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Tilly, Dusty, and Lesley were in Mrs. Fletcher’s office, listening to Dusty’s recording of Sandra Bigelow and Todd Chester’s conversation in the bar. Lesley could not believe that everything that happened to her was because of Hardy. She wondered if that was also the reason Miss Anderson treated her badly.
Mrs. Fletcher's cheeks flushed with shame. She apologized to Lesley, promising to provide a more supportive workplace for her staff. She claimed she knew Lesley could never do what Sandra accused her of doing, but she had allowed Sandra to pressure her into firing her. Mrs. Fletcher offered Lesley her job back.
"Thank you, Mrs. Fletcher, but I believe it is time for me to move on with my life and find a better career. I have a daughter that I must support. I’ll look for a job that will provide me with stability and opportunities for internal advancement. Maybe I’ll go back to school and take some evening classes." Lesley took a moment to reflect. "I have been a faithful employee of yours, Mrs. Fletcher. You’ve never heard me complain, and I did all you asked of me. I never imagined you’d have any doubts about my sincerity, honesty, or loyalty."
"I’m sorry for what I’ve done to you, Lesley," Mrs. Fletcher apologized again. "You have to understand. Nobody had ever threatened me like that before, so I took the easy way out. I admit I made a mistake. I hope you’ll learn to forgive me, and if there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know."
"Mrs. Fletcher, it would be wonderful if you could approve my unemployment claim, which I will file shortly. I could use the money until I figure out what to do next," Lesley explained.
"You got it," Mrs. Fletcher remarked as she hugged her.
"Thank you, Tilly and Dusty, for clearing my name. I’ll never forget it. If you all excuse me, I have an appointment with the unemployment office," Lesley remarked as she walked away.
Mrs. Fletcher was crying. She didn’t want to lose Lesley, since she was her best employee, but she also wanted to see her thrive. She had to let her go.
Tilly followed Lesley down the hallway. She called out to her.
"Lesley, I reserved a room for you and your daughter here at the inn. After years of hard work, I want you to be pampered for a change. This is my treat. We’ll order room service, have a massage, and visit the spa today. Don’t worry about Haley. I hired a babysitter to watch her so you and I could go shopping."
"Tilly, you don’t have to do that. I’m OK," Lesley said.
"I will not accept no for an answer, and this is only the beginning. Wait till tomorrow for our big surprise."
"What’s the surprise?" Lesley asked. "Tilly, you don’t have to do any of this. My daughter and I will be OK. I’ve had some money saved up, and I’m sure I’ll find another job shortly."
"Please, Lesley, just enlighten me, okay?"
"OK, Tilly. You have the upper hand." Lesley chuckled.
They were on their way to the lobby to pick up the key to Lesley's room when they encountered Sandra Bigelow.
"What are you still doing here? I thought Mrs. Fletcher fired you."
"Yes, she did," Lesley said. "But I'm only here as a guest. I'm checking in."
"You can't be serious. I thought I'd gotten rid of you."
"And why is that? What do you have against Lesley?" Tilly inquired.
"And who are you?" Sandra Bigelow asked.
"I'm Lesley's friend."
Sandra disregarded Tilly and returned her attention to Lesley.
"Where is Hardy, Lesley? I've been looking for him since yesterday."
Lesley frowned. She focused her attention on Sandra.
"You didn't know? He left.”
"I don't believe you."
"I don't care what you think, Sandra. If you don't mind, I'm going to check out my room."
“Come back here. I'm not done yet."
"What's going on here?" Mrs. Fletcher asked. "The entire building could hear you."
"I'm glad you're here, Mrs. Fletcher. I decided to press charges against Lesley for injuring my dog."
"Oh, is that right? Are you still telling that ridiculous story?" Mrs. Fletcher stated. "Miss Bigelow, I want you, Mr. Chester, as well as your dog, to vacate our property immediately. If you don't, I'll bring charges against you."
“What?” Sandra Bigelow asked, enraged. "I'm going to have this place shut down."
"Do anything you want, but I guarantee you'll just disgrace yourself."
"What are you talking about?"
"We have proof that you, not Lesley, injured your dog." Mrs. Fletcher brandished an audio tape Dusty had given her.
"What exactly is that?"
"Let's just say this is a taped conversation between you and Mr. Chester. It's about your dog inadvertently injuring himself when you closed the bathroom door. We have a record from the veterinarian where you took the dog, as well as a statement about how she was injured. Should I go on?"
"No, you don't have to," Sandra responded. "Come on, Todd. Hardy is not worth it. Let's pack our things and leave this stinking place."
The friends walked away without looking back.
“Good work, Bea. I’m proud of you,” Tilly told her friend as they high-five each other.
***
LESLEY AWOKE TO THE warmth of a soft blanket. She now experienced what it was like to sleep in a bed she made every day. She frowned when she noticed balloons everywhere in the room, each with a note attached instructing her to head to the grand ballroom at 9 in the morning. Oh, Tilly, she thought to herself, smiling. Is this the surprise you were talking about?
Lesley sprang up and checked on Haley in her bed, but she was gone. There was a letter stating the nanny had taken her for a stroll. She glanced at the time on the wall. It was 8:30 a.m. Lesley showered and dressed. She went downstairs, and the lobby was deserted. She shook her head. Lesley suspected they were hiding to surprise her.
Okay, fine. I’ll play along, she giggled.
She walked into the main hall and looked around. It was dark. Moments later, the lights turned on, as she had predicted. She giggled again, covering her mouth. Then she saw a banner that read, "Bon voyage!"
"Bon voyage?" Now, she was surprised. "Where am I going?"
Tilly and Dusty appeared in front of her, both smiling. They were the only ones in the room.
"Tilly, what’s going on?"
"Lesley, you mentioned to me that if you could have one wish, it would be to go to culinary school in Paris. So, here is your chance. Dusty and I are sending you to Paris to make your dream come true."
"Paris? Are you kidding me?"
"It’s not a joke, Lesley. We have chosen you as the newest recipient of our foundation. You deserve it."
"Foundation? I’m confused."
"We have a private foundation geared towards assisting worthy individuals like you," Tilly said as she gave Lesley a white envelope, which she opened.
"A million dollars?" she said. "Are you serious? Are you kidding me right now? I don’t know what to say." Lesley broke down in tears.
"After everything you’ve been through, you deserve a good life,” Tilly said. “We want you to provide for Haley. She deserves a happy life. She'll fly with you and Michelle. We were going to hire a babysitter to watch Haley while you're at school, but Michelle volunteered. You will stay in our Paris apartment, right next to the cooking school."
"Tilly, I don’t know what to say," Lesley sobbed again.
"You don’t have to say anything; just start packing." Tilly grinned.
"Thank you so much, Tilly and Dusty," was all Lesley could say.
***
LESLEY ATTENDED MLM Institut, the leading culinary school in Paris. One day, as she entered the school building, she noticed a man conversing with her culinary instructor. Her heart raced. Even with his back turned, she recognized his tall, solid, well-formed frame.
"Hardy!" she called out to him.
Hardy turned around, and as soon as he saw her, a picture of beauty, he paused, taken aback by her presence. Then he approached her and placed his arms around her. He brought her face up to meet his, and they kissed as if there was no tomorrow. Hardy declared his love for her.
It was then revealed that Hardy returned to Mrs. Fletcher’s B&B to see Lesley, only to be told she no longer worked there. Mrs. Fletcher was aware of their romance and had given him Lesley’s address and the school she attended in Paris. Hardy took the next flight to join Lesley. He missed her so much.
After a brief engagement, Lesley and Hardy got married. At their wedding, Hardy vowed to spoil and take care of Lesley and Haley for the rest of his life. Hardy’s father, Tom, had recovered from his heart attack and was already indulging Haley, his first granddaughter. Haley was happy to have a grandfather in her life. They also spotted Tom getting cozy with Michelle during the reception, and they even danced the night away.
Hardy returned the money Tilly gave Lesley, and even donated two million dollars to Tilly’s cause. He believed Tilly was doing a good thing and wanted to be part of it.
To everyone’s amazement, the music came to a halt as Dusty ascended the stage, snatched the microphone from the DJ’s grip, and serenaded Tilly with Italian love songs. When Tilly and Dusty kissed in front of them, everyone applauded and shouted.
It was a magnificent night, not only for the newlyweds, but also for everyone who was falling in love all over again.
***
