Two days later, on a hot Tuesday afternoon, Iris and her daughter Ava waltzed along Fifth Avenue on their way to Saks. Ava busied herself grumbling about the heat and gazing into store windows while Iris wore a scowl on her pinched, pale face as the workings of her mind got her all riled up. That damnable hazel eyed brat! Oh, how Iris detested her. That the child should be more beautiful than a Hawaiian sunset only added to Iris’ ire. Such a waste! Those goddess-like looks to be given to that wretched girl while her own child was merely average looking at best.

     At age 26 Ava was unwed with not even so much as a significant male acquaintance much less a boyfriend, while Brenda, if Iris would have allowed it, would have had to fight off the male contingent with body armor. It was intolerable to Iris that the rotten girl should have such stunning looks and men clamoring for her while her own Ava looked quite ordinary and had to work very hard to gain the attentions of men. Why couldn’t Ava have truly been Harlan Barrett’s child? Why couldn’t she have inherited his fire, his playfulness, his zest for life and love. Why couldn’t she have had similar looks and personality as the vile raven-haired child he had truly sired?

     With an angry sigh Iris forced herself to dismiss grating thoughts of Brenda from her mind. It was too wasteful to spare any thoughts on that cheeky, defiant wastrel. What Iris had to concentrate on was planning a way to get Ava married. For this summer, Iris was determined to attach her daughter to a man of dashing looks, perfect physique, charm wit and great wealth. Perusing the society pages over the last few months had given her the man she sought: Jasper Jacks. To say he was extraordinarily handsome was an understatement. He also had the other qualifications she required of her prospective son-in-law including the immense wealth, a well respected family and a high social ranking. Added plusses were his young age and his family name, Jacks. World renowned for their massive family fortune, business prowess, generosity and unconventionality, the Jackses were a family any woman would sell her soul to marry into.

     Yes, Iris thought with a smile. Japser Jacks was the perfect catch and the plans were already in motion to allow him and Ava to cross paths very soon.

     Iris noticed that Avaline was no longer beside her but dawdling behind gazing at the fashionable clothing in the expensive boutique windows. They could not afford to shop there yet. Her blasted ex-husband was disowned from his wealthy family, her blasted dead husband had not left them much money. Just the house and some money put aside for Brenda which she would receive in six years time on her 25th birthday. Thomas Barrett had been a Wall Street executive who made a very nice salary that afforded him the nice three bedroom home in Long Beach, Long Island, but his secret lust for gambling had dwindled down his savings considerably, even eating into his insurance money which he continually borrowed against. So when he died suddenly of a heart attack last year, his death did not make anyone rich. Certainly not his wife. Even Brenda’s money was hardly a fortune. It was a little over $200,000 dollars.

     "Avaline, don’t drag behind. We have to hurry. You know how the vultures come out when there’s a sale at Saks," Iris chastised her.

     Avaline hurried to catch up to her mother. "I hate New York," Avaline complained. "Why did you make me quit my job and drag me up here? Summers in New York are the absolute worst!"

     "Oh hush! You’ll never meet any decent men in Key West. And what man in his right mind is going to be attracted to a woman who cleans people’s teeth for a living? You’ll need to be something far more exciting than a dental assistant to get the kind of man we’re seeking!" her mother snapped. "Twenty-five and not one male prospect in sight. It’s shameful Avaline! Meanwhile Brenda could get any man she wants at the snap of her cursed fingers!"

     "Who cares about Brenda?" Avaline snapped jealously. "I’m sick of you comparing me to her. I don’t even know the teenaged twit!"

     "Well that twit is going to beat you to the alter if you don’t get your rear in gear," her mother warned. "And I will not have that, do you understand? How embarrassing to me that will be to have your nineteen year old step-sister married off before you. Everyone will talk! Now come along."

     As they scurried into Saks, they bumped into two men coming out. The normal murmurings of apologies were made and then there was a gasp. The gasp came from Avaline who had just gotten a good look at one of the men they had collided with. To say he was extraordinarily handsome was an understatement. She could not stop staring at him.

     Her mother was getting an eyeful of him too and suddenly she grabbed Avaline, fussing over her as if she were hurt.

     "Oh, Avaline is that a bruise I see on your arm? Oh dear," Iris said dramatically.

     "Where Mom?" Avaline said inspecting her arm densely. Her mother simply gave her a look that told her she had best play along.

     The two men looked at each other and then at the women.

     "We’re terribly sorry. Are you hurt?" the one with the light blonde hair asked, addressing Avaline.

     His accent was Australian, very nice.

     She had to remove her mesmerized gaze from the one with the spun gold hair so that she could answer the one with the moonlight blonde hair.

     "My arm does hurt a bit," she said, wincing for effect.

     "I’m so sorry about that," moonlight blonde apologized.

     "Well perhaps you can make amends by inviting us to lunch with you on this lovely afternoon?" Iris boldly suggested.

     The two men exchanged glances and then moonlight blonde shrugged and said "Sure. We were just headed over to the rainbow room as a mater of fact. Would you and your daughter care to join us?"

     "Well that would be ever so lovely," Iris beamed. "I’m Iris Barrett by the way and this lovely young lady is my daughter, Avaline. And who might you two fine gentlemen be?"

     "I’m Jerry," the moonlight blonde introduced himself. "And this is my brother, Jax."

     Jax nodded at them and gave a little smile that jolted both women. Avaline was back to staring at him as if hypnotized. Her mother had to bump her leg to snap her out of it.

     "Is that an Australian accent I detect?" Iris asked as Jerry led them to a waiting limousine.

     "Yes it is," Jerry verified.

     "Is that where you’re from then? Are you on vacation?" Iris asked next, on a fishing expedition.

     "Well we were born and raised there but we live in New Orleans, actually. We’re only here in New York for the day on business." Jerry explained as he opened the car door for them to get inside.

     Avaline was wishing that Jax would say something. But Jerry was the only one who seemed interested in carrying on a conversation at this point. And Jerry was the one who sat next to her in the car. Jax looked a little bored, actually, although no one looking so bored ever looked so good doing it!

     Iris was sizing up the two men. She took in their expensive clothes, their fancy watches, their impeccable mannerisms, their limousine and the fact that they were taking them to the most expensive restaurant in the city. Obviously they were rolling in money. The moonlight blonde one, Jerry, appeared to be more the outgoing one as he was doing all the talking. But then again, he also was obviously the older one, Iris would guess him to be in his late 20’s, early 30’s. He was very nice looking, but the gleaming wedding band on his finger ruled him out as husband material for Avaline.

     The golden blonde one with the blue eyes the color of the ever-changing ocean, seemed somewhat preoccupied although he was far from rude. And he certainly was the finest looking male specimen that Iris had ever laid eyes on in all of her 50 years. Good looking was a weak description for such a face as his. He exuded charm and charisma and a phenomenal sexiness, even through his silence. It was no wonder that poor Avaline could not stop staring at him as if he were a bowl of chocolate ice cream that she wished to devour. At last, some signs of aggression in her daughter. Good, good. Very good!

     Yes, Iris thought with a smile. This Jax would do so very nicely. In fact he was far more than she had ever hoped or dreamed of for Avaline. With a man like that on her arm Avaline would be the envy of every woman on the East Coast, Brenda included, and Iris would once again be on top of the world living a life of luxury and status. Ah yes, they had hit the jackpot!