Taming McGruff(35)
“What do you think?”
She mulled it over for a few moments. “Yes.”
He shrugged. “You have your answer.”
“Griff—”
“Three months. That’s all.”
“No steam-rolling me?” She wanted his assurance.
“As if I could,” he muttered. “I think it’s the other way around, if you ask me.”
***
Griffin, dog-tired and sore, stood back from the covered glass doors of the new salon. He had moved mountains to get this done. Now, late Sunday night, he’d accomplished his goal, under time and under budget.
He’d checked and rechecked the finished product. And, finally satisfied, he’d sent the construction crew home with the promise of a bonus for each member since they’d pitched in and re-did the adjacent jewelry department without hesitation when asked.
Charlie, Francine, and Priscilla held hands and waited anxiously for the big reveal. The King sisters deserved this moment together.
“Ready?” he asked, trying to avoid looking at Priscilla too long and too intensely. That proved difficult.
“Yes,” they said in unison.
“We’ll leave the curtain up until tomorrow morning when we show the employees, so watch your step. No peeking.”
Griff led the way and just before he entered, he checked to see if they had their eyes closed. Priscilla peeked through her fingers. He raised his eyebrow. She stuck her tongue out, and then closed her fingers. He smiled.
He made sure each sister was safely inside before he said, “Welcome to the Charmings’ Beauty Bar.”
Gasps and squeals followed.
“I can’t believe this is the same place,” Francine said. “I love the fuchsia walls, black stations, and mirror frames…”
Priscilla wandered the large open room and gazed about in awe. Now in the middle of the room, she twirled about. “The drawings were never this stunning!”
He watched her, unable to breathe, unable to move. Her joy beamed from her. The crystal chandelier above her sparkled, light dancing over her. His pixie.
“You’ve outdone yourself, Griff,” Charlie said, following Priscilla’s path through the salon slower and with more inspection. “The detail is outstanding,” she murmured.
“I love it,” Francine said. “It’s the perfect complement to the Charmings Wedding Boutique.” She rushed to Priscilla and hugged her. “Great idea you had of tying them together, sis.”
Griffin smiled as the two started an impromptu dance, taking turns twirling each other around.
Charlie came up to him then and nudged him. “It’s good to see them so happy. We should take pictures.”
“I’ve got the professionals coming in an hour before we reveal to the employees.”
“No, I mean of them, of all of us.” She turned to him. “This is our new beginning. For a happy life. After all these years – struggling, tugs-of-war with their mother, financial instability—the store has taken a turn. And so have we, the King daughters. Daddy would be thrilled we’re finally coming into our own.”
Something inside Griff’s middle turned over. Would she and her sisters be so happy once he’d completed his mission of destroying Agnes King and staining the family name forever?
***
Gazing into the full-length mirror in the bride’s changing room just off the vestibule, Priscilla cupped her hands over her mouth and held back a squeal of delight. “Oh, my gosh,” she said, turning to her left and then her right.
Her wedding dress couldn’t be compared to any other. The green satin shift molded to her body, but the shimmery copper threads in the gauzy fabric of the dress-length cover-up played up her hair and the multi-colored hues of greens and purples in the garment. The long loose sleeves, fitted bodice, and deep V neckline reminded her of a fairy’s dress. Or pixie, she thought Griff would say. She giggled.
A knock on the door yanked her back to the moment. “Come in,” she called, turning away from her reflection. She held her breath, knowing it could only be one of a select few invited guests standing on the other side.
The doorknob turned. The door opened, its hinges squeaking just a tad. “Hello, anybody I know?” Rico asked, poking his head in. When he spotted her, he shoved open the door all the way. It banged against the wall. His mouth fell open, and then closed. “Shut up!”
Priscilla nodded. “Surprise! I’m the bride.”
He shrieked, rushing to her. Rico picked her up, nearly knocking her out of her sparkly high heels. She held on tightly as he swung her around. “O-M-G! That’s why you begged me to help you find a dress the other day. And you said it was for a party.” Suddenly, he set her down and held her at arm’s length. “Who’s the groom?”