A Fortunate Arrangement. Nancy Robards Thompson

hadn’t shared it with Maia because her friend had never asked.

      “You know what they say, a comfort zone is a very safe place, but nothing ever grows there—especially not love.”

      Felicity shook her head. “He has never given me any indication he feels the same way for me.”

      Maia sighed. “Fine. If you don’t want to try to make things work with Austin, then you need to open your mind to other prospects.”

      “Such as?”

      “Be open to dating other men.”

      Felicity sighed.

      “I’m just saying,” Maia said. “Just think about it. And since there’s no use arguing with a brick wall, let’s change the subject.”

      “Good.”

      “I have a huge favor to ask you,” Maia said. “You know the hair show I’m doing next weekend?”

      Felicity nodded.

      “I’ve already sunk a boatload of money into this show and Jane Gordon, the girl who was going to be my model, got a paying modeling job in Paris. She had to bail on me.”

      “Oh, no. That’s terrible. I’m sorry.”

      “It’s good for her, but it stinks for me,” Maia said. “So, I have an idea. Will you be my model?”

      “Me?” Felicity laughed, unsure if Maia was joking. “I’m not a model.”

      Her friend set down her drink and walked over and started fluffing Felicity’s hair and assessing her as if she was a horse at auction.

      “If you try to pick up my leg and look at the bottom of my foot, I’m going to kick you,” Felicity said. “I’m not a show pony. I don’t do things like this.”

      “I’m not asking you to change careers.” Maia smoothed Felicity’s hair away from her face, shaping it into a high ponytail before she turned it loose and let it cascade around her shoulders. “Just help me out of this pickle.”

       Chapter Two

      Austin drove through the stately iron gates that surrounded his parents’ rambling eight-bedroom, Garden District mansion. Miles and Sarah Fortune still lived in the same house where Austin and his six brothers and sisters had grown up. The sprawling Victorian was way too much house for most people, but maintaining the family home was a point of pride for them, especially on nights like this, when they called everyone together for a family dinner meeting.

      Austin parked his Tesla next to his brother Beau’s BMW. He took care to park where no one could block him in, since he’d have to leave early to catch a flight to Atlanta tonight.

      He wound his way around the other cars that lined the driveway. When the family got together, it looked like Miles and Sarah were having a party. Tonight, it appeared that Austin was the last to arrive.

      As he let himself in the front door, the antique grandfather clock struck 7:15. That meant he’d missed the cocktail hour and they were probably holding dinner for him. Work had kept him late. His parents would understand since they had called the last-minute family dinner meeting just this morning. Austin already had important meetings on the books. He’d gotten away as soon as he could, given the short notice.

      As he strode down the hall, he glanced in the living room and could see vestiges of what looked like predinner martinis. Something smelled good. Austin inhaled deeply, and his stomach growled in appreciation. There was nothing like a home-cooked meal. His mom employed a chef who helped her prepare for parties and family gatherings like tonight, but Sarah Fortune could hold her own in the kitchen. She made a mean beef Wellington. Judging by the delicious aroma, that beef Wellington might be on the menu tonight. Austin hoped so as he made his way toward the dining room, where he heard the sound of amicable chatter punctuated by peals of laughter. The sound warmed Austin’s heart.

      For a moment, he stood in the doorway of the family dining room, taking in the sight of his parents with his four siblings, Beau, Draper, Georgia and Belle. Their brother Nolan and sister Savannah got a pass on tonight’s family dinner meeting because they lived in Austin, Texas. They would have to hear secondhand Miles’s misgivings about attending the wedding of his half brother Gerald to his long-lost love, Deborah. That was the topic of tonight’s summit.

      Funny, though, Nolan and Savannah probably regretted missing an opportunity to get together with the family. That’s just how they were. They were a close-knit bunch and enjoyed each other’s company, respectfully listening when one of them felt it necessary to call a family meeting. To them, family was everything, which made the topic of tonight’s meeting so curious. They had all been invited to Gerald and Deborah’s wedding in Paseo, Texas. However, based on recent turns of events, Miles believed they should not attend.

      “There he is.” His mother beamed at him and motioned him inside. “Come in here and give your mama a hug.” Even though Austin was thirty-two years old, he did exactly that, following it up with hugs for Belle and Georgia and solid handshakes and backslaps for his father and brothers.

      His mother fussed about, offering him a martini. “It’s no trouble to mix one up for you right quick.” Her Louisiana accent was a bit more pronounced this side of the cocktail hour. Ever the lady, Sarah never overindulged, but she certainly did enjoy a predinner libation.

      “Thanks, Mom. I’ll have a glass of wine with dinner. I have to drive to airport later.”

      Soon dinner was served. Just as Austin had hoped, it was beef Wellington, with sides of asparagus with hollandaise sauce, baby carrots and garlic mashed potatoes. It was delicious. Austin hadn’t realized how hungry he was. He’d been so busy he’d only had time to eat half the turkey sandwich that Felicity had ordered for him at lunch.

      Felicity. He made a mental note to talk to his father about creating an advertising position for her. He’d planned to present it as if Felicity had approached him about advancement opportunities within Fortune Investments. He knew his dad well enough to know if he told Miles that she was quitting, he would’ve thought her unimaginative.

      Miles might not realize how hard Felicity worked and how good she was at her job. To Austin, she wasn’t just an assistant, she was his right hand. She was the person who kept him on track. She was one of the few people outside of his family that he trusted implicitly. Even though a new position meant she might not be able to do as much for him, he owed it to her. At least she’d still be with Fortune Investments. So, yes, before he left here tonight, he would plant the seed about promoting her.

      In the meantime, he would enjoy his meal and this time with his family. During these family meals, food and catching up were first. Business second. They never broached family business until the coffee and dessert course was served.

      True to form, after everyone had a generous helping of brandy-laced English trifle, Miles started the discussion.

      “I called you here tonight because we’ve all been invited to Gerald and Deborah’s wedding. There’s been a lot of discussion about whether or not we should attend.”

      He sipped his coffee. “As much as I’d love to go, I don’t think it’s a good idea. With all that’s happened lately, gathering the family in one place doesn’t seem like a very smart idea. Essentially, it would make us sitting ducks. We’d be an easy target for whoever has been terrorizing the Fortunes.”

      Miles was talking about a series of events that had taken place over the last five months. It had started with a fire at the Robinson estate in Austin. The fire had injured Gerald’s son Ben, though he had recovered. Gerald’s company, Robinson Tech, had been targeted, causing the business to have to recall some of their software. The sabotage had even affected the extended family. Fortunato Real Estate, the business of Kenneth Fortunato, Miles’s other half brother, had experienced a downturn after being the target of rumormongering.