Read Online While My Pretty One Sleeps by Mary Higgins Clark - Free Book Online

toys.”
    Neeve felt her spirits lift. “Uncle Sal, honest to God I wish I had you on tape. I could make a fortune blackmailing you.”
    â€œYou’re too good-hearted. Sit down. Have a cup of coffee. It’s fresh, I promise.”
    â€œI know you’re busy, Uncle Sal. Five minutes only.” Neeve unbuttoned her jacket.
    â€œWill you drop the ‘uncle’ business? I’m getting too old to be treated with respect.” Sal eyed her critically. “You look good, as usual. How’s business?”
    â€œGreat.”
    â€œHow’s Myles? I see Nicky Sepetti got sprung Friday. I suppose that’s tearing his guts out.”
    â€œHe was upset Friday and pretty good over the weekend. Now I’m not sure.”
    â€œInvite me up to dinner this week. I haven’t seen him for a month.”
    â€œYou’re on.” Neeve watched as Sal poured coffee from the Silex on a tray beside his desk. She glanced around.
    â€œI love this room.”
    The wall covering behind the desk was executed in a mural of the Pacific Reef motif, the design that had made Sal famous.
    Sal often told her about his inspiration for that line. “Neeve, I was in the Aquarium in Chicago. It was 1972. Fashion was a mess that year. Everyone sick of the miniskirt. Everyone afraid to try something new. The top designers were showing men-tailored suits, Bermuda shorts, skinny unlined suits. Pale colors. Dark colors. Ruffled blouses that belonged in boarding school. Nothing that makes a woman say, ‘I want to look like that.’ I was just wandering around the Aquarium and went up to the floor with the Pacific Reef exhibit. Neeve, it was like walking underwater. Tanks from floor to ceiling were filled with hundreds of exotic fish and plants and coral trees and shells. The colors on everything—you’d think Michelangelo painted them! The patterns and designs—dozens and dozens, every one unique. Silver blending into blue; coral and red entwined. One fish was yellow, bright as the morning sun, with black markings. And the flow, the grace of movement. I thought, If I can only do this with fabric! I started sketching right on the spot. I knew it was great. I won the Coty Award that year. I turned the fashion industry around. Couturier sales were fantastic. Licenses for the mass market and accessories. And all because I was smart enough to copy Mother Nature.”
    Now he followed her gaze. “That design. Wonderful. Cheerful. Elegant. Graceful. Flattering. It’s still the best thing I ever did. But don’t tell anyone. They haven’t caught up with me yet. Next week I’ll give you a preview of my fall line. The second-best thing I’ve ever done. Sensational. How’s your love life?”
    â€œIt isn’t.”
    â€œWhat about that guy you had to dinner a couple of months ago? He was crazy about you.”
    â€œThe fact you can’t remember his name says it all. He still makes a pile of money on Wall Street. Just bought a Cessna and a co-op in Vail. Forget it. He had the personality of a wet noodle. I keep telling Myles and I’ll tell you: When Mr. Right comes along, I’ll know it.”
    â€œDon’t wait too long, Neeve. You’ve been raised on the fairytale romance of your mother and father.” Sal swallowed the last of his coffee with a great gulp. “For most of us, it don’t work like that.”
    Neeve had a fleeting moment of amusement reflecting that when Sal was with close friends or ready to wax eloquent, the suave Italian accent disappeared and his native jargon took over.
    Sal continued. “Most of us meet. We get a little interested. Then not so interested. But we keep seeing each other and gradually something happens. Not magic. Maybe just friendship. We accommodate. We may not like opera, but we go to the opera. We may hate exercise but start playing tennis or jogging. Then love takes over. That’s ninety