"Tallulah! Less dreaming, more working!" my beloved Grammie Marigold cries out from the kitchen.
It was time to help with lunch.
"Coming Grammie!" I call back, reluctantly closing my Vogue magazine.
"There you are child, bless your heart you look a sort" Grammie chuckles, looking me up and down.
Ok so I look a little messy right now. Faded old skinny jeans, tank top and my hair up in a messy bun. No make up. Grammie likes to think a Southern Lady should always be well turned out.
I grin at Grammie, "Oh Grammie, I am just at home! It is only the two of us here. Why would I need to dress up?"
Grammie frowns at me, "Child, you should always look your best, you never know when someone special might pop by. And a lady is always well groomed."
I groan with faux desperation, "Grammie no one ever comes to visit us. We haven't had a visitor since I left college to care for you. Unless you count the nurse and the one time Doctor Peters came by. And Doctor Peters is about forty years too old to be a potential beau."
Grammie smiles at me sadly and draws me in for a hug, depositing a special Grammie kiss on my forehead,
"Tallulah I know it has been hard for you, I feel a heart load of guilt over you having to put your dreams aside to care for me. I don't want to see you let go of yourself or your dreams, things are just on hold, not over. Taking care of your outside shows you haven't given up on the inside," Grammie says sadly.
I lean into the hug, enjoying that special Grammie scent that reminds me of knitting and cookies.
"Thank you Grammie. I haven't given up. I still have my dreams and I know I will return to college. One day I will run my own non-profit and save the world," I smile to show I understand this career goal is a little naïve…although secretly I do believe I can make a difference, some day some how.
Grammie grabs me by the shoulders and looks at my firmly, "Now young lady, believe in yourself. I KNOW you will make a difference. Your Daddy felt the same way, he would be so proud of you."
I fall silent at the mention of Daddy. My father died when I was eight. He was a Delta Force soldier killed in action. The military had been his way of making a difference. With my mom passing away from an illness not long after I was born it had just been Grammie Marigold and me for a long time.
I shake my head to clear old thoughts of Daddy.
"Grammie, one day I will change the world and I will make Hunter, South Carolina famous for having produced me!" I laugh and give Grammie a little twirl around the kitchen.
"I don't doubt it," I think I hear Grammie murmur as I set out making our soup and sandwiches.
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"And then your Grandfather said, 'Marigold, I need a wife and you'll do!'" Grammie chuckles, as we eat our lunch.
I laugh in return. I love hearing stories of my grandparents romance. I pretend to be fine waiting for the right man, but secretly I long to meet the man of my dreams.
At my age Grammie was married with two babies. Many of my friends from high school are married, and those who are not are at college.
The doorbell interrupts these depressing thoughts.
"Now there you go Tully," exclaims Grammie, "visitors!"
I get up from my chair and head to the front door, "probably just Mormon's Grammie, they are very dedicated and just won't give up on this die hard Baptist neighborhood!"
Yanking open the door with a distinct lack of grace I discover two men standing on the doorstep in suits. One youngish, maybe thirty, and an older man in his fifties.
Sigh. Mormons. Well I am a good Southern Lady and even though I am Southern Christian to the core I am polite.
"Hello, thank you for visiting, however, we are happy in our religion and not looking to convert," I politely state with a firm 'thank-you-but-go-away' smile.
The two men look at each other puzzled. The younger one grins at me. I notice he has adorable ears that stick out. He also looks vaguely familiar.
"Ah well Miss Tallulah, I too am a God fearing man, or try to be, however, my business here today is not conversion," the young man looks at me amused.
I feel rather foolish. Who else wears a suit in Hunter? Even the Mayor wears tan slacks, not a suit.
"Well then Gentlemen, what can I do for you today?" I say, recovering my poise slightly.
I suddenly wish I had followed Grammie's advice and dressed properly. She is always right!
"I'm here on some rather delicate business. We have mutual friends, through your father's military service. I too was in the army. A friend quietly mentioned you might be in need of some income. I have a business proposal for you," the young man watches closely for my reaction.
Income…? How did this man know our business? Grammie's illness has drained our resources, and our insurance has rejected our claim. Things have been a little difficult. If this man knew of my father though, perhaps this was legitimate?
"Well…perhaps, Gentleman you would like to formally introduce yourself and come in for some tea," I respond, realizing I didn't even know their names.
The young man smiles broadly. "My apologies Miss Tallulah, where are my manners, please do forgive me. This is my colleague, attorney Thompson Thompson. My name is Alexander Carlyle, a pleasure to meet you."
I stare back at him. Alexander Carlyle? Suddenly the vague familiarity becomes very clear. The Alexander Carlyle. He is the reluctant heir to America's first family, the dynastic Carlyle's. The 'family behind the families'. Tabloid heartthrob.
Alexander is the grandson of Alexander Senior, legendary businessman. Alexander's father was the heir apparent in the family but was sadly killed in a tragic Embassy bombing when working in the Middle East. It is well known no one else in the family but Alexander the younger is up to the task of succeeding Alexander Senior.
Which leaves America's future most powerful man standing on my doorstep.
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Gathered around the dining table in the 'formal' room, Grammie, Alexander, Thompson and I sit in awkward silence as Thompson ever so slowly unpacks documents from his briefcase.
"Now then," announces Thompson, "I represent Mr. Carlyle and his business proposition for you."
I tilted my head to the side anxiously. Grammie folds and refolds her hands in her lap.
"Now then…" Thompson starts again.
Alexander interrupts, "I should handle this Thompson, thank you," he states firmly.
I see the steely glint in his eye that hints at why he is the new heir apparent to the mantle of head of the Carlyle family.
"Tallulah, may I call you that?" Alexander asks me, looking directly into my eyes. His eyes are slate blue and highly intelligent.
I manage to gasp out a response, "my friends call me Tully."
Alexander smiles with the charm that reputedly draws supermodels. "Tully. Lovely. Tully I have a unique proposal for you. I hope it doesn't offend you, or your Grandmother. I think it could be a good solution for both of us. Your problem is financing your Grandmother's treatment. My problem is, well…" Alexander looks embarrassed and not in control for the first time since we met. "Well I need a fiancé," he finally finishes.
A pause. Grammie Marigold speaks first, "a fiancé! Explain yourself young man."
Alexander shifts his attention to Grammie. "Well Mrs. Marigold, you see I am the heir to running our family business. My Grandfather is eighty soon and as he gets on in his life he would like to be assured the family line is secured. He has set a deadline for me to produce a fiancé by his eightieth birthday, in three month's time. If I don't there will be consequences for me. My plan is to buy myself some time with a stand in fiancé while I work on an alternative plan."
My jaw drops. This is crazy! And not exactly the romantic moment I had in mind when I imagined meeting my first beau.
I am about to speak and ask the two gentlemen to leave when Grammie beats me to it.
"Well now that is indeed an interesting proposal. Tully you should accept," Grammie orders.
Furious, I turn to Grammie, "Grammie! This is a crazy idea! I am not going to go off with some man I don't know, even if he is famous and rich. We are not that hard up."
Grammie looked at me sagely. "Sweetheart, back in my day men and women courted a little differently to today. In times of war and hardship marriages were often practical decisions. Like Grandfather and I. And look how that turned out, a great love affair."
"We are not courting, it's business" Alexander and I announce at the same time. I looked at Alex witheringly as he attempts a conspiratorial smile at me.
Grammie smiles innocently. "Of course. Forgive an old lady, I get confused as to what is going on."
Grammie appears lost in thought then speaks firmly, "Tully I want you do to this. If not for my health then for yourself, you can top up your college fund."
"But who will look after you!" I cry out.
"Grammie will be taken care of during the engagement by the best nurses and doctors," adds in Thompson.
What could I say to that? And indeed Alexander and Thompson did have it all worked out.
In what seemed liked no time at all I found myself boarding a private jet for New York. I had barely even flown before.
I look over my seat on the jet to where Alexander and Thompson appear to be going over some very serious and heavy work. I debate whether to say something. Alexander and I have barely spoken since we left my house for the private airstrip. I feel awkward surrounded by such luxury on the jet.
I take a deep breath. Grammie would want me to be polite. "Alexander?" I say tentatively.
Alexander looks up, "Please, call me Alex. Alexander is my Grandfather"
I find my voice again, "I just wanted to thank you for this opportunity, and it is very kind."
Alexander, Alex, looks at me emotionless. "This is not kindness Tallulah. It is a business deal. I don't consider kindness when I am doing business. But you are welcome."
We continue the rest of the flight in silence.