Page 13 of Willowbrooke
“Leo, darling!” she cooed, leaving a bright red lipstick stain on his cheek before they embraced tightly.
“I thought you were staying at the chateau for another few weeks.” Leo stepped back, as if to take all of her in. Ihad never seen him more open and engaged. I wondered if this was what Leo had been like before his father had passed away…before he had taken the weight of the world, and of Willowbrooke, on his shoulders.
“The routine became tiresome, and I missed you, so I came back early,” she explained before looking around and remarking, “Dear nephew, what on earth have you done to my house?”
“It’s what Dad wanted,” Leo said quietly, his expression and body language making him look like a child seeking approval, rather than the strong but stoic man I had found him to be in our time together.
Margot sighed sympathetically. “Of course.” She patted his cheek gently, accepting his explanation. “Well, don’t be rude, introduce me to your guests.” Margot turned her sharp hazel eyes—the same as Leo’s—on Danny and me.
“Penny Abbot, my interior designer and project manager.” He motioned to me first.
“Margot Collins, a pleasure.” Margot stuck her hand out to shake mine in a soft exchange.
“Leo’s told me all about you.” I looked beyond Margot to meet Leo’s gaze. I might have imagined it, but I thought it appeared as though his cheeks flushed for a brief moment. “It’s nice to finally put a face to a name.”
Margot turned around to look at Leo. “Now what kind of stories have you been sharing?” she teased. “Only good things, I hope.”
Leo quirked a smile, but didn’t respond.
Margot shifted back to me. “I’m surprised you’ve gotten anything out of him.” She smiled mischievously through her eyelash extensions. “Leo’s never been exactly forthcoming about much.”
Leo sighed at the jab, which made Margot giggle.
“And who might this handsome young man be?” She sidestepped me to shake hands with Danny, who wasn’t at all fazed by her intended compliment, as he was easily in his sixties.
“Danny Bright—construction foreman.” He gave an uneasy smile and returned the handshake. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.” I was surprised Danny, who usually had oodles to say, was suddenly quiet. I resolved to ask him about it later. Perhaps he had met her before, since he was so well entrenched in the area.
“Now then, Leo. Can someone take my bags to the cottage?” Margot returned to Leo’s side. “I thought we’d catch up over a glass of wine, but we’ll have to pop the cork over at mine to stay out of this mess.” She waved her hand at Danny and I, standing in the deconstructed kitchen.
“I’ve got it,” Leo told Margot, simultaneously notifying Danny and me to stand down.
And without another word, the two were out the door.
“Cat got your tongue?” I gave Danny a playful shove.
“I find it best to stay quiet around people of a certain class,” he replied gruffly, which was uncharacteristic of him.I thought it odd that he didn’t seem to consider Leo of the same class as Margot; if anything, Leo’s inheritance would have made him much more well off than his aunt.
Not wanting to push him further, I let the subject drop. “So the fittings—do you think they’ll come in aged brass? That’s what Leo wanted for all the kitchen fixtures.”
“I know a guy,” Danny offered, a response that was so common, it could have been his catchphrase.
“I bet you do,” I laughed.
A few days later, Margot found me examining sheer curtain samples in the living room. I was excited to surprise Leo with the double curtains, so without sacrificing the light, he could keep the sheer curtains drawn, which seemed to be his preference, although he humored me by allowing them to stay open while I was at the house.
“I’m taking you to lunch, Miss Abbot,” she declared, wearing a conservative navy blue shift dress, and another pair of sky-high heels with a red sole that I merely recognized as expensive.
“Oh, I couldn’t—I’ve got to submit the drapery order today,” I tried. “But thank you so much for the offer.”
“Nonsense—I already told Leo—he doesn’t mind.” Margot’s red lips curled at her victory.
I paused for a moment, but realized I had been defeated. “Alright.” I gave a polite smile as I rose from my seat.
“Excellent!” She looped her arm through mine and led me out to her car, which was just as glossy and crimson as her nails.
Before I could even ask where we were off to, Margot began talking a mile a minute, asking all sorts of questions.
“Leo tells me your family is in architecture—why didn’t you follow in the trade?” She expertly handled a steep curve as she spoke.
