Read Online Wayward Dreams by Gail McFarland - Free Book Online Page B

Coltrane and let Kelvin Michael Payne keep his life and his money to himself.
    Determined to do just that, she moved on to the next names on her list, a pair of talented women who did the handwork on her designs. The call to the Winston sisters, Amaya and Gaia, turned out better than she’d hoped when they agreed to deliver the blouses they were working on without immediate payment.
    â€œYou’ve been fair with us, Miss Bianca,” Gaia, the younger one, told her. “It’s only right that we return the favor.”
    Grateful for the sister’s willingness to bill her, Bianca disconnected the call and had a single regret as she stood to stretch. Why did Gaia feel the need to constantly call her ‘Miss Bianca,’ like she was a sixty-year-old dowager?
    â€œI’m barely mid-thirties and she addresses me like I’m ready for a rocking chair.” Moving close to the wall mirror, she twisted to see herself. The view wasn’t bad, but how long did ‘mid-thirties’ last, anyway? And with no man, no children, no prospects…
    The cellphone rang in her hand. “Hello?”
    â€œB? Claire here, hon.”
    The Neiman’s buyer’s sunny drawl was a bit of bright sweetness in her ear. Bianca hoped that it didn’t presage disappointment. She pressed her back against the wall, took a deep breath, and crossed her fingers.
    â€œHey, Claire. Please tell me you have good news.” Please.
    â€œI heard about the robbery on the news.” Claire’s tongue clicked softly. “When they mentioned the address, I thought, ‘I know that address.’ I didn’t put it with you until the next day. So sad,” she sighed. “What can I do to help?”
    â€œYou can tell me that you’ve gotten approval for the blouses I showed you…and how many you want to order.” Bianca didn’t care that her voice was ribboned with prayer. A big enough order from this woman meant light would return to her little corner of the world. “That is why you called, isn’t it?”
    â€œIt is.”
    Bianca wasn’t sure, but she thought Claire’s voice amped up a notch. And…
    â€œAnd, hon, we’re going to do a trial order.”
    And that means… Bianca was half an inch from outright begging.
    â€œThat means we’ll take six dozen.”
    Only six dozen? That’s all? Seventy-two lousy shirts? Bianca flopped back against the wall and slid down to the floor.
    â€œYou’re so quiet,” Claire said stiffly. “I thought you’d be pleased.”
    Pennies add up… Seventy-two shirts would generate some money, and beggars couldn’t be choosers. And I’m pretty much a beggar right now. “I’m sorry, Claire. Six dozen is great. And in the Neiman market, well…thank you, is all I can say.”
    â€œSix dozen garments going into twenty key stores may not sound like a lot, initially, but…”
    Twenty stores? Bianca sat up straight. “Six dozen shirts per store?”
    â€œIs that going to be a problem, hon?” Claire’s voice went stiff again.
    â€œNo problem at all.” Struggling to keep from dancing, Bianca gripped the phone in both hands.
    â€œYou can look for the contract within the week. Review it yourself, have it looked at by somebody you trust, get it back to me, and we’ll be in business.”
    â€œYou can count on it,” Bianca promised.
    â€œBianca?” Claire let her voice cool. “I am sorry about your shop, but once you sign the contract, Neiman’s is going to hold you to it, and so am I.” The deliberate words hung between the two women.
    â€œOf course,” Bianca finally said.
    â€œHave a good day, hon.”
    Dread whispered across Bianca’s skin, leaving goose bumps in its wake. What if I sign the contract and can’t deliver?
    Not gonna happen. Clutching the thought, she pushed away from the wall and walked over