Fern Michaels - Comfort and Joy

Fern Michaels

Angel Mary Clare Bradford, Angie to her friends, looked over at her assistant, who was stacking rolls of colored ribbon onto spindles. Satisfied that the rolls of ribbon were aligned to match the spindles of wrapping paper, she turned away to survey her domain.

The thirty-foot-by-thirty-foot room with its own lavatory was neat as a pin because Angie Bradford was a tidy person. The room she and her assistant, Bess Kelly, were standing in was known as the Eagle Department Store gift wrap department.

Eva Bradford, Angies mother, had a lifetime lease on this very room, thanks to retired owner Angus Eagle, something that rankled the current young department store head, Josh Eagle, Anguss heir.

Angie and Josh had gone to the mat via the legal system on several occasions. Josh wanted the lease canceled so he could open a safari clothing department. He claimed the paltry, three-hundred-dollar-a-month rent Angie paid for the gift wrap space was depriving the Eagle Department Store of serious revenue. Another set of legal papers claimed his father had not been of sound mind when he signed the ridiculous lifetime lease.

Angie countered with a startling video of Angus playing tennis and being interviewed by the New York Times talking about politics and his philanthropic endeavors on the very day he signed the lifetime lease. In a separate filing, Angie charged Josh Eagle was a bully, and presented sworn testimony that he repeatedly turned off the electricity in the gift shop as well as the water in the lavatory just to harass her. On occasion the heat and air conditioning were also turned off. Usually on the coldest and hottest days of the year.

Josh retaliated by saying Angie should pay for the electricity, water, heat, and air-conditioning. He said there were no free lunches in the Eagle Department Store in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

Judge Atkins had glared at the two adversaries and barked his decision: Josh Eagle was not to step within 150 feet of the gift wrap department. Angie was to pay an additional thirty-dollars-a-month rent for the utilities, and a new heating unit was to be installed at Eagles expense.

At that point the Eagle-Bradford war escalated to an all-time high, with both sides doing double-time to outwit the other. The present score was zip-zip.

So, are you going to the store meeting or not? Bess asked as she gathered up her purse and jacket.

Nope. I dont work for Josh Eagle or this store. I work for my mother. Im just renting space from Eagles. It was toasty in here today, wasnt it? Angie asked. It had been unseasonably cool for September.

Bess eyed her young employer and laughed. Shed worked for Eva Bradford for twelve years before Eva turned the business over to her daughter, 110 pounds of energy who was full of spit and vinegar, five years ago. Angie had jumped right into the business, played David to Joshs Goliath, and come out a winner. At least in Besss eyes. With the Christmas season fast approaching, Bess knew in her gut that Josh Eagle would pull out all his big guns to try to get under Angies skin and make her life so miserable she would give up and move out. She laughed silently. Josh Eagle didnt know the Angie Bradford she knew.

Come on, boss, Ill walk you out to the parking lot. Hows Eva today?

Angie slipped into her jacket and hung her purse on her shoulder before she turned off the lights. She pressed a switch, and a colorful corrugated blind came down, totally covering the entrance to the gift wrap department. She waited a moment until she heard the sound of the lock slipping into place. Shed installed the sliding panel at her own expense, much to Josh Eagles chagrin. She then locked the walkthrough door to the gift wrap department. Not just any old lock, this was a special lock that Josh Eagle couldnt open with the stores master keys. Shed also installed her own security system with the ADT firm. Josh had taken her to court on that one, too, and lost, with the judge saying Angie was protecting her investment and as long as she wasnt asking him to pay for her security, there was no problem. Back then the score had been one-zip.

Uh-oh, look whos standing by that big red X you painted on the floor!

Angie looked ahead of her to see Josh Eagle glaring at her. Youre late!

He was good-looking, she had to give him that. And he had dimples. Right now his dark brown eyes were spewing sparks. He was dressed in a power suit and tie, his shirt so blinding white, it had to be new. It was all about image with Josh Eagle.

Angie looked down at her watch. Actually, Im leaving right on time, Mr. Eagle. My lights are off, the heat has been turned down, the security system locked and loaded, and my door is locked. Its one minute past six. The store closes at six.

I called a meeting for six-fifteen for all department heads. That means youre supposed to be in the conference room promptly at six-ten. Youre still standing here, Ms. Bradford. Whats wrong with this picture? Well?

Angie sighed. How many times do I have to tell you, Mr. Eagle? I do not work for you. Judge Atkins sent you papers to that effect. I have copies in case you lost yours. What part of I-am-not-one-of-your-employees dont you understand?

Josh Eagle looked like he was about to say something, then changed his mind. Angie started walking again, and when she got to Josh and he didnt move, she stiff-armed him.

You touched my person, Josh said dramatically as he pretended to back away.

Will you get off it already! Do you sit up there in your ivory tower and dream up ways to torment me? I did not touch you. I put my arm out so you wouldnt touch me . In case your vision is impaired, I have a witness. Now, I suggest you get out of my way and dont come down here again with your silly demands. This shop is off-limits to you!

Just a damn minute, Ms. Bradford. If you want to go to court again, Im your man. I want to know what youre going to do about wrapping my customers Christmas gifts this year. Thats the main topic to be discussed at tonights meeting.

Weve had this same discussion every September for the past five years. You had the same discussion with my mother for the five years prior to my arrival, and the outcome has always been the same. This year is no different. Pay me to wrap your customersgifts, and were in business. If you dont pay me, I cannot help you. Im in business to make money just the way you are. Try to wrap your feeble brain around that fact, then get back to me or have your lawyer call my lawyer. Good night, Mr. Eagle.

Outside in the cool evening air, Angie dusted her hands together. I thought that went rather well. She sniffed the air. Someones burning leaves. Oh, I just love that smell.

Bess opened her car door. I think you enjoy tormenting that man. I agree hes sorely lacking in the charm department, but my mother always told me you can get more flies with honey than vinegar. The guys a hottie, thats for sure.