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  . I casually kicked my leg out thinking the wind had blown something into me. Nothing… I went back to my emails. Then the vibration came with a nudge.

  What the hell is on my leg? I didn’t see any trash when I sat down. Ignore it it’s just the wind.

  Another nudge. Now I reached down to remove whatever garbage had clearly blown into my leg, but instead of the garbage I expected to get, I got a handful of fur and a wet tongue.

  I jumped up and quickly backed away.

  What the hell was that? Had to be a raccoon or God forbid a rat.

  I scanned the area near the bench, not seeing anything and definitely not wanting to sit there anymore. I bent to grab my briefcase. Then I heard a faint whimper. I squatted down to figure out what creature was still there, maybe injured or hungry.

  To my great dismay and utter surprise, it was not the raccoon or rat I’d imagined it to be. Instead, it was a tiny little puppy shivering wildly.

  “Hey there, little one,” I said. “You’re freezing, aren’t you?” I knelt down on one knee to get a closer look. Poor thing was so little and so cold.

  Maybe it’ll let me pick it up.

  After removing my glove so it could smell me, I put my hand out to it.

  “Come here. Come on, I won’t hurt you,” I said, reaching under the bench. I could tell it wanted to come to me. The puppy tentatively crept out from under the bench, stumbling and shivering. I grabbed the nearly frozen puppy as soon as it got close enough.

  I’m not a veterinarian, little one, but I don’t think you have much left in you in this cold. Please don’t bite me.

  The little guy shook violently from cold, not fear, so I wrapped him inside my jacket. He needed body warmth right away.

  “Poor thing, are you lost?” I said, not really expecting an answer. I wanted to look him over, but he needed warmth more right now. I headed back inside with him tucked in my coat.

  A quick look around I didn’t see anyone looking for a puppy. The station wasn’t as busy as when I arrived but it was warm. I reach inside my coat and pulled the puppy out to look it over.

  “Let’s have a look,” I said. “Well, I see a collar, so you have a family but no tag, and you’ea her, not a him.”

  Cold shivers still raked through the tiny puppy’s body, so I tucked her back into my coat. She squirmed and wiggled until she was almost in my armpit.

  How did you get outside in this weather all alone? There has to be a family looking for you.

  I walked back outside, hoping to find someone looking for her, but there were only two cars in the parking lot and they were empty.

  An engine revving at top speed caught my attention. Not needing to look up, I knew my mother had arrived. The approaching roar of the Porsche engine and the crunch of gravel had to be her.

  “What am I going to do with you?” I asked the pup peeking into my coat.

  She just tucked her furry little head and wet nose into my neck, content to be snuggled.

  I can’t leave you out here. You’ll freeze to death. I don’t see anyone looking for you.

  “Okay, well, you’regoing with me for now,” I said “Don’t be afraid. The sound of the roaring engine isn’t bad once you get used to it… Same with Mother.”

  Parker opened the car door, placed his briefcase on the floor, then lowered his six foot one frame into the small sports car Mom had insisted on having.

  “Hey, Mom,” I said, leaning over for a kiss on the cheek. “I have a little friend coming for dinner tonight.”

  “Oh, do you?” Mom asked. “Parker, you should have warned me. Who is this friend?”

  I waited for the car to come to a full stop at the red light before I opened my jacket to reveal the sound asleep puppy cuddled deep inside.

  “Parker, it’s adorable. What prompted this?” Mom said. “Boy or girl? What its name? I knew you were ready for a companion.”

  “Slow down, Mother,” I patted my coat where it laid cuddled up. “I found this little one, or she found me while I was waiting on you to pick me up.”

  “Do you mind if we head straight back to the house so I can look her over and get her some water before my conference call? Maybe Diana can go get some dog food for her too.”

  “I don’t know, Parker. That little girl looks too young for dog food. Why don’t we stop by the veterinarian hospital, and maybe they can tell us what she needs most.”

  “They may know someone in the area who had puppies too,” I offered “I have about thirty minutes before my conference call, so we need this to be quick

  “Did you have a busy morning?” Mom asked, pulling into the corner shopping plaza.

  “Spit it out. Tell me, Mother, before we get there,” I said. “What did you want to discuss that couldn’t be discussed at the house?”

  “Parker, you know how I always want to buy all my children the best of everything?” Mother said without looking in my direction. “Christmas is around the corner, and I have this crazy great idea of a gift for you, and I already bought the gift, but now I’m feeling concerned about my gift, so I thought I should discuss it with you.”

  “Well,” I said, stifling a laugh at how serious she was acting. “For one thing, I outgrew this kind of thing back in high school. I don’t need you to tell me your gift or discuss it with me. I’m sure you’ve picked the perfect gift as always.”

  Her gaze sharpened “What makes you so certain?”

  “You’ve never once given me a bad gift in thirty-five years,” I said, “and if you’re concerned and need to talk away from Father, then you have put a lot of thought into this gift, so much so that you didn’t tell even him so he couldn’t tell you his opinion. So, it has to be perfect.”

  Victoria smiled slightly. “Excellent reasoning, my son. Now, out of my car. I have to get into the city and back by dinner. I’ll call the house and have someone pick you and your new friend up in about ten minutes

  I couldn’t help but love my mother. She always had my back.

  “Give me and my new friend a kiss, then, and be careful in this racing machine,” I said.

  Chapter 3

  VICTORIA

  I arrived early so I could observe Mia when she arrived. Her resume, I was absolutely perfect, but I needed to see if she was true to everything written in it.

  The lobby was empty so I chose one of the assorted chrome chairs near the window. A shiver tingled through me the minute I lowered myself into the cold metal even through my wool pants. One click and my IPad came to life. My finger flicked the screen to sort through my emails while I waited, but my mind drifted to Parker and what I was about to do. If this girl Mia is as perfect as her profile, then I knew things would work out. My mind drifted to earlier in the day. Parker had shown such love and tenderness with the puppy. I knew he was ready. Hopefully I had done the right thing.

  Mia blew through the door, her long hair whipping behind her like a beautiful mare trotting for the judges, a trail of perfume that smelled of coconut, and a small rolling suitcase of hot pink.

  I recognized her instantly, yet I chose to watch quietly as this beautiful girl with an outfit that spoke of confidence hesitantly approached the desk. What a contradiction.

  Chapter 4

  MIA

  My bravado minutes before while entering had now turned into a strange shyness which no one who knew me would say I was….. ever. But no one back home would ever believe I would be a mail-order bride, either, including myself. How bizarre was it anyways? It was the craziest thing I’d ever done.

  As I made my way to the front desk, I couldn’t help but feel out of place in this sterile environment.

  The office was all white and chrome, lacking any warmth or friendliness. Even the girl behind the desk looked like a robot. I could swear this girl didn’t even blink when she asked for my name.

  I was getting cold feet. How could I not in this cold laboratory? I knew the girl was talking to me, but the urge to turn and run was increasing greatly.

  “Can I help you?” she asked sternly.

  “Uhhh, no, I think I’m in the wrong place.” I turned quickly away from the desk to bolt, and with my hand on the knob, I froze, leaned my forehead against the door, and gave myself a talking to.

  What’s wrong with you? Sophia and Chloe are counting on you. You’ve got this. It’s an adventure with a win, win. Sophia gets her surgery, Chloe gets her daughter healthy, and you get all your college bills paid in full, including an immediate admission into the college of your choice next fall paid for by your new husband. Now turn around and do what you came here to do.

  Chapter 5

  VICTORIA

  I quietly watched in awe as Mia went through a string of emotions. What a strong young lady. I wondered if I should intervene, but I didn’t want to be pushy and was very curious to see her work through it. So I sat pretending to read, hoping Mia would stay, because I had a good feeling about her.

  Mia shut the door and slowly walked back to the desk. “It seems I’m in the right office. Mia Anderson to see Mrs. Lambert, please.”

  “Welcome, Mia,” the receptionist said with a big smile this time. “Mrs. Lambert is ready for you. Go ahead in.” She leaned her head slightly to speak to someone behind Mia. “Victoria, she will see you after Miss Anderson.”

  Mia looked back to the sitting area she had previously missed during her madness.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. I said to a very nicely dressed woman “Did I jump in front of you?”

  “No, no my dear. I’m just waiting on someone to arrive. I do believe you’re that someone. Go ahead inside. We’ll surely speak after.”

  Chapter 6

  MIA

  Double steel doors to her left clicked open, exposing what at fir
st glance appeared to be a never-ending hallway. Mia stepped through the doors, rolling her hot pink bag by her side. She realized it was mirrored walls creating the effect. The place was as sterile and cold as a hospital.

  Good thing I didn’t come through these doors while I was freaking out, because I would have been running as fast I could. Keep walking. It’s going to be fine. You’re marrying a rich doctor, and you can walk away if you are unhappy. Plus, you get the bulk of the money today, and Sophie needs that surgery next week.

  The office was as sterile as the rest of the agency. The woman behind the desk dressed all in black. Her glasses sat at the tip of her nose and her short white hair was slicked back. All that being said she had a friendly smile.

  “Mia, welcome to La Crème Agency,” Ms. Lambert said, taking Miaby the hands. “You need to relax, because I can promise you that you are in good hands with the Hawthorne family.”

  “How did you know I was nervous?” Mia asked. “Are most of your clients nervous?”

  “Are you kidding me? Who wouldn’t be nervous?” She handed me a bottle of water before sitting in the chair next to me. “That, and I can see the waiting room on my monitor. You’re not the first to want to leave.”

  “Do the Hawthorne’s know why I’m doing this?” Mia asked hesitantly.

  “Yes, Victoria knows. It was actually a big part of the reason she picked you,” Ms. Lambert said.

  “Oh good. I didn’t want to have to explain myself, but I also didn’t want them to think I’m just someone after money or a shoo in. Did you just say Victoria knows?”

  “Yes, I did. This is an unusual contract, which is why I wanted you to come see me so I could explain in person,” Ms. Lambert said. “Victoria purchased your contract for her son Dr. Hawthorne. Part of the agreement is that she wanted you to come early so she could prepare you for life as a wealthy, busy doctors’ wife. There are a lot of social events, and you will be in the spotlight at times.”

  “Okay, but the money is transferred today, right?” I asked. Twisting a strand of hair in my fingers “I don’t mind being here early to be prepared, but Sophie needs the money today.”

  “The money is already in your account,” Ms. Lambert said. “Take a deep breath. Sophie can get her surgery, and you are a wonderful, selfless person.”

  “Thank you,” I said as tear after tear slid down my cheeks. “I’m ready.”

  “Great, let’s bring Victoria in and get the introductions going.” Ms. Lambert buzzed Victoria into the office.

  I wasn’t sure of a lot of things in life, and I damn well had no idea what my life was going to look like for the next year, but I did know Chloe had the money she desperately needed.

  We exited the building with hundreds of people bustling in every direction. The smell of peanuts roasting nearby reminded me I hadn’t had anything to eat since breakfast. The sun had decided to show its face, which was a blessing since I was still in shorts. I had crossed my arms rubbing vigorously to warm up. Then I noticed Victoria looking at me.

  “Mia, where is the rest of your luggage, dear?” Victoria asked. “Do you have it stored somewhere that we can pick it up easily?”

  I twisted my hair around my finger in my habitual nervous tick.

  “I only have this one suitcase and my purse. Did I get that wrong? I thought the contract stated everything needed including wardrobe would be supplied,” I said, pacing back and forth on the sidewalk waiting on the valet guy.

  “I guess we should stop somewhere, and I could get a few things. I saw a Walmart when I was on the train, although I’ve no idea where that was, but that should work.”

  “Everything all right?” Victoria asked, handing her valet ticket over for her car. “You seem a little rattled.”

  I nodded without speaking. I knew I was babbling like an idiot to this rich, sophisticated lady.

  “Mia, please relax. You are safe, and if you’re not happy at any moment, you’re free to go,” Victoria said, moving to stand face to face with me.

  “Thank you, Victoria,” I said. “I’ll settle in and give it a fair go, I’m sure. It’s just all so new and crazy right now.”

  “You were right,” Victoria said. “You won’t need anything, but most girls I know would still have arrived with three suitcases….minimum.”

  “Oh, yeah, I see now,” I said still twisting my hair. “My sister would have been one of those girls, but I’v never been very needy.”

  Okay, shut up, Mia, because you may have just insulted your future mother-in-law.

  I wasn’t sure why we were just standing on the sidewalk. It was freezing out here.

  Does she not realize I’m in shorts?

  “Are all these people always walking all over like this?” I asked, not really expecting an answer.

  My mouth watered from the smell of hotdogs sizzling on a grill that wafted past us. I turned to breathe it in deeper. I could almost taste the ketchup, mustard, and relish.

  I turned back to Victoria. “My laughing gear is practically watering.” I said

  “Mia, are you hungry? Perhaps you would like to try your first New York hotdog?” Victoria asked.

  “If you don’t mind, yes, I really would,” I said, a little surprised this well put-together woman would know or understand my need for a simple hotdog from a street vendor.

  “Can I get you one too?” I asked, but she had turned to speak to the valet.

  “You go ahead. The car isn’t here yet,” Victoria said. “I’ll have them load your stuff, and I’ll pick you up on the corner.”

  I wandered down the sidewalk like a fly to a picnic. I flittered from street vendor to street vendor inhaling the warm cinnamon churros, the salted pretzels and the freshly grilled hotdogs.

  I stopped at a crosswalk and watched a dark-haired girl cross while blowing an enormous bubble and earbuds on to close out the world. On the corner, a pregnant lady stood holding her back.

  I ordered two hotdogs and guessed on the ketchup and mustard for Victoria. While I stood on the corner waiting, a blonde stepped out of a hair salon in front of me.

  Nice hair. I should take a picture of that style and do it. Chloe is not here to stop me.

  I could see Victoria still standing on the sidewalk talking on her cellphone, so I decided to explore a little further. The Ultimate Delights bakery had a swinging sign that caught my attention, and people were sitting on benches along the sidewalk in front of it. It was a beautiful day even if it was cold. A heater would have been a perfect touch, but maybe I was the only one really, really freezing.

  Victoria pulled her car to a stop on the corner as promised. I jumped in holding tightly to the hotdogs. Then we quickly pulled away from the curb.

  Taxis blew their horns while their drivers yelled at people of every nationality as they pushed to cross traffic-packed streets. The shouts and whistles of vendors and workmen surrounded me. I could imagine all this wonderful madness would be annoying to some people, but I loved it. The mirrored glass on the skyscrapers reflecting golden amber and vibrant pinks from a setting sun was something I’d only seen in movies.

  I chuckled to myself as we passed row after row of apartment buildings lined with fire escape stairways. They brought so many movie scenes to mind. I wished we weren’t leaving.

  And well, then we weren’t.

  Forty minutes later, I gazed out the window, still creeping in bumper-to-bumper traffic. This was not a familiar occurrence for me, but somehow it was relaxing, and I needed this time to think and calm my nerves.

  “Mia?”

  At the sound of my name, I jumped then juggled the two now cold hotdogs I’d been holding, almost dropping them. Instead, my leg became the resting spot for the splatter of ketchup and mustard.

  Thank God it didn’t get on the fancy leather upholstery. You are a dill for not grabbing napkins. Now, how the hell are you going to clean this up? Oh my God, please tell me Victoria didn’t see this. Or did she? Just don’t look up. Get rid of the evidence.

  I didn’t have many other options, so I casually set the extra hotdog on the splatter, hoping it would soak into the bun.