Truly Yours Contemporary Collection December 2014 Read online

  “You can’t ride people like you do without some adverse reactions. I’ve heard rumblings that several of your key salespeople are already thinking about leaving. They feel your expectations are way too high for a community this size. Some have even talked about leaving Newport. They say there are plenty of other high-end department stores in this part of the country that would love to hire people with their experience.”

  Eleanor huffed. “Only because they’ve worked for me! I have a highly respected reputation in the fashion business, Bob, and I intend to keep it. If people can’t produce, I don’t need them. One can’t stand still and succeed. A successful business has to keep growing, expanding, and trying new things. Scrooge’s is known for its innovative way of operating.”

  “And for its pressure on its department heads and sales-people.” He leaned back in the chair and frowned at her over steepled fingers. “Mark my words, El, you’re going to lose some great people if you don’t cut them a little slack.”

  Giving him a coy smile, she thumped her pencil on her desk. “If I didn’t owe you, Bobby Rachette, I’d fire you for insubordination.”

  “You don’t owe me, El.” A shy grin played at his lips. “How many times do I have to tell you? I only did what any kid would have done when his best friend was in trouble.”

  Eleanor leaned her head against the tall back of her chair and, rotating her fingers against her temples, closed her eyes. “I’ll never be able to repay you, Bob. Even after all those things I said about you being a scaredy-cat, you still came after me. You put your own life on the line for me that day at the pond. I could have died if you hadn’t come after me. We both could have died.”

  “But we didn’t, El. God protected us. He’s the One who showed me that old board someone left on the beach. I’m just thankful the ice didn’t break when I reached it to you.”

  “Don’t give God all the credit. You were the one who was smart enough to lie on your stomach to distribute your weight as you pushed it out toward me. That was a stroke of genius for an eight-year-old.”

  “Nothing genius about it. God gave me the idea, and He kept the ice from cracking any more until I could get out to where you were.”

  “I was so afraid. Just thinking about it, even now, makes me tremble. It seemed with each breath I took I could hear it cracking a little more.” Blinking hard, she lowered her hands and stared at him. “I still have nightmares about that day.”

  “You were my friend.”

  “And you were mine. The best friend I’ve ever had. You still are.” She gestured toward the paper on her desk, the one he’d given her. “You’re the only one I can trust.”

  He harrumphed. “Because I’m the only one who truly knows the real you—the scared little girl who, from the absolute bottom of the barrel with sheer desire and determination, made it to the top.”

  She released a heavy sigh. “Thanks to Everett Scrooge. You and I both know if he hadn’t taken me under his wing after you got me that job in the shipping room, I would never have had the opportunities I’ve had.”

  “You made your own opportunities, El. I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as you have. That’s what caught Everett Scrooge’s attention. He took one look at your beautiful face and knew you belonged in the cosmetic department instead of the shipping room.”

  “Still, if it hadn’t been for Everett—”

  He nodded. “Granted, the old man helped you, but you’ve always had more drive and stamina than most folks, El. People like you make it, in spite of the odds. Even if you hadn’t won that old man’s love and he hadn’t asked you to marry him, you would have still made it to the top. I’m sure of it.”

  She fingered the four-carat diamond ring on her left hand. “I did love that old man, Bob. Most people think I married him for his money so I’d inherit everything. While I admit most of that is true, I married him because I respected him and enjoyed being with him. He had a marvelous mind and an unrivaled business savvy. He ran Scrooge’s like a well-oiled machine. I was fortunate he took a liking to me. Working side by side with him every day was much better than the college education I couldn’t have afforded.”

  Bob leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees, a slight smile curling up the corners of his mouth. “A liking? That’s an understatement. That old man was crazy about you. Everyone knew it. And, yes, not only his three nephews resented his fascination with you, but many of the employees resented you, too. It still troubles me that some believed you had a part in his death by not making him take the treatments the doctors had told him were necessary if he wanted to live.”

  The reminder rankled her. “Everett Scrooge was a strong-willed man. Everyone knew that. The decision to do without the chemotherapy and radiation was his and his alone. I only went along with it because he wanted me to. If those nephews of his had loved their uncle and had come around more when he was sick instead of waiting until he was on his deathbed like a bunch of greedy vultures, they may have gotten some of his money. But they didn’t. I was the one who was there for him. None of them were available when he needed them. They didn’t deserve one penny. The idea that they thought I should go against their uncle’s wishes and give them a portion of Everett’s holdings infuriated me!”

  Bob seemed to consider her words carefully. “I’m sure, in their hearts, they knew they didn’t do right by their uncle. They might not have understood why he left the bulk of his estate to you when the two of you had been married such a short time, but they had to respect your drive, ambition, and desire to make Scrooge’s a continued success. With all the money their uncle left you, you could have sold the store and turned into a social butterfly, spending your days playing tennis and planning charity benefits, but you didn’t. Instead, you’ve expanded Scrooge’s business and put it on the World Wide Web.”

  Eleanor harrumphed. “Playing tennis? What a boring way to spend one’s life, and you know how I feel about charity of any kind.”

  “Yeah, I know. You’ve told me often enough.”

  She lifted her chin high. “There are plenty of jobs in this country for people who are willing to work. But work is the operative word here. If people aren’t willing to work for their bread and butter, the rest of us shouldn’t have to pay for their laziness. As far as I’m concerned, they can shut down all the do-gooder charity organizations.”

  “By the way, since we’re talking about money and those who are willing to work, I was hoping you’d see fit to give me a raise. It’s been two years since—”

  She frowned, her palms flattening on the highly polished desktop. “A raise? I can’t do that, Bob. If I gave you a raise, I’d have to give one to everyone. You’re my accountant. Can you imagine what that would do to the bottom line?”

  “But, El, I have expenses that—”

  “You’re just going to have to live within your means! If you hadn’t had so many children—”

  He stood, anger blanketing his face. “Those children are a gift from God. I wouldn’t take—”

  “A gift from God?” She let out a raucous laugh. “Then let God take care of them. If He gave them to you, it’s His responsibility to help you provide for them. Not me!”

  Disappointment showed on his face. “Come on, El, don’t talk that way. You know how important God is in my life. You need to—”

  Ruthie pushed open the door, interrupting their conversation. “Mr. Kendall—that man from Imaginative Promotion—is here. You want me to show him in?”

  Eleanor shot a quick glance Bob’s way then answered. “Yes, give us sixty seconds then send him in.”

  Bob started for the door. “I thought I’d take off a bit early this afternoon. I was finally able to set up an appointment with Dr. Schopf. We’re hopeful he’ll be able to guide us to someone who can remove my daughter’s port-wine stain birthmark.”

  “You can’t leave early. I want you to work this evening. I need you to go over some projections with me, and tonight’s the only time I can work them in. Y
ou’ll have to do it another time.” Eleanor began perusing the papers Ruthie had placed in the in-box on her desk. “I’m sorry, but business has to come first, Bob.”

  He headed for the door, muttering beneath his breath.

  “Wait. Don’t leave. I want you to sit in on this meeting with Mr. Kendall. I need your computer expertise.”

  He released a sigh of frustration then settled down in a nearby chair. “Guess I have no choice. You’re the boss.”

  “Mrs. Scrooge. How nice to see you again.” Mr. Kendall hurried into her office, briefcase in hand. “I think you’re going to like our proposal for renovating your Web site. I can hardly wait to show it to you.”

  She gestured toward Bob. “You’ve met Robert Rachette, my chief accountant. He’ll be sitting in on our discussion.”

  “Nice to see you again, Mr. Rachette.” The man opened his briefcase, pulled out his laptop computer, and placed it on her desk. Lifting the lid, he pressed a button and the machine began to hum as it started up.

  “You are going to be able to get our newly designed Web site up and running by October 1, aren’t you?” Eleanor circled her desk and stood staring at the screen. “I’ve already purchased a heavy three-month advertising campaign to announce it, with full-page ads in the Sunday papers and daily ads on regional radio and television stations. I’ve done the surveys. I know what a good, easily navigated Web site can do for an already established business, and I want Scrooge’s to ride that wave of success.”

  The man nodded and smiled confidently. “I’ve had my creative staff working on this for weeks. All we need is your approval to get started.”

  Ever the gentleman, Robert stood and pulled a chair up in front of the desk and gestured toward it. Eleanor gave him a nod then seated herself, crossing her ankles and folding her hands in her lap, her eyes focused on the computer screen. “So far, we’ve had some fairly good success selling our products on the Internet, but it’s been a haphazard attempt with no real planning. I know by offering our fine-quality merchandise on the Internet in a tasteful, elegant, and easily maneuverable way, I can double our business the first year.”

  Mr. Kendall leaned forward and tapped the touchpad. Instantly the screen filled with color and a slide show began. “Watch this. We’ve tried to give your Web site a youthful, today appearance.”

  Eleanor let out a gasp. Rising quickly to her feet as several models on the screen danced their way down a runway with spotlights flashing in every direction and loud music as their background, she pointed at the monitor. “This is what you’ve done for me? I said I wanted elegance and class.”

  “This is the latest trend in Web sites. Most of—”

  Furious, she turned away, her temper rising and spilling over. “I don’t care what other Web sites are doing, Mr. Kendall. Scrooge’s Department Store is not a follower. We’re the leader. We set the trends. We don’t listen to the dictates of others. Our new Web site needs to reflect us and what we have to offer to our clients. If they choose to do so, they can watch music videos on TV, not on our Web site. Turn that thing off. I refuse to spend my time watching—”

  The man’s face reddened. “You’ve only seen the flash introduction! You can’t judge the entire Web site by seeing only the intro! At least you can take at look at the first page.” He punched a key, and the first page appeared.

  “That page is supposed to be better? I certainly don’t like it. It does nothing for me. Nothing!” Willing herself to calm down, Eleanor took a deep breath and responded in a low, even voice, “Mr. Kendall, I would think that you, as the president of your company, would study the statistics. Don’t you realize if you haven’t captured a Web surfer with either your intro or your opening page, they won’t bother to take a look at the rest of the Web site?” She gestured toward the screen. “In addition to its other flaws, not only is your presentation shoddy and cheap, the navigation is all wrong.”

  Mr. Kendall stared at her for a moment, as if trying to collect his thoughts. “I’m not sure you understand our purpose for doing it this way, Mrs. Scrooge.” He motioned toward the tabs along the bottom of the screen. “Rather than use a navigation bar along the side or the top, we placed it at the bottom where there is room to display more selections. Your customers can always use the search feature to locate specific items. I think you’ll find—”

  “No! This is not acceptable. It’s not at all what I want for Scrooge’s!”

  “Our other clients,” the man said defensively, “have—”

  “Don’t tell me about your other clients! What they do is of no interest to me.” Stepping back and crossing her arms, Eleanor frowned. “Do you think Scrooge’s wants to be a carbon copy of your other clients? We are a unique business, Mr. Kendall. We cater to people who expect only the finest from us. I do not call what you are showing me fine! If this is the best you can come up with, then I’m afraid you’re wasting both my time and yours.”

  Ignoring her comment, he tapped the computer’s touchpad once again, and an entirely new screen came up. “Please, Mrs. Scrooge, take a look at this. Perhaps it’s more to your liking. As you’ll note, we’ve tried to keep the continuity of the entire Web site by using the same header but with a slightly different background color. The pricing—”

  She rolled her eyes. Did the man not understand English? “Mr. Kendall, in the first place, I don’t like your header. It does nothing to promote our image and our dedication to service. Those headers are cluttered. They spell cheap, and there’s too much verbiage. Who is going to take time to read all of that garbage? Scrooge’s isn’t a discount house.”

  “I’m aware of that but—”

  “We are a high-class operation, Mr. Kendall. That type of advertising would offend our customers. We have an excellent reputation in the upscale marketplace. One I’m proud of and have worked years to attain. I won’t have it all thrown away by an inferior Web site.”

  With a look of frustration, Mr. Kendall turned to Robert. “It seems Mrs. Scrooge values your opinion, Mr. Rachette. What do you think?”

  Just as she was sure he would, Robert lifted his hands with a slight grin and a shrug then nodded toward her. “She’s the boss. You’ll have to talk to her.”

  Eleanor couldn’t resist a smile. Sweet, dependable, loyal Robert. He rarely disagreed with her. At least, Mr. Kendall was right about one thing. She did value Robert’s opinion, though she seldom asked for it. “I’m sorry, Mr. Kendall, apparently your agency isn’t qualified to do the kind of Web site we need for Scrooge’s.” She motioned toward the door. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”

  The man narrowed his eyes, his face reddening even more. “My agency has put a lot of work into this project, Mrs. Scrooge. We had hoped to—”

  “I had only asked you to prepare a proposal, which was nothing more than giving you a chance to show me, without any obligation on my part, what your company could do for us. To be quite honest, Mr. Kendall, I expected better from you. I can see now I was wrong.”

  “Maybe we can rework it some. Tweak it up a bit here and there. Eliminate some of the clutter, as you call it. Perhaps a more—”

  Enough was enough. “Mr. Kendall, that Web site needs more than a rework and a tweaking. You’d be much better off hitting the delete button and ridding yourself of the whole thing. That is, unless you can find a discount chain somewhere that might be interested. As Robert and my other employees can attest, I’m not well-known for giving second chances. I do the best I can, and I expect my employees and associates to do the same thing.” She gestured toward his open laptop. “I suggest you take your computer and go. My mind is made up. Scrooge’s won’t be utilizing your company’s services.”

  He glared at her with disgust as he slammed the laptop shut.

  Eleanor moved around the desk and seated herself in the elegantly upholstered chair, folding her hands in her lap. “Robert, would you please show Mr. Kendall to the door?” She gave her head a slight shake as she watched the tw
o men walk across the thick green carpet. She’d been so sure she’d chosen the right company to design the new Web site, but what Mr. Kendall had shown her was ridiculous, and nothing at all like what she’d explained she’d wanted. It was obvious they’d ignored her specifications.

  “You did agree with me, didn’t you?” she asked as Robert walked back across the room to retrieve the papers he’d brought in earlier.

  He nodded. “One hundred percent.”

  Eleanor stood and began pacing about the room. “I wanted something simple, but elegant. Colorful, yet tasteful. I even did a few sketches to show them what I had in mind.”

  “I thought your sketches were quite clear.”

  She stopped pacing and stood staring out the window. “I promised Everett on his deathbed that I would take Scrooge’s to new heights. Haven’t I done that?”

  Robert nodded. “I would say so. You’ve done wonders for this business. Everett would be proud of you.”

  She turned, and for a brief moment, felt like that same little girl who always needed her best friend’s approval for her sometimes unorthodox behavior. “It hasn’t always been easy.”

  “I know, but you’ve weathered every storm quite capably.”

  “I do my best.”

  The corners of his mouth turned up slightly. “You always have.”

  “Do you think I’m too demanding? That I’m being unreasonable when I force my high standards on others?”

  His slight grin broadened. “At times.”

  She digested his words carefully. “I have to be tough, Bobby.” She paused, surprised she had called him by that childhood name. “I have a lot of responsibility riding on my shoulders. Think how many employees depend on Scrooge’s for their livelihood. Being the owner and CEO of this corporation is an awesome responsibility. Competition is fierce. We have to be constantly moving forward, or we won’t make it. The retail business is nothing like it was when Everett was running things.”

  “Scrooge’s is in good hands. You’re one of the most intelligent, capable women in this industry.”