“Claire, what’s going on? You get out here right this minute and explain yourself.” Now it was Golden’s turn to be imperious.
In response she got some more giggles then Claire, Therese and Elizabeth burst into the room, broad smiles adorning their faces. “Surprise,” they yelled then they all rushed over as fast as their arthritic legs would take them, to smother her with hugs.
It took a while before Golden could pry her way out of their embrace.
“What have you done?” she wailed. “You shouldn’t have.”
“Yes, we should,” Therese declared, jamming her fists on her hips and glaring at Golden through horn-rimmed glasses.
“I was the one who called,” Elizabeth said, putting up her hand like a student in the classroom. “How was my acting? Did I sound like a real supervisor?”
“You certainly did.” Golden laughed. “You got me down here so fast I’m lucky I wasn’t pulled over for speeding.”
Claire jerked her head. “Go on. Open it. The big one first.”
“It was Claire who got these,” Elizabeth said. “We just came along for the fun.”
Golden drew in her breath slowly. Should she or shouldn’t she? She thought for a moment, remembering the frustration of her failed shopping expedition. She released her breath in a sigh. Yes, she should.
Decision made, she reached for the big box, her eager fingers quickly unraveling the ribbon. She lifted the cover off the box and, reaching in, she pulled out a dress of the softest silk, russett gold like her hair, a simple yet elegant gown that looked like it was a perfect fit.
“Oh, heavens,” Golden breathed. “It’s beautiful.”
“Open the other box,” Therese urged, clasping her hands together like she was the one getting the gifts.
Golden did and in it she found matching slippers with crisscrossed straps of the exact color of the dress. It was like the pieces had been made by the same hand.
“Oh, my goodness. Where did you find these?” Sudden tears sprang into Golden’s eyes. “Claire,” she said, her voice cracking, “these are wonderful. They’re fit for the grandest ball.” And before the tears could spill over and embarrass her she reached out and pulled Claire into her arms and hugged her tight. “Thank you. Thank you so, so much.”
Her resolve not to cry was dashed when Claire hugged her back then gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. “No, thank you, my dear,” the kind lady said, “for all the joy you’ve brought into my life.”
With those words Claire shattered Golden’s feeble hold, making her dissolve into tears. It took several seconds before she could let go. Finally, she released Claire then pulled back with a sniff. “You’re so kind,” she said, her voice hoarse. “I’ve never had a friend like you before.”
“You deserve lots of friends, my dear,” Claire patted her gently on the arm, “and I hope this young man will be one of them. Now hurry up and get on home. You don’t want to be late for your first date.”
Quickly, the ladies repacked the boxes and bundled her out of the room. Golden didn’t even get a chance to hug Therese and Elizabeth.
But as she hurried home in her faithful old Vauxhall she was all smiles. Even if nothing else went well on the date tonight she knew she would look spectacular.
She hoped Reed would notice.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
You’re an idiot. You’re the biggest fool alive. Why don’t you just give up?
“Oh, shut up,” Reed muttered under his breath as he steered the Aston Martin down the country road toward Golden’s home just outside of North Ockendon.
He had one part of him spurring him on, telling him to go with his heart, but then there was another part trying hard to drag him back down to reality, a reality he didn’t give a damn about. Not right now when he was about to spend the evening in the company of one of the most intriguing women he’d ever met.
It had been just a little over twenty-four hours since he’d last seen Golden but it felt like a year. He still couldn’t believe how much the girl had grown on him. He’d spent most of the day on the golf course but all he’d been able to think about was his employee – Golden smiling, Golden busily tapping away at the keyboard, Golden staring off into the distance when she thought he wasn’t watching, looking like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. God, he was pathetic. It was like he was sixteen, not twenty-six.
Looking for some distraction Reed switched the radio on then relaxed back in his seat to enjoy one of his favorite classics, ‘Dancing Queen’ by Abba. He might be only twenty-six but he was an old soul where music was concerned. His face broke into a smile at the thought that most of the songs he loved were a lot older than Golden or even himself. She would probably find him strange, maybe even boring. Somehow, though, he had a feeling that if even not with music they would find they had a lot in common. He certainly hoped so.
When Reed got to Golden’s house he raised his eyebrows in surprise. Based on her humble demeanor he’d expected her to live in a modest home but the house by which he’d parked was far from modest.
An old English country manor, it was set in the middle of wide open green fields, the rolling hills behind it forming the perfect backdrop for a picture of perfect peace. The incongruity of Golden’s home made her all the more intriguing. Why would she live in apparent comfort and yet seem so modest and frugal? Her behavior was unusual, especially in one so young.
But when he knocked at the door and Golden came out to greet him, all questions and musings were wiped from Reed’s mind. All he could see was Golden in her glory.
Hair the color of early sunset curling around her heart-shaped face, falling in soft waves over her shoulders and down her back, her sleek body sheathed in a burnt-gold gown that looked like it had been designed only for her, her tiny feet encased in high-heeled gold slippers that sparkled in the evening light...she was gorgeous and Reed was having a hard time tearing his eyes away.
Finally, he cleared his throat then he spoke. “You look lovely. I’ll be your very proudest escort tonight.”
That brought an alluring blush to her cheek. “Thank you, Reed. I...I’ll be out in just a minute. Can you wait for me in the car?”
With a slight bow Reed indicated his assent and turned to go as she gently closed the door. A strange sort of request, he had to admit. He’d expected her to invite him in. Still, that was her choice and he would not make a big deal of it.
True to her word, Golden was out within the minute she’d requested and after he’d helped her into the car they were off and on their way to Knightsbridge. “I hope you like French cuisine.” Reed glanced over at Golden and gave her a smile that he hoped would put her at ease. She seemed so nervous, her fingers tightly clutching the purse on her lap, her eyes glued to the road up ahead. “I made reservations at Bar Boulud. Do you know it?”
“I...I’ve never been there but I’ve heard of it.” She tore her eyes away from the road and gave him an apologetic smile. “I don’t get out much.”
“All the better for me. That means wherever I take you, you’re bound to be impressed.” He chuckled. “Nothing to compare it with.”
He was glad when she gave him a tiny smile. “I’d be impressed with Gourmet Burger Kitchen,” she said. “I hardly even get a chance to go there. I’m a bit boring. It’s usually just work and then back home for me. I really don’t go anywhere else.”
“That’s going to change. It is my mission to get you out of the house as often as possible.”
Her reaction to his declaration was silence and then she looked away, making Reed realize he’d probably frightened the poor girl. He would have to remember to tone things down. For a girl who was obviously as sheltered as she was, the last thing she needed was someone trying to change her low-key lifestyle.
“This is one of my favorite restaurants,” he said, his voice more subdued this time. “I think you’ll like it.”
Golden looked back at him and then she nodded. “I’m sure I will.”
Not surprisingly, forty-five minutes later when they entered the restaurant Golden’s eyes widened as she saw the room full of patrons then she hung back, seeming overwhelmed by the sound of chatting and laughter and the serving crew moving swiftly about, taking orders and serving meals. Gently, Reed took her elbow and steered her down the aisle as they followed the hostess.
“I’ve arranged for a private lounge,” he bent his head to whisper to her and knew he’d made the right decision when she rewarded him with a grateful smile.
It was when they were ordering appetizers that Reed learned that Golden was fluent in French. She read the menu items with a perfect French accent and when the server came to take their order she conducted her conversation in that melodic language.