit and look at it for a long time. I’m tempted to take a picture so that I can use that design as a base for other designs I might come up with.
I didn’t think to ask Mrs. Merriweather if I was allowed to take pictures. And I don’t exactly have time for that type of thing right now. I need to get done whatever needs to be done, although I’m a little disappointed that there doesn’t seem to be much of anything to decorate.
I turn to leave but stop short. There is a man standing in the doorway. At first, I think it’s Samuel, and my body starts to panic before my mind is cognizant enough to tell me that though this fellow looks similar to the pictures I’ve seen, it’s not the actual billionaire.
Samuel has had various parties for the town over the years, and although I’ve never said more than a few words to him at a time, his face has often been pinned up in prominent places throughout the town.
This man’s hair is sandy blond, and his eyes are blue rather than brown. A sparkling, twinkling blue that strikes me right in the chest.
So much so that I put my hand up and gasp.
“I didn’t realize you were there,” I say. I take a breath; I’m a professional. I walk forward with my hand out. “I’m the new interior decorator, Amber Rogers.”
“Nice to meet you, Amber,” the man says in tones that send heavy shivers dancing out my nerve endings. “I’m Daniel.” He pauses, and then he says, “I work here.”
“Nice to meet you, Daniel,” I say, shaking his hand and trying to pretend that it’s just a normal handshake. It feels like anything but.
“I happen to know a little bit about what’s going on, and if you don’t mind, I can tell you where you need to pick up. I understand you’re on a limited amount of time.”
“I would appreciate it. I accepted the invitation before I saw the house and the decorations, but I’m feeling overwhelmed.”
“It’s easy to feel that way. The house can be quite a maze until you get used to it.”
“It’s beautiful. And beautifully decorated,” I add, feeling like I need to give credit where credit is due.
That last line seems to surprise him a little, like he wasn’t expecting me to compliment my predecessor, like there would be some kind of competition between us.
“I’ll be sure to tell Sheila you said that,” the man says, almost absentmindedly. I love his voice. And I love walking beside him as I fall into step and we move down the hall together. There is a catlike grace to him, just something that’s almost magnetic.
I don’t think I’ve ever met him.
“Are you new here?” I ask, castigating myself as I do so. There are so many things I need to do. So much that needs to get done, and I’m so overwhelmed, and the first thing I think to ask is a personal question?
“I haven’t spent a lot of time here. Typically I work with Samuel in Baltimore where his main office is.”
I nod and then try to focus my mind on what needs to be done.
“I’ve been exploring the house, and I’ve had trouble finding any room that doesn’t seem to be perfectly decorated. I... I wonder if maybe the work was already done and someone just didn’t realize it?”
“Let me show you what needs to be done yet,” he says, stopping in front of two large double doors that open off the main hall.
When he opens them, I realize that the room takes up the entire left wing of the house. It looks like a huge ballroom.
It doesn’t have a single Christmas decoration in it.
She was saving this for last. I’m not sure why. Maybe because it’s the most important thing?
“Last year, the designer covered it in tinsel. It was sparklingly beautiful, and Samuel and all of the guests were enchanted. However, that designer left in a huff not long after Christmas and barely got the decorations put away before he stormed out.” Daniel pauses. “Samuel wants this decorated exactly the way it was last year.”
“I wasn’t here. I don’t know what it looked like,” I say, panicking. I thought this was going to be easy. Or if not easy, I thought I was going to be able to do it. Talk about overconfidence and pride.
“It’s okay.” He puts a hand up, like he’s trying to calm me down, and somehow it ends up on my shoulder.
It’s not a very professional touch, but the warmth that comes through is so reassuring that I almost take my hand and put it over top of his, I guess to keep it there? I’m not sure.
Maybe he realizes what he’s done, because he removes his hand before he starts talking again. “I have the instructions, and I have pictures. And I can help you with the decorations. I’ll show you which boxes to use from the decoration room. They’re the only boxes that aren’t empty and won’t be hard to find, but I’ll help.”
“I don’t want to take you away from your regular duties.”