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The Fortune

By Lisa Buffaloe

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Joy Davidson stared out the glass coffee shop door and spotted the lime-green, older-than-dirt, immaculate Jeep. Kristen’s vehicle glowed like a neon sign; then again, everything her best friend did brought attention. Kristen exited her ride, and as usual, stopped traffic. Men waiting in cars gawked as she walked by on long legs covered in tight jeans, high-heeled boots, and a turtleneck that hugged every curve of her curvy body.

Joy sighed as she surveyed her own somewhat-clean sweatshirt, worn jeans, and tennis shoes. When God handed out voluptuous bodies, hers wasn’t on the list. Kristen had blossomed at sixteen and took all the hills which had left Joy standing in the flat prairie.

A man in a business suit bumped Joy as he hurried to open the door for Kristen.
Kristen thanked the man who stood at attention in the open doorway.

Most men didn’t actually stare and drool; they’d keep their heads down or pretend to look intently at anything other than Kristen. However, out of the corner of their eyes they watched her every move. Yet, her friend remained totally oblivious to their admiration.

“Sorry, I’m late.” Kristen gave Joy a quick hug and stood in line to order.
“Brandon stopped me as I came out of my apartment and kept talking about the weather.”

Poor Brandon, he’d lived next door to Kristen for the last year and had tried everything to get her attention. “He’s probably just looking for an excuse to see you.” Joy joined her friend in line and stood in Kristen’s shadow.

“This time you’re right, he actually asked me out this weekend.”

Joy had to force her mouth not to open in shock. “He finally asked you out?” She smiled at the thought. Brandon was super nice and a great looking guy. “What did you say?”

“I told him I was leaving to work on a client’s home in Sun Valley.”

“Aw, poor guy.”

“Yeah, he actually paled.”

Joy imagined Brandon holding out his heart and watching it wither. “Would you have gone out with him?”

“Definitely. But he didn’t say anything else, just kind of staggered away.”

“You broke his heart.”

“Oh, I hope not.” Kristen put her hand on her chest. “He can ask me out when I get back. He could have asked me a year ago, and I would have gone out with him. Guys are such strange creatures, aren’t they?”

Joy nodded in agreement. She hadn’t figured out any of them. A few boyfriends were scattered in her background but nothing serious, and nothing that helped her decipher anything about the species called man.

A businessman in front of her stepped aside and motioned with his hand. “Please, you ladies go ahead. I’m still thinking.”

They thanked him and both stepped to the counter.

Joy shook her head as the guy moved behind them and stood in the puddle of his own drool. The only one who drooled for her was her dog.

After ordering and receiving their coffee, they walked to a small table in the back.

Kristen turned to Joy. “You seem down this morning?”

“I’m okay.” Joy stared out the window at a young mom holding her little girl’s hand as they skipped down the sidewalk. Joy squeezed the bridge of her nose willing away any tears. Twenty-four years ago, her parents had been killed in a car wreck. Losing your family when you’re only two wasn’t fair. She blew out a breath and tried to think of something else. “I’ve just been thinking.”

“Well stop that.” Kristen sat straight and beamed her smile. “I’ve got some great news.”

Joy shook off her mood and leaned forward. “What’s your news?”

“Roger Thomas.” Kristen sat there with a grin that said Joy should read her mind.

“The actor?”

“Yes!” Kristen’s face beamed … megawatted. “He’s my client. That’s who is in Sun Valley.”

“The famous, latest leading-man, actor, Roger, gorgeous guy, Roger? You’re going to work on his house?”

Kristen nodded. “Can you believe it? He called my office yesterday evening. I couldn’t wait to tell you this morning. I’ll leave soon and stay at my aunt’s house. Can you come with me?”

Joy cringed at the thought. The last time she tried to help with a project, she’d wound up dropping a vase on a client’s toe which just happened to be a very rich, socialite client. “No, can do. I’ve got to get ready for the spring rush. People are getting antsy to plant now that the snow is melting on the mountains.”

“Oh, good grief, they have at least two weeks before it’s safe to put things in the ground. Come on, we’ll have fun.”

“I really wish I could, but I can’t.”

Kristen sat back and crossed her arms. “I knew you wouldn’t, but we’d have so much fun together.”

“You’ll do great without me, especially since I can’t decorate my way out of a paper bag.”

“True, but we always have fun.” Kristen steepled her perfectly manicured fingers. “Why are you so glum?”

“I don’t know.” Joy avoided her friend’s gaze. “Maybe… it’s because my birthday’s next week.”

“You shouldn’t be down about that. Twenty-six is still young.” Kristen grinned her mischievous grin. “I’ve already bought you something.”

“Thank you for the gift, but I really hoped life would be different.”

“I know what you mean. I thought I’d be living in Switzerland and married to a Baron.”

“You’ve been to Europe more times than I can count.”

“It’s so great over there. I love the towering mountains that take your breath away.” Kristen punctuated her statement with a deep breath.

Joy twirled the last remnants of her coffee. She hadn’t been out of Idaho more than two times, once to visit a college friend who moved to Texas and the other to drive into Canada just to say she’d left the country. Her life was safe, boring, and downright dull.

“I’m worried about you.” Kristen flipped a napkin at her. “Birthday’s usually are a bright spot for you.”

“It’s not that. Remember growing up we had all those dreams about adventures?”
Kristen leaned forward. “Spies, baby.” Her voice took on the tone of a conspirator. “Traveling the world, working with James Bond, moving secret documents through underground organizations.”

“Careful, someone might be watching.” Joy grinned and did a quick survey of the room.

“Don’t worry; I sprayed my anti-spy spray when I stepped inside. Speaking of spies, have you seen Eric?”

Joy squelched a tiny unwelcome jump in her heartbeat. Kristen’s older brother had grown way too handsome, and his chocolate brown eyes melted a place in her heart that had grown far too cold. “Yes, he stops by every few days.”

Kristen leaned toward her. “And?”

“And, what?” Joy adjusted in her seat trying to stifle her smile. Eric had always been, and always would be, a good friend. Throughout the years they had kept in touch through phone calls and e-mails, but since he’d moved back to the area, something seemed different.

“He’s always been interested in you, but I think you’ve moved up several notches.”

Joy’s heart did a back flip and quivered. “Eric is your brother, which kind of makes him like my brother.” The thought of anything more was strange, yet oddly compelling. If Eric hadn’t been so annoying during their teen years, maybe he would have been someone she would have dated. Not that he ever asked her out.
Kristen grinned. “You know, with him back in town, we could start doing crazy things like we used to. He can be our bodyguard for fun road trips. We could go camping again in the wilderness, hike mountains, white-water raft, or fly to some fun destinations.”

“We can do that without him.”

“True, but you gotta admit he makes things more entertaining.”

“Annoying is more like it. He pestered me to death before he left for college.”
“He pestered you because he loves you.”

“Loves me? Ha! He tormented me.” Joy let loose her smile. His torments were always enjoyable.

“That was just a sign of his affection. That’s what guys do. You watch, the fun has only begun. I just know this is going to be your year. Good things are coming for both of us.”

“Haven’t we said the same thing every year since we graduated from high-school?”
“Maybe adventure isn’t what we thought.” Eyes focused in the distance, Kristen sat back in her chair. “Maybe it’s about being content where you live, being happy right where you are. We both create things in our own way. Maybe it’s not the wild life we dreamed about, but for the most part we enjoy ourselves.”

“Getting rather philosophical this morning, aren’t you?”

Kristen sat straight in her chair. “You impressed? I’ve been reading classic literature.”

“I think I liked it better when you watched cartoons.”

“Tsk. Tsk. Oh, you’re just grumpy because it’s been gray the last week.” Kristen pointed to the window, and a guy passing outside grinned big and waved. “The sun is shining and spring is coming. Pretty soon customers will be flocking in the doors buying all your little plant babies.”

“Sunshine, springtime, and new growth definitely makes me happier. You need to come see some of the new peonies.”

“Definitely. I was planning on having you put together a basket for me to take when I go meet Roger. My clients always love your work.”

A trill signaled, and Kristen looked at her phone. “Just a sec, need to answer this text.” She typed at lightning speed, her manicured nails clicking away. “Better run, but I’ll stop by this evening with dinner from the Thai place.”

Joy said goodbye to Kristen, then walked to the back where she’d parked. Her grandfather’s truck had been bequeathed to her along with the nursery. The hand-painted Davidson’s Nursery sign faded by weather and time. Maybe she’d have Kristen work her art magic and revitalize the colors.

Checking her cell phone, Joy hopped into the driver’s seat. She rolled down her windows and took a deep breath of fresh air. Her cell phone signaled three missed calls, two from her buyers, one unknown. With spring officially on the calendar, orders would hopefully roll in and life would get busy.

She put her key in the ignition, and before backing out, checked over her shoulder.

A black SUV with tinted windows rolled past.

Joy chuckled to herself thinking of the earlier conversations about spies. Idaho wasn’t exactly a playground for international secrets.

“Wait.” A man’s muffled voice came from beside her vehicle.

She leaned out her window. A young guy wearing jeans and a flannel shirt crouched next to her truck. She hit the lock button and reached to roll up the window.

He half-stood, his gaze darting to the right and left. She couldn’t tell if he was scared or goofy.

“Wait. I’m not going to hurt you. Take this.” With a flick of his wrist, he tossed in a fortune cookie which landed in her lap. “You’ll know what needs to be done.”

“Seriously? A cookie?” Joy followed the mystery man’s gaze behind them. “What do you mean?”

The black SUV backed up, rolled to a stop, and parked two spaces away. Tinted windows blocked her view to see inside.

Cookie guy turned and ran.

The back doors to the SUV opened. Two men wearing dark business suits and sunglasses took chase after mystery man.

Joy grabbed her phone as she rolled up her window. Should she call 911? And say what? Help police, a strange man threw a cookie in my truck? She could just imagine the reply, “And how old are you little girl?”

The SUV backed out and maneuvered behind her, blocking her exit. She couldn’t even see through the front window. Who tinted front windows?

Way too creepy. Joy stared at the cookie. Should she eat the evidence? She speed-dialed Kristen. The phone went straight to voice mail.

The mystery vehicle crept away, paused before turning the corner, then drove down the street.

What was she supposed to do? She couldn’t call the police and say she might have seen a crime?

Joy looked for anyone who might have seen what happened. No people in the back lot, no windows in back of the shop, and the guy and the suit-creeps were nowhere to be seen. Too weird.

Maybe one of the hidden camera things set her up and everybody was hiding in the coffee shop laughing hysterically.

She’d check with Mr. Dixon when she got back to the garden center. His early years in the military might be helpful. He always told her to pay attention to her surroundings. Why didn’t she look for the license plate of the SUV?

Wait a minute. What was in the cookie? She double-checked the doors.
The cookie sat on the seat next to her. A tiny piece of paper stuck out of the end.

Without breaking the cookie, she pulled out the paper and stared at the writing.
On one side, “Fortune waits” on the other in gold pen were handwritten numbers … 43.8262 N, 115.8325 W

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