Page 45 of A Family Affair: The Vow
The Bleeding Hearts Society was the perfect location to hold a meeting where Rae and Christine would explain the concept and offer a one-on-one consultation for interested parties. Mimi embraced the idea, and while she didn’t care much about making money with her “nature” photography, she wanted people to experience the beauty of a simple seed as it sprouted and grew into a bean, a cucumber, a tomato...
“There is so much talent right here in Magdalena,” Rae said as she took in the group. “Real talent that could be shared with the world. Christine and I are businesspeople and we see this as a business venture that could help artists.”
“I don’t understand.” This from Wanda Cummings who set down her knitting needles and frowned. “I create for friends and family. I’m not looking for money.” The frown deepened, her tone turned suspicious. “Why would you help us? What are you getting out of it?”
Rae knew there would be questions about her motives, but the only answer was the truth. “I’ve spent too many years chasing promotions and money, but it’s never made me feel whole. Yes, I have fancy clothes and I’ve taken trips and I have a diverse portfolio, but where’s the meaning? Who do I share it with…?”
Christine spoke next, her cultured voice engaging and kind. “In a world where so many people have ulterior motives, I’ve come to know Rae Darlington and I see who she really is.” She smiled at Rae, nodded. “Not the person she was when she first arrived in Magdalena or the one her parents said would run the company where she worked, but the real Rae. The one who finds value in helping others, believes in opportunity and the beauty of possibility. She’s right about the talent in this roomandin this town. If you’re interested, sign up and we’ll meet with you, discuss product, pricing, shipment.” Her gaze landed on Lily and she winked. “Lily is going to learn about inventory and the fulfillment process. Rae will train her and Pop’s going to help out as well. For now, Rae is donating her time because she believes in you and in this town. We intend to add a charge for shipping and handling. We’ll use the handling fees to pay Lily and Pop and any overhead charges we incur.”
“Rae, how are you gonna live if you don’t take any money?” Pop Benito rubbed his stubbled jaw, studied her. “It’s kind and all, but is it practical?”
“That’s the beauty of online and remote work. I’ve had a few offers already and I can work remotely if I want. The question is do I want to do that kind of work anymore? I think I might not want to, or at least not do it full-time. For now, all those years of chasing compensation and upward mobility have allowed me to build a nest egg I can live on until I figure out what I really want to do.”
Pop’s expression softened, his voice shifted. “And where you want to be?”
He meant in Magdalena or somewhere else. There was a lot buried in that question, most of it having to do with Vic. “Yes, that too.”
“Sign me up!” Marisela Ricci raised her hand. “I’ve already been talking to Rae and Christine. My memory makers are all based on physical items that create the memory, but Rae thinks I should also digitize it and frame it. Basically, create the memory box, and if the customer wants, take a photograph of the box and frame it. It’s brilliant.” Marisela clasped her hands together, eyes bright. “I told Ford all about it and my fiancé is a marketing genius. He loves it.”
“I’m in.” Mimi Pendergrass raised her hand, scanned the room. “I love taking pictures of nature and I think it’s time to share that love in a way that goes beyond Magdalena.”
“Here, here!” Pop Benito stood, clapped his bony hands. “I say, let the world see the talents of Magdalena and don’t be shy about it. If I had a way to get my pizzelles to Anthony’s grocery stores in California or Roman Ventori’s in Chicago, Lily and I would be in my kitchen right now, baking away.”
“There might be a way, Pop.” Rae’s heart swelled with emotions she recognized as love and hope. “Give me some time to do a little research and if I can find a way to package the pizzelles so they don’t arrive as crumbs, I’ll do it.”
26
For the past few Thanksgivings, Vic had been invited to join the Desantros. This year, however, he wasn’t in the mood for a big Thanksgiving gathering. But how could he turn down Mrs. D’s offer when he’d been included in the Desantro Thanksgiving meal since his mother and Pete moved to North Carolina?
A Thanksgiving with the Desantros was always entertaining. The dynamics of watching Lily best her brother and ask him straight-out questions no one else would dare to other than his wife, was a not-to-be-missed event. And then there was the food, so much of it, all delicious, all “must tastes.” When Nate and his mother were in the kitchen, a guy knew he was going to leave with a full belly and take-home containers. Vic and Christine were part of the cleanup crew along with Lily who eyeballed containers for leftovers. The Desantros’ two daughters intrigued Vic, as much by their actions and expressions as their father’s reaction to them. Pure love. Unconditional. All-consuming. And when Nate spoke to Christine, that same love sifted through his words and his expression.
Who would’ve ever thought a guy like Nate Desantro would find someone to change his world? But it had happened and for a few seconds, Vic thought he’d found someone to changehisworld, but then it had all blown apart.
Thanksgiving had been a big deal when Vic was growing up, and after his father passed, his mother continued the tradition with the turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pies, and everything in between, even though there were only two of them. The Desantros were big on tradition, and they insisted leftovers were meant to be shared, which meant Vic would head home tonight with enough containers to last three or four meals. Lily would make sure he got an extra big serving of pumpkin pie.
But what no one had told him was that this year there would be a surprise awaiting him—one that might have made him decline the invitation had he been forewarned. When Vic arrived with two bottles of wine, a box of chocolate covered pretzels for Lily, and a rosemary plant for Mrs. D, he’d just handed the wine to Nate when he heardhervoice from the kitchen. He’d recognize that voice anywhere, had heard it in his sleep too many nights, and now that voice was a room away. Vic stared at Nate. “Am I not the only guest?”
Nate blew out a long sigh. “Not my doing, trust me. This is all Lily. I tried to convince her this was a bad idea, but you know how she is when she gets something in her head.” His next words were a mix of frustration and resignation. “Just try to get through it and don’t give her any reason to poke around, though with Lily she doesn’t even need a reason to start poking.”
Great, just what he needed. More questions he didn’t want to answer. “Thanks for the warning.” He followed Nate into the kitchen, spotted Miriam at the stove, stirring homemade applesauce. Lily was busy folding napkins and counting out the silverware. But it was Rae who held his attention. Her back was turned to him, and she was slicing something as she spoke.
“The key to a pumpkin roll is making sure you don’t overcook it and you add enough of the cream cheese mixture to keep it super moist.”
“Uh-huh.” Lily glanced from the pumpkin roll to Vic, her face lighting up. “Hi, Vic! Happy Thanksgiving!”
Rae spun around, knife still in her hand. The expression on her face told him she hadn’t known he’d been invited either. Vic cleared his throat, darted a glance at Lily and forced a smile. “Hey, Lily. Happy Thanksgiving to you. I brought you something.” He moved toward the kitchen table, handed her the box of chocolate covered pretzels. “I remembered you like these.”
She took the box, removed the ribbon, and opened it. “These are my very favorite! Thank you, Vic. Thank you so much.” She threw her arms around his waist and gave him a big hug. “I’ll save these for dessert and I’ll even share.” She held out the box to Rae. “Look, Rae. These are my favorites.”
A nod, a soft “Yes, they look delicious.”
“Hello, Rae.”
“Vic.”
He didn’t ask where Josh was because he knew the boy was having Thanksgiving with Hannah’s family, which meant he should have inquired about Rae and what she was doing. But he hadn’t because he did not want Josh to think he cared. Vic moved to the stove, placed a hand on Mrs. D’s shoulder, and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Happy Thanksgiving, Mrs. D. Thanks for the invite.” He held out the rosemary plant. “I figured you could admire this as you dismantle it for your recipes.”
She laughed. “How well you know me. It’s the perfect gift. Thank you, Vic.”
