One of the things that made Sanctuary so popular was the ultra-deluxe treatment of the clientele. Alexis always provided refreshments for her customers, hot coffee and tea along with fresh fruit and luscious baked goods that she often made herself. It was a practice that was as popular with the staff as with the customers, but there was no real need for her to make them herself. Alexis had a moment of clarity that told her she was doing too much. It probably came from the gentle little dig Javier made about her doing everything around the place. His remark had merit, and she was going to give it serious thought when she got home that evening. She knew she worked too hard and too long, but the results were well worth it.
Sanctuary One was all about relaxation and nurturing. It was decorated in soothing peach and green with lots of live plants and specially designed lighting. Sanctuary Two was similar in design, but it was robins-egg blue and chocolate-brown. She enjoyed the brief moment of calm before the doors opened; it always gave her a sense of accomplishment as well as inner peace, but it didnt last long. The salon came to life first, as usual. Early morning appointments were very popular especially toward the weekend. Alexis had to bite her lower lip as she noticed that her receptionist was once again late. Plus, she hadnt called in to let anyone know she was going to be tardy, which was a requirement of all employees. Here was another thing to put on Alexiss must-do list: a serious talk with a backsliding employee.
As usual, Alexis didnt let her annoyance show, she merely took over the desk, checking in customers and fielding calls until her appointment arrived and the missing receptionist showed up. Luckily the two events occurred at the same time. Ava, looking pretty and flustered, hurried into her seat at the reception counter with excuses pouring out of her mouth. All Alexis said was, Well talk about it later.
She turned her full attention to Lucie Porter, Emilys mother. Ms. Lucie, I have to say that Chicago agrees with you. As much as I miss seeing you when youre away, I can tell that youre really enjoying your new life in the Windy City.
Lucie was a lovely woman and she did indeed show every indication of having a rich, fulfilling life. Im having a ball, Alexis. Its wonderful being in the same city with my daughters and my grandchildren, but Im also meeting some fabulous men, she confided.
Alexis wasnt really surprised to hear that. Lucie was pretty and vivacious and she attracted men in droves. She was a great dancer and Chicago was a dancing town. Sure enough, Lucie told her about a dance club shed joined and how much fun it was. She also had new pictures of Emily and the twins, plus pictures of her other daughter, Ayanna, who had twin daughters and two teenage sons.
Theyre growing so fast, arent they? Theyre so handsome, Alexis praised. Emily sounds so happy every time I talk to her.
She is, Lucie confirmed. Both of my girls are very happy with their husbands and their families. But truthfully, Alexis, I thought youd be all married up and happy, too, by now. I expected youd be married long before Emily, she admitted. What are you waiting for?
Alexis covered her surprise at Lucies question by putting a terry wrap around her neck, followed by a pretty protective cape. I think its time for a touch-up on your relaxer and a trim. And youre overdue for some color, unless youve decided to leave it au naturel.
As she hoped, her words distracted the older woman. Lucie picked up a hand mirror and looked intently at her hair, particularly at the silvery strands that were beginning to surround her face. Lets leave the color alone for right now. Ive started liking the silver, believe it or not. I have a friend in Chicago who has the most beautiful white hair you ever saw. Its more like platinum, actually. By the way, shes going to be down here in a few weeks. Would you mind taking her as a client? I know how busy you are.
Of course, Ms. Lucie, Id be happy to. Any friend of yours is a welcome client of mine.
Wonderful! Ill give her your card and let her know to call you. Her name is Vanessa Lomax and shes a fascinating woman. I think youll like her.
Lucie chatted happily while Alexis parted her hair, applied the protective base to her scalp and hairline and then carefully stroked on the cream relaxer to the new hair that had grown since then. After she smoothed the relaxer with the back of a wide-toothed comb and she could see that the hair was sufficiently relaxed, Alexis took Lucie to the shampoo area and made her comfortable before rinsing her hair thoroughly and washing it with neutralizing shampoo.
Lucie was perfectly content during the process. Alexis, you have the most relaxing hands in the world. I have trouble staying awake when you start working on me, she confessed.
I have magic fingers, Alexis said cheerfully. It was true, her customers always told her how sleepy they got as soon as her hands touched their heads. It was sometimes a problem when she was giving a haircut, especially to a man. It wasnt too bad with Lucie; Alexis was used to doing Lucies long thick hair and the older womans silence gave her time to mull over what shed said about Alexis being married with children. She was so far away from that territory she didnt even know if she wanted to venture that direction. Maybe it was better if she stayed right where she was, doing what she knew best.
Her day ended long after it had begun, but Alexis was still wired up, and it wasnt from too much coffee. It was part exhaustion and part frustration that was making her edgy. After the spa closed its doors that night, she had to have a talk with her almost-always-tardy receptionist. They had gone into Alexiss office and Ava, the guilty party, started spouting off a long list of reasons why she was late. Unfortunately, she chose the one phrase that was guaranteed to drive Alexis batty.
See, what had happened was
Alexis held up a hand and closed her eyes. Every time Ava started an explanation with What had happened was, the end result was usually an argument.
Ava, stop. Lets not go there, please. You have to get to work on time if you intend to keep this job. Any job, as a matter of fact. You cant expect your employer to fill in for you when you cant manage to get to work on time. Youre way too casual about punctuality which is why youve lost so many jobs in the past.
A glimmer of panic went across Avas pretty face. You cant fire me. You told Mama youd give me a job until I went back to school.
Alexis squeezed her eyes shut before opening them slowly. Dont play the baby-sister card, Ava. Its only because you are my sister that I havent bounced you out of here on your fanny. You have a lot going for yourself, kid. Youre good-looking, youre smart and talented. Why you cant seem to pull yourself together and do something with all the gifts God gave you, I just dont know. But you need to stop playing the victim and start living up to your potential. Start with something small, like getting to work on time, she said pointedly, then work your way up.
As usual, Ava didnt seem to absorb anything that Alexis was saying. Her next words were proof of that. Can I move in with you? Mama is driving me crazy.
You know, doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity, Alexis said as she picked up her purse and set the alarm. You keep asking me that question and the answer is always the same. No, you cant move in with me. And from what I hear, youre giving as good as youre getting in the crazy department. Mama isnt thrilled with you, either. Ill give you a ride home, but Im not putting a roof over your head. Lets go.
As usual, Ava didnt seem to absorb anything that Alexis was saying. Her next words were proof of that. Can I move in with you? Mama is driving me crazy.
You know, doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity, Alexis said as she picked up her purse and set the alarm. You keep asking me that question and the answer is always the same. No, you cant move in with me. And from what I hear, youre giving as good as youre getting in the crazy department. Mama isnt thrilled with you, either. Ill give you a ride home, but Im not putting a roof over your head. Lets go.
Can I have that purse? Ava, having ignored all the advice her sister doled out, was on to the next thing, in this case, a fabulous Louis Vuitton bag shed coveted for some time.
Dont beg, itll make people hate you, Alexis advised as she turned into the driveway of her mothers pretty brick home.
Im not begging, I just want to borrow it, Ava whined.
You dont have to borrow it. You can have one just like it when you finish school and get a good job. Until then, Payless is having a BOGO. Tell Mama Ill call her after my book club.
Book club, swim class, work, aerobics classes, my God, do you ever just sit your butt down and do nothing? Ava got out of the car and slammed the door a little too hard for Alexiss taste.
Ill have plenty of time for that when Im dead. Slam my door again and youll be walking home from now on, heifer.
* * *
The rain was pouring by the time Alexis left her book club meeting. She didnt mind, she was used to driving in the rain, even a downpour like this one. The meeting had been stimulating and enjoyable as always, even though the book wasnt her favorite genre. The books were funny and well written, but nothing Alexis could fantasize about. There was no way she could hook up with a vampire. It made her shudder to think about it. The idea of cold skin next to hers was daunting and the thought of somebody sucking blood out of her body was A sudden thud made her snap back to reality. She stopped the car and checked all the dashboard lights to see if there was something internal going on with her vehicle. Finally she bowed to the inevitable and got out of the car with her little pink flashlight.
Damn, damn, damn. A flat friggin tire! She hopped back in and reached for her cell phone. She hit the speed dial for AAA and waited to get through to a human. An eerily bright blaze of lightning preceded an unnaturally loud crash and her head almost hit her roof when a huge branch fell down in a shower of sparks, barely missing her hood. Crap. If it was like this all over Columbia, it could be quite a while before she got help. Alexis patted her chest in the vicinity where she imagined her heart was. She was normally quite calm, but the past few minutes had her really unnerved. Thats why she screamed when she heard the tap at her window. Of course, when she saw a pale face with deep-set pale eyes and stringy wet hair she yelped again. A vampire!
The man looked puzzled and touched his ear to indicate that he couldnt hear her, thank God. She didnt need him thinking she was crazy; he looked nutty enough for both of them. She let the window down a bit so that she could talk to him, but she prudently locked the doors as she did so.
Umm, yes, did you need something?
He smiled a crooked, surprisingly sexy smile that did funny things to her while she tried to compose herself.
I think you need something, he said. I can see that you have a really flat tire and I can change it for you if you will open your hatch.
Okay, that wasnt what she was expecting. Thanks, but AAA is on their way. Im fine.
Well, theyre likely to be a while with the weather and all. I can get you up and running in about fifteen minutes, he offered.
Nice. The stranger outside her door was certainly a rock and the flat tire was definitely a hard place. This was how people ended up on those true-crime shows, accepting help from a stranger. He said he wanted to help her but he could probably gut her like a fish and string her entrails on the fallen branch in the road.
No, really, Im fine, she insisted. Thanks for the offer, but Im sure theyll be along in a few.
Listen, I understand you not wanting to trust a man youve never met before. I have two sisters and youre doing exactly what Ive told them to do. Tell you what. Ill just wait in my car until they get here so that no one bothers you, okay? Im behind you and Ill stay there until your help arrives.
Alexis mumbled her thanks and put up the window while she tried to call her big sister. Alana was the owner and operator of Custom Classics, the best auto repair and remodeling shop in Columbia and if AAA couldnt make it, Alana could come get her in ten minutes. She hated bothering her sister, but sitting on a dark street with a wet weirdo behind her was just not a plan. Unfortunately, Alana didnt answer her phone. She tried her house, her cell and her office to no avail. Crap. Shed just have to wait it out. Her heart rate had completely slowed back to its normal rate and she was now calm enough to rummage around the car to find something sharp and potentially lethal just in case she had to defend herself.
The rain showed no signs of letting up and the thunder and lightning continued, accompanied by winds strong enough to blow down more branches around her. A particularly strong burst dropped another huge branch, along with a power linecomplete with scary sparks that flew in all directions. Lovely. After that display, the stranger returned with a determined expression.
She cracked open the window again and before she could speak, he delivered a speech hed apparently practiced.
I know you dont know me well, but I promise you I only want to help you. He held out his cell phone to her as he continued to talk. My name is Jared VanBuren and I have the police on the line so that they can hear everything thats going on. I explained the situation to them and theyre willing to listen in so that, if anything goes wrong, theyll be here in like five minutes to arrest me and save you. Go ahead, talk to the dispatcher, hes waiting.
Alexis stared at the phone, and then directed her wide eyes to the tall, soaking-wet man who looked less like a vamp now. He looked more like a Samaritan. She took a deep breath and put the cell phone to her ear. This was turning into the strangest day she could ever remember and she knew without being told that she wouldnt forget it any time soon.
Chapter 3
Alexis was feeling slightly silly for her distrust, but only a little. She talked to the dispatcher and was fairly sure of two things when she finished. One was that the police knew where she was in case things got weird, and the other was that this Jared VanBuren wasnt going to do anything to her that would end up on the late news. She was actually feeling grateful to her Samaritan for his insistence on doing a good deed. It had been over ninety minutes since shed called AAA and a tow truck had yet to materialize, but Jared, bless his heart, had attended to her tire with speed and skill. The rain hadnt let up and shed tried to keep him from drowning by holding her snazzy leopard-print Christian Dior umbrella over him as he worked, but hed refused.
Look, I cant get any wetter than I already am, so you just sit in the car until Im done. Better yet, get in my car so we dont have to worry about the jack falling or anything. He guided her to his Range Rover and helped her in, a nice touch considering the circumstances. Alexis had a real thing for a man with nice manners. She appreciated the dry interior of the luxury vehicle as she inspected the SUV. It was very clean and tidy, except for some papers in a folder on the dashboard. Nosy as she was, she was dying to look through them, but she restrained herself. She did wonder what Seven-Seventeen meant, though; she saw the words on the folder and tried to figure out what they signified.