Home Free - Fern Michaels [54]
“Hell, yes, the whole damn thing. For starters, I think it was something that came up not exactly at the last minute, but damn close to the last minute. Connor probably thought there would be less scrutiny at Camp David than the White House. Then you said the media were as much in the dark as you were. Ted Robinson’s rule number two, ‘Nothing is what it seems.’ Which means Ted Robinson’s rule number three is, ‘Dig all the way to China for the answer. ’ We’re on it. Where are you going to be?”
“At Yoko’s nursery again. The Sisters are all going to continue helping her get her stock ready for Christmas. I stopped by last evening, just as they were finishing up. I promised to be there by nine.”
“Espinosa and I can tag along and help if you don’t need this ASAP.”
Maggie thought about it. “No, there are eight of us, so we should be able to get a lot done. You guys do what I said. If it gets dicey out at the nursery, and we’re running behind, I’ll call you. Thanks for the donuts. Check in, okay?”
Ted stared at his boss, wondering what was really going on. He couldn’t remember the last time she had been this considerate. Well, this was a new Maggie, so the best thing he could do was follow orders. The phrase very nice bonus was what he needed to concentrate on. Maybe if he played his cards right, shopped for bargains, he could hit the islands with that cute newbie redhead in advertising. Ted whistled all the way down the hall to where he would start pulling what he needed from the archives.
Maggie walked back to her office for her outer gear. She stared hard at her computer, then fought with herself not to open up her e-mail to see if Gus Sullivan had e-mailed her again. Nikki’s cautionary words rang in her ears: Take it slow and easy. She grimaced as she contemplated ignoring her friend’s advice. Well, the world wouldn’t come to an end if she ignored the advice, and the world wouldn’t come to an end if she did nothing and just headed out to the nursery.
To prove that she had willpower, Maggie left her personal cell phone on her desk and just took the special phone Charles had given to her, along with the Post cell, so Ted could get in touch with her. She turned off the lights, locked her door, and didn’t look back. Outside in the newsroom, she called out to Ted and Espinosa as she planted her thumb on the DOWN button for the elevator.
It was a gray day, with a hint of snow. Gray days were depressing days. But only if she allowed the day to depress her. She perked up momentarily as she walked to the curb to wait for a taxi. She could make her own Christmas wreath to hang on the front door of her house, and she could even pick out her Christmas tree and take it home with her tonight. Maybe she could entice Ted and Espinosa to set it up for her. She loved the thought that her house would be permeated with the scent of balsam. Maybe she would string the lights on the tree herself. Maybe she’d even have a Christmas party, and she could invite Gus Sullivan. Her spirits kicked up even more, so much so that when she stepped out of the taxi, she was in a really good mood.
Yoko hugged Maggie. Maggie squeezed back hard.
“I know I’m early, but I wanted to make my own wreath once you show me how to do it. I might like one to hang over my fireplace, too. And, of course, I need to pick out a tree, a big one. I hope I am your first customer.”
“You are my first customer. I know just the tree for your house. We need to put a tag on it and mark it SOLD. Oh, Maggie, I so hope this works.”
Maggie whirled around at the anguish in Yoko’s voice. She cupped her friend’s tiny face in both her hands. “It will work, Yoko. Shame on you for thinking otherwise, but listen, you need to play some Christmas music when the nursery opens for business. You know, put people in the mood.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. What would I do without all of you?”
Maggie