Lucy hurried to answer the ringing doorbell. She was expecting Victoria Burgess to arrive for a meeting about the country club. To simplify her responsibilities, she decided to name Mrs. Burgess the new director.
Even though Clifford had hated Hector and his father, Lucy knew he wouldn't have had any qualms about Victoria. She was very well respected among the community and her reputation and wealth had come from her own family, not the Burgess family that she had married into.
"Hello, Mrs. Burgess. It's a pleasure to see you," Lucy greeted the elder woman warmly and welcomed her into the house. At first she hadn't noticed the man who was with her, but once she saw who he was, she was momentarily stunned.
"Thank you, Miss Stuart. I believe you already know Mr. Jordan. I hope you don't mind my bringing him along."
Lucy hadn't taken her eyes off Jordan. "No, but . . .why did you?"
"He's working for me now. And since he dealt with the business of the club while he was working for you, I thought it might be a good idea to bring him along."
"Of course. It's fine. Good idea," Lucy chattered nervously. "Shall we go sit down?"
Once they were settled in at the dining room table and Mrs. Burgess was offered refreshment, Lucy and Victoria got down to business.
"I'm so honored that you've chosen me for this position, Miss Stuart."
"Please, call me Lucy."
"I have so many wonderful ideas for the club."
"Like what?" Lucy asked. She smiled politely out of respect for Mrs. Burgess, but that statement made her nervous. She didn't want her family's country club to be changed drastically.
"I think the club should get back to a more . . . sophisticated air. I know you've done your best, Lucy, but I think it's very important to preserve the dignity and class that Pheasant Run evokes."
"And how do you propose to do that?" Lucy asked skeptically.
"We need to start with the entertainment. These modern performers are fine for stadiums and even concert halls, but our patrons would prefer more classically trained musicians. Anything less would send the wrong message and attract the wrong crowd. I mean no offense, especially to your young man."
"None taken," Lucy assured her. This talk of music made her nostalgic for Craig. She smiled to herself remembering the first time she saw him, at one of the concerts she had arranged at the country club, and how it felt to first fall in love with someone new.
When she looked up and saw Jordan standing behind Mrs. Burgess, she knew she had to stand by her decision.
"I know of a wonderful string quartet that would be perfect."
Lucy snapped out of her daydreaming and focused on the present. "I'm sure anyone you approve of will be appropriate."
After discussing a few more issues, Victoria excused herself for the ladies' room, leaving Lucy and Jordan alone in the dining room.
Lucy looked down awkwardly, not sure what to say. When the silence became unbearable, she asked, "How do you like working for Mrs. Burgess?"
"Fine. It's a good position," he replied.
"That's good," Lucy replied. "It's been different not having you around . . .I wondered how you were doing and if you found another job."
"I've wondered about you as well, how you were coping. I still regret not giving you proper notice."
Lucy rose from her chair and stepped towards him. "This is ridiculous. We should keep in touch. Get together and talk."
Jordan shook his head. "I don't think that's a good idea. What would your fiance think?"
"I don't care. I'm breaking up with Craig," Lucy announced. "He's a great guy, but I never should have agreed to marry him. I can't commit to him when I'm having feelings for someone else," she said with a meaningful look at Jordan. She added softly, "It wouldn't be fair."
Jordan and Lucy stared at each other silently. Jordan was about to speak, but before he could utter a word, Victoria returned. Lucy turned shyly from Jordan and returned to her seat.
As the final chord of Craig's song died away on the piano, producer Delilah O'Feefe clapped enthusiastically. "Craig, that was amazing. This album of yours is going to be a huge hit. Huge!"
"I hope so," Craig said as he turned to face Delilah. "I'm counting on this."
"With talent like yours you have nothing to worry about. Your songs are simply inspired."
Craig smiled, "They certainly are. When I hurt my arm and had to leave my tour, I was at a low point. But Lucy was there. She was my inspiration. She encouraged me to keep on going and to get back into song writing. I don't know where I would be without her."
"Wow," Delilah sighed. "What a sweet story. That's really going to sell . . .I'm sorry. I hope you didn't take that the wrong way. I'm always thinking business."
"I'll take that as a good thing."
"So how about playing one of your pre-Lucy songs? I'd love to hear some of your older stuff."
"Sure thing," Craig agreed as he turned back to the keyboard. He played the intro to a bluesy piece and began to sing. He hadn't even finished the first verse before Delilah interrupted him.
"What a second. I know that tune. It can't be one of your songs. It's one of the tracks on an album we're about to release."
"What?" Craig asked with surprise. "No. That can't be possible. That is my song. I wrote it," he insisted. "Whose album is it on? I want to know who's trying to pass off one of my songs as their own."
Delilah looked shocked by the outburst. "It's, um, James Spencer."
"James, huh?" Craig asked. He should have known. The tune was one that he used to play when they were on tour together. First James had replaced him on the tour and now he was trying to make money off his music. Craig wasn't going to let him get away with it.
Once they had covered the most pressing issues regarding the country club, Lucy walked Mrs. Burgess to the door.
"I'm so glad you accepted this position," Lucy said shaking Victoria's hand. "This is going to help me tremendously."
"The honor is all mine," Mrs. Burgess insisted. "Pheasant Run has been wonderful for the community. I've been a member since your grandparents started it and I'm only sorry that I haven't been more active in the past."
"Your contribution has always been appreciated."
"Thank you so much."
As the two women said goodbye, Jordan held the door open for Mrs. Burgess. Before following her out, he lingered in the doorway, exchanging a lingering look with Lucy.
Lucy hurried to the door and watched as Jordan helped Victoria into her car and the pair rode away.
Lucy heard the grandfather clock chime from the hallway, reminding her how late it had gotten. She would have to hurry if she was going to make it to her doctor's appointment on time.
"So, Lucy, what brings you in today?" Dr. Lawson asked as Lucy sat opposite from him in the examination room.
"I'm just here for a check-up," Lucy said, before admitting, "I've been very tired lately. I haven't quite felt like myself."
Dr. Lawson made a few notes and then started asking Lucy a list of routine questions. Lucy answered "yes" or "no" to each one. As a medical student herself, she didn't find any of the questions surprising, until he asked, "Is there any possibility that you could be pregnant?"
"Pregnant?" Lucy repeated. The thought had never occured to her, but it did make sense. She had attributed her nausea to nerves and the fatigue to stress, but what if there was more to it than that? She thought back over the last month and realized, "Yes, I could be."
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