One Sure Thing (Mamma Lou Matchmaker Series) (18 page)

He breezed in and out of traffic like a cab driver. He easily maneuvered his 1956 Jaguar Roadster with the precession and accuracy of his surgical blade. He veered to the far lane to avoid the double-parked cars and trucks. Checking his rearview mirror, he swerved to the right, and zipped along two blocks nearly traffic free. But then came to a screeching halt. Traffic was stalled because of a minor fender bender.

After creeping along at about a block-a-minute pace, Raymond finally found a window of opportunity and accelerated around a slow moving car. He wheeled his car into the next lane and accelerated to make up for lost time.

With the wireless attachment in his ear, Raymond finally found time to listen to a message left by his assistant the day before. He smiled when he heard the exasperation in her voice when relaying a message from Mimi Brown. Apparently, she had called several times yesterday and insisted on speaking to him.

Raymond knew exactly what she wanted. There was no way he would perform any more cosmetic surgery on her. They’d had had the same conversation before. Obviously she wasn’t going to take no for an answer. He made a mental note to call Mimi back to reiterate his decision.

Raymond continued listening to the message. His assistant reviewed his morning meetings, and then continued to list his afternoon appointments. Raymond listened as his mind focused on rescheduling certain appointments and canceling others. After listening to his schedule, he dialed his office and left a voicemail message with his changes.

Raymond used the drive-time to think about the proposal he was making to the board of directors of his foundation. Since the new building would be completed in a few months, he decided he needed to come up with a name. After last night, he knew the perfect name for it. He smiled as his thoughts returned to his evening with Hope. She was indeed what he had been waiting for all his life. He laughed at the thought of Mamma Lou telling him that he needed hope in his life. Then, his laughter suddenly subsided as he wondered if she had anything to do with their meeting. But how could she?

He turned the corner to view the magnificent sight and all questions faded from his mind. Under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge, the nearly finished building that would house the foundation stood strong and imposing. The unnamed building was surrounded by an old cobblestone street.

Five stories high, with a columned entryway, double hung windows, a transom doorway and ornate cornices and plaster moldings, the edifice was magnificent.

Surrounded by vacant warehouses and artist’s lofts, it was the perfect place. Located on a quiet street on the Brooklyn waterfront, it was the ideal place. When Raymond first looked at the five-story structure, he saw a building filled with possibilities—a place that could be called home. He saw a shelter for those without hope.

Construction had begun nearly a year ago. He had hired the best. And backed by several well-established philanthropists, he gained the financial support needed to complete his dream.

Raymond looked up at the renovation as he approached. It was progressing even faster than he had expected. He wanted the building completed and fully operational by the middle of summer. It was the end of spring and although there was still a lot of work to be done, it was certainly taking shape.

It was almost seven o’clock in the morning and the construction crew was already working. The construction workers labored tirelessly to transform this into his dream.

Raymond passed through the open doors and nodded to several workmen as he entered. The entrance hall, soon to be the reception area, had already been wired for the electrical and dry-walled. A number of workers were standing on ladders and wooden platforms using a thick plaster compound and sealer to join the sheets of drywall. The concrete floor was still littered with debris and plaster.

Raymond stepped over the piles of trash, turned around, and eyed the open airy space. The fifteen-foot original windows had been restored and scraped clean of layers of paint. Brilliant sunlight streamed in giving the space a feeling of cheerfulness. He could easily envision its transformed beauty. He nodded approvingly at the progress that had been made since his last visit.

He walked through the framed out doorway to the next room. Inside, he looked around at the enormous shell. There was still a lot of work to be done. The walls had been framed along with the ceiling. Support beams were exposed overhead, giving the space a warehouse feel.

Raymond walked over to the foreman’s work area and began looking at the blueprints. He settled on one floor plan, taking time to read the specs.

“Hey Doc, how are you? Sorry I’m late.” Greer Lambert, the contractor on the project, removed his jacket and loosened his tie. He reached to shake Raymond’s hand.

Raymond shook his hand and smiled. “I just arrived myself.” He looked around the immediate area and nodded. “It’s really starting to take shape.”

Greer followed Raymond’s gaze and nodded in agreement. “Yep, the place is really coming along.” He reached down and grabbed the hardhat that had Raymond’s name on it. He handed it to him then put on his own hardhat. “Why don’t we start at the top and work our way down. I think you’re going to be pleased with the results.” Greer grabbed the blueprints and led the way.

Raymond put on the hardhat, removed his jacket and followed the foreman up the staircase to the second level and continued in the elevator to the top floor.

“We’re still waiting for the building inspector’s report, but I don’t foresee any problems. If anything, they should pay you for improving the neighborhood. I tell yah,” Greer looked around admiringly, “when this place is complete, real estate values in this area will improve. It’s a good thing that you purchased the adjoining property for the next phases of the project. In another five years you probably couldn’t afford it. You bought in at the perfect time.”

“Timing is everything.”

“Just let me know when you’re ready for the next building phase.”

“How’s Martha?” Raymond asked. Greer and his wife Martha had been Raymond’s neighbors at his Connecticut estate since he’d bought it six years ago. High school sweethearts, Greer and Martha had been married for over thirty-five years and were still hopelessly in love.

“She’s fine.”

As Raymond stepped off of the elevator, he looked around. The space had been divided into several rooms. The two men walked from room to room, carefully examining each space. Greer unrolled the blueprints he’d been carrying and pointed out several things to Raymond. Afterwards, the two continued the walk-through of the next floor down.

“I have the modified blueprints from the architect for your signature downstairs.” As soon as Greer began showing some of the particulars on the blueprint, Raymond’s cell phone rang. He excused himself and answered. It was the office calling to check in and confirm his revised schedule. As soon as he ended the call, Greer resumed his update. The phone rang a second time. Raymond excused himself again and answered. This time he turned and walked away. Greer’s brow rose with interest. The conversation he’d overheard sounded serious. Whatever was happening didn’t sound good.

Raymond flipped the cell closed and spun to confer with Greer. “We’re going to have to postpone this until later,” he said as he headed to the elevator, then impatiently he turned to take the stairs.

“Sure, just give me a call.” Greer wanted to ask if there was anything he could do, but decided against it. So he simply offered to have the blueprints delivered to his office that morning. Raymond nodded and disappeared down the stairway.

By the time Greer walked over to the large row of windows at the front of the building, Raymond was darting across the street to his car. Whatever was going on must have been serious.

Chapter Fourteen

Something was wrong, Louise was sure of it. Hope had come by earlier and she was angry. Raymond had called repeatedly asking for her. Something was going on. Somehow, something had happened and it was up to her to put it right. And if that plan included getting sick again, so be it.

Louise opened another candy packet and took a bite of the nutty candy. She laid back and reminisced back to when she’d first decided to embark on her current endeavor.

Her grandson Raymond proudly stood at his cousin’s side and dutifully signed as to witness Tony’s marriage to Madison. In that instant, Louise noted a certain glint in Raymond’s eyes. That glint had immediately sparked her matchmaking juices.

Matchmaking, Louise had learned from past experience, although richly rewarding, was an extremely tricky business. Each undertaking, no matter how complicated, had to be fine-tuned at some point. Plus, and most importantly, she had to consider the individuals involved. Add to that, was an awesome responsibility to encourage such a delicate union. So when you decide to change a person’s life for the better, you had better have a dammed good plan. Particularly when that person suspects something and watches every move you make.

Without a doubt, Louise had the perfect plan. As a matter of fact, she’d had the perfect plan for the past six months. Unfortunately, implementing it wasn’t as straightforward as she anticipated.

Louise had never imagined that it would be so difficult to find a woman of style, grace and integrity—one  with a sharp intellect, a pleasant personality, and enough inner fortitude to match wits with her grandson. So she broadened her horizons.

While traveling, she innocently queried friends and associates about prospective candidates. Within the span of four weeks, she’d met dozens of women, but to no avail. So she decided to take a trip to New York City. After all, she reasoned, how hard was it to find the perfect single woman in such a big city?

To her grandson’s delight, she was spending time with him in his hometown. He had often begged her to come and visit and enjoy the city’s cultural activities. But his overly suspicious nature proved to be too much. Raymond watched her like a hawk and balked at every invitation to a social affair that she suggested. Louise had just about given up hope, when fate stepped in. But, now there was trouble.

This was the perfect match and she was going to see Raymond happily married even if she had to eat every candy bar in sight. Louise took another bite.

***

“Unbelievable,” Hope slammed her tray down on the table and plopped into the seat across from her sister, next to the large cardboard box. Her coffee spilled on her French fries, but she barely noticed.

Faith looked up at her sister and then focused her attention on the large box Hope had deposited in the chair.  “Hope, what’s really going on?”

“The man is unbelievable.”

“So you’ve said.” She leaned over and pried open the box as Hope continued to rant.

“He’s just unbelievable.”

“You’re repeating yourself.”

Hope glared at Faith and ground her teeth in annoyance. “I just can’t believe him—the nerve. He’s so, he’s so…” She searched in vain for the appropriate word.

Faith reached in the box and grabbed a sweatshirt. She unfolded it and held it up to her chest admiring the fit. She placed it back into the box and grabbed another shirt. “Unbelievable. I believe that’s the word you were looking for,” she offered dryly.

Hope squinted at her sister with a look of warning, finally ending her rant. “Yes, that’s it. He’s absolutely unbelievable. He wanted me to come to his office last night to discuss his grandmother’s case. Apparently Mr. I’m-Too-Important
is too busy to meet me here so I have to go to him.”

“So, why didn’t you just say no and not go?”

“It’s not that easy. It was an order from Wescott.”

“Okay, since when do you care about what Hugh wants,” Faith said. “Well, did he at least spring for dinner or something?”

Hope looked at her sister with an odd expression. “Dinner? Faith, are you listening to me?”

“I heard you. But did he take you to dinner afterwards?”

“Yes, we ate afterwards. So what?”