One Night to Forever novel · Chapter 7 of 24

Chapter 7: Margaret's Test

Margaret Ryerson kept a suite on the top floor of the Grand.

It had a view of the lake, a wall of books and a tea tray set for two.

"Sit," she said. "Drink. You look like a girl who just won something and hates it."

"I didn't win anything," I said, sinking into the armchair. "She walked out."

"She walked out because you cornered her in front of forty women."

"She cornered me first."

"I know. I was in the service door with the pianist's sheet music."

I stared at her.

"You told the pianist to play Moon River."

"I told the pianist to play my favorite song," Margaret said.

"My grandson's mother used to hum it in the kitchen when she thought no one listened."

"I wanted to see which of you went quiet and which of you started singing."

She poured tea with a steady hand.

"You started singing. Bianca started talking."

"I'm sorry about my face in that picture," I said.

"What picture?"

"The tabloid."

"Oh, that." She waved a hand.

"Someone sold that photo to the paper. Ford is finding out who."

"It cost me my best client."

"Then I'll replace them with a better one," Margaret said calmly. "Hotels need illustrated menus, and mine are hideous."

I laughed before I could stop myself.

It was the first time in three days.

She watched me over her cup with her sharp blue eyes.

"Now. What do you want, Ms. Rowe? Don't say the truth. Everyone says the truth. Tell me what you want."

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