Flirting with Disaster Read Online Free PDF Page A

there weren’t any from you, obviously there were no emergencies, so don’t make a big to-do about it now, Mother.”
    Juliette regarded her with a familiar expression of dismay. “Sometimes I just don’t know what to make of you.”
    Maggie bit back a grin. “Now there’s a news flash,” she muttered under her breath.
    Her mother frowned. “What did you say?”
    â€œNothing important,” Maggie said. “I should run along now. I know you need to get to your appointment and I have to go to the gallery and check on things there. I just wanted you to know I was back.”
    Her mother glanced at her watch, obviously torn. “I do need to go, but we really must talk soon, Magnolia.”
    â€œAbout?”
    â€œThis fiasco with Warren.”
    â€œThe fiasco with Warren is over. It’s not open for discussion.”
    â€œBut I’m sure you could mend fences if you put your mind to it,” Juliette persisted. “He’s a reasonable man. I’m sure he’ll forgive you for whatever you did to upset him.”
    â€œHe’ll forgive me?” Maggie said incredulously. “Are you kidding, Mother? I didn’t do anything. He’s the one who called off the wedding. If there’s any groveling to be done, let Warren do it.”
    â€œThere it is again,” her mother said accusingly. “That stubborn streak of yours. It’s always been your downfall, Magnolia. If you don’t reconcile with Warren, what will you do?”
    â€œI’ll survive, Mother. In fact, I’ve already gotten involved in an exciting new project that will take up a lot of my time for the rest of the summer. I’ll tell you about it next time I see you. Now, we both really need to get moving.” She leaned down for another quick kiss. “Love you.”
    Duty done, Maggie was out the door and down the stairs at a clip an Olympic runner would envy. With her visit to Juliette behind her, life already looked brighter.
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    Maggie’s improved mood lasted only until she walked into Images and took a good look around at the displays that had been created in her absence. They were chaotic. Of course, she had no one to blame but herself. She was the one who’d gone off and left the decision making to her employees. She could hardly expect a twenty-one-year-old who dressed all in black and had pink streaks in her hair, or an art-school dropout whose mind tended to wander when she wasn’t in front of a canvas, to arrange the gallery with the same expertise and attention to detail that Maggie would. She was probably fortunate that they’d even bothered to uncrate the new shipments and price them.
    â€œYou’re back!” Victoria exclaimed when she stirred from reading her book. Judging from the cover, it was something dark and depressing, suitable for a woman in black.
    â€œIndeed, I am,” Maggie said. “I see the new shipments came in.”
    â€œLast week,” Victoria acknowledged. “I didn’t want to touch them, but Ellie said we probably should. The gallery was starting to look kinda empty, like we were going out of business or something.”
    â€œEllie was exactly right,” Maggie said. “Is there coffee made?”
    Victoria stared at her blankly. “Coffee?”
    â€œYes, coffee. We make it every day in case a customer would like a cup.”
    â€œOh, I thought it was just for you, and since I didn’t know you were coming back today, I didn’t make any.”
    â€œNever mind. I’ll make it, and as soon as I have a cup you can tell me what business has been like while I’ve been gone.”
    â€œActually, you’ll need to ask Ellie. I have an appointment at eleven, so she’s coming in early. Since you’re here, I’ll go now so I won’t be late.”
    Maggie had always given her employees a lot of flexibility in scheduling, but usually she expected