Adrian froze.
"What?"
"Twenty-five years ago, Margaret taught me everything I know about leather."
Adrian stared at the phone.
"She was my mentor."
"She taught me how to recognize quality."
"She taught me how to build this business."
"And she owns forty percent of the company."
Adrian's face went pale.
"Forty percent?"
"Yes."
Adrian looked toward the door.
She was gone.
"Why didn't you tell me she was coming?"
"Because she didn't want anyone to know."
"Why?"
Daniel sighed.
"Because she wants to see what we've become."
Adrian swallowed.
"What do you mean?"
"She hasn't visited the store in years."
"She said she wanted to see whether we still cared about craftsmanship."
Adrian looked at the boots.
Then at the door.
His stomach tightened.
"Mr. Hart..."
"Yes?"
"I think I made a mistake."
"You did."
"What should I do?"
"Find her."
The call ended.
Adrian stood motionless.
He replayed every word.
Don't touch the merchandise.
Do you have a budget?
Perhaps I can show you something less expensive.
He suddenly realized how ridiculous he had sounded.
Margaret hadn't come into the store to buy something.
She had come to inspect it.
And he had failed the inspection before he even knew there was one.
But Margaret wasn't gone.
She had only walked across the street.
She entered a small coffee shop.
She sat by the window.
She ordered tea.
Ten minutes later, Adrian entered.
He looked nervous.
Margaret looked up.
"You found me."
"Yes."
"How?"
"You weren't difficult to find."
She smiled.
"That's good."
Adrian sat across from her.
"Mrs. Collins..."
"Margaret is fine."
"I owe you an apology."
"For what?"
"For the way I treated you."
She stirred her tea.
"What did you do wrong?"
Adrian hesitated.
"I judged you."
"Based on?"
"My first impression."
"And what was your first impression?"
He looked embarrassed.
"That you couldn't afford anything in the store."
Margaret nodded.
"At least you're honest."
"I'm sorry."
She looked at him.
"Do you know what the problem is?"
Adrian shook his head.
"You weren't wrong because you thought I was poor."
He looked surprised.
"You were wrong because you believed being poor would make someone less deserving of respect."
Adrian lowered his eyes.
Margaret continued.
"That's very different."
He nodded slowly.
"You're right."
"I know."
He looked at her.
She smiled.
"I've been alive long enough to know when I'm right."
Adrian laughed despite himself.
"Daniel told me you own forty percent of the company."
Margaret nodded.
"That's true."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Would it have changed how you treated me?"
Adrian didn't answer.
"Exactly."
She took another sip of tea.
"That's why I didn't tell you."
Adrian looked thoughtful.
"What did you think of the store?"